Sydney train strikes: Chris Minns 'not giving in' to union's 'blackmail'

NSW Premier Chris Minns says the government cannot give in to the union’s “blackmail” after Sydney train commuters were warned to prepare for more delays and cancelled services today.

The NSW government has offered unions a 15 per cent pay rise over four years, up from 9.5 per cent over three years. Sydney Trains workers are demanding a 32 per cent rise over four years and a 35-hour working week.

Rail unions and the NSW government appeared to be close to a deal, but negotiations broke down over a union demand for a $4500 sign-on bonus for every rail worker, which would cost $67 million. Minns is now claiming they are demanding to be paid when they take strike action.

Minns said he was trying to make decisions to end the dispute as soon as possible but he was “not giving in”.

“I could solve this dispute this afternoon by handing over a blank check to the union and agreeing [to] this, but it wouldn’t solve it permanently,” Minns said at a press conference.

“Clearly it’s ridiculous and I think ultimately they think everybody in Sydney is stupid or that they’re getting away with it, but everyone’s onto them.

“I think the second point here is the idea that the New South Wales government would pay workers to go on strike will only lead to one conclusion, and that is more strikes. If at the end of the day, you can get pay for taking industrial action, that will mean more industrial action on the public transport network.”

Minns said he had to be fair across the public service, and he could not pay rail workers to strike but not do the same for other workers like nurses and teachers.

“While I really regret the disruption, it’s the last thing I want. I’m concerned that the claims from the union are so outrageous and seem to be getting worse, not better, that if we were to do it in these circumstances, it would lead to even more industrial action for the people of New South Wales.

“We just have to draw a line in the sand and so we can’t go any further. We’ve made a good faith offer. We’ve put it on the table. We’ve tried to negotiate with the union, but their latest demand is that they want to be paid when they take strike action.”

On Sunday, the Fair Work Commission handed a loss to the government, finding there was not enough evidence to conclude drivers taking sick leave constituted unprotected industrial action. Minns said he was meeting with the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday.