NSW: Rail strike to cause chaos across NSW

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2003
NSW: Rail strike to cause chaos across NSW

NSW railworkers will walk off the job for half a day today, creating chaos for Christmas
shoppers.

The four hour stoppage from 10am (AEDT) will allow people to get to work.

But CityRail's acting chief executive VINCE GRAHAM says only "scratchy" train services
will be available for the rest of the day.

He says the strike, over the imminent creation of a new rail agency, will cause significant
disruption, with only scratchy services to get commuters home in the evening.

The stoppage will affect rail services in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

And CountryLink has been forced to cancel 14 of its 21 train services, stranding about
4,500 passengers from regional areas and affecting services to Brisbane, Melbourne Grafton
and other centres.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says only 4,000 of the 17,000 rail workers have been offered
jobs under the creation of the new Rail Corp from January the 1st.

The union's NICK LEWOCKI says if the issue's not resolved it could be a long summer
for commuters.

The Roads and Traffic Authority has extended clearway hours to help ease traffic and
extra parking areas will be opened up at Moore Park.

AAP RTV gmw/gjr/psm/

KEYWORD: RAIL (SYDNEY)

2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.