Australia

Elliott threatens to pursue union for damages if Opal readers shut down

The New South Wales government plans to seek damages in court against the state’s main rail union if it goes ahead with plans to indefinitely shut down Opal card readers at Sydney train stations during peak night hours.

Transport Minister David Elliott warns industrial action could cost government tens of millions of dollars in damages and seeks to recover lost fare revenue from New South Wales Rail, Tram and Bus Union in federal court did.

“It can be very expensive for unions,” he said Tuesday.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott.credit:Stephen Seawart

RTBU formally notified The government announced two days ago that it will disable Opal machines at the station gates from 12:01 am on Thursday.

The planned action affects the Opal leader at the ticket gates of Sydney’s main train station. It doesn’t affect people on poles in small suburban stations. The union says members deactivate Opal machines “by utilizing the red emergency buttons on gate lines throughout the network.”

Elliott urged rail workers to reconsider their plans to turn off Opal leaders, arguing they endanger commuters and deny taxpayers legitimate income.

“RTBU recklessly endangers the lives of our community. They are the emergency buttons that qualified persons push in an emergency,” he said.

Railroad workers turn off Opal machines during peak afternoon hours on weekdays starting Thursday,

Railroad workers turn off Opal machines during peak afternoon hours on weekdays starting Thursday,credit:Rhett Wyman

“It is a fundamental right of taxpayers to expect the government to receive revenues for their use of public transportation.”

Elliott threatens to pursue union for damages if Opal readers shut down

Source link Elliott threatens to pursue union for damages if Opal readers shut down

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