The NSW Opposition joined fed-up Hawkesbury residents today to call on Chris Minns and Transport Minister Jo Haylen to urgently intervene in the rolling Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) ferry strikes that have left the community stranded.
The MUA has cancelled Monday services with minimal notice, with a 24-hour strike that will affect thousands of people trying to get to work, school and medical appointments.
The cancellation of ferry services at Wisemans Ferry, Webbs Creek and Sackville will force people to drive up to an extra five hours on remote roads.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the Minns Labor Government needed to put the community needs first.
“The Hawkesbury ferry routes are an essential service, with the local community having no alternative options when union industrial action stops them from operating,” Mrs Ward said. “Monday’s strike means workers miss shifts, kids miss school classes and families are forced to bear the brunt of both.”
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope slammed the Minns Labor Government for inaction in the face of this strike that already has businesses reporting financial losses.
“Chris Minns and Jo Haylen need to fix this ferry fiasco – they need to stand up to their union mates, and help keep these vital community services operating,” Mr Tudehope said. “It is far past the point when the Minister should have intervened.”
Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston said the local community was at their wits end with local households and businesses severely hurt by these strikes.
“Every day I am getting feedback that the union seems to have no regard for the communities that rely on these ferry services,” Ms Preston said.
“It isn’t good enough that residents are being held to ransom. I am very concerned that emergency services are being delayed during time-critical incidents. Police, firies and ambulance cannot be kept waiting for a ferry service to resume operation. Transport Minister Jo Haylen needs to resolve this stand-off urgently.”