The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) was back in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) yesterday in relation to the current proposal to cut up to 950 positions from Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Following another lengthy conciliation, the unions representing TFNSW employees were able to gain a number of concessions and commitments, aimed at saving the number of job cuts needed to achieve the organisation’s “savings target”.

With the assistance of the IRC, the unions have gained an agreement there will be a further IRC-facilitated consultation process around the very need to make savings by cutting Award and Transport Senior Service Manager (TSSM) roles.

This will allow the unions to seek and receive documentation to enable them to put forward counter proposals to make savings which do not include the need to cut 950 Award and TSSM roles. In a key concession, any disagreement about a union request, will be facilitated by the IRC, with the Commission to have the ability to make recommendations to that affect.

This process is initially set for four weeks, but importantly may be extended depending on the view of the IRC as to the progress of the discussions.

Throughout this process, the TfNSW unions are seeking to influence the decision-making in how the stated $414 million in savings (including $279 million to be saved through job cuts) is actually achieved, rather than consultation solely on the “process” of achieving job cuts.

What does this mean?

The PSA has been vocal since the announcement was made on 23 July 2025, that if there is a need to make savings, TfNSW should consider the more than 1100 Transport Senior Service Executives (TSSEs) on the books at Transport. It makes no sense that Transport continues to employ more than 1100 TSSEs (approximately one in four of the entire Government Sector), whilst cutting up to 950 Award positions. Our previous bulletins and media appearances have expressed this.

The above facilitated process means the plan to cut Award roles, whilst protecting TSSEs, can be scrutinised on the record at the IRC, rather than simply dismissed as it has been so far. We will be seeking documentation relevant to this.

Senior Executives not the only way to make savings

The PSA knows that there are many other sensible, achievable ideas from our members as to how to make savings, without the need to cut jobs. The above process will allow them to be put to and considered by the Transport Secretary, with any disagreement as to their relevance facilitated by the IRC.

Send us your plans

We encourage members to send their specific ways they believe TfNSW can make savings without the need to cut jobs to the TfNSW@PSA Mailbox ().  This mailbox can be used for these potential savings.

However, if you have a specific individual industrial matter you need assistance with, please continue to contact the Member Support Centre ().

Unfortunately, TfNSW would not agree to continue to pause consultation on “branch design” whilst the above facilitated process is undertaken. However, TfNSW has agreed that:

• No “determinations” can occur until the IRC-facilitated process has concluded. This allows us to potentially find any savings elsewhere and directly change the proposed outcome from TfNSW.
• TfNSW also confirmed that with placement processes, and workforce mobility processes, there will be no job cuts before Christmas.

Of relevance to members in the Operational Asset Assurance Branch, Investment and Assurance Branch, People Operations Branch, and People and Culture Branch, your formal consultation period closes today, Thursday 11 September 2025.

The PSA will be submitting feedback based on your proposed design. We wish to make it clear that as there can be no final determination until after the IRC process is finalised, we will be ensuring that any other savings gained are considered in respect to your branches also.

We wish to also make it clear that it was the unions’ position that no consultation on any branch (including these branches) would occur whilst we were in dispute discussions, but this was not the outcome of the dispute.

Commitments on labour hire to reduce the number of jobs cut

A major area of relevance is the continued use of labour hire whilst TfNSW plans to cut Award roles. TfNSW has 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, 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. Both of these options will lead to a TfNSW employee keeping a job.
• Reviewing 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. Both of these options will lead to a TfNSW employee keeping a job.

There will need to be consideration as to what skills may be required in the above roles, including whether there are any specific skills that preclude the above.  Importantly an explanation of those skills will be provided for scrutiny.

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.

Member meetings

We understand that members will have significant questions around the above, and other aspects of TfNSW’s plans. We will be distributing details of member meetings, which will need to be scheduled around the above intensive IRC-facilitated discussions, and other branch-specific consultation meetings once they are known.

Contacts

TfNSW @ PSA mailbox for general savings plans and feedback on the operating model

Member Support Centre for specific individual industrial matters requiring assistance

Your PSA Delegates

Safety, Policy, Environment and Regulation
Rachael Knight
Nathan Sweeney

Planning, Integration and Passenger
Angela Carroll
Hayley Dellaca
Leisa Sedger
Varada Shinde

Coordinator General
Michael Rohrlach

People, Communication and Workplaces
Joanne Kent
Arshdeep Kohli
Dane Richards
Gloria Nallas

Finance, Technology and Commercial
Gary Sladden

Point to Point (Combined Electorate)
Mick Lister

PSA Central Councilor
Lachlan Mercer