Sydney‘s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display to Go Ahead After Last-Minute Unions Deal
The annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Sydney will proceed as planned after unions called off a threatened transport strike, local media reported on Tuesday.
In a last-minute agreement, union leaders have assured that the strike scheduled for New Year’s Eve will not go ahead, announced New South Wales transport minister Jo Herrera.
"We’ve reached a temporary agreement with the unions, so New Year’s Eve travelers can rely on train services running as usual," Herrera said.
The display, expected to draw several hundred thousand spectators, had raised concerns about safety and chaos if viewers couldn’t return home due to strike disruptions. New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb had prepared to recommend the cancellation of the traditional event to the government.
However, unions have accused the government of attempting to sabotage the strike through doubtful dealings.
Despite the temporary truce, the underlying employment dispute remains unresolved. Unions continue to demand a 32% wage increase over four years, while the government has only offered an 11% rise over three years.
