Dispute update: pause in further detailed design consultation – for now

Further to our previous bulletin, which can be viewed HERE, the unions were in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) at 12:00pm on Thursday 28 August 2025 to conciliate our current dispute regarding consultation on the plan to cut 950 positions from TfNSW. While the dispute was being conciliated in the IRC, employee consultation for members in Operational Asset Assurance Branch, Investment and Assurance Branch, People Operations Branch, and People and Culture Branch continued.

The fact the employee consultation was ongoing in these branches at the very time that the unions were conciliating a dispute in the IRC, and the difficulty this places on all unions to be at two places at once, was a key point of the conciliation. As a result, TfNSW confirmed in the IRC that there would be no further employee consultation occurring next week, to allow conciliation in the IRC to continue. While discussions in the IRC were productive, there is no resolution at this current point in time. The matter has been relisted for further conciliation on Monday 1 September, and we will keep members updated as discussions progress.

Protections against Labour Hire use over Award staff a relevant issue

As outlined in our last bulletin, there are significant protections in the Transport for New South Wales and Sydney Metro Salaries and Conditions Award (the Award) regarding the use of Contractors and Labour Hire over direct permanent employment. The fact that there are still 754 Labour Hire Resources within TfNSW, including 395 occupying Award positions, as well as 46 occupying Senior Service positions was another key point in discussion in the IRC yesterday. The unions will be compiling a list of key questions/issues for TfNSW to respond to in our continued conciliation next week, including specifics around each and every one of those Labour Hire Resources, and why TfNSW are proposing to cut Award and TSSM roles while these resources remain on the books.

Operational Asset Assurance Branch, Investment and Assurance Branch, People Operations Branch, and People and Culture Branch can send feedback on their proposals

While the dispute remains ongoing, members in these branches had their detailed design consultation yesterday. At this current point in time, feedback in relation to these branches remains open until 5:00pm on Thursday 11 September 2025. We encourage members to provide feedback to the proposals using the online feedback forms provided by TfNSW. You can also provide feedback on your specific branch design to the PSA, so that we can include it in our submission, by emailing the TfNSW mailbox , with the name of your Branch in the subject line.

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.

Member of Parliament letter can be found HERE

Contacts

Shane Jobberns
Organiser

Thomas Gao
Organiser

TfNSW @ PSA mailbox

Member Support Centre

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

Parliament NSW Department Staff: reminder of upcoming members’ meeting

Your PSA industrial staff and delegates will be holding a members’ meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday 2 September 2025.

We strongly encourage all members who are onsite to attend in person. If you are working remotely, please join us via the Teams link provided.

This meeting is an opportunity to:

Raise any concerns or questions you may have
Learn more about the role of the PSA in your workplace
Discuss how your union can best support you and your colleagues

Know someone who isn’t a member but would like to learn more about the PSA? Invite them to come along

Member’s Meeting Details:

If you are onsite, please join us in person, or use the link below to join on Teams.

Date 2 September 2025

Time 10:30am-11:15am

Location Room 1043 Parliament House

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID 465 885 364 748 0

Passcode 6N5wW3nP

Contacts

Workplace Delegates:

Abegail Turingan

Miguel Romero

Flax Soetjandra

Gareth Perkins

Kylie Cook

PSA staff

Claudia Bianchi
Organiser

Greg Shaw
Senior Industrial Officer
gshaw@psa.asn.au

The PSA NSW has 125 years of proud history, and you stand on the shoulders of more than 40,000 members who know we are stronger together.

Did you know your union also offers you:

Emergency ambulance cover
Journey and personal accident Insurance
Substantial shopping discounts
Legal services and many other benefits

Find our member benefits HERE

Rural Fire Service: update from the Joint Consultative Committee Meeting

The PSA attended the most recent Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting with the RFS on 27 August 2025, Multiple subjects were discussed, such as key workplace issues, updates on policies, and matters affecting both staff and volunteers across the organisation, including:

Hours of Work and the Supreme Court Settlement

The Hours of Work Policy will be reviewed in three months. The RFS is preparing a video to guide staff on its application.

The PSA emphasised the importance of a consistent approach across the organisation.

