Sydney ferry workers have decided to take industrial action this weekend but it will hurt the NSW government rather than ferrygoers.
The Maritime Union of Australia has told its workers not to collect ferry tickets after 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the latest salvo in a wages dispute with Harbour City Ferries.
"The workers will still be there to get people on and off the boat," said MUA Sydney assistant secretary Paul Garrett with massive crowds expected in the city for the popular Vivid Festival this weekend.
"We want Harbour City to come and make fair proposals."
Mr Garrett said workers were being asked to take a pay rise that was below inflation while some were being offered work at $500 per week less than before.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said she was dismayed by the decision which followed months of negotiations between Harbour City and the unions.
"I am disappointed that both the Maritime Union of Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers have chosen to take industrial action this weekend, during the popular Vivid Festival," she said in a statement.
"I'm dismayed that the unions would choose to sabotage the Vivid Festival and disrupt the journeys of so many people, including families."
Harbour City Ferries chief executive Steffen Faurby said his organisation would try to minimise disruptions.
"We will continue negotiations, but our main priority is making sure our customers are not inconvenienced," he said.
Mr Faurby said extra services were being run during Vivid.
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