More strikes are set to affect Sydney transport, with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) announcing plans for two weeks of industrial action starting from 12 February.

The action follows the New South Wales government's refusal of a union request to refund train fares for passengers affected by network disruptions in January. 

The government is offering a “fare free day” instead, to be implemented once the current pay dispute is resolved.

The industrial action will involve a “go slow” strategy, where trains will operate 23 kilometres per hour below the speed limit in zones designated at 80 kilometres per hour or higher. 

This follows a temporary suspension of previous industrial actions after negotiations with the government at the Fair Work Commission last month.

A spokesperson for the NSW government has told reporters that the RTBU had made “binding undertakings to the Fair Work Commission relating to industrial action”, adding that “these proposed restrictions are expected to be of minor disruption to the travelling public”.

“But we'll keep a close eye on the action to ensure the union abides by those undertakings,” they said. 

The planned action coincides with significant changes in the state's transport leadership. 

Jo Haylen resigned as Transport Minister amid controversy over her use of a ministerial vehicle for personal trips. 

The RTBU has described her departure as “both a threat and an opportunity”, with uncertainty about how a new minister might handle the dispute.

In parallel, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) will conduct rolling work stoppages for Sydney Trains workers between 8am and 4pm on 12 February. 

An ETU spokesperson claimed this action was “designed not to have any impact on trains or commuters”.

The NSW government has been engaged in an eight-month-long pay dispute with unions representing 13,000 Sydney Trains employees. 

The dispute also extends to broader transport policy issues, including criticism from the RTBU over the government’s procurement of overseas-manufactured buses despite prior commitments to local production.

CareerSpot This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.