December 24th 2024.
Plans for Sydney's highly anticipated New Year's Eve fireworks display are back on track, thanks to a last-minute deal reached between the combined rail unions and the New South Wales (NSW) government. This deal was reached just before a scheduled hearing at the Fair Work Commission this morning.
The fireworks were in jeopardy after both the NSW Police Commissioner and Premier Chris Minns threatened to cancel the event due to planned industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union. However, the union withdrew eight of their previously agreed upon work bans last night in response to the threats.
In turn, the government withdrew their Fair Work Commission case, which aimed to stop the industrial action on the grounds of public safety and economic loss. As part of the agreement, the union has committed to not starting any new industrial action until the end of the year, but the existing work bans will continue.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen expressed her relief and gratitude for the resolution, stating that Christmas, New Year's, and the Sydney Test are too important to the state to be disrupted. She also clarified that the union's industrial action will not impact the holiday period, as they have given assurances that there will be no disruptions.
However, the union did mention that some work bans will still be in place during this time, while also placing the responsibility for smooth train operations on Transport for NSW.
The recent clash between the government and union over the severity of the planned industrial action has caused much tension. While the RTBU dismissed the idea of canceling the fireworks as a scare tactic, Haylen stood by her belief that without a deal, the event would not have been able to go ahead smoothly.
The last-minute deal has saved the fireworks from being canceled, but local commuters may still face disruptions in the new year, as the government and union have not yet reached a new pay deal. The union is demanding a 32 per cent pay rise over four years, while the government has offered an 11 per cent rise over three years.
RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes emphasized the importance of negotiating during the festive period, rather than waiting until the new year. He also mentioned that the union is willing to negotiate wages and conditions with the government if they are willing to sit down and bargain with them.
As for the commuters, the government has assured that the withdrawal of the eight work bans will allow the train network to operate smoothly without any disruptions. But the union did mention that there is no guarantee for train services on New Year's Eve, although they have pledged not to compromise the safety of commuters, the public, or workers.
Despite the challenges faced, the people of Sydney can now look forward to welcoming the new year with the iconic fireworks display. And for those who want to stay updated on the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, they can download the 9News app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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