Industrial impasse impacting electrical contractors and investment in NSW

This unresolved conflict has escalated into rolling state-wide work stoppages by over 2,000 Essential Energy power workers, signalling an alarming trend in industrial relations that undermines employer confidence and threatens investment in the state.

NECA CEO Oliver Judd said the inability of both parties to find a resolution exemplifies a broader systemic failure over the past twelve months, a period marked by increasing instability in NSW’s industrial landscape. This instability has had a chilling effect on employers in the contracting sector and has deterred potential investment in critical infrastructure projects across the state.

“This is not just an isolated dispute; it is symptomatic of a deeper issue in how industrial relations is becoming a major concern in NSW. Employers, contractors, and investors need stability and certainty to operate and grow. The inability of the ETU and the government to resolve this dispute undermines confidence in the sector and raises serious questions about the state’s ability to meet its economic and infrastructure goals,” Mr Judd said.

Mr Judd emphasised that these disputes do not operate in a vacuum but are part of a broader pattern of governance failures that impact contractors and the wider electrotechnology industry.

“We acknowledge the importance of fair conditions and wages for workers, but protracted disputes such as this one hurt everyone. They hurt the contractors who are caught in the middle, the businesses and families who rely on uninterrupted power supply, and ultimately, the reputation of NSW as a state open for business and investment,” he added.

NECA calls on both the ETU and the NSW Government to prioritise meaningful negotiation and find an equitable solution swiftly. In a time of increasing demand for skilled labour and infrastructure, fostering a stable and supportive environment for contractors and investors must be a priority.

Mr Judd concluded: “The future of NSW’s economy depends on our ability to maintain an attractive, stable environment for business and investment. Resolving this dispute is not just about this week’s power supply; it’s about ensuring NSW’s long-term economic competitiveness and reliability”.