[Unobtainable / Cancelled] Free Train Travel: RTBU NSW to Turn off Opal Readers at All Train Stations from Wed 21 September

Ljbird84 on 14/09/2022 - 14:42
Last edited 17/09/2022 - 23:44 by 3 other users

Moved to Forum: Original Link

Reason: Opal card readers will continue to operate on Wednesday. Please read the latest Twitter post by RTBU for details.

First time poster, long time reader. Unions NSW have announced their intent to shut off Opal readers at all train stations starting next Wednesday, 21 September, citing the need for safety improvements and a fair pay rise. I couldn't link to the precise Twitter post as I'm a newbie, but you can find the announcement on their @UnionsNSW account. The link provided goes to The Guardian's mention of the action. The tweet mentions that the NSW Gov't may work out a way to turn the readers back on, so we'll see. Text of the primary tweet is as follows.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
All opal machines at train stations in Sydney and NSW will be turned off indefinitely, from Wednesday next week.
If there is no way to tap on or off, you cannot be fined. Please remain vigilant as the NSW Premier may try various tactics to turn machines on.

The Twitter thread continues on detailing the union's reasons for action, which could also be considered free reading material for your free train ride. Cheers.

Mod - Deal link updated

General Discussion

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Comments

  • CyberMurning on 14/09/2022 - 18:40
    +1

    Central station opal gate towards uts / railways square bus stops, is open since yesterday.
    Whats going on?

    • xoom on 14/09/2022 - 22:41
      +1

      Its been open for far longer than yesterday.

  • niknah on 14/09/2022 - 18:47

    What if I get on and off on stations with just a pole and no gates. Does this make any difference for me?

  • nGu on 14/09/2022 - 19:26

    On paper this looks like a left/right issue but really it's a class divide and people paying taxes (us) suffer for it. Striking's been a thing for as long as I've been alive and management not caring about their workers is going to be a thing under any form of government or economy.

    Everyone arguing against each other and making people mad here are ignoring the cause of it

    • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 10:04
      +1

      Government agreed to fix "safety" issues of the trains.

      Government agreed to salary increase in line with the entire public sector.

      So what else does the RTBU want? To me, they're just being greedy and removing my freedom of choice.

  • akl977ad on 14/09/2022 - 19:45

    Not really a deal, not confirmed that people are able to travel free without reprocussions.

  • Seraphin7 on 14/09/2022 - 19:51

    Bring on driverless trains!

    • StarPlatinum on 14/09/2022 - 19:55
      +1

      Driveless are way more expensive than using drivers. Additionally driverless trains require straight platform almost all of the stations in sydney are not straight
      https://theconversation.com/costs-of-sydneys-driverless-trai…

      • Seraphin7 on 14/09/2022 - 20:05

        Driveless are way more expensive than using drivers.

        Worth it.

        • StarPlatinum on 15/09/2022 - 06:50
          +1

          Did you not read the article at all?

          • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 10:03
            +7

            @StarPlatinum: I'd rather have a train show up every 2 - 4 mins than a train not show up due to the driver striking. The article does not take into account the economic impact of unions striking.

      • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 10:01
        +1

        No they don't. The platforms just need to be modified then, like they're doing on the Bankstown line.

        • StarPlatinum on 15/09/2022 - 10:13
          -1

          Which is extremely costly. Just read the article that I sent

          • spamus on 15/09/2022 - 10:25
            +4

            @StarPlatinum: And what about the capacity improvements it unlocks for the whole network? Metro is far more than just about saving on driver costs.

          • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 11:31

            @StarPlatinum: I've already known all the "issues" that your article glosses over. It's been covered by various local YouTubers. The "costs" also depends on one's perspective. It's can also be regarded as an investment. I'd rather a metro service with high frequency that keeps people moving. It's so much better than the government building Toll Roads and us getting slugged with 4% increase in the toll every 6 months that goes to private companies.

  • coast666 on 14/09/2022 - 20:06
    +1

    Don't you think they are greedy, surely many people would want to take that jobs if they can be replaced (their salary is not that bad)…strike is never ending …

  • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2022 - 20:08
    -3

    Fine the unions the $45 Million per day.
    It is no metaphorical difference to leaving the doors to the Apple store unlocked to facilitate a theft.
    Turning off the Opal Machines is a conscious act to facilitate theft or damage.
    If I switched off the power to cool-rooms or hacked the POS system it would be a tort at the very least.
    Can't comprehend how unions even have a say in this.

    • Vote for Pedro on 14/09/2022 - 20:50
      +6

      Under what law?

      You know the unions have complied with the law. Here’s when protected industrial action can take place and the steps that have to be followed first: https://www.fwc.gov.au/issues-we-help/industrial-action/orga…

      Also, NSW Government took the unions to court to stop the protected industrial action… and lost.

