EA update: drafting process continues… slowly

We continue through this long, drawn out drafting process before the Fair Work Commission.

The days are long and dull, and it’s a credit to all our hardworking EA delegates who have continued to engage so meaningfully in this process. Their dedication to ensuring this process lands the best deal possible is admirable.

To paint a picture, the process involves your EA delegates sitting around a large table across from the employer representatives, with the Commissioner sitting at the end of the table on her computer manually drafting words to reflect real life conditions that will benefit members everywhere. It’s dull, but important.

The list we’re working from is the one sent out by the employer in their “open offer” which was sent to all members’ transport addresses on 14 January 2025.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve reached agreement on some claims and their drafting, but there are still a number of important claims where the drafting remains unresolved.

Unfortunately, the employer seems to be obstructing quick progress on relatively simple concepts. It’s unclear what benefit they derive from delay, but it is extremely clear that some in the senior management ranks at Sydney Trains are bad actors and are actively trying to undermine the push toward an agreement.

This process is not bargaining; it is a technocratic process of legal drafting. It’s been 128 days now since the employer has properly bargained. Our good faith bargaining case will be heard in May and we hope the Commission will see through the employer’s nonsense and order them back to the bargaining table.

We know it’s frustrating that progress is so slow, and at times it seems like an age between important events. But rest assured that our EA delegates are working around the clock to land this deal, and they won’t stop until they do.

If you want more information or to arrange a workplace meeting, please reach out to your EA delegate. You can find the full EA team here: https://fightingforourfuture.com.au/delegates/