’New low’: Union slams talks of cancelling NYE fireworks amid rail strikes

Talks of cancelling Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks amid rail strikes have been slammed as “a brand-new low for state politics”.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has slammed talks of cancelling Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks amid train strikes as “a new low” for state politics.

The city’s commuters have already begun experiencing delays and disruption on the public transport network as the union begins industrial action over ongoing pay disputes.

The chaos saw NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb warn on Friday morning that she had not ruled out recommending the Sydney Harbour NYE fireworks be cancelled, citing fears for the thousands of revellers who would attend the event.

In response to the warning, RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said later on Friday that state politics had “hit a brand-new low”.

RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes has slammed threats to cancel Sydney's NYE fireworks. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Instead of attempting to resolve this dispute, the government has resorted to hysteria and scaring the public,” Mr Warnes said.

“The government has resorted to having hardworking public servants tell fibs about the result of our action.

“Once again we have a government that is not functioning as it needs to function – it has resorted to scaring the people of NSW.”

Mr Warnes said the union advised Sydney Trains of the kilometre cap more than two months ago, and that the extra crew staffed on NYE meant the impact on the public would be “negligible”.

“The impacts (Commissioner Webb) is envisioning today are likely not the impacts in reality,” he said.

Discussing the ongoing disruptions to rail services, Mr Warnes said he “would gamble it would get worse over the weekend”.

Plans for the iconic fireworks display is up in the air, according to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The union was ordered to halt its industrial action over protracted negotiations with the NSW government, but the order was dismissed on Thursday by the Federal Court, who informed the union they could “immediately recommence” their strike.

Passengers have been urged to consider alternative travel options while the strike continues.

An additional 1000 train services have been scheduled to operate during New Year’s Eve, which is the state’s busiest public transport period.

However, Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said the industrial action could impact approximately 50 per cent of train services across Sydney.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said she hasn’t ruled out cancelling the NYE fireworks as train strikes continue. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Following the recommenced strikes, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said she had “grave concerns” the train strikes would cause issues for people visiting the city to watch the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Sydney Harbour.

“I haven’t ruled out that I will recommend to government that we cancel the fireworks,” she said.

“It’s that serious because 250,000 people … come in during the day, they spend all day in the city but when it’s time to go, when the fireworks are over, the job is to get them out safely and quickly and if there’s no transport, we can’t do that.”

A spokesperson for Transport and Acting Night-time Economy and Tourism Minister Jo Haylen said they were taking Commissioner Webb’s comments “seriously”.

“This is significant industrial action and that’s why the government is taking every legal step available to us to protect passengers and businesses on New Year’s Eve,” Ms Haylen said.

“It’s unfair on passengers that this is occurring at this time of year.”