Entire Sydney Train Network Shuts Down Without Notice in Fight Between Union and Government

Commuters arrive at the closed Central Station during a planned industrial action by workers at Sydney and NSW Trains in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21, 2022. All trains across Sydney and NSW have been cancelled. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The complete shutdown of Sydney’s train network from Monday morning, without prior notice, has been labelled by the New South Wales (NSW) transport minister as the “most unAustralian act I’ve ever heard of.”

David Elliot said the transport union failed to show up to a conciliation meeting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, giving the government an impression that it would not be possible to operate services safely amid planned industrial action. The transport department then made the decision to call off all services at 2 a.m. on Monday morning.