More Vivid travel chaos expected with strike set to bring public transport to a standstill

There are fears lively crowds could be affected if Sydney’s light rail network comes to a standstill for 24 hours.

Workers are expected to strike on Wednesday amid a growing pay dispute between the union and the tram operator.

Commuters will face continued disruptions to their journeys from Tuesday as tram drivers run services below the speed limit, refuse to work overtime and refuse to put on uniforms in pursuit of better pay and conditions.

The industrial action is then expected to escalate with a 24-hour shutdown planned for Wednesday to coincide with the Vivid Festival celebrations.

Services on the L1 line from Dulwich Hill to Central Station, in addition to the L2 and L3 routes from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford respectively, will be disrupted.

There have been massive pedestrian traffic jams at Vivid in recent days (pictured) and a rail strike is expected to cause even more this week

Vivid has attracted huge crowds this year who braved the cold weather for the festival

The Rail, Bus and Tram Union (RBTU) and French transport giant Transdev, operator of Sydney’s light rail network, are currently locked in negotiations over a new workplace agreement.

While Transdev has offered its workers an 18 percent pay increase for four years, RBTU members have voted “overwhelmingly” to reject the deal, the union said on Monday, because the offer failed to adequately address rising costs of living to take.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW tram and bus division secretary David Babineau said the state’s light rail workers have “no choice” but to press ahead with planned industrial action.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW tram and bus division secretary David Babineau said light rail strike action has been given the green light

Sydney’s light rail system is expected to be hit on Wednesday, carrying much of the Vivid crowd

“We can’t have light rail workers in a situation where they go to work unwell and endanger commuters and others because they don’t have enough sick days,” Mr. Babineau said.

“We also cannot agree to a wage deal that does not come close to the huge cost of living increases we have seen recently.”

Although the union has not indicated the wage increase it is demanding, it has requested an increase in the number of sick days to 15, compared to the 10 days set in the former enterprise agreement mediated by the RTBU and Transdev and which expired at the end of last year.

Transdev Sydney managing director Arsene Durand-Raucher said the transport operator was working hard to minimize the impact to customers as a result of the industrial action.

“Customers should plan ahead and consider alternative public transport options from Tuesday or, if possible, avoid non-essential tram journeys,” Durand-Raucher said.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach a resolution and avoid unnecessary disruption.”

It is understood that RTBU delegates and Transdev will hold further negotiations on Tuesday.