‘Like wrestling smoke’: Premier accuses rail union of abusing sick leave

“It’s like wrestling smoke … If I give a blank check to the union, I guarantee you, you’ll see more rail chaos, not less. They’ll promise that that’s the end of it, but it won’t be,” he said.

RTBU secretary Toby Warnes said if the government committed to paying members who engage in industrial action, then the uncertainty would end. Negotiations between the government and the union deteriorated after the union brought a $4500 sign-on bonus to the table, which the government claims had never been part of the current negotiations.

Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said levels of absenteeism among drivers on Monday were around double what the department would usually experience in a whole day.

Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1526 train drivers and guards did not show up to work and 3935 services were cancelled or delayed.

On Sunday evening there appeared to be confusion among union members, with messages circulating in union groups giving conflicting instructions. One, which Warnes said was not authorised by him, said workers should not accept work on Monday.

Another message directed staff to go to work, noting that unpredictability was a powerful negotiating strategy. The Herald was unable to confirm the source of either message.

The state government hopes to end the disruptions and the industrial action at a Fair Work Commission hearing on Wednesday.

More to come