Electrical Trades Union (ETU) NSW members at Transgrid have commenced a major industrial action today as workers ramp up demands for fair pay.
The industrial action includes an hour stoppage of all ETU members and six indefinite work bans by control room staff. This will disrupt Transgrid operations, including the 900km EnergyConnect interconnector, which the union said is already facing delays and safety concerns. Additionally, planned maintenance work and power outages will be affected.
Currently, 83% of Transgrid employees rejected the company’s “substandard” pay offer.
“Transgrid is hopelessly out of touch with its workers who are simply seeking a pay rise that helps them keep up with the soaring cost of living,” ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Allen Hicks said.
According to Hicks, Transgrid, despite its financial resources, refuses to properly pay its workers. He noted that the company’s insulting pay offer has led workers to take industrial action that could impact billions of dollars worth of vital renewable energy and transmission projects.
“Of course, the company could resolve this instantly by returning to the negotiating table with a fair pay offer,” he stated.
“Transgrid must start treating its workers with the respect they deserve. ETU members reserve the right to escalate industrial action if the company doesn’t get its act together.”
The ETU has made safety commitments to ensure industrial action doesn’t pose a threat to the public or workers, and that all resources are readily available for emergencies or natural disasters.
