Aussies ‘held to ransom’ over union strikes, pay deals as Sydney train network chaos exposes crippling population issue

Millions of Aussies are effectively being “held to ransom” as some of the country’s biggest unions pressure state governments over better pay and conditions. Commuters were hung out to dry last week when Sydney’s train network was – stalled by frosty negotiations between critical rail workers and the government over a pay deal. And while the Fair Work Commission has suspended any action for a week, the conflict appears destined to reignite over continued disagreements with what is considered a fair deal. But with the issues surrounding safe work and affordable pay dominating the conversation since 2017, could it be a case that such delays and actions were inevitable? HR expert Sonia King has raised the problem of a lack of understanding surrounding project management – particularly around the “triple constraint” principle. “(Triple constraint) states that if you increase the scope, you increase the time and you increase the cost,” Ms King, the founder of King HR consultants, said. Ms King – who wrote at length about similar train strikes in the capital back in 2018 – said the scope in this debacle involved the number of services running and the associated problems that come with managing such a huge problem. “Which means you must have the resources to maintain the quality and meet the schedule within the budget,” she said. “And, of course, as the population increases, the demand for services increases along with it. “(So) do we have the infrastructure, human resources and the budget to achieve the milestones required in the time required?” This week’s chaos was sparked by a return to industrial action from rail unions, as they renew pressure on the NSW Minns government over long-running negotiations for a new pay deal for the 13,000 rail workers. This dispute has been going on for eight months. The latest negotiations chilled after the government’s latest offer – a 15 per cent pay rise, which included a 1 per cent super increase – was summarily rejected. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW branch has asked for a 32 per cent pay rise over the next four years for its members. The first of this week’s disruptions – which led to mass cancellations and extra long train trips – were a result of the Electrical Trades Union banning its members operating padlocks and other locking mechanisms connected to Sydney’s train system. It meant crucial maintenance inspections needed at sections of the network weren’t able to go ahead – leading to the network’s signals going red as a safety precaution. Those signals therefore needed to be manually changed to allow individual trains to pass from one set of tracks to another, all while moving at a snail’s pace. Compounding this, the RTBU’s separate three-day action led to trains travelling 23km/h below the speed limit in 80km/h zones. But in an astonishing development, NSW Premier Chris Minns threatened to call in the Fair Work Commission on Thursday. Under its powers, the regulator can intervene to stop protected industrial action if said action endangers life, personal safety or health or welfare of people or causes significant damage to the Australian economy or part of it. Mr Minns said the government had sat in “good faith” while demanding an end to the widescale disruption. The Fair Work Commission has now suspended industrial action across the network until next week, offering some temporary reprieve. In her assessment of the scenario, Ms King said it appeared Sydneysiders were being held to ransom because of the union’s demands. “But how are they to get the attention they need otherwise? The issues have not been addressed properly since the initial action written about in 2017,” she said. The RTBU’s NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes has been adamant he did not want to use commuters as a “ping pong ball” during negotiations, urging the Premier to see sense in their deal offer. But the government has also said the aforementioned demands are unaffordable. “Yet, government makes money out of population growth, including tourism and international students,” Ms King noted. “The question here is how much money is expected to be made? And what is required for our cities to cope with the increase? “Has any of that been factored into the decision making?” A similar scenario could unfold in Queensland, where some of the Sunshine State’s top union bosses have threatened industrial action across hospitals, schools and police stations if their pay demands are not met. Newly minted Premier David Crisafulli was reported to be coming to the negotiation table with a view to broker a new three-year deal. This includes discussions with Queensland’s Nurses and Midwives Union and the Department of Health. Ms King said the planned increases in population, along with the accompanying infrastructure requirements, had not been factored into negotiations. “Moving ahead with one part of the plan without ensuring the other parts (such as infrastructure) are in place is a recipe for disaster,” she said. “That’s been experienced all over the world, over history, and it appears we have learned nothing from the past.” In a statement after the Fair Work Commission’s latest decision, the RTBU called on the government to stop “delay tactics” and come back to the table. “It’s been 45 days since the government last sat down with the combined rail union, and instead of taking responsibility, they’ve chosen to play political games and shift blame, all while leaving workers and commuters in limbo,” the union said. A spokeswoman said the union would provide a counteroffer and said there was “still time” to resolve the dispute.