Sydney Ferry commuters will travel completely free for almost a month from this Friday until 6 October, 2026 following industrial action by maritime workers.
Maritime Union of Australia kicked off its dispute with a short strike last Wednesday, 2 September, when the ferry employees under its banner demanded better working conditions and a 5 per cent pay rise with guaranteed annual increases tied to inflation to protect against cost of living pressures.
The action was the first of its kind in over a decade and resulted in the stoppage of public Sydney ferries between 9am to 2pm. Transdev, the company which operates the ferries tabled a 4.3 per cent wage claim as well as roster efficiencies, however, further strike action indicates this offer was not accepted.
“As part of ongoing industrial action, members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) will switch off Opal card readers from Friday 11 September through to Tuesday 6 October, allowing passengers to travel on Sydney Ferries without paying a fare,” the union confirmed in a statement.
During the industrial action, union workers are banned from selling, collecting, or validating tickets and fare. This not only accounts for Manly ferries, but also all public services from Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Double Bay, Taronga Zoo, and Parramatta.
But an important word of warning – this does not include Manly Fast Ferries, which are privately operated by NRMA Maritime.
NSW Transport has cautioned passengers that disruptions could happen on short notice and passengers should allow extra travel time and to check the latest service information before travelling. There is a quick link to ferries travel information in the free Manly Observer news app.
“We are working closely with Transdev to reduce impacts on passengers and provide updates as soon as information becomes available,” Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said in a release. “While most ferry services are expected to operate, passengers may notice changes to some timetables and services during this period.
“We encourage passengers to check the latest travel information before travelling and thank them for their understanding as these industrial actions take place.”
Union representatives have warned ferry stoppages similar to last Wednesday’s industrial action may happen again if demands are not met.
MUA Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Garrett said workers had demonstrated their commitment to the Sydney Ferries network time and again, and were now prepared to escalate their campaign until Transdev delivered a fair deal.
“Even limited overtime bans have already disrupted several services, reinforcing the union’s concerns that Transdev relies too heavily on overtime and ferry workers forgoing their days off just to keep Sydney Ferries running.”
“Our members kept Sydney moving through COVID, worked through the problems created by a fleet of overseas-built vessels that were not fit for purpose, and continue to work long, demanding and highly skilled jobs every day,” Mr Garrett said.
“They have done their part for Sydney. Now Transdev needs to do its part and deliver a fair wage increase that recognises the work these workers actually perform.”
Mr Garrett said the decision to switch off Opal readers was a significant but necessary escalation of the union’s industrial campaign.
The union said the dispute demonstrated the fundamental problems created when essential public transport infrastructure is handed over to private operators.
“Sydney Ferries are a public service. They are part of the infrastructure that keeps this city functioning, and they should be publicly owned and operated in the public interest,” Mr Garrett said.
“Instead, Sydney has a foreign-owned multinational private company sitting between the government, the travelling public and the workers who actually deliver the service.”
The MUA said ferry workers would continue escalating their campaign if Transdev failed to reach a genuine agreement.
Manly Observer has reached out to both Transdev and Maritime Union of Australia with additional questions.
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