Road workers, construction crews and other Transport for NSW workers will take strike action tomorrow for the first time in decades.
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) today announced the 24-hour industrial action will begin at 6am on Thursday.
It adds to the wave of public sector strikes in recent weeks by rail workers, nurses and midwives over pay and working conditions.
The AWU said the state government 3 per cent pay offer represents a backward step for workers’ living standards.
“These men and women worked tirelessly to keep our state moving during recent bushfires and flood catastrophes,” AWU NSW branch organiser Cameron Wright said.
“During the pandemic they put on their work gear and went out into an uncertain world while the rest of us were locked down.
“The premier likes to talk about his ‘3 per cent’ wage increase offer, but in reality it’s 2.5, because he’s counting the mandated increase in superannuation.
“So with inflation running at over 5 per cent, the average road worker is being told to feed their family with significantly less.”
Unions have pledged workers will respond to emergency situations during the state flood emergency to keep the public safe.
Meanwhile, commuters in Sydney will face more train delays today after the state government lost a legal bid to stop the rolling strike action from going ahead.
The rail union had planned to limit services to just 25 per cent this week, but trains will instead run at a weekend timetable.
