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4mo ago

Sydney Rail Strikes Threaten New Year's Eve Fireworks and Public Safety

Ongoing industrial action by rail workers has raised concerns over transport disruptions on Sydney's busiest night of the year, with the government and union locked in a contentious wage dispute.

Overview

  • The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is demanding a 32% pay increase over four years, a 35-hour work week, and additional benefits, which the NSW government has deemed unaffordable.
  • Industrial action has already caused significant train delays and cancellations, with further disruptions planned in the lead-up to New Year's Eve.
  • NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has warned that train disruptions could jeopardize public safety during New Year's Eve celebrations, potentially leading to the cancellation of Sydney's iconic fireworks display.
  • The NSW government plans to argue in the Fair Work Commission on Christmas Eve that the industrial action should be suspended due to risks to public safety and economic harm.
  • While the union has expressed willingness to negotiate, it has over 200 work bans it can enact, leaving the scale of disruptions uncertain as negotiations remain at a standstill.