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.
See previous story here: https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2024/09/community-in-shock-as-the-shirley-shuttle-ceases/
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