Examining the NSW Train Strike: A Political Science Perspective

This presentation delves into the NSW train strike that occurred on January 28, 2018, focusing on the dispute between Sydney Trains, NSW train management, and train workers. The core issues revolved around the refusal to negotiate a fair enterprise agreement, leading to a 24-hour strike. Workers demanded a 6% pay rise, improved working conditions, better day-offs, and rostering arrangements. The presentation relates the dispute to two key political theories: pluralist theory and utilitarian theory, referencing academic articles to support the analysis. It highlights the workers' dissatisfaction with the existing enterprise agreement and their decision to undertake protected industrial actions. The presentation concludes by acknowledging the references used in the analysis.

NSW Train Strike Train
Strike

The NSW DISPUTE
 The Sydney trains and the NSW train
management refused to negotiate a fair
enterprise agreement that was quite
reasonable
 Train workers stopped working for 24 long
hours
 The event took place on 28 Jan, 2018, Monday
 The strike time was 12.01 a.m. to 12.01 a.m.
of the next day

Continuation….
 The train workers were unhappy.
 They demanded 6% rise in their pay
 Demanded for improved working conditions
 Day offs and rostering
 Unhappy with the enterprise agreement
 Strike came after when workers voted for
protected industrial actions

Relation in between the dispute and
the two theories
 Pluralist theory
 Utilitarian theory
?

References:
 Blair, S. (2018). Unionists call for right to strike. Green Left Weekly, (1177), 5.
 Boyle, P. (2018). Good news for GLW fighting fund. Green Left Weekly, (1177), 5.
 Griffith, A. M. (2015). Towards a pluralist theory of truthmaking. Erkenntnis, 80(6),
1157-1173.
 Hinman, P. (2018). Fair work commission forces rail union to suspend
strike. Green Left Weekly, (1166), 3.
 Lindebaum, D., & Raftopoulou, E. (2017). What would John Stuart Mill say? A
utilitarian perspective on contemporary neuroscience debates in
leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 144(4), 813-822.
 Titelius, R. (2018). The right to strike: Politics in the pub Perth. Guardian
(Sydney), (1818), 7.

THANK YOU