The eagerly anticipated Round 24 AFL clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium in Launceston could be in jeopardy as a pay dispute between Tasmania's electrical workers union and TasNetworks threatens to plunge the final round of the home & away season into disarray.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) is currently locked in a pay dispute with TasNetworks, pushing for wage increases that would align their members' pay with that of their mainland counterparts.
As part of their industrial action, the union has enforced a "switching ban," which could have significant ramifications for the AFL match.
Recent power outages in Launceston, which left the University of Tasmania's Inveresk campus without power for 36 hours earlier this week, have cast a shadow over the reliability of the power supply to nearby UTAS Stadium.
Should an outage occur during tomorrow's game, there are no guarantees that unionised TasNetworks staff would step in to restore power, raising the possibility of the game being halted mid-play.
The AFL is working through power/electricity issues in Launceston which could bring the @HawthornFC v @NMFCOfficial game forward by a couple of hours tomorrow afternoon.
An earlier first bounce eliminates the need for light towers at the ground. Marvel Stadium is on standby as…
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 23, 2024
Talks are currently underway between the AFL, TasNetworks, and the Tasmanian government to find a resolution.
However, the situation remains uncertain, with contingency plans being considered, including the potential relocation of the game to either Hobart's Blundstone Arena or even back to Melbourne.
Such a move would present logistical challenges, as both teams are already in Tasmania, and broadcast setups are in place at UTAS Stadium.
Adding to the tension, there are rumours that union members might picket tomorrow's game, and interstate contractors are being urged by the union not to cross any potential picket lines should they be called in to address any power outages.
TasNetworks' chief executive, Sean McGoldrick, attempted to reassure fans, stating that "the power is on at the UTAS Stadium, and our network is secure."
However, he admitted that due to the ongoing industrial action, there is no guarantee of a swift response to any unplanned outage, which could jeopardise the match.
The CEPU's demands centre around achieving pay equity with mainland workers, who are said to earn up to 30% more for similar roles.
This fixture is not just another game; it's crucial for Hawthorn's finals hopes and the final makeup of the AFL ladder, with implications for September and the November draft, making the stakes even higher as the clock ticks down to the scheduled start.
As it stands, the match is scheduled to kick off at 4:40 PM tomorrow, with the use of lights at the venue being essential. The AFL has yet to comment on the potential disruption.
Late developments suggest the match is set to move forward to a 12:30pm time-slot, allowing the full match to be played out without stadium lighting.
Tomorrow's clash looks set to be moved forward from 4.40pm to 12.30pm.
Will largely mitigate need to use stadium lighting, should an outage occur. @abcsport https://t.co/V8BzR2fqM3
— Chris Rowbottom (@chrisroww) August 23, 2024
