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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/17/nsw-rail-union-set-to-switch-off-opal-card-readers-from-thursday
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| NSW rail union set to switch off Opal card readers from Thursday | NSW rail union set to switch off Opal card readers from Thursday |
| (7 months later) | |
| RTBU says Opal machines will be turned off from 3pm to 7pm every weekday as industrial dispute continues | RTBU says Opal machines will be turned off from 3pm to 7pm every weekday as industrial dispute continues |
| The long-running stoush between the New South Wales government and the state rail union is escalating again, with the union poised to deactivate Opal card readers in a move that could cost the government millions. | The long-running stoush between the New South Wales government and the state rail union is escalating again, with the union poised to deactivate Opal card readers in a move that could cost the government millions. |
| The readers will be turned off for the afternoon peak from Thursday, after members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union voted in favour of taking protected industrial action last week. | The readers will be turned off for the afternoon peak from Thursday, after members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union voted in favour of taking protected industrial action last week. |
| From 3pm to 7pm every weekday – for an indefinite period – the readers will be switched off, RTBU’s secretary, Alex Claassens, said on Monday. | From 3pm to 7pm every weekday – for an indefinite period – the readers will be switched off, RTBU’s secretary, Alex Claassens, said on Monday. |
| The union is hoping to create a major headache for the government while keeping commuters on side with the move. | The union is hoping to create a major headache for the government while keeping commuters on side with the move. |
| A possible issue has emerged, however, as some commuters may be overcharged if they’re unable to tap off once machines are shut down at 3pm. | A possible issue has emerged, however, as some commuters may be overcharged if they’re unable to tap off once machines are shut down at 3pm. |
| Commuters who do not tap off are charged a maximum fee, which can be as high as the daily cap of $16.80 for an adult. | Commuters who do not tap off are charged a maximum fee, which can be as high as the daily cap of $16.80 for an adult. |
| Those commuters will have to contact Transport for NSW to have their fare adjusted, Craig Turner from the RTBU said. | Those commuters will have to contact Transport for NSW to have their fare adjusted, Craig Turner from the RTBU said. |
| It is expected the NSW government will launch a federal court challenge to the industrial action, although the government had let expire an earlier opportunity to oppose the action within the Fair Work Commission. | It is expected the NSW government will launch a federal court challenge to the industrial action, although the government had let expire an earlier opportunity to oppose the action within the Fair Work Commission. |
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| The move is the latest in an extended and bitter dispute between the government and the rail union, as the parties try to negotiate a new enterprise agreement. | The move is the latest in an extended and bitter dispute between the government and the rail union, as the parties try to negotiate a new enterprise agreement. |
| They are also at loggerheads over a mothballed fleet of Korean-built intercity trains, which the union says are unsafe to operate. | They are also at loggerheads over a mothballed fleet of Korean-built intercity trains, which the union says are unsafe to operate. |
| After weeks of private conciliation meetings between the two parties, little had been achieved, Claassens said. | After weeks of private conciliation meetings between the two parties, little had been achieved, Claassens said. |
| “We did get some movement on a couple of items but as always, the government refused to send a decision-maker to the table,” he said. | “We did get some movement on a couple of items but as always, the government refused to send a decision-maker to the table,” he said. |
| “Everybody is fed up with the ongoing rail dispute, but we’ve no choice but to continue to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to force the NSW government to provide safe trains for commuters and fair wages and conditions for workers.” | “Everybody is fed up with the ongoing rail dispute, but we’ve no choice but to continue to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to force the NSW government to provide safe trains for commuters and fair wages and conditions for workers.” |
| Shutting down the gates around the clock was estimated to cost the government between $1.5m and $2m in lost revenue each day. | Shutting down the gates around the clock was estimated to cost the government between $1.5m and $2m in lost revenue each day. |
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| It would cost the government approximately $50m if the shutdown continued for a month. | It would cost the government approximately $50m if the shutdown continued for a month. |
| A Transport for NSW spokesperson said deactivating the Opal gates would cause management and operational issues across the Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink network. | A Transport for NSW spokesperson said deactivating the Opal gates would cause management and operational issues across the Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink network. |
| They cited a broad range of concerns, including compromising employee safety, passenger management problems, issues with Park & Ride car parks and the loss of fare revenue. | They cited a broad range of concerns, including compromising employee safety, passenger management problems, issues with Park & Ride car parks and the loss of fare revenue. |
| Earlier this year the union also tried to hit the government in the hip pocket by leaving ticket gates open. | Earlier this year the union also tried to hit the government in the hip pocket by leaving ticket gates open. |
| That was largely unsuccessful, with most commuters continuing to tap on and pay for fares. | That was largely unsuccessful, with most commuters continuing to tap on and pay for fares. |
| The premier, Dominic Perrottet, last month said people were not interested in the union’s tactics and just wanted to get on with their day. | The premier, Dominic Perrottet, last month said people were not interested in the union’s tactics and just wanted to get on with their day. |
| The treasurer, Matt Kean, has also accused the union of using the travelling public as political playthings. | The treasurer, Matt Kean, has also accused the union of using the travelling public as political playthings. |