Radio Operations Group (ROG) Delegates recently met with management at the Joint Communications Consultative Committee on Wed 8 December 2021.

Delegates conveyed the PSA’s grave disappointment with the Command’s failure to consult regarding its ill-fated plan to close Penrith Radio Operations Centre.

In response to questions, the Command advised there were no plans to close other centres in the foreseeable future. Management maintained the position that the closure of Penrith ROC remains subject to the extended consultation process, which the PSA achieved through lodging a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission, and is required to continue in January 2022.

The PSA responded to management that the only logical outcome at the end of consultation is that Penrith will not be closing, as the Government has made it clear it will not support moving 70 jobs from Penrith to Surry Hills. Management’s public attitude of insisting the option is still on the table is causing undue stress and worry to radio operators over the Christmas period.

The PSA has received reports that the Assistant Commissioner has informed staff at another Centre that, in her view, the closure of Penrith will go ahead, notwithstanding the extension of the consultation period. The PSA believes strongly that, if the Assistant Commissioner has made such a statement, her assessment of the situation is not well-founded and is not supported by either the Government or the Community.

Members at Penrith should remain confident the centre will not be closing. The unions remain strong in their support for keeping your jobs in Penrith and community support is overwhelming. The unions will make this clear in our submissions to the consultations in January and we will restart our media and political campaign immediately if any attempts are made to close Penrith ROG. Any attempt to go ahead with the closure of Penrith will continue to meet with stiff resistance from the unions, Communications Officers state-wide, the Penrith community, and local MPs. The proposal is doomed to failure and the sooner the Police Force acknowledges this, the better.

The outcome was only possible due to a strong and vocal PSA membership from within ROG. It is imperative that all radio operators are PSA members, so everyone is united and prepared to fight to drive a stake through the heart of this terrible plan.

Over the next few days, the PSA will be writing to the Commissioner and MPs emphasising our position on the issue and asking for their public position on the proposal.