	australian unions launch new south wales strikes australian trade unions said they have launched week long strikes and other industrial action in new south wales nsw to protest against new laws that would reduce injury compensation payments union sources said talks with the state government broke down last night but the two sides are scheduled to meet later today in an attempt to find a compromise rail freight and ping cargo movements in the country s most populous state were the first to be affected and union officials said almost every business sector will be hit unless there is a quick settlement the state government recently introduced a new workers compensation act which would cut the cash benefits to injured workers by up to a third the act is now awaiting parliamentary ratification nsw state premier barrie unsworth has said workers compensation has risen steeply in recent years and the proposed cuts would save hundreds of mlns of dollars a year union officials said industrial action could spread to other states as the federal government also plans to make sharp cuts in workers compensation reuter 
