The rail union’s opposition to the conversion of a 13-kilometre stretch of the Bankstown line to metro train standards is causing major disruptions and delays for fans travelling to Sydney Olympic Park for the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks. The union is also pushing for a significant pay increase and reduced work hours, contributing to the ongoing dispute with the government. A 12-month shutdown of the T3 line between Sydenham and Bankstown is set to begin soon, but construction cannot proceed until the work bans are lifted on the Bankstown line. The government is facing potential extra costs of $100 million per month if the dispute is not resolved promptly.
Despite the government spending $2.5 billion on the metro conversion, delays caused by the union’s work bans could escalate costs substantially. Labor MP Jo Haylen warned that all contracts have been signed, and major construction can commence, leading to costly delays if an agreement is not reached soon. The two sides were close to reaching an agreement, but certain demands from the union, such as having a Sydney Trains qualified driver on every metro train, were points of contention. The union insists that their proposals address safety concerns related to the conversion of the line.
The union’s primary concern with the conversion of the Bankstown line is the safety implications of running a metro service at high speeds along ground level. Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray acknowledged the complexity of the conversion process, emphasizing the need for the union’s cooperation in shutting off multiple points on the T3 line. Significant investments have been made in the conversion of the Bankstown line, with the Minns government allocating an additional $1.1 billion to complete the project.
An industrial dispute between the rail union and the previous Coalition government two years ago led to increased costs for the construction of the metro line under Sydney Harbour and the CBD, as well as the Bankstown line conversion. The current disruptions and delays are a result of broken promises to the union movement by the Labor government, according to Coalition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward. The ongoing dispute threatens to impact not only commuters but also important infrastructure projects and the overall cost of the conversion of the Bankstown line.
In summary, the ongoing industrial dispute between the rail union and the government regarding the conversion of the Bankstown line to metro standards is causing significant disruptions and potential cost escalations. The dispute, which includes demands for a pay increase and reduced work hours, has led to work bans that are hindering major construction and increasing delays. The conversion of the line is complex and requires cooperation from the union to proceed smoothly. The government faces mounting costs and challenges in completing the project if an agreement is not reached promptly.