Sydney commuters warned of ‘immediate’ industrial action across rail network after court decision

Commuters have been warned to expect imminent disruptions across Sydney’s rail network – including in the lead up to the busy New Years period – after a court quashed a bid to halt industrial action.

The federal court on Thursday dismissed the Minns government’s attempt to stop industrial action – including work stoppages – that rail unions had voted to take.

Toby Warnes, the New South Wales secretary of the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), said the union would now tell its members they could bring forward industrial action.

Prior to Thursday’s ruling, the union had applied for a fresh protected industrial action ballot – which members voted in favour of – that would be exempt from the interim injunction.

“As a result, industrial action will recommence immediately. We’re going back to our office to inform our members to enforce the bans that were on immediately before the injunction two Sundays ago,” Warnes said.

Earlier this month, the government had successfully applied for an interim injunction that effectively paused rolling industrial action – which had been launched after an intense negotiating period for a new pay deal broke down.

Work stoppages, as well as distance limits for drivers and orders to deactivate Opal readers, are among the industrial actions that can now take place after Thursday’s court decision.

– More to come