Sydney Trains boss ditches vaccination mandates for all rail workers as strike action continues

Sydney Trains has ditched its Covid vaccine mandate for all rail staff as the union ramps up strikes across the state.

In a memo sent to employees, Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland confirmed the group had assessed its COVIDSAFE Measures Policy and decided to no longer impose the rule.

The changes will come in from September 1, but Mr Longland stressed they ‘strongly recommend’ workers get the vaccine to protect themselves and passengers.

‘After reviewing all your feedback, along with the advice of our safety team and Chief Health Officer – Dr Armand Casolin, a decision has been made to cease applying the COVIDSafe Measure Police within Sydney Trains effective from September 1,’ he said in the internal email.

‘Ceasing the Policy Means that while it remains strong recommended that all workers keep up to date with vaccinations as the best way to protect themselves from risk of serious illness, vaccination will no longer be mandated.’

Staff and passengers still must wear masks on public transport, with the Sydney Trains CEO said they could change their policies should the current pandemic climate evolve.

‘We will continue to monitor NSW Health advice and other relevant sources and adjust our response to Covid-19 and the safety measures needed in our unique work environments,’ Mr Longland wrote. 

Team leaders will be handing down additional information to workers, while the train boss also reminded staff there were mental health support protocols in place as part of its employee assistance program.

In a memo sent to employees, Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland confirmed the group had assessed its COVIDSAFE Measures Policy and decided to no longer impose the rule

Sydney train commuters faced delays on Tuesday as the rail union’s month of targeted strikes, criticised by the government and the opposition, reduced services on the network.

Transport for NSW warned travellers of a week of disruptions, with services to be again significantly impacted by strike action on Thursday.

Services were reduced on the T1 North Shore and Western lines and T7 Olympic Park and T9 Northern lines on Tuesday and trains on the T5 Cumberland Line between Richmond and Leppington did not run.

On Thursday, suburban trains will run to amended timetables as City Circle and Redfern workers strike from 10am to 4pm.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns reiterated on Tuesday the current industrial action should cease.

‘We don’t support the strikes today, we’re urging all sides to get back to the negotiating table.’

‘Bank the wins and the agreements that have already been agreed on, wait for the temperature to reduce, get both sides around the table and let’s literally get these trains back on the tracks,’ he said. 

Staff and passengers still must wear masks on public transport, with the Sydney Trains CEO said they could change their policies should the current pandemic climate evolve 

The head of the rail union locked in negotiations over long running disputes with the NSW government says progress has been made as strikes reduced services again.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Alex Claassens said striking workers were angry and annoyed over the lack of progress at a stop work meeting in Blacktown on Tuesday.

However, a meeting with transport management on Tuesday morning – the fourth since Friday – made progress on a deed to make alterations to a new intercity fleet of Korean-built trains that the union says are not yet safe to operate in NSW.

‘Unless another minister interferes in that process, we may actually be able to come out and say sometime … in the next few days that there’ll be a breakthrough on the deed,’ he said.

‘Every time we get close to that, there is a backflip,’ Mr Claassens warned.

The government has been making a similar argument in recent days, saying the union rejects or seeks alterations to whatever is put in front of them.

‘It’s one issue after another issue after another issue, and every time the government seeks to resolve them, they find something else,’ Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday.

Sydney train commuters faced delays on Tuesday as the rail union’s month of targeted strikes, criticised by the government and the opposition, reduced services on the network

Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope said on Tuesday morning he did not know where negotiations would go next.

‘I think there has to be a plan B,’ he told 2GB.

‘Let’s get a sort of independent arbiter to work between us but it’s got to be conditional upon a suspension or pausing of industrial activity,’ he said.

‘At the moment, there’s only one party in the room that wants to reach a solution.’

Mr Claassens said Mr Tudehope was not being helpful by ‘throwing grenades’ with his suggestion the union does not want to reach an agreement.

‘We are genuinely always trying to negotiate … politicians coming out, getting up off their couches and making snide comments about ‘we should get back to the table’ … honestly, they don’t know what they’re talking about.’

‘We have been negotiating every bloody second day … we are actually trying to get this stuff done,’ Mr Claassens said.

Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.