Opal card machines won't be switched off as union's battle with government takes another turn
Opal card reader machines will no longer be turned off next Wednesday after the New South Wales government legally challenged the transport union's plan.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) had planned to switch off the machines in Sydney from September 21 as part of its ongoing industrial dispute with the government.
But a NSW government spokesperson said an application was lodged to the Fair Work Commission on Friday night to declare the plans as "unprotected".
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The New South Wales government is challenging the transport union's plan to turn off all Opal machines from next week. Fairfax Media
The RTBU then issued a statement on Saturday evening to say it was confident "the Government is wrong", but would no longer switch off machines on Wednesday due to "irrational and illogical threats made by the Transport Minister".
"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," the statement said.
The union has been locked in a months-long battle with the state government over pay, conditions, and what they say are safety concerns.
The latest development comes after a lengthy back-and-forth between the RTBU and the government over the new intercity fleet of trains.
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