      Perhaps the NSW Government should stop throwing tanties and get back to the negotiations.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2022 - 09:44
        +1

        @Vote for Pedro I would suggest Tortious Interference. Although based upon the voting metrics of imported socialism on ozbargain it would not win votes.

        Transport loses $2 Billion dollars a year, with $2 Billion in trains not being used and a bloated workforce operating under arcane 18th century rules. I am surprised we don't have engineers and cokers still doing bullshit jobs on each train. You lot had a year off on full pay with Covid - it has consequences in inflation.

        Tortious interference, also known as intentional interference with contractual relations, in the common law of torts, occurs when one person intentionally damages someone else's contractual or business relationships with a third party, causing economic harm.[1] As an example, someone could use blackmail to induce a contractor into breaking a contract; they could threaten a supplier to prevent them from supplying goods or services to another party; or they could obstruct someone's ability to honor a contract with a client by deliberately refusing to deliver necessary goods.[2]

        A tort of negligent interference occurs when one party's negligence damages the contractual or business relationship between others, causing economic harm, such as, by blocking a waterway or causing a blackout that prevents the utility company from being able to uphold its existing contracts with consumers.[3]

        • Vote for Pedro on 17/09/2022 - 18:53
          +1

          You get that this is being done under the guise of protected industrial action under the fair work act? The act also prevents adverse action to anyone undertaking protected industrial action. You do get that. So your common law approach would very likely fail.

          The only argument available is whether or not the actual activity is within the bounds of the protected action order given by fair work.

          If it is, then nothing can be done by government other than locking workers out.

          If it is not within the bounds of the order the government can seek injunction to prevent the action and if it goes ahead it would be illegal industrial action and heavy penalties apply.

          This is why OzBargain is a source of entertainment rather than actual reliable information. Need to brush up on your bush lawyering skills my friend.

          • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2022 - 08:13

            @Vote for Pedro: I was talking with one of the Federal Union Organisers about 3-5 months ago - an absolute communist fanatic - he told me that there were plans for rolling strikes across a number of sectors in the public service.

            His great pride was that these scum control access to government monopoly assets and they will bring the government to their bidding.

            Now I don't care if union thugs and their lazy minions are protected by compromised politicians and political parties, appointed judges or the idle hands of millions of their rank and file who carve out special treatment for their vandalism and theft. The average at best who espouse equality but crave special treatment.

            I have zero interest in whatever special favours the the union movement has been able to wring from the common law via statute. State government unions are scum and should be banned. Selfish little people whose only objective to is poison the well for their own selfish end whilst hiding behind a fig-leaf of moral superiority and faux/sensationalist outrage, albeit the politicians are no better - both have their snouts in the public wealth.

            So technically, you are correct there is regulated law, procedure and court for labour matters my myopic friend.

            Meanwhile $2.8 Billion of infrastructure held captive to ransom by mid-wits who would burn Alexandria to stay warm - or just take a dump on your doorstep so they claim an environmental grant and create a new bullshit job.

            • Vote for Pedro on 19/09/2022 - 09:09
              +2

              @[Deactivated]: Not just technically, but actually.

              Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t believe a word you just said. You seem to have a little biased ideology based on your language.

              Why don’t you ask yourself this question. Who used threatening language in the media? Who fanned the flames by calling workers ‘terrorists’? Who walked away from bargaining and threatened workers if they don’t agree to their demands they’d tear up their current agreement and slash pays by up to 50%?

              Is that how you negotiate in good faith and expect the other side to just cop it?

              • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2022 - 10:13
                -1

                @Vote for Pedro: Oh petal, quick find the fainting couch - he used bad words.
                Solipsistic victim-hood bears no reason or responsibility.

                I am not defending Elliot or any polly; as for my source not going to dox but it was a conversation up the Northern Rivers post flood event. They have been accurate to date.

                As for belief, whatever is most comforting.

        • Vote for Pedro on 18/09/2022 - 09:28

          Not tooting my own horn but Toot Toot.

          The government went down my path of seeking injunction and hearing to deem it as unprotected industrial action.

          I’d love to see the papers from the government lawyers outlining the grounds but I sense the union will withdraw, regroup and probably rework the action, seek a new ballot and get a new fair work order for the action under clearer language.

          My recommendation is that elliot stops calling people terrorists and to actually get back to the negotiating table. Remember, it’s the government that walked away and started making threats

  • punk on 14/09/2022 - 20:21

    no deal.

  • alamodey on 14/09/2022 - 21:20

    is this a deal? what if i get fined?

    • djoz on 15/09/2022 - 16:13

      You get OzBargained in that case.

