Sydney's Train Network Set to be Hugely Affected by 24-Hour Driver Strike

If your commute to work usually involves catching the train, we're sorry. Not just because it's a tedious process in general, but because on Monday, January 29, Sydney's train drivers will go on a 24-hour strike.

The strike, which will kick in at 12.01 and last for 24 hours, is the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's response to failed negotiations with rail management, according to SBS. Problems with staffing and conditions of the trains have been rife since a new, more extensive timetable was introduced in November last year. Commuters have been directly impacted by these issues this year, battling a string of delayed and cancelled services.

"We're disappointed it's had to come to this, but management and the NSW government haven't left us with any other options," NSW union secretary Alex Claassens said today, as reported by SBS. "Workers are being stretched to capacity trying to deliver the shambolic new timetable, and now on top of this they're all being told they can't be guaranteed fair conditions and pay."

The strike will go ahead unless the RBTU reaches a fair agreement with the NSW Government and Sydney Trains. For more details and updates, check Transport for NSW.

Via SBS. Image: Wikimedia Commons.