The transport union won't be signing an agreement that would end Sydney's train chaos just yet as it claims the government hasn't met their demands.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said in a statement it wants to meet with the NSW government this weekend to renegotiate the deed over the New Intercity Fleet, the train service with safety issues at the forefront of the dispute, as the wording isn't right.
The union claims there is a "clause" that allows the government to "tear it up if the agreement is not reached on the EA (enterprise agreement) within three months".
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The other part of the dispute is over the enterprise agreement, which stipulates changes to pay for transport workers, and the union wants a salary rise included in this.
"By allowing the deed to die after 3 months, the door would be open for particular government ministers to renege on their promise to fix the fleet. We don't want to be here fighting the same fight for the safety of these trains ever again," secretary Alex Claassens said.
"I'm prepared to meet with Ministers and the Transport bureaucrats over the weekend so we can work on the wording, get it right and move to the next step."
Meanwhile, NSW Transport Minister David Elliott has made the dire prediction that the union's rolling strikes could last for months yet.
"The worst-case scenario in my mind, could be up to six months," he said.
However, Elliott also said the best-case scenario would be to settle the ongoing dispute between the government and RTBU much sooner and have the strikes end next week.
The transport minister faced a grilling at budget estimates over how he plans to end the clash that has caused a transport nightmare for months.
"I've got some radical ideas if this thing goes to paste over the next couple of weeks," he said during the hearing.
But no blame has been cast on the transport minister, with even the opposition conceding the bungled handling of the union's demands is not all Elliott's fault.
"Enough of these musical chairs, let Elliott get on with it," Labor leader Chris Minns said.
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There are hopes this weekend would see a deal brokered over the NIF but Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said the deal is not yet closed.
Farraway claims the union is refusing to sign the NIF deed until the enterprise agreement is agreed upon.
A deed to make safety modifications to the NIF was handed to the union on Wednesday.
"I am happy to say we are as close to that NIF deed and commitment as we have ever been," Farraway said.
"However, the union cannot sign the deed due to the completion date of the EA (enterprise agreement).
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"There is a want and need from the RTBU to push this out for months and months.
"It is my view we need the EA presented to members within a matter of weeks."
But Claassens argues the government is the one delaying the end of the dispute.
"Yes, we have a deed but it doesn't guarantee the changes we need. The deed needs to be final and put a pin in this sorry saga of our rail history," he said.
"Despite claims to the contrary, the RTBU would seek to resolve the issues with the deed and the Enterprise Agreement as soon as possible for the benefit of all, the members and the travelling public."
More train strikes are planned next week with a ban on foreign-made trains which made 70 per cent of the fleet set for August 31.
