During negotiations with unions representing workers at Transport for NSW (TfNSW), the agency agreed to examine its use of labour hire.  

TfNSW have agreed that all positions that are currently filled by labour hire resources will be reviewed on a branch-by-branch basis, including reviewing the 313 labour hire Resources that are not attached to an Award position. TfNSW will identify if the role is needed in the future, and either remove that role or have it graded and converted to a position that an affected employee can be placed in.  

It will also review the 395 Labour Hire Resources that are currently attached to Award roles, identify if the role is needed in the future, and either remove that role or have that role filled by an affected direct permanent employee.   

“Every labour hire position removed or converted to a TfNSW position for affected direct permanent employees to be placed in, is an Award position saved,” said Industrial Manager Nathan Bradshaw.  

With the assistance of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), the unions, including the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA), have gained an agreement that there will be an additional consultation process around the very need to make savings by cutting Award and senior management roles. This will be facilitated by the IRC.  

This will allow the unions to seek and receive documentation to enable them to put forward counter proposals to make savings that do not include the need to cut 950 Award and senior management roles.  

In a key concession, any disagreement about a union request will be facilitated by the IRC, with the Commission able to make recommendations to that affect.