The PSA voiced its concern about the continuing inconsistent application of LA time, Leave-in-Lieu (LIL), and Overtime (OT), particularly for work performed outside bandwidth hours at the request or direction of the RFS.

Members are encouraged to raise any concerns with their delegates or directly with the PSA if they feel their entitlement to overtime is not being recognised.

The PSA also reminded the RFS of the importance of complying with the recent Supreme Court settlement and supporting members’ industrial rights. Accurate recording of hours worked by all staff with their MAR is encouraged to ensure all staff are properly recognised for their time.

Body Worn Cameras

The RFS has obtained trial models of body worn cameras and reviewed policies from other government agencies. Legal advice is being sought to ensure compliance with the Surveillance Act and related regulations. Cameras may be used by Fire Investigators, Bushfire Impact Analysts, Hazard Management Officers and Penalty Notice Officers, primarily to enhance safety for staff working remotely, in isolation, or when likely to interact with members of the public who display challenging and aggressive behaviours.

Glendenning Relocation

Eight submissions regarding the Glendenning relocation are under review. Hot desk and alternate working arrangements are being considered; no staff will be relocated to Bankstown. Although a hot desk policy does not yet exist, the PSA requested one be developed, which was agreed to by RFS.

Volunteer Health Standards

Volunteer health standards will not be applied to staff. District staff will be responsible for implementing these standards with volunteers, and a communications package is being prepared to support this process.

Contacts

Michael Sinclair
Industrial Officer

Graydon Plumridge
Organiser

Thank you — Art Gallery action!

A huge thank you to all Art Gallery staff who walked out during lunch in protest of the announced $7.5 million funding cut and 51 job cuts. Taking action during such uncertain times takes courage. Yet you showed that courage in abundance. When we stand together, we are strong.

The PSA also extends sincere thanks to the many members from across the cultural sector who came out in support. Your solidarity matters. We saw members from the State Library, Australian Museum, Museums of History, the Powerhouse, Create NSW, and the Botanic Gardens join in. This is what union strength looks like. United across institutions.

The action attracted widespread media coverage, sending a clear message to the government: these cuts are not only unacceptable to the workers affected, but also to the public who deeply value our cultural institutions.

Listen and share the PSA podcast which features Assistant Secretary Troy Wright speaking with Art Gallery delegate Nik Rieth about the proposed cuts and their impact. The podcast can be found HERE.

What’s next?

PSA officers and delegates will meet with the AGNSW Director and CMP team on Tuesday, 2 September as part of the restructure consultation process.
Thanks to strong advocacy from AGNSW PSA delegates, the consultation period has been extended to 5:00pm, 16 September 2025.
If you haven’t already provided your feedback, please send your concerns to

This is not the end of our campaign. If the Government does not listen further union action will follow.

In the meantime, continue to:

Stay informed.
Talk to your colleagues.
Encourage others to join the union.
Reach out with concerns or ideas.
Distribute the ART ATTACK- STOP THE CUTS flyer (found HERE).
Let the Minister for the Arts, John Graham, know that this is not ok by emailing graham@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Contacts

Claudia Bianchi
Organiser

Greg Shaw
Senior Industrial Officer

Fair Training: member feedback on change management proposal

Your union received a change management proposal from Fair Training on 27 August 2025.

The union would like to hear your feedback on the proposal which will be included in the union feedback.

Please provide your feedback by Friday 5 September 2025 by contacting the PSA Member Support Centre. Quote the call no #C10009654

The PSA will also have a members meeting via teams on Wednesday 3 September at 2pm.

Meeting details

Date Wednesday 3 September

Time 2:00pm

Micro:soft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID 430 332 254 814 4

Passcode EL3YS2S4

Contacts

Please contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 or email .

Xanthe Thomson
Industrial Officer

PSA meeting: Wollongong Community Corrections Office

Your Organiser, Latu Sailosi, will be at Wollongong Community Corrections Office for a meeting with PSA members.

The meeting will discuss the issues in the agenda below. There will also be a chance to talk with your PSA representatives and staff about any individual matters you are facing at work.

Details

Date Friday 29 August 2025
Time 12:00pm-1:00pm
Venue Conference room

Agenda

Update on industrial issues such as working from home
Member benefits and entitlements
The Justice Legal Fund
PSA Membership Packs
Issues facing the Wollongong Community Corrections Office
Q&A
One-on-one meetings with members on individual matters.