  • spamus on 14/09/2022 - 21:21
    +2

    So if a station is rostered with non-union workers who don't turn off the readers presumably you could be fined?

  • Milovan on 15/09/2022 - 00:05

    Will this apply for airport trains?

    • xoom on 15/09/2022 - 00:40

      Pressing X for doubt.

  • LoserScott on 15/09/2022 - 05:00
    -4

    Just fire the city rail staff, employ police at hub stations from 6am til 2pm, and 3pm til 10pm at Penrith, blacktown Parramatta, strathfield, central, Liverpool, blacktown.

    Employ biometric facial recognition technology at station hubs if people walk past non station gates insisting to tap on or be fined.

    Roll the trains out….

    Employ contract based cleaners then remove the terminal pay windows.

  • Topdog on 15/09/2022 - 06:05

    How do unions turn off opal machines. Not there properly? If it's staff that are doing it, they should be fired and arrested.

  • Bodogbodog on 15/09/2022 - 07:42
    +4

    It’s not a deal and people forget that the people who end up paying are the NSW Taxpayers who have to meet the cost of operating the trains without revenue being collected - so the taxpayer is the loser

  • jason101 on 15/09/2022 - 08:05

    This is deliberate sabotage by workers. No different to a Coles checkout operator turning off the register and waving customers through because they’re not happy with x or y. I’m not invested in the reason for the dispute, but turning off the ticketing system is just facilitation of theft. It doesn’t punish the government at all, just the NSW taxpayer.

  • IainND on 15/09/2022 - 09:26
    +1

    Lotta cops on the thread.

  • Wickadz on 15/09/2022 - 09:45
    +2

    Great work RBTU.
    Fares of NSW transport only covers around 1/4 of the actual running costs. The cost of implementing & maintaining opal, transport officers fining passengers takes away any recoupable money.

    For the whingers saying taxpayers will pay for this, yes you're right, but its SO insignificant. Back your fellow workers before they come for your industry too.

    • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 10:00
      +3

      How is 25% insignificant? It's millions of tax payer money.

      • Wickadz on 15/09/2022 - 10:10
        +3

        That's why I said, once you factor in the cost of maintaining and implementing opal, transit officers etc it is much less than 25%. Public transport might as well be free.

        Remember those 2 weeks free we had in April - people were lining up for hours to get on a ferry, people were actually using public transport. The roads were less congested. If we had more services running for free, it would be far more efficient.

        • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 11:33
          +3

          Well from a city planning perspective what you say makes sense. It's better than the Govt. building more toll roads, more societal benefits with widespread public transport use. But I still don't condone the Union's actions as they removed our freedom of choice.

        • kenplho on 15/09/2022 - 15:02

          Pretty sweet idea. Although I'm pretty sure the union will find a way to keep those jobs and therefore make Sydney Trains lose even more money than it currently does.

    • Juice-Wa on 15/09/2022 - 10:40
      +2

      Here in mining, my industry is doing much better without the union

    • darkmattersunB6c0MV on 15/09/2022 - 12:49
      +1

      What a doltish perspective!!
      25% is not what I would say insignificant.
      You are essentially supporting stealing from the government.

      Also, while the government is reckless in giving "mates" pricey jobs, two wrongs do not make a right.

      Let's privatize if the government is so ineffective and impotent.
      But more than half would have an issue with that!

      The unions are blackmailing the government into agreeing to their demands - that go beyond just safety concerns.

      • ThithLord on 15/09/2022 - 14:34
        -1

        Let's privatize if the government is so ineffective and impotent.

        Welcome to how the LNP operates. This is exactly why they run the Government so ineptly.

  • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 09:59
    +1

    What if we're using Metro as part of the journey? I can't only tap on, and not tap off then, and be charged the maximum fare, increasing my expenses in a tight economy. Thanks RTBU for removing my freedom of choice, much appreciated.

  • bargainatoraah on 15/09/2022 - 10:03
    +3

    Had my neg vote revoked. Unions are a joke.

  • HiEthan on 15/09/2022 - 10:50
    +3

    If my boss refuse to raise my wage, can I lock the office door?

    • ThithLord on 15/09/2022 - 11:09
      +3

      You're almost there, mate.

      If you didn't receive a raise in wage last year, your pay has gone backwards due to inflation.

      Soooo if most of your workforce go tools down while negotiating, you get a result. Collective bargaining.

      • nomadspartan on 15/09/2022 - 11:34
        +1

        So what if you're pay has gone backwards. Just cut down on your spending to maintain your savings rate. That's what the RBA wants you to do anyway to reduce inflation.

