Sydney Train Network Faces Continued Disruption After Union Action Blocked
A federal court injunction halted planned industrial action, but unresolved pay disputes signal potential future disruptions.
- The NSW government secured a last-minute federal court injunction on Sunday to block industrial action by rail unions set for Monday.
- Despite the injunction, Sydney's train network experienced delays and cancellations on Monday due to residual impacts from earlier preparations for industrial action.
- The dispute centers on rail unions' demands for a 32% pay rise over four years and a reduced 35-hour workweek, which the government has rejected as unsustainable.
- Union leaders criticized the government's legal intervention, claiming negotiations were close to an agreement before the injunction derailed talks.
- The unions plan to ballot members on new industrial actions, raising the possibility of further disruptions after Christmas if no resolution is reached.