Sydney Ferries strike disrupts services as workers seek 5% pay rise

Sydney’s ferry network was disrupted on Wednesday as Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) members working for Transdev Sydney Ferries staged protected industrial action amid an ongoing dispute over pay and a new enterprise agreement.

Five-hour ferry stoppage

Sydney Ferries services were suspended from 9am to 2pm on September 2, with commuters warned to expect delays, crowding and longer waiting times across wharves and transport interchanges.

MUA members also imposed a ban on selling, collecting and validating tickets and fares from 1pm on Wednesday until 2am on Thursday, September 3.

Transdev Sydney Ferries has operated the Sydney Ferries network under contract to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) since 2012.

The disruption did not affect Manly Fast Ferry services, which continued to operate between Manly and Circular Quay. However, the operator warned that services were likely to face increased demand as commuters sought alternatives.

Union pushes for 5% wage increase

The industrial action forms part of escalating negotiations between the MUA and Transdev over a new Enterprise Agreement.

The union is seeking a 5% wage increase, as well as guaranteed annual increases in subsequent years. It says the measures are needed to protect workers’ wages from inflation and rising living costs.

MUA Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Garrett said Transdev had so far failed to put forward a serious wage proposal.

“Workers are determined to see a mechanism put in place that will ensure their pay keeps pace with inflation,” Garrett said. “Sydney Ferries workers will not sign off on an agreement that whittles away their purchasing power year after year while the cost of living keeps going up.”

The MUA said it regretted the disruption to commuters but attributed the industrial action to Transdev’s failure to reach what it considers a fair agreement.

The union also pointed to the 2019 and 2022 enterprise bargaining rounds, when no industrial action was taken, describing those negotiations as productive and cooperative.

Further industrial action possible

TfNSW said additional protected industrial action, including work bans and other limitations, had been notified and remained under assessment with Transdev Sydney Ferries.

TfNSW Coordinator General Howard Collins urged passengers to plan ahead and consider alternative transport options.

“Passengers should check transportnsw.info, the Opal Travel app and transport alerts before travelling and consider alternative transport options where possible.

“We understand these disruptions will be frustrating for customers and thank passengers for their patience while this industrial action takes place.”

The MUA has warned that further, potentially indefinite, industrial action could follow if Transdev does not make what the union considers a serious offer.

The dispute puts pressure on Transdev and the MUA to reach an agreement as negotiations over wages and conditions continue, with commuters potentially facing further disruption if the industrial action escalates.