NSW: Rail strike called off

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2000
NSW: Rail strike called off

A threatened 24-hour rail strike in New South Wales from midnight Sunday has been called off.

Rail officials and unions met for several hours of round-table talks today to avert
the stoppage, which would have shut down the entire state train network.

Some 60 controllers from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the Australian Services Union
on Wednesday voted for a 24-hour strike from midnight on Sunday, stranding 900,000 commuters.

But Transport Minister CARL SCULLY and New South Wales Labor Council secretary MICHAEL
COSTA say an agreement has been reached with unions to call off the strike.

Mr SCULLY says the proposal negotiated with the unions would be put to controllers
next Monday and the unions have recommended the controllers accept the revised package.

Proposed job cuts and an Olympic pay claim were at the centre of the dispute.

Mr SCULLY says concessions have been made on both sides.

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KEYWORD: RAIL AGREEMENT (SYDNEY)

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