The NSW Nationals have launched a petition to stop the Minns Labor Government from axing the state's only regional rail service provider along with more than 100 jobs.
The decision is part of the latest wage offer made to the Rail Tram & Bus Union (RTBU) and would provide an additional one per cent increase to Sydney train drivers.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the Premier and the Transport Minister have completely lost control of the negotiations and country communities shouldn't have to pay the price.
"This offer will mean direct job losses, and it will be non-union members and people in the regions who will be targeted, not union members in the city," Mr Saunders said.
"These workers are going home to their families not knowing if they will still have a job because the Minns Government hasn't provided any certainty around what the merging of NSW Trains and Sydney Trains will look like.
"All NSW residents should be treated equal, and it's a brutal blow to think regional people could have their livelihoods taken away just because of where they choose to live and work."
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Dave Layzell is encouraging as many people as possible to support the petition.
"Our rail network operates very differently than what happens in the city and NSW Trains plays an important role in ensuring it runs smoothly," Mr Layzell said.
"Labor created this industrial chaos and getting rid of yet another dedicated regional department and dozens of jobs is not the way to solve things.
"I also want to know where the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads is in all of this, and why she isn't standing up for the jobs of regional workers like she should be."
To sign the petition visit: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetition-details.aspx?q=sHmpWVItvtXZjnDlsLvB3w