Contacts

Latu Sailosi Organiser
0418 254 714

Chad Haynes

Mary Sanna Delegate

Natural Resources Access Regulator members’ meeting: Transparency and certainty

The PSA met with members at the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) met on Tuesday 26 August to discuss the proposed changes within the regulator. Feedback provided so far has been mixed, reflecting the wide-ranging changes proposed, with questions about role conversions and expresion of interest processes, and a widely felt desire for transparency and certainty.

The PSA is collating member feedback to put to management on behalf of the membership. Please send your feedback or questions to PSA Organiser Michael Parsons by close of business Monday 1 September.

The formal consultation period closes the following day.

Do you know a non-member?

The proposed changes impact all staff in NRAR, not just union members. Non-members should consider joining the PSA today to make sure they’re supported throughout the change process, from the consultation period through to implementation and beyond. Join today

Contacts

Molly Zarb Delegate

Michael Parsons Organiser

Michael Sinclair Industrial Officer

Do you work at Ministry of Health? You’re invited to the PSA members’ meeting – have your say

On 10 September 2025, PSA and your workplace Delegates will be attending the quarterly Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) Meeting with Ministry of Health. This is an opportunity to raise member’s issues and have a voice.

Prior to the JCC, the PSA is holding an online members’ meeting to give you the chance to raise any concerns or questions we can take to the JCC meeting with management.

This is a great opportunity for both members and non-members to:

Meet your workplace Delegates, PSA Senior Organiser, and Industrial Officer
Learn more about the PSA’s role in your workplace.
Share ideas on how your union can best support you and your colleagues.

Whether you’ve got something specific to raise or just want to stay informed, we’d love to see you there!

Members are encouraged to send any agenda items that they would like discussed to PSA Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas –

If you know any non-members’ that would like to learn more about your union, invite them to attend.

Meeting details

Date Wednesday 10 September 2025

Time 1:00pm–2:00pm

Where Online

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID 459 650 513 065 8

Passcode 2No2dz2t

Your Delegates

Julie Westacott

John Bertacco

Peter Gilfedder

PSA staff

Belinda Tsirekas
Senior Organiser

Graydon Welsh
Industrial Officer

The PSA NSW has 125 years of proud history, and you stand on the shoulders of more than 40,000 members who know we are stronger together.

Did you know your union also offers you:

Free emergency ambulance cover

Free Journey Insurance – peace of mind if you have an accident travelling to and from work.

FREE Personal & Accident insurance – lump sum claims for injuries and broken bones and for $11 extra get your whole immediate family covered (exclusive of the broken bones )

Substantial shopping discounts with UNION SHOPPER

Free will and Legal services and many other benefits

Bargaining Update: Aboriginal Land Council NSW – CPSU NSW member meeting and survey on your employment conditions

CPSU NSW and other bargaining representatives attended the first bargaining meeting with NSW ALC on 11 August 2025. Whilst this first meeting is mainly procedural, the next meeting will begin to flesh out matters that either side would like to see amended in your current Enterprise Agreement.

The CPSU NSW has developed a short survey for members to fill out, to let us know of issues with their current employment conditions.

You can view your current Enterprise Agreement HERE.

In previous discussions with members, the CPSUNSW has identified some areas of note, including:

Complicated, and uncompetitive remuneration increases
Issues with utilising the “Additional Leave Bank”
Ensuring best practice provisions for entitlements such as Parental Leave and Domestic Violence Leave
A stronger commitment in the Agreement to preventing Bullying and Harassment
Stronger consultation provisions in the Agreement

You can take the CPSU NSW survey by clicking HERE.

CPSU NSW Member meeting

We will be holding an online member meeting on Thursday 4 September 2025 to continue discussions with members around the above, and other areas of note.

