Peak-hour ferry commuters on Sydney Harbour will get a free ride next week as the maritime union takes industrial action.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been in talks with the NSW government and ferry operator Harbour City Ferries for six months for a new enterprise bargaining agreement, seeking better pay and upgrades to the ferry fleet.
MUA Sydney branch assistant secretary Paul Garrett said the union had been unable to secure a wage rise that would keep pace with inflation, claiming also the government had refused to adequately invest in the fleet.
"We have successfully fought cuts to wages by $500 a week in real terms, but cannot secure a wage increase for ferry workers to meet inflation," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Ticket sellers will not collect fares between 7am and 9am, and 4pm to 6pm, from Monday to Friday next week.
The action will also be a boon for students as it will fall during the school holidays.
Mr Garrett said 24 meetings over six months had failed to resolve the dispute.
"Responsibility for this dispute's escalation lays solely at the feet of Harbour City Ferries and the state government," he said.
"The MUA has provided savings options worth millions to Harbour City Ferries and the state government, yet they still want to hold back on fair wages and hold back on proper fleet upgrades."
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