THE MARITIME Union has declared “free travel” on Sydney Ferries from now [11 September] until 6 October, but Transport for NSW has warned such a move sits outside the permitted scope of protected industrial action.
The MUA announced yesterday that the latest industrial action will see Opal card readers switched off and turnstiles left wide open across the Sydney Ferries network, with Sydney branch deputy secretary Paul Garrett saying “I offer to personally welcome any doubters from TfNSW or operator Transdev aboard one of Sydney Ferries’ iconic vessels tomorrow, fare-free, to see for themselves the consequences of their pig headedness".
The union said attempts by TfNSW and Transdev executives to deny the workforce had a right to take this industrial action would not change the fact that it would ultimately go ahead.
Mr Garrett said the message to TfNSW and Transdev was simple: The dispute over wages and conditions on the ferries had not been resolved and the industrial action is going ahead.
“If Transport for NSW executives have time to front the media on behalf of their private contractor, they've got time to fix this at the negotiating table,” Mr Garrett said. “If TfNSW and Transdev won't pay workers fairly, we won't collect the fares at the turnstiles.”
Mr Garrett said commuters should ignore the spin coming from the department responsible for the failed privatisation of Sydney's ferry services. Passengers would be able to travel on Sydney ferries without paying a fare during industrial action that will run all the way through to the October Long Weekend.
Mr Garrett said the action would ensure that the travelling public did not bear the financial cost of the dispute.
TfNSW coordinator general Howard Collins said passengers should stay informed and continue to tap on and tap off when travelling on Sydney Ferries. The PIA does not require Opal readers to be deactivated. Passengers must continue to tap on and tap off using a valid Opal card or contactless payment method when travelling, he said.
“There has been some speculation about free travel on Sydney Ferries during this period, however, normal fares continue to apply and all passengers are required to tap on and tap off with a valid Opal card or contactless payment method when travelling,” Mr Collins said.
Transdev Sydney Ferries considers that deactivating Opal readers would fall outside the industrial action notified by the MUA.
Workers are seeking a 5% wage increase, together with annual wage increases that protect their pay against inflation and the rising cost of living.
Mr Garrett said workers were not prepared to accept a situation where a foreign-owned multinational private operator benefited from a publicly funded transport network while the workforce responsible for delivering the service fell further behind.
“These workers are not asking for anything outrageous,” Mr Garrett said. “They want fair wages, they want their pay protected against inflation, and they want Transdev to recognise the skills and responsibility involved in operating a safety-critical public transport network.”
TfNSW and Transdev Sydney Ferries will continue to take steps to minimise the impact of industrial action on customers and are investigating options to mitigate any potential disruption, Mr Collins said.
Disruptions may occur at short notice and customers should allow extra travel time and check the latest service information before travelling.
The union said the industrial action would remain in place until the issues in dispute were properly resolved.