      • foggy10 on 15/09/2022 - 17:13
        +2

        If you didn't get a wage rise then no one is stopping you from staying. You can choose to go find another better paying job. Everyone has a choice. But to stay and whinge, go on strike as if you deserved a pay rise with some form of entitlement is plain ignorant to the pressures of business. Perspective is everything and when you understand that budgets are always limited and there is always a give and take - to give a pay rise money has to come from somewhere else.

    • GG57 on 15/09/2022 - 11:37

      Is that to lock people in or lock them out?

  • adamjb007 on 15/09/2022 - 12:29

    Please don't tap on and support our rail workers. and there is a very small chance that police will be patrolling at gates, best thing to do is sneak through when they're busy with someone else or find a different exit. If you can't then tap off as you exit, if they still try and pull you up just tell them you were pressured by a rail worker to walk through and not tap on.

    For the record, I am not a rail worker, nor am I affiliated with any union.

    • kenplho on 15/09/2022 - 15:06

      I understand the sentiment - are you guaranteeing that I won't be fined by doing what you ask for?

      • nephilim on 15/09/2022 - 16:42

        They have metro police on buses when they did a similar thing a few years ago in Adelaide.

      • adamjb007 on 15/09/2022 - 18:30
        +1

        A mate of mine got pulled up by cops on a train during the recent strikes. He just told them the people at the station told him to go through and the class trator cop let him off with a warning

  • rwps on 15/09/2022 - 12:34

    love it - good for PT using public and workers

  • OZBUser2022 on 15/09/2022 - 12:41
    +7

    I personally believe that we should have permanent free public transport.
    Once we have that, more people are happy to go put to play, and then the restaurants earn more, the government get more tax income than the traffic tickets income.
    Why not?

    • nobro25 on 16/09/2022 - 05:23

      I don't use public transport why should I pay and extra 5% of my annual income to the government. Why not fix the roads instead?

      • norrisrules on 22/09/2022 - 21:25

        because every person on a train is a person that isn't on the road?

  • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2022 - 15:24
    +1

    Right, so go on strike and cost the state more money to argue against more money?

  • superforever on 15/09/2022 - 17:29

    So just in time for the 22 Sept holiday?

  • juddy90 on 15/09/2022 - 18:11

    This is not free, we all pay for it through increased taxes or reduced services elsewhere

  • kev98 on 15/09/2022 - 20:00
    +1

    While I somewhat sympathise with the rail workers and think David Elliot is a lightweight, I don’t quite understand how they are allowed to do this.

    I don’t really see how it is that different to Kmart workers taking industrial action and saying they are going to turn off the cash registers…

  • superforever on 16/09/2022 - 08:59

    Just wondering how about Metro, didn't see much staff there?

    • GG57 on 16/09/2022 - 09:10

      Today?
      This action, if it eventuates, is supposed to happen next week.

      • superforever on 16/09/2022 - 09:14

        I mean Metro normally no staff around to help because all automatic.

    • nomadspartan on 16/09/2022 - 12:54

      Metro is a JV with a private company. It won't be affected.

      • xoom on 16/09/2022 - 12:56
        +1

        Which would then suck if you cannot tap on from starting station going to a metro station.

  • Bettyboo on 17/09/2022 - 18:25

    If the gate is open, will I get fine if I did not tap my opal card?

  • kev98 on 17/09/2022 - 22:12

    Not going to happen now according to smh

  • pennypincher98 on 17/09/2022 - 22:52
    +1

    Been called off
    https://amp.abc.net.au/article/101451318

    "Commuters will not be getting free travel from Wednesday. The RTBU NSW is fully committed to giving fare free travel to commuters and is now considering alternative ways that this can be achieved,"

  • superforever on 18/09/2022 - 10:23

    Hope the gov will have free ride on 22Sept holiday.

  • Homr on 18/09/2022 - 10:56
    -1

    oh wow that sucks, was keep to catch a free ferry on Thursday

    Can we take this up to ACCC?

  • Harry P Ness on 18/09/2022 - 12:31
    +3

    Not happening now. FWC declared the action as "unprotected", thereby preventing the RTBU from doing as intended.

  • Homr on 19/09/2022 - 17:18
    +1

    Back in stock guys

    https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/rtbu-hopes-to-…

  • hippo2s on 22/09/2022 - 14:07
    Merged from What's happening to Sydney Trains Union turning off Opal card readers from today?

    I recall last week there was a bunch of brouhaha around Union turning off Opal card readers from today. But since a couple of days ago there's been no new news?

    I am travelling to airport tomorrow and want to know if this is happening and also does it include airport stations?

    Anyone in the know?

    • Hybroid on 22/09/2022 - 14:10
      +1

      The action has been postponed/cancelled and no longer going ahead.

      • hippo2s on 22/09/2022 - 14:48
        +1

        dang it!

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