Minister calls on union to ‘sort’ dispute as NYE train strike looms in Sydney

A senior federal minister has weighed in on the looming New Year’s Eve train strike in Sydney, which authorities warn could endanger hundreds of thousands.

Catherine King has called on the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to ‘sort’ its dispute with the NSW government. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Catherine King has called on the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to “sort” its dispute with the NSW government amid fears a train driver strike on New Year’s Eve could endanger hundreds of thousands in Sydney.

Train services in the metropolis have been under strain this week due to industrial action over ongoing pay dispute.

The federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister said on Sunday she understood the RBTU had a dispute, but that it was dealing itself “quite a bit of damage”.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister said on Sunday she understood the RBTU had a dispute, but that it was dealing itself ‘quite a bit of damage’. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“I’d say really clearly to the union, (I) understand you’ve got a dispute with the NSW government, but you need to sort this out because you’re doing yourself quite a bit of damage,” Ms King told Seven.

“This is not a great time of year to be doing this.

“People are trying to get their last-minute Christmas shopping done.

“(I) understand you’ve got a dispute. You need to resolve it quickly, because those fireworks ... everyone watches them.”

More than one million flock to Sydney Harbour each year to watch the New Year’s Eve firework bonanza.

The first major international city to ring in the new year, the display has a global audience of around 425 million.

NSW Police chief Karen Webb warned on Friday she had not “ruled out that I will recommend to government that we cancel the fireworks”.

More than one million people flock to Sydney Harbour each year to watch the New Year’s Eve firework bonanza. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“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,” she said.

The union was ordered to halt its industrial action but the order was dismissed on Thursday by the Federal Court, which informed the union it could “immediately recommence”.

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

But NSW authorties have said the industrial action could impact approximately 50 per cent of train services across Sydney.

Meanwhile, a peak body for Sydney businesses has warned of a “$98 million economic loss to the Sydney economy” if the fireworks were cancelled.

NSW authorties have said the industrial action could impact approximately 50 per cent of train services across Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“We’re calling on the unions to call off this industrial action because it’s going to have a big impact on small to medium sized businesses and the community’s wellbeing,” Paul Nicolaou of Business Sydney told the ABC on Sunday.

“And if these fireworks are cancelled, millions of dollars are going to be lost.

“And remember, Sydney is the first city that brings in the new year, and it will affect our global reputation.”

He said that “anything we can do to call off this industrial action is really, really important”.