Update 3: Rural and regional NSW electricity supply disruption risk from ETU-driven industrial action

UPDATE ON:

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has notified Essential Energy of proposed industrial action on Tuesday 30 November 2021 in the form of an unlimited number of bans on issuing Access Permits and Field Access Authorities to non-Essential Energy staff. The ban will commence at 12:00am on Tuesday 30 November and conclude at 12:00am on Wednesday 1 December 2021.

In addition to the above there remains a range of other indefinite or periodic bans in place, including limitations on the following work tasks and activities:

• Travelling outside normal working hours.
• Use of a specified range of Information Technology programs and Applications.
• Certifying and inspecting Accredited Service Providers’ (ASP’s) designs and projects.
• Verification on Life support Customers for planned outages.
• Field Staff Switching – meaning that power will not be switched off which will prevent certain planned works from going ahead.

The ETU industrial action notice also includes several indefinite actions requesting that employees undertake a range of communications activities including distributing ETU/CEPU industrial campaign-related material to members of the public and Essential Energy staff; and employees providing their views concerning industrial action with members of the community and media.

Some of the cited actions include a Safety Commitment, whereby relevant employees will be ready, willing and able to perform unplanned work that, if not performed imminently, would create a serious and imminent threat to human life.

The planned industrial action for Tuesday 30 November is likely to create unavoidable disruptions for ASP’s, contractors and customers through the possible postponement of planned work. ASP’s will receive notice of planned work being postponed on the morning of the job. Notice will be provided through a phone call or email that morning.

Any job that is postponed will need to be resubmitted. This can be completed through the usual process of completing a ‘Request for Planned Outage’ form CEOP6013 and submitting via contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au.

It is disappointing the ETU is conducting industrial action following months of good faith bargaining. Essential Energy continues to pursue an agreement that recognises the hard work of our employees, while balancing our community’s expectations around energy costs.

Our customers, employees, contractors safety and that of the wider community remains our number one priority. We will continue to keep you updated on relevant developments as they occur and thank you for your patience and support.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.