The rail union says it has been advised Transport for New South Wales will shut down the Illawarra rail line on Wednesday, amid planned industrial action.
Key points:
- Industrial action will result in a drastic reduction in trains on the Illawarra South Coast line on Wednesday
- The union says it planned industrial action over train safety issues from 10am till 4pm, but Transport for NSW has escalated the situation.
- Transport for NSW says services will be impacted from 6am to 8pm and customers should consider alternative transport
Workers at dozens of stations including Wollongong are set to walk off the job for six hours on Wednesday, as the union’s ongoing dispute with the state government about the safety of new trains continues.
But the union says Transport management yesterday advised it of plans escalate planned action by deciding to stop running trains on the Illawarra South Coast line.
Alex Claassens from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union says it’s disappointing as the industrial action was designed to ensure services could continue to run.
“Senior management and the transport bureaucrats have made a decision they are going to stop all trains on the Illawarra line from 6am to 8pm Wednesday which we believe is a drastic escalation of our industrial action,” he said.
“Yet again it’s another example the transport bureaucrats have deliberately used our industrial action to escalate it and make it seem like we’re doing this horrible thing.”
In a statement, Transport for NSW said that while the industrial action officially runs from 10am – 4pm, customers will likely be impacted for longer.
“Our customers will start to feel the effects from around 6am,” a spokesperson said.
“To ensure the safety of our customers, staff, and the network overall, trains will need to be taken back to stabling yards and depots before the industrial action starts.”
Customers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance, consider alternative transport options and allow extra travel time.
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