Sydney commuters are again facing delays and cancellations on Friday morning as protected industrial action takes place.
The Sydney Train and South Coast networks are impacted, with the state government urging passengers to delay non-essential travel or seek alternative routes.
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From Thursday evening, trains between Wollongong and Bomaderry were not running in both directions, with only a limited amount of replacement buses organises.
“Sydney Trains again apologises to our passengers for the disruption and thanks everybody for their understanding as staff work to minimise the impacts of this protected industrial action,” Sydney Trains said in a statement.
“We are working through the full impact of the protected industrial action and will update passengers as soon as possible of any potential disruption to services.”
Since industrial action commenced, 52 services have been affected by delays or cancellations across the Sydney Trains, Intercity and NSW Trainlink network.
With the federal court ruling in favour of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), action will compromise services in the lead-up to Christmas and New Year.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray told ABC that the industrial action could impact about 50 per cent of train services ahead of New Year’s Eve.
“That is not just impractical; it is not just a nuisance factor for the government as was stated, it is reckless. It is impossible to run New Year’s Eve at that kind of restriction,” he said.
The RTBU continues to call for a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a 35-hour work week without reducing remuneration.
Additional requests include training allowances as well as meal allowances for callouts and a penalty paid to employees if they are not paid correctly or on time.