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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

What is the Sydney trains dispute really about – and how much do drivers earn?

A view of Sydney Harbour Bridge from a train window
A train crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The NSW government and unions are locked in a dispute over pay and conditions. Photograph: James D Morgan/Getty Images

For months, relying on a train to go anywhere in Sydney has felt unwise, with lines shut and services routinely cancelled, delayed or running slower due to varying and sporadic industrial action – often with little or no notice.

Work stoppages have been deployed by a handful of rail unions who have been locked in negotiations with the New South Wales government for nine months, since their last pay deal expired in May 2024.

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