Sydney Rail Union Ends Work Bans, Ensuring New Year’s Eve Train Services

The NSW rail union and state government reached an agreement to avoid disruptions, but their pay dispute remains unresolved.

The NSW Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has withdrawn planned industrial actions that threatened to disrupt New Year’s Eve train services in Sydney.
The decision followed negotiations at the Fair Work Commission, where the government sought to suspend the union’s actions due to safety and economic concerns.
Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, including its globally watched fireworks display, are expected to proceed smoothly, with train services running as scheduled.
The union and the government remain at odds over pay negotiations, with the union demanding 8% annual wage increases, while the government has offered 11% over three years.
The broader dispute over pay and conditions is unlikely to be resolved soon, as the Fair Work Commission cannot intervene substantively until February.