NSW rail workers have offered to cease any industrial action threatening New Year’s Eve celebrations if the government drops legal action against them and offers free fares to commuters.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) made the offer on Sunday night, saying it would commit to not taking any new industrial action until January 7.
More than 500 services were cancelled at the weekend, with the current tense industrial action causing fears Sydney’s famed New Year’s Eve fireworks will be cancelled.
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According to Transport for NSW, Sydney trains will be 200 drivers short.
On Monday, the NSW Government rejected the deal, saying it was simply too expensive.
“As we’ve said before this would cost millions of dollars that we don’t have. And if we did do it, the people of NSW know that it has to be paid for by them in another way. It’s just not affordable,” a spokesperson said.
“The rail unions just need to drop their action.”
The NSW government will next have its case heard at the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday.
It said it will keep all legal options “on the table” to ensure the does not impact the holiday period.