The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has been hauled to the industrial umpire in the NSW state government's latest attempt to break a months-long stalemate over a pay increase. After hours of talks, a resolution still remains out of sight as the unions threaten to slow down Sydney's train network by next week.
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00:00A hive is hello from a high-profile passenger.
00:06The Premier welcomes the newest member of Sydney's ferry fleet.
00:10From the end of the month, the vessel will carry commuters along the Parramatta River.
00:17We're so proud this new fleet of ferries is serving passengers well.
00:22Travelling by train isn't going as smoothly.
00:25We're hoping to get a breakthrough but I'm not holding my breath.
00:28In a bid to end a months-long pay dispute, the state government called the rail union
00:33to the industrial umpire for talks.
00:35We want to see a deal done but we're not counting our chickens today.
00:39Rail workers want a 32% pay rise over four years.
00:43The government claims it's made an above-inflation counter-offer but is refusing to budge any
00:48further, despite the union boss's demands.
00:52His idea of negotiations is that we just pile money in front of him higher and higher and
00:57higher until he accepts how much we're offering.
01:01After hours of talking behind closed doors, the meeting was paused late this afternoon.
01:06Both sides were instructed not to reveal the details of their discussions and will return
01:11to the Fair Work Commission on Monday.
01:13How are you feeling about how discussions are going?
01:17Not fantastic.
01:18If they fail to make any progress next week, three days of industrial action will begin
01:22on Wednesday.
01:24It's going to impact me greatly because I will have jobs, interviews to attend.
01:29I think it would mean that I would have to see if I could catch the bus to the city.
01:34I mean you've just got to be patient, you know.
01:37These guys will work it out.
01:39But if that doesn't happen soon, it could mean more delays for commuters.