Date Thursday 4 September 2025

Time 12:00pm– 1:00pm

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID 499 521 641 310 2

Passcode Qq9LN2Ec

CPSU NSW contacts

Member Support Centre

Nathan Bradshaw
Industrial Manager

Dispute escalated to the IRC

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

Email your Member of Parliament

PSA Staff Contacts

Shane Jobberns Organiser

Thomas Gao Organiser

TfNSW @ PSA mailbox

Member Support Centre

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

“Guidance” on Flexible Work Dispute continues

Further meetings to be held & Independent Formal Mediation to be discussed as a way of resolving the dispute

Areas NOT covered by the Guidance and 60 per cent requirement

Legal Aid has provided a comprehensive list of the areas NOT covered by the Guidance.

They are:

Aboriginal Services Branch
Executive Unit
Executive Program Manager Office (EPMO)
Client Service and Public Engagement Offices – includes offices of SWAT, LawAcccess, Grants Officers, SCU Project Team, Communications, Client Assessment and Referrals, Community Legal Education, Cooperative Legal Services, Planning and Review, With You and Client Services admin/exec team
Legal Services Division – includes Private Lawyer Quality Standards Unit (PLQS), In House Counsel, Facilities, Library, Community Legal Centre Program, WDVCAP, Strategic Law Reform Unit, Client Eligibility Unit, Audit and Risk, Admin Relief and Legal Services admin/exec team
Digital Transformation Unit
Corporate services – Finance, ICT and Human Resources.

September 1 rapidly approaches and some Office plans not complete

Legal Aids failure to develop plans in a timely manner is going to leave NO time for any consideration of people’s circumstances and applications before their current approval ends in 3 Working Days.

How long will staff be left without approval to work from home?

Staff cannot submit a new request for flexible work unless you terminate the existing one. That means until or if your new request is approved you will not be able to work from home.

As previously advised, the PSA will support all members who have flexible work arrangements denied to them by Legal Aid because of the Guidance document including, where necessary, seeking assistance of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

Next Steps

We again call on Legal Aid to withdraw the Guidance document.

We call on Legal Aid to extend the deadline for office & individual plans until this dispute is resolved.

Legal Aid must ensure that current approvals remain in place until new applications for flexible work are finalised.

We further call on Legal Aid to cease any changes to members’ current working pattern until this dispute is resolved.

A meeting with Senior Officers of Legal Aid, your elected Delegates and PSA staff will be held this afternoon to attempt to resolve this Dispute. Part of this meeting will discuss the value of having the assistance of an Independent Mediator to help resolve this matter.

Members will be further updated on progress before the end of the week.

Greg Corrigan Senior Industrial Officer

Alex Sala Organiser

PSA Members Meeting: Safework Improvement Notice for Lismore Court Hub

In May, Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Lismore Court Hub was subject to an Improvement Notice by SafeWork NSW, for contravening a provision in the Work Health and Safety Act for exposing workers to psychosocial hazard risks within the workplace. As a result of the notice, a Psychosocial Risk Assessment process is underway, consisting of a survey and focus groups.

The PSA would like to provide feedback to DCJ about this risk assessment including the process and invite PSA members working at the Lismore Hub to attend an online member meeting.

Date: 2 September 2025 1pm.

Location: Online via MS Teams

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 420 215 099 240 8
Passcode: gK9xS385

If you are unable to attend the meeting verbal or written feedback can be provided to Regional Organiser Rebecca Reily or 0419980503

Member Support Centre 1800 772 679

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Dispute update: pause in further detailed design consultation – for now

Recent News

Parliament NSW Department Staff: reminder of upcoming members’ meeting

Contacts

PSA staff

Recent News

Rural Fire Service: update from the Joint Consultative Committee Meeting

Recent News

Thank you — Art Gallery action!

Recent News

Fair Training: member feedback on change management proposal

Recent News

PSA meeting: Wollongong Community Corrections Office

Details

Agenda

Contacts

Recent News

Natural Resources Access Regulator members’ meeting: Transparency and certainty

Do you know a non-member?

Contacts

Recent News

Do you work at Ministry of Health? You’re invited to the PSA members’ meeting – have your say

Meeting details

Your Delegates

PSA staff

Recent News

Bargaining Update: Aboriginal Land Council NSW – CPSU NSW member meeting and survey on your employment conditions

Recent News

Dispute escalated to the IRC

Recent News

“Guidance” on Flexible Work Dispute continues

Recent News

PSA Members Meeting: Safework Improvement Notice for Lismore Court Hub

Recent News

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