NSW RTBU Secretary Toby Warnes said the union "don't anticipate there will be any disruptions on New Year's Eve". (ABC News: Ethan Rix)
In short:
The rail unions and the NSW government have reached a resolution that will see Sydney's New Year's fireworks go ahead with limited industrial action.
The deal marks the latest development between the unions and the state government, as the former pushes for a series of demands as part of its current enterprise bargaining with Sydney Trains and NSW Trains.
What's next?
Rail, Trams and Bus Union NSW secretary Toby Warnes said the union was ready to continue bargaining with the state government, calling for negotiations to begin on Boxing Day.
The rail unions and the NSW government have reached a resolution that will see Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks go ahead with limited industrial action on the rail network.
The tribunal heard that any industrial action in place on New Year's Eve would not disrupt train services or impede passengers' ability to travel to and from the city.
There will also be no new industrial action that poses a threat to services on New Year's Eve and all industrial action "will be conducted in a manner to ensure the safety of passengers and workers".
The resolution was reached without any argument in the Fair Work Commission hearing.
The tribunal heard that any industrial action in place on New Year's Eve would not impede passengers' ability to travel to and from the city. (ABC News: Blair Chapman)
The rail unions had said in the days leading up to the hearing that they were willing to adjust their bans to make sure New Year's Eve events in the city could take place safely.
That backdown on certain industrial actions was made official today and the state government formally withdrew their applications to the industrial relations tribunal.
All parties agreed to withdraw their applications to the tribunal.
New Year's Eve trains to 'run as planned'
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said trains on New Year's Eve would "now run as planned".
Strikes on Sydney trains are still going ahead this weekend. Here is what the union is demanding
Photo shows Passengers and platforms on the Sydney Train Network.
"I can report that we have been given undertakings by the rail union that there will be no disruption, no industrial action over the holiday period," she said in a press conference.
"We can report that Christmas, New Year's and the Sydney Test are safe because these industrial actions by the unions have been withdrawn."
Ms Haylen there would be no disruptions after the unions provided a "formal assurance" in the Fair Work Commission.
"I'm very pleased to report that the holiday period is now safe for passengers and businesses," she said.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said there would be no disruptions for Christmas or New Year's. (ABC News)
"We didn't want to be in this situation, and there are no celebrations from the government today.
"We want to make sure we can provide confidence for the community. And that's what we've been working towards for the past couple of weeks."
The minister said she was not sure when negotiations with the unions would recommence.
Union says negotiations should continue on Boxing Day
NSW RTBU secretary Toby Warnes said the union "don't anticipate there will be any disruptions on New Year's Eve".
"There's even less of a chance of it happening now and the government should have confidence to go and tell the public that that's the case," he said in a press conference.
Mr Warnes said the union was ready to continue negotiating with the government.
"The Minns government should be back at the bargaining table on Boxing Day, and they should be trying to get a resolution for this agreement before New Year's Eve," he said.
"Let's get this done. Come back to the bargaining table. We're here, we're ready, we're ready to bargain."
The rail union has lifted eight major work bans including driver distance limits and signalling restrictions. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
At a press conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said, while the resolution was good news, it was "just kicking the problem down the road".Â
"I fear that this dispute will still be dragging on past Australia Day. So Australia Day events could be disrupted," Mr Speakman said.Â
"The government needs to get off its backside and start negotiating again straight away with the union."
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman welcomed the temporary resolution, but called on the government to begin negotiating with the unions immediately. (ABC News)
Earlier this morning, a lawyer for the rail unions told the hearing that there have been encouraging discussions with the state government as both parties sought to avoid the cancellation of the fireworks.
The government made an application under section 424 of the Fair Work Act to block unions from taking industrial action, citing safety concerns and potential economic harm.
NSW Premier Chris Minns previously said if the application failed, that he may be forced to cancel the fireworks.