Linesmen safety stoush over after private negotiations

A deal has been brokered between the Downer Group and workers represented by the Electrical Trades Union, ending a safety dispute that had sparked controversy after thousands of Victorians were left without power.

Dozens of linesmen crews, crucial to fixing transmission lines and getting power restored to Victorians homes, are back out in force after a late night deal was brokered between the Downer Group and its workers, ending an ongoing safety dispute.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that in late night private negotiations on Wednesday, the Downer Group and workers represented by the Electrical Trades Union came to a deal to improve safety for workers and agreeing to get all fleets back out on the road.

In the week leading up to the freak storm, dozens of vehicles had been parked at Victorian depots as the safety dispute escalated.

The Herald Sun understands their industrial gripe is over a safety feature on a cherry picker or elevated work platform that allows a user to exit if the system fails.

Tuesday’s freak storm event left thousands without power. Picture: David Crosling

Within the industry, it’s widely accepted the rope on the controlled descent device functions optimally with 2.5 turns around its friction rod.

On Monday, the company made an application to the Fair Work Commission to end the industrial action, but less than 24 hours later the freak storm rolled across the state, crumpling transmission lines, causing chaos, and plunging 500,000 homes into darkness.

It was alleged by industry insiders that when the storm hit that Downer Group linesmen were allegedly instructed by the Electrical Trades Union not to answer their phones, an allegation the union strongly denies.

As storms swept across the state Downer Group linesmen were allegedly instructed not to answer their phones – a claim the Electrical Trades Union denies. Picture: Facebook

The ETU could not be reached by the Herald Sun on Wednesday and declined to comment when contacted on Thursday, but released a statement on social media saying “The ETU categorically refutes the pathetic allegations.”

“Work crews across the network are available to respond to outages.”

However, industry sources have slammed the ETU’s denials.

“That suits their (ETU’s) narrative,” one insider said on Thursday.

The source said Downer linesmen were absolutely told “do not answer the phone”.

“(The story) is bang on.”

There were concerns over a safety feature on a cherry picker or elevated work platform that allows a user to exit if the system fails.

Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said the bottom line was that in an emergency, such as when the lights go out, it’s all hands on deck.

“Enough of the industrial disputes, bickering and point scoring,” Mr Willox said.

“It’s tough enough for hundreds of thousands of people to be without power without having to read about industrial squabbles potentially holding up reconnections.

“The community deserves nothing less than guns down and tools up.”

A Downer spokesperson said: “The safety of our people and the communities in which we work is always Downer’s highest priority,” a Downer spokesperson said. “Downer does not make decisions on operational matters that would put its workers at risk.”

A worker, speaking on the condition of anonymity said the concern about safety was a real and that there was division about getting back on the trucks.

“These guys wanted to get out there and help.

“But if they can’t bring the bucket down, that’s a very serious issue. Especially if someone needs to be resuscitated.”

They added that having a platform stuck in the air also posed a risk to passing drivers and bystanders.

Sources confirmed that fleets were back out on the road early Thursday morning.

The latest safety stoush comes as the ETU and Downer Group continue EBA negotiations.