NSW citizens have their say on government rail shutdown
23/02/22
The leaders representing diverse communities across NSW have rallied behind RTBU members and expressed disappointment at the state government for shutting down trains on Monday.
These voices represent a vast array of community service, religious and union members, demonstrating the widespread and urgent interest in improved conditions for rail and transport workers. These include calls for improved wages, cleanliness, and safety.
Below, journalists can find publication-ready quotes gathered by the Sydney Alliance and the Hunter Community Alliance from their member organisations. Please contact Communications Coordinator Daniel Nour (details below) for further information.
Yumi Lee, CEO, Older Women's Network NSW
"We find it abhorrent that the NSW government opted to shut down the entire rail network as part of its negotiation tactic against rail workers. Many could not get to work on time, including health care workers on whom so many older people rely on for their treatment and wellbeing. The devastating impact of this government's action cannot be overstated. We stand in solidarity with rail workers as they deserve to be fairly paid for the important work they do."
Fr Peter Smith, Promoter of Justice, and Peace Office – Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
"After all the sacrifice people have made through this pandemic, particularly those who serve the public as well and as courageously as our rail workers, the proposed cut in real wages being pushed by the NSW government is an insult. We believe everyone, rail workers, nurses, teachers, child care workers, paramedics, need more than just a pat on the back - they need their work recognised in fair wages and security in the workplace.
"Surely the last few years have taught all of us the incredible value of each other – human beings working together to keep our communities safe and healthy and moving – NSW rail workers are an integral part of our community and they deserve the respect, conditions and wages that comes with that recognition. Finally we need people like guards to keep our trains safe; any idea that this work can be computerised and left in the hands of a machine needs to be taken off the table. I think we have all seen what we can do when we are working together, we need to build that join work up and not merely outsource community safety to computer technicians."
Mary Waterford, Sydney Alliance Board
“I support the RTBU and the train drivers and I know so many other older people who agree.
I travel frequently by train from the Blue Mountains and know the importance of passenger safety and security. Guards on trains are essential.”
“We must encourage and protect the workers who are keeping the county moving. Wage stagnation and poor work conditions for essential workers lacks economic sense, especially at this time of widespread illnesses and community disruption.”
James Sherriff, Membership & Engagement Officer, Shelter NSW
“Shelter NSW fully supports the RTBU in their bargaining campaign and recognises the right of all workers to negotiate for better conditions through industrial action. In light of the NSW Government and Transport for NSW's irresponsible lockout of rail workers, it is important that community organisations, faith groups, and unions stand together to affirm our support for the RTBU's fair and reasonable industrial action and correct the misinformation which incorrectly labelled Monday's lockout as a strike.
We fully support all the Union's claims, from improved safety on NSW trains to real wage increases above inflation and offer our solidarity during this ongoing period of negotiation.”
Dr Damien Cahill, Division Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union (NSW)
“On Monday, thousands of university staff and students across Sydney were looking forward to returning to campus for the first week of face-to-face teaching after many months of zoom classes and remote education. Thanks to the NSW Government trying to score points against railway workers rather than negotiate a fair deal with them, the first few days of semester have been massively disrupted. University staff support the right of railway workers to take legal industrial action, and we support their call for a safe public transport system which is adequately staffed, and in which those staff are paid fair wages.”
Dave Belcher, spokesperson at Community Disability Alliance Hunter
Public transport is a vital service for people with disability, linking them to their community. Sudden stoppages of service put the health and well-being of people with disability at risk with many being unable to attend medical services or much needed community engagement.
About the Sydney Alliance
The Sydney Alliance is a diverse coalition of community organisations, religious organisations, unions, and schools that uses the tools of community organising for the common good - to make Sydney a more just, fair, and sustainable city. The Alliance has three goals. Firstly to increase and strengthen the leadership capacity of our members, leaders, and staff. Secondly, we seek to deepen relationships across civil society by strengthening relationships between our partner organisations. Finally, we act for the ‘Common Good’.
Head here for more information about how your organisation can become a partner of Sydney Alliance.
About the Hunter Community Alliance
Our Alliance brings together diverse community organisations, environmental groups, unions, and religious organisations to advance the common good and achieve fair, just, and sustainable cities and regions. We do this by providing opportunities for people to have a say in decisions that affect them, their families and everyone working and living in our cities and regions. We are a non-party political organisation. Our membership represents about 250,000 people in the Hunter region.
