Australian trade unions have threatened to strike during the
period of the Olympics in September if they don’t get allocated a special Olympics allowance within the next two weeks.

The New South Wales Labor Council is asking an extra AUS$3 an hour for workers in the public areas such as tourism, transport, and emergency assistance due to a change in working conditions during the Games. Jeff Shaw, the Industrial Relations Minister, commented that there are some
difficulties for the government, but that there could be negotiations. In connection to this, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union has requested an extra AUS$300 per week bonus during the Olympiad plus a week’s leave and is threatening not to support the Olympic program.