Opal readers turned off on Sydney Ferries amid industrial action

Opal card readers on Sydney ferries will be turned off for almost four weeks, the maritime workers union says as they step up industrial action against the private operator Transdev. Sydney Ferries workers have been stuck in enterprise bargaining negotiations with the operator, as the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) pushes for a 5 per cent wage increase and an annual increase to offset inflation. MUA deputy branch secretary Paul Garrett told 702 ABC Sydney the card readers will be turned off from 12:01am on Friday, September 11 until 11:59pm on October 6."Everyone travels for free until this dispute's resolved," Mr Garrett said."This is a decision that's been made because we can't get Transdev Sydney Ferries and their parent company, Transdev Australasia, to the table for a fair wage increase."We've been trying now 13 odd times with meetings. Workers have had enough."Transport for NSW says Manly services have been disrupted due to a limited ban on overtime work. (ABC News)Mr Garrett said Transdev had made an offer of a 3.3 per cent wage increase per year, which he described as "substandard". 702 ABC Sydney has contacted Transdev for comment.Mr Garrett said some services might be cancelled as a result of industrial action banning some overtime work on ferries. "Part of the problem with these negotiations is that workers have got to work endless overtime to keep services running," Mr Garrett said. "Our intention is not to stop the services. We're not taking strike action."The Maritime Union of Australia says ferry workers "have had enough". (ABC News)Sydney's ferries were impacted on Wednesday morning last week due to a stop-work meeting of union members.Deactivating readers falls outside industrial action: TransdevDespite the union's announcement, Transport for NSW said normal fares would continue to apply on Sydney Ferries services.According to a statement from Transport for NSW, Transdev Sydney Ferries considered deactivating Opal readers as being outside of the industrial action notified by the maritime union. "There has been some speculation about free travel on Sydney Ferries during this period," Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said."However, normal fares continue to apply and all passengers are required to tap on and tap off with a valid Opal card or contactless payment method when travelling."However, Mr Garrett said the union would be going ahead with the industrial action as announced."We won't be selling, collecting or validating tickets," Mr Garrett said."Passengers I'm sure will be enjoying a free ferry trip as from Friday." Mr Collins told 702 ABC Sydney on Tuesday that the Manly ferry service was experiencing significant disruptions from the union's industrial action on overtime work."We're asking customers if they're travelling by ferry, or planning to, check in advance," Mr Collins said."We are now asking Transdev to focus on maintaining those core routes."