ETU NSW/ACT members at transmission company Transgrid are fighting for a fair pay rise that keeps up with the cost of living. These workers operate and maintain the electricity transmission network in NSW and ACT, but their wages have fallen behind rising inflation – by 8% since 2016. These highly-skilled, hard-working electrical workers who power NSW communities deserve a pay rise that doesn’t go backwards. Support ETU members in their fight by sending an email message to the company’s CEO calling for a fair pay rise.
Our members have been bargaining with Transgrid since October 2023 and taking protected industrial action since January 2024. This month, members began a 24hr protest at Transgrid’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney which has been going for more than three weeks now. The protest site has been visited by many supportive ETU members, politicians and members of the general public.
“The members and particularly the delegates at Transgrid have blown me away with their commitment, solidarity, and unwavering support of each other. These highly-skilled and dedicated workers deserve a decent pay rise, and they’re not backing down until they get it,” said ETU National Industry Coordinator Matt Murphy.
Yet, Transgrid continues to show no intent of resolving this dispute, repeatedly crying poor during negotiations without providing any financial evidence. Even worse is the disrespectful attitude of Transgrid’s CEO Brett Redman, who has not once attended a bargaining meeting.
Show your support for Transgrid ETU members and tell CEO Brett Redman that the NSW community supports a decent pay rise for Transgrid workers!
The company’s latest offer was an insult to members who are struggling to keep up with the cost of living. Thanks to the hard work of union members, the offer was rejected by the majority of Transgrid workers. ETU members held countless conversations with Transgrid workers, cutting through the company’s threatening propaganda to show workers the truth of their substandard offer. ETU members have given Transgrid workers the confidence to vote for better wages, and a better future for all.
“The common view is that the two proposed and defeated Transgrid Enterprise Agreements don’t come anywhere close to addressing the rising cost of living or recognising their inputs to the increasing value of this multi-billion dollar company,” said ETU delegate Paul O’Malley.
“They believe that multi-national equity funds shouldn’t be sending their profits overseas while short-changing their highly skilled employees,” he said.
Transgrid has so far thrown every legal trick in the book at us, unfortunately resulting in a temporary suspension of our industrial action. While we are disappointed in the Fair Work Commission’s decision, we are exploring every legal avenue to challenge this decision and restore the right of our members to take protected industrial action.
On Monday 29 April, ETU members travelled from far and wide to rally for better wages and conditions at Transgrid’s Ultimo headquarters.
At the rally, representatives of several other unions also joined to show solidarity including the ETU Queensland/ NT branch, Communication Workers Union, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Professionals Australia, Unions NSW and the United Services Union.
The vote result and the remarkable support shown at the rally has sent a clear message to Transgrid management, that the ETU will not back down until Transgrid delivers a better offer. ETU members also called for Transgrid’s CEO Brett Redmond to resign. They turn up in all types of weather, emergencies and conditions at any time of the day or night to undertake highly-skilled and dangerous work that ensures a safe and reliable electricity network for NSW customers. They are sick and tired of having to deal with a CEO who won’t show even the most basic level of respect to the workers that line his pockets.