Billions of dollars worth of crucial renewables and transmission projects will be affected as New South Wales (NSW) electricity network workers prepare to walk off the job after demanding better pay, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) stated. This will impact infrastructure giant Transgrid’s operations across the board and potentially lead to power outages.
The industrial action set to commence from Friday will include a one-hour work stoppage by all ETU members as well as six indefinite work bans by control room staff, who play critical roles at the company’s nerve center. Transgrid’s refusal to increase worker pay despite substantial ongoing work has left members of the ETU with no choice but to take action.
ETU NSW and ACT secretary Allen Hicks emphasized that the company could instantly resolve the situation by making a fair pay offer and returning to the negotiating table. The union has also stressed its commitment to ensuring that the industrial action will not put the public or workers at risk and that resources are available for emergencies or natural disasters.
Transgrid, which operates and manages the high voltage electricity transmission network across NSW and the ACT, is currently working on major project EnergyConnect, which will link the NSW, Victoria, and South Australian energy grids. This will allow for the sharing of power between these states. The company has been contacted for comment on the matter.