In the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) unions representing TfNSW workers continued in their conciliation of the proposal to cut 950 positions.

The unions provided a list of 123 questions for TfNSW to answer, including who determined the specific workforce reduction targets and whether an alternative strategy had been considered. The unions also want more information on whether a risk assessment had been done in relation to the proposed job cuts.

TfNSW’s top-heavy structure continues to attract criticism from unions, who are seeking answers in the IRC about why so many senior positions remain, whilst lower-remunerated workers face the loss of their job. Transport agencies have more than 1000 senior executives on the books, which is about a quarter of the total number employed by the State Government.

Unions also want to know if the proposed cuts have anything TfNSW’s new rules on “workplace presence”. changes and how this interacts with the proposal to cut jobs.
The unions also proposed a framework for resolving the dispute.

“There was also no agreement to resolve the dispute as per the framework the unions proposed, and TfNSW indicated it wanted to continue consultation on “detailed design” next week with additional branches,” said PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright. “A positive out of the conciliation was that TfNSW is prepared to re-examine labour hire positions, especially the 313 labour hire position not attached to Award or Senior Executive roles.

“Discussions around this will continue.”

The PSA and TfNSW will continue to negotiate over the cuts.