Rail workers across Sydney and NSW will take industrial action later this week after claiming they've had enough of their working conditions and timetable problems within the rail network.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says workers will wear campaign clothing and badges from Friday and, from the following Thursday, implement an indefinite ban on overtime.
"Our members have basically said enough is enough, we have been getting the blame for all of this stuff and we've had enough, we can't keep working this overtime and keep it safe," NSW union secretary Alex Claassens told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
The union is fighting for an annual six per cent pay rise over four years but the government insists any pay demand must be within the 2.5 per cent cap for all public sector employees.
"The reality is senior management have been giving themselves wage increases well above 2.5 per cent and we've been doing a lot more for a lot less," Mr Claassens said.
The union's move follows the cancellation of almost 40 train services on Monday to ensure there wasn't a repeat of last week's debacle that left thousands of passengers stranded due to a combination of storms, trackwork, 70 drivers calling in sick and excess annual leave approvals.
The union boss says he "feels sorry for commuters" and insists the RTBU and its members are willing to talk with rail bosses to find a suitable solution.
"We know it will hurt them (management) but at the same time we don't want to hurt the commuters ... we are prepared to sit down and talk about how we do it," Mr Claassens said.
The union will meet with Sydney Trains management on Tuesday to discuss the new train timetable implemented in November before meeting chief executive Howard Collins on Thursday regarding the enterprise agreement.
Mr Collins earlier on Monday said if drivers refused to work unplanned or rostered overtime the result could be fresh chaos on the rail network.
"That will have an impact on the network ... we are working on those contingency plans now," he told reporters in Sydney.
"It would be an important challenge for us and we would have to reschedule (services)."
Current Sydney Trains recruiting advertisements offer a wage of between $70,000 and $75,000 for drivers plus shift allowances and "the potential to earn a six-figure salary ... once fully qualified."
