00:00A rejected offer threatening to bring Sydney's rail services grinding to a halt.
00:07I need to inform the travelling public that there will not be train services between Thursday
00:13and Sunday this week.
00:15The rail union had put an ultimatum to the state government to either run 24 hour services
00:20on all lines Thursday to Sunday or face a complete shutdown.
00:25If we continue to try and run 24 hour services over the weekend the fact is that it will
00:32eventually lead in the failure of our rail network.
00:35The government agreed to a 24 hour trial last weekend but proposed to limit that to the
00:40T1 line this week.
00:42At this stage that proposal has not been accepted, the bans have not been lifted and we're now
00:48just over 24 hours away from that action kicking in.
00:51Union members are now expected to walk off the job.
00:54If not enough, running that one line between Strathfield and Hornsby to make us drop our
01:03action that calls for 24 hour running.
01:06But the union says its shutdown will only impact services on two days not four.
01:12There may be some disruption on Friday and Saturday but there shouldn't be any disruption
01:17to the commuters of Sydney on Thursday or Sunday.
01:21The face off comes amid a broader stalemate over pay.
01:24We want this bargain done before Christmas.
01:27So it is incumbent on the government, the ball is in the government's court now to come
01:31and sit with us at the bargaining table and get this deal done.
01:35Commuters are dreading the possible shutdown.
01:38Not helpful that's for sure.
01:39I have my walk at the weekend.
01:41I don't know maybe I'll just take my car which is obviously not the best outcome.
01:45To add to the chaos, rock band Pearl Jam is expected to perform to 40,000 fans in the
01:50Sydney Olympic Park and thousands more are expected at A-League football matches at Moor
01:55Park.
01:56Transport authorities say those events will be very difficult to pull off without the
02:01rail network.
02:02It will be a very challenging night at Olympic Park unless there are train services operating.
02:06A weekend of chaos for millions of commuters.
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