This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/24/sydney-trains-new-years-eve-nye-transport-union-pay-dispute-nsw

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sydney trains to run on New Year’s Eve as union cans crippling work bans Sydney trains to run on New Year’s Eve as union and Minns government reach agreement
(32 minutes later)
NSW rail workers drop eight major bans that forced more than 680 weekend cancellations NSW rail workers agree to drop bans that would impact holiday services as government withdraws push to suspend industrial action
Commuters should get more time to spend with family and less time stuck on train platforms after a major union succumbed to pressure over work bans. Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations appear set to enter full swing, after rail unions agreed to tone down industrial action that authorities had warned could force them to cancel public events.
Amid concerns for Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve party, the state rail union dropped eight major work bans late on Monday. The New South Wales government had lodged an application at the Fair Work Commission to have the combined rail unions’ planned actions – which included limitations on the distances train crews could operate over the New Year period – suspended on the grounds they would pose safety and economic risks on the evening of 31 December.
They included distance limits for drivers and various signalling bans that had forced more than 680 cancellations over the weekend. It was a major backdown on the eve of a legal challenge to the work bans on safety and other grounds. Lawyers for the government and the rail unions appeared at the Commission on Tuesday morning, in what was expected to be a full day hearing with a range of witnesses providing evidence.
However, lawyers informed the Commission the parties were close to reaching an agreement. They emerged from discussions at about 10am, informing the the FWC’s deputy president, Bryce Cross, that the unions had agreed to withdraw bans that would have impacted services on and in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve.
The unions also provided an undertaking to the Commission to not take any existing or new industrial actions that would pose a threat to services on New Year’s Eve.
The concessions from the unions followed the NSW Rail Tram and Bus Union dropping a handful of other bans late on Monday evening.
The guarantees from the unions on Tuesday led the Minns government to withdraw its application to have the unions’ industrial action suspended.
Distance limits for drivers and various signalling bans had forced more than 680 cancellations over the weekend.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
The Rail Tram and Bus Union NSW cast the changes as necessary to help ward off actions to “effectively crush” its bargaining strategy. Ahead of the FWC hearing, the RTBU cast the changes as necessary to help ward off actions to “effectively crush” its bargaining strategy.
“While it’s frustrating to have to adjust our planned actions, our ability to pivot and respond strategically is crucial in the face of these dishonest and immoral manoeuvres,” secretary Toby Warnes told members on Monday night.“While it’s frustrating to have to adjust our planned actions, our ability to pivot and respond strategically is crucial in the face of these dishonest and immoral manoeuvres,” secretary Toby Warnes told members on Monday night.
New Year’s Eve revellers and the businesses reliant on them no longer needed to await the industrial umpire’s Tuesday call on potentially crippling train delays and cancellations.New Year’s Eve revellers and the businesses reliant on them no longer needed to await the industrial umpire’s Tuesday call on potentially crippling train delays and cancellations.
Pub and bar operators, a casino and the NSW Labor government had planned to argue on Tuesday that train driver work bans planned for New Year’s would cause significant harm to third parties and potentially endanger life.Pub and bar operators, a casino and the NSW Labor government had planned to argue on Tuesday that train driver work bans planned for New Year’s would cause significant harm to third parties and potentially endanger life.
The hearing at the Fair Work Commission came after police warned of “grave concerns” for safety if one million people lining the harbour struggled to leave after the midnight show.The hearing at the Fair Work Commission came after police warned of “grave concerns” for safety if one million people lining the harbour struggled to leave after the midnight show.
Organisers say the fireworks are watched by another 400 million people globally.Organisers say the fireworks are watched by another 400 million people globally.
Its economic impact is estimated at $280mIts economic impact is estimated at $280m
New Year’s Eve also doubles as the busiest day on Australia’s largest rail network with rare all-night running shuttling people across the state.New Year’s Eve also doubles as the busiest day on Australia’s largest rail network with rare all-night running shuttling people across the state.
Some 3,200 services run about every five minutes throughout the day, with crunch time coming in the hour after midnight as the masses try to leave together.Some 3,200 services run about every five minutes throughout the day, with crunch time coming in the hour after midnight as the masses try to leave together.
The union and government remained poles apart after seven months of pay negotiations.The union and government remained poles apart after seven months of pay negotiations.
Unions continue to demand four annual wage increases of 8% but the NSW premier, Chris Minns, has said that is unaffordable and could not happen while he was denying nurses a similarly costly claim.Unions continue to demand four annual wage increases of 8% but the NSW premier, Chris Minns, has said that is unaffordable and could not happen while he was denying nurses a similarly costly claim.
The government had previously offered 11% across three years, including superannuation increases. Its starting offer to the rail unions for this enterprise agreement was a 9.5% pay rise over three years.The government had previously offered 11% across three years, including superannuation increases. Its starting offer to the rail unions for this enterprise agreement was a 9.5% pay rise over three years.
Work bans recommenced on Thursday after a court dismissed a government bid to have them made unlawful.Work bans recommenced on Thursday after a court dismissed a government bid to have them made unlawful.
The saga could continue for several more months.The saga could continue for several more months.
The Fair Work Commission cannot be asked to settle the substantive dispute – pay and conditions – until February.The Fair Work Commission cannot be asked to settle the substantive dispute – pay and conditions – until February.