Thanks to a fantastic and collective effort by our members in the Police Radio Rooms, the Penrith Radio Operations Centre will not be closed. The PSA is currently seeking full details as no official announcement has been made, but we have received initial confirmation that the move is off.
After our aggressive campaign, including lots of media coverage, and support from radio broadcaster Ray Hadley as well as statements of support from the NSW Opposition and Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown, NSWPF has realised that removing 70 jobs from Western Sydney was a bad idea.
Members are still encouraged to come to Penrith RSL this afternoon from 5:00pm to celebrate. I is important to show that PSA members and Radio Operators are united, and they care about the work they do.
The result shows the power in being part of a union. If you are not yet a member, or know of a colleague who hasn’t joined yet, join today at www.psa.asn.au/join.
Campaign timeline
Backlash against the decision to relocate the Penrith Radio Operations Centre to Surry Hills continued to build over a nine-day period.
After learning of the announcement via email on Tuesday 16 November 2021, the PSA immediately sprang in to action, organising our members to provide us with details around how the move would affect them. Read our bulletin HERE.
The PSA then lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission around the complete lack of consultation, and began planning a community rally, urging our members to attend and fight against the short sighted decision. You can read our bulletin HERE. The PSA also began briefing various politicians and journalists about the plan.
An article about the decision was published in the Penrith press on Friday 19 November, as well as an article in The Daily Telegraph on Monday 22 November. Ray Hadley mentioned the issue on air on the same day
On Tuesday 23 November, the PSA wrote to Police Minister David Elliott to request he review the decision to rip jobs out of Western Sydney. You can view that correspondence HERE.
Shadow Minister for Police Walt Secord made a statement to Parliament condemning the decision on the same day. You can view that statement HERE.
On Wednesday 24 November, while your PSA Industrial Officer was in the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the “proposal”, PSA General Secretary Stewart Little was interviewed by Ray Hadley on 2GB, with Mr Hadley expressing bewilderment with the decision. You can listen to that interview HERE.
With momentum building, the PSA and the Police Association appeared before the Industrial Relations Commission to hear our dispute. The Police Association formally joined the PSA’s dispute and supported the cause in solidarity.
The unions argued NSWPF had failed to comply with government and police policies for consultation. After conciliation, NSWPF agreed to hold meetings with the unions where it would provide a briefing on the business case and business continuity planning, as well as receive union submissions.
This win at least forced the NSWPF to have to provide a detailed business case, as opposed to eight dot points in an email. This allowed us to continue our campaign against the decision.
On Thursday 25 November 2021, hours before our community meeting, it has been widely reported that the decision to relocate has been scrapped. While this is fantastic news, the PSA is seeking further details from NSWPF surrounding any possible future plans to amalgamate offices, or any caveats attached to the reported cancelled relocation.
Community meeting still on tonight
The Community meeting/rally planned for this evening at Penrith RSL from 5:00pm is still going ahead, and we are looking forward to celebrating this back down.
New Police Commissioner
The PSA welcomes incoming Police Commissioner Karen Webb, and will be seeking a meeting to discuss issues facing our members.