First update on Payroll Dispute in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission

Bulletin No. 16.24

To: All TFNSW Members

Following our meeting last Thursday, we would like to provide the first update on the dispute with Transport Payroll in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) concerning the failure of Payroll Management to adequately resource Payroll.

While there are several key issues raised in this dispute, including ongoing resourcing concerns, the immediate focus has been on the upcoming Labour Day public holiday on 7 October 2024. Specifically, whether employees can work on their own payroll duties rather than being restricted to covering leave-related duties.

We know that 38 out of 54 employees working on the Trains payroll have expressed interest in working on Labour Day, yet only 20 have been given the ability to work leave cover payroll duties for just 4 hours.

During the proceedings on the 30/9, Justice Chin acknowledged our concerns and facilitated an agreement with Transport Management to review the following key points:

1. Reviewing the pool of pmployees: Transport Management will review the list of employees available to work on 7 October, with the goal of increasing the number of staff assigned to work that day.
2. Redistribution of leave cover work and ability to do own work: Transport Management will also review the distribution of leave cover payroll duties, with a view to allowing employees who work on 7 October to focus on their own payroll tasks as well.
3. Reviewing the number of hours: Transport Management will re-examine the current allocation of only 4 hours and consider extending this.

Unions want Transport to offer members a choice to work 7 hours, with at least 4 hours spent on their own work!

Transport Management has been asked to develop a proposal addressing these points, which they promised will be communicated to the unions before Wednesday.

Justice Chin relisted the matter for further conciliation today at 11am on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.

But the fight is not over. As you know, there are many problems with resourcing in Transport Payroll, and we are committed to resolving these as well.

While we continue to work through the broader issues in this dispute, our immediate priority is ensuring fair arrangements for the Labour Day public holiday.

We will keep you updated regularly this week! Stay tuned, and please speak to your delegates Dane (PSA) and Aaron (RTBU) if you have any questions.

Authorised by:
Toby Warnes
Branch Secretary

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