This is shocking news for our members, and the PSA will support our TfNSW staff all throughout this process. The PSA is also mindful that the government’s own policy requires TfNSW to actively redeploy affected staff in the government sector and the union will work with members and government to ensure this will be a primary component of this process.

Stewart Little, General Secretary of the PSA said “The PSA has previously secured with the current NSW Government the ‘workforce mobility placement policy’ which requires TFNSW to actively redeploy affected staff in the government sector to minimise job cuts. With the NSW Government advertising more than 25,000 roles per year, the PSA expects this policy to be utilised in its entirety and will support any affected members throughout this process.”

The update sent out to staff states that TfNSW expects consultation to begin for some branches in August this year, with the aim for all branches to be determined by the end of 2025.

The communication also references that TfNSW will be introducing an ‘early exit’ and ‘mobility options’ for senior service mangers. The PSA is seeking further information from TfNSW around these details and how it will impact the consultation process. The PSA would expect that before any reduction of positions for Award staff are explicitly identified, that this ‘early exit’ program be allowed to run its course, to mitigate adverse effects on staff of this proposed major change.

While TfNSW has already delivered a reduction of 200 (out of 300) Senior Executive roles, the PSA is seeking further information on the cost savings already achieved, the cost savings still required, and what other options have been, or can be, explored to find savings. If savings need to be found, they should be made from these areas first and foremost. TfNSW has one of the largest cohort of executives in the whole of the NSW public sector – a hangover from the 12 years of Liberal National Party governance.

In the immediate term, the PSA will be meeting with delegates to discuss the announcement, and to get feedback from our members. Whilst consultation on the announcement has not yet begun and specific designs have not been shared with the PSA at this time, there has never been a more important time to join the PSA.