In a major win for unions representing transport workers, a workplace presence directive has been delayed.

The PSA, along with other unions representing workers at Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has long campaigned against directives ordering staff back into the office.

The unions were set to attend the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on 9 and 10 February in dispute with TfNSW about safety concerns in the introduction of the Workplace Presence Policy alongside the Operating Model restructure.

However, before the case went ahead, TfNSW agreed to delay workplace presence.

 TfNSW has agreed that workplace presence will now need to be complied with by either 1 July or three months following members’ stand-up date, whichever is later.

“This result would not have been possible without PSA members coming forward and sharing their experiences and the wellbeing concerns of introducing workplace presence alongside the Operating Model restructure,” said Industrial Manager Julie-Ann Bond. “The PSA wants to thank members who completed our survey late last year, shared their concerns with their union delegates or raised concerns in feedback during consultation period for their branch

“Unions such as the PSA recognise and appreciate that the IRC listened to the voices of our members and their safety concerns, and this dispute demonstrates that no matter what area of TfNSW our members work in, you have one another’s back when it comes to safety.

“Thanks too, to our legal team.”

Ms Bond said workplace adjustments are separate from, and take precedence over, flexible work arrangements. Workplace adjustments specifically relate to TfNSW’s legal obligations under the federal Disability Discrimination Act and the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.

“For those with a workplace adjustment in place, this will continue with no change, and TfNSW has confirmed that you do not need to have a separate hybrid agreement or submit a new workplace adjustment request,” she said. “TfNSW cannot unreasonably decline an individual hybrid agreement, which is a key change that the PSA sought out to assist with raising any issues with individual hybrid agreements for our members.”