(CityRail) Fare-free day: Railcorp to lose $2m (August 9, 2010)

From SMH
Fare-free day: Railcorp to lose $2m
August 9, 2010 - 11:00AM
RailCorp will lose up to $2 million in revenue from the fare-free day in Sydney today, organised by the rail union in support of a pay claim.

Members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) are refusing to issue or check tickets, with entry and exit gates wide open at major stations.

The union is planning further industrial action over the next 12 days, with a total shutdown possible on Wednesday of next week.

But RTBU spokesman Alex Claassens says the strikes are planned to avoid inconvenience to commuters.

A four-hour strike is planned for Thursday of this week, when drivers and guards will stop work between 10am and 2pm.

A second fare-free day is planned for next Monday, August 16, but Mr Claassens is hopeful for a resolution of the dispute before then.

But if negotiations break down, the union plans a 24-hour strike on Wednesday of next week, just three days before the federal election.

The union is seeking a five per cent pay rise and an assurance the increase will not impact staffing levels.

RailCorp says its services will operate to the usual weekday timetable on Monday.

Bus and ferry services still require a ticket.

A spokesman said that RailCorp would be losing up to $2 million in train fares today.

NSW Transport Minister John Robertson says he has spoken to both parties a number of times.

"I'm encouraged that both the unions and RailCorp have said they're committed to working towards an agreement," Mr Robertson said in a statement today.

AAP

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• cityrail
• railcorp
• RBTU
• nsw
• sydney
• railway
• train

[doctornickau]

umm no, check again using google

[jrgibson]

Hey dude -- You know this video is really old!

Certainly not the "August 2010" dating you're suggesting!