The Transport Workers Union (TWU) of NSW is urging Community Transport Central Coast (CTCC) to pay workers what they are owed following the company’s unexpected closure which has left more than 60 employees in limbo.
The TWU said workers were blindsided on Thursday, September 19, when they were informed by the company’s CEO of its immediate closure, stating financial strain due to ongoing Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations as the cause.
On Friday, liquidators took control.
Upwards of 50 driving and 10 office roles have been lost.
A volunteer-run service, the Shirley Shuttle, operating from the same location has also been affected and, if the public rings in, a telephone message says all services are cancelled.
The CTCC website is down.
“While workers have been told their entitlements will be paid by the 27th of this month, no clear details have been provided regarding what those payments will include and if they will be paid in full,” a TWU spokesperson said.
“The TWU has made multiple attempts to contact CTCC’s management since the collapse, but has only been met with automated messaging services and no direct response,’’ TWU State secretary Richard Olsen said.
The union has written to the NSW Government requesting it step in given the scale of job losses and the vital community service which the company provides.
“These workers have been let down in the worst way possible. They deserved better than a last-minute meeting and vague promises about entitlements,” Olsen said.
“Vulnerable community members, including cancer patients and people with disabilities, have also been left in the lurch, without the vital transport services they relied on from CTCC.”
He said blaming the closure on workers’ reasonable requests in the EA negotiations is a complete cop-out.
“The truth is, this was a failure of management to properly run the business, not the fault of workers standing up for fair pay and conditions.”
In a media statement on Friday, September 20, CTCC said all redundancy payments and entitlements were secure.
“Employees will also receive support through the Employee Assistance Program, and Human Resources will be available to address any queries regarding termination payments,” the press release said.
“Our employees have been instrumental in delivering high-quality services to the community, and this decision does not reflect their dedication or the quality of their work.”
CTCC said it had identified an alternative services provider to support clients during the transition.
These included Transcare, Bungari (Gosford) Central Coast, Mercy (Newcastle), Hornsby Community Transport and Transport for NSW contacts.
“CTCC will maintain limited emergency services until Friday, September 27, to assist clients in urgent situations.
“Clients are encouraged to contact us during this time, and we will do our best to assist where possible.”
Central Coast politicians all said on Friday that they had contacted Transport NSW for urgent support.
I relied on this service in Canterbury for Chemotherapy appointments and found it invaluable I had no other options available to me. I applied to the government for half price taxi vouchers and was rejected because “cancer is not a permanent disability” surely I could have been accepted for twelve months during my treatments. So you can imagine how important this service was to me I live alone and had no alternatives available. Community transport has been invaluable to my life not only with consultations but the love and friendship given to me on social outings also. Its has given me a joyful life and helped immensely with my mental wellbeing. No more loneliness.
My heart goes out to all the clients, wonderful staff and volunteers up in the Central coast. They have been treated disgracefully. Please please find a way to reopen now. Many lives depend on it.
The effect of the closure is going to be an absolute disaster for those aged residents of the Coast suffering disabilities and/or inability to drive etc, who have to rely on the services which have been excellent to date. Personally, I believe a majority of them would have accepted an increase in their contributions if they knew of the negotiations with the TWU were faltering. I have always found the contributions to be more than reasonable (in this day and age) and would willingly accept an increase of some substance. If the income to the Company was not covering their outgoings then the management are to be held responsible for the non action to save the company.
Lies, lies and more Trumpisms. The EA was moving along smoothly until something went wrong between the board and management, the latter resigning. The a mercenary human resources crew were brought in an everything started going wrong. Board members even assured our reps, the door would stay open and we were totally solvent. All Lies.
What a huge, inconvenient loss for the Central Coast community. I ask our newly elected council to please step in and rectify the situation. Could NSW transport introduce Keoride, as seen on
Northern Beaches,or Easylink.
Community Transport is so necessary for a lot of people, me included.Our local buses don’t run frequently and are hard to get on and off as there are a lack of decent pavements, our volunteer drivers
come to the door and kindly help you into and out of the bus or car.Most people would be prepared to pay more for this incredible and much needed service.Shame on the people who shut it down with no warning!!
l really like and Relied on this service The drivers are great l would have been happy to pay more now lm in 4 a 3 hour bus ride So worried But thank you for your help
it was a good service now it’s gone l got to get a bus 3 hours so worried l hope l can find another lift
The TWU representative here says staff were seeking a reasonable pay offer in EBA negotiations. The TWU were seeking 15% over 3 yrs & 3.5% additional super, despite management stating the business was having difficulties. Majority of staff were happy to take 3% offered and help the business thrive again.
Yes previous management has a lot to answer for, but the TWU approach was nothing but blocking attempts to fix the business. No the TWU aren’t to blame, but they didn’t help either. I trust the handful of TWU members within that organisation are able to sleep well. A lot of people are hurting because of this.
disgraceful Obviously the administrators have failed the workers and the clients
Update on Community Transport/Shirley Shuttle.
A Current Affair is interested in joining our fight to get these services restored asap. If you have a personal story or a point of interest please email it to SHERI or just send a message to her with your phone number to please phone you, as you may be not well enough to do a lengthy email. She is particularly interested in hearing from users of these services. But if you feel you have other relevant info she would like to hear from you too. I have seen this program achieve results before so lets express our voices through it.
smimis@nine.com.au.
I am 73,legally blind my wife has been diagnosed with dementa. We relied on this service, please fix it or offer an alternative