NSW rail commuters can expect more disruption to services after talks between the union and government failed to resolve their long-running dispute.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has flagged more industrial action by NSW rail workers in the coming weeks after talks failed to secure a new industrial enterprise agreement or resolve issues regarding the safety of the mothballed Korean-made train fleet.
Union Secretary Alex Claassens vowed to fight for commuter safety, saying the $2.8 billion warehoused Intercity Fleet need urgent modification - which the state government has been unwilling to pay for.
"Despite our efforts we're going to have to resort to traditional types of industrial action ... due to the fact that the government is still refusing to come to the bargaining table", he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"We are left with no option but to resort to actions ... which will start slowly and ramp up to serious actions that will ultimately affect our commuters in approximately two weeks."
Protected action will include overtime bans on working with contractors - which will escalate to workers refusing to operate foreign-made trains - compounded by workers walking off the job for a few hours towards the end of the month.
The latest decision comes on the back of the union putting forward a "modest pay offer" to the government, which it refused.
"This could all stop tomorrow if the government decides to sit at the table and stop playing political games," Mr Claassens said.
