The state secretary of NSW’s powerful rail union said revellers can “safely assume” Sydney’s famed fireworks will go ahead, but fell short of guaranteeing services would run to plan over New Year’s Eve – arguing that remains up to the government.
The combined rail unions, including the Australia Rail, Tram, and Bus Union, were dragged before the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday in a last ditch bid to halt industrial action over New Year’s Eve.
Representing the combined unions, lawyer Leo Saunders told the Commission the Section 424 applications had been withdrawn following an “general and specific undertakings” by the union.
“The combined rail unions as a whole commit to the following: no new industrial action that poses a threat to events on New Year’s Eve and all industrial action will be conducted in a way that ensures the safety of workers and passengers,” he said.
Speaking outside court, RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said some bans, including the reduction on the number of kilometres a driver could travel, would be withdrawn, and no new industrial action would be planned for New Year’s Eve.
“There was never going to be any rail shutdown or major disruptions on New Year’s Eve and now there certainly won’t be,” Mr Warnes said.
“I understand that people are uncertain of that because of the government’s rhetoric over the past three weeks.
“So, we call on the Minns government to stop now. Stop talking to their lawyers and start talking to their workers.”
RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes said no new industrial action would be launched over New Year’s Eve. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
The decision comes after what Mr Warnes described as an escalation in rhetoric from the state government who, alongside a number of large Sydney businesses, brought action against the unions on Tuesday.
