Dispute escalated to the IRC
27 August 2025
On Thursday 26 August 2025, Unions notified TfNSW that we would be seeking the assistance of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to resolve our current dispute regarding consultation on the plan to cut 950 positions from TfNSW.
TfNSW have responded by seeking an urgent listing in the IRC today. At the time of publication, a listing date and time had not yet been confirmed.
While the Unions have requested that employee consultation for members in Operational Asset Assurance Branch, Investment and Assurance Branch, People Operations Branch, and People and Culture Branch currently set for Thursday 28 August 2025 be postponed until the dispute is resolved, they have not been rescheduled as yet. The PSA remains available to attend these consultation meetings if they go ahead and will follow the guidance of the IRC in this regard. Once we have further information we will schedule online member meetings.
TfNSW provides further information in regard to Labour Hire.
TfNSW have provided further information, as requested by Unions, in regard to the breakdown of Labour Hire numbers across TfNSW. The data confirms that:
- As at 11 August 2025, there are 754 Labour Hire resources within TfNSW
- This includes 395 occupying Award positions, as well as 46 occupying Senior Service positions, and the remaining 313 being “Labour Hire” positions (not attached to an Award role or Senior Executive role).
Your Award contains protections against the use of Labour Hire over Award staff
The Transport for New South Wales and Sydney Metro Salaries and Conditions Award (the Award) states that TfNSW:
- will use direct permanent employment as the preferred and predominant staffing option for the Employer
- In considering whether to engage contingent labour the employer will consider whether there are any existing Employees who are suitable and available to carry out the work and that;
- When a change is proposed that will have an impact upon the working arrangements of Employees, the Employer will notify and consult with Employees and their Employee representatives…how the changes comply with clauses 14.2 (Preference for Direct Permanent Employment) and 15 (Contractors and Labour Hire) of the Award.
The PSA contends that not a single Award position should be cut until those Labor Hire positions are deleted. The PSA’s position is that whilst ever there are Labour Hire roles being utilised, any proposal to cut permanent Award roles is a breach of the Award and should be paused until such roles are removed.
Don’t forget to contact your MP
The PSA has drafted a template letter that members may wish to send to their elected Member of Parliament. The letter asks whether they support the plan to cut 950 TfNSW workers, whilst continuing the protection racket for more than 1000 Senior Executives in Transport. You can visit the below link, which will allow you to view the template letter, amend as you see fit, and automatically send to your elected Member of Parliament.
Email your Member of Parliament
PSA Staff Contacts
Your PSA Delegates
Planning, Integration and Passenger
Angela Carroll
Hayley Dellaca
Leisa Sedger
Varada Shinde
Coordinator General
Adam Carroll
People Communications and Workplace
Joanne Kent
Arshdeep Kohli
Dane Richards
Gloria Nallas
Finance, Technology and Commercial
Gary Sladden
PSA Central Councilor
Lachlan Mercer