Member Update: June 4 2021

Dear members,

In last week's Express, we put out an article regarding Keolis Downer's acquisition of private bus routes in the Northern Beaches. The title of this article incorrectly stated that Region 9 receive this contract with KD. We'd like to correct this error and clarify that it was actually Region 8 that received the contract with Keolis Downer. We apologise for the error and any confusion caused. Besides this, the rest of the information outlined in the article remains correct.

Last Sunday, over 400 people descended on High Cross Park in Randwick for the Save our Buses: Eastern Suburbs commuters' rally. Attendees demanded NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance to reverse his plans to slash 25 bus routes in the Eastern Suburbs and modify another 23 routes to funnel commuters onto the light rail.

Local residents rallied and created a strong atmosphere - angry and determined to show their outrage in their numbers, their sea of colourful signs, and their chants of "Save our buses!"

You can read more about what went down at the rally below or on the Tram & Bus website.

While it seems bargaining for Region 6 has been slow going, know with confidence that the RTBU in the process of collating the log of claims, which will be completed and distributed to members for approval next week.

It should be noted that until there is a signed agreement between the RTBU and the TWU, we continue to represent #900 drivers in the workplace and extend to them the regular benefits of membership. This includes the Traffic Fund and Gift Cards.

And calling all Tempe Bus Depot staff! We'll be heading your way for the next depot BBQ! We're setting up shop on Tuesday 22 June from 11am to 2pm. Come down and say hi, and get your share of the goodies.

We are continuing to appeal to members to please give generously to the donation accounts we have set up for the following members:

Michael Yammouni, a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot - Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian. All funds from the account will go towards Michael's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.

Roy Stanton, an STA bus driver from Randwick bus depot - Roy has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a delivery driver. All funds from the account will go towards Roy's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.

We also encourage you to show your support for the most recent RTBU campaign calling for the government to protect COVID-vulnerable workers.The petition targets workers with pre-existing conditions who are more susceptible to adverse effects from the virus. Implementing a financial support system similar to JobKeeper will allow them to remain safe at home and securely employed to ensure they can stay out of harm's way. As essential workers, we know that a way to ensure safe and secure employment in the face of adversity should be a right for all.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

Save Our Buses: Eastern Suburbs commuters rally against Constance’s cuts

Last Sunday saw over 400 people descend on High Cross Park in Randwick to demand Minister Constance reverse his plans to axe 25 bus routes in the Eastern Suburbs, and modify another 23 to force commuters onto the light rail to get into the city.

The atmosphere was one of anger and determination as local residents showed their outrage with an array of colourful signs and frequent chants of “Save our buses!”.

Local Labor MPs Marjorie O’Neill and Michael Daley were among the speakers at the rally, along with local residents who will be severely impacted by the changes. Local student Tom Kennedy warned that forcing students to catch trams to university would prove disastrous with every breakdown, while business owner Samantha Bragg said getting staff back into the office after Covid would be made even harder by ballooning commute times.

RTBU Tram & Bus Divisional Secretary David Babineau spoke about how the reduction in services meant a loss of jobs and available work, and the government lies that have led us to this point.

Minister Constance’s announcement of the service cuts came with the public’s first opportunity to provide feedback about changes to bus services through an online Transport for NSW survey. This merely added insult to injury, and residents have been infuriated by the survey’s leading questions and the fact it only allows them to identify one bus route they rely on.

The feedback survey can be found here, but you can only do it once per IP address. That means if you’re trying to get it done on your computer or phone for someone who isn’t comfortable with technology, it won’t work if you’ve already done the survey yourself.

The survey link itself is buried in the page and is hidden in plain sight. More evidence that this is lip service and nothing else- we need to bombard them so they have no option but to listen or being seen to be ignoring tens of thousands of people.

The Minister walked back a step in the media after the rally, claiming that no decisions on bus cuts have been made, which is his way of saying "we’re open to changing things if it means I avoid political pain".

Remember, every route we can save means more work for drivers.

STA Award Approved

Both the STA Bus Operations Award and the Senior and Salaried Officers Award has been approved after issues with the clause dealing with the 2nd year pay rise.

As foreshadowed by the union, the original clause which left the pay rise up to whatever the Transport for NSW Award got was not acceptable to the Industrial Relations Commission.

This has been rewritten and now reflects the 1.5% that is the Government Wages Policy, and backpay for the measly 0.3% will be given to the beginning of the year.

It remains the case that the union will be chasing new operators for a fair and equitable pay rise as new instruments are negotiated.

Region 6 Bargaining

The process has been slow going so far, as members would have noticed, and the reason is twofold.

First, our log of claims had to be finalised. Member responses were easy to collate, but Delegates have put together an ‘ultimate Award wishlist’ by combining the best parts of multiple Agreements from across the bus industry. This has to be put into a format where we can explain the changes to the company; going through a new document this way, and comparing it with the old document to find the differences, takes time. Thankfully, that will be completed this week and the final log of claims will be sent to members to approve.

Second, the TWU are around the same stage of finalising their log of claims. In the next week or so they are expecting to be distributing it to their members for final approval as well.

As soon as we have our first proper negotiating meeting – noting that we’ve had one meeting where the ground rules were agreed upon – we’ll report back on that and every meeting after.

We thank members for their patience at this stage where not much seems to be happening. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes and we’ll be kicking it off ASAP.

Corrected: Keolis Downer gets Region 8 Contract

While it remains a sad day when the end of government run transport on the Northern Beaches is in sight, one thing that went our way was that Keolis Downer (KD) were the company to get it. KD runs Newcastle, where the RTBU local delegates have built a solid working relationship and most issues are sorted out at a local level. Delegates are straight up about pushing the interests of their members and the members, in turn, back their Delegates; solidarity and the fear of that unity helps keep things on an even keel.

The RTBU has a road map to get us across the line into the private sector with our conditions intact. The company has agreed to this and both parties ultimately want the same thing- certainty. Drivers want to know that nothing will change going across and the company wants to know that their business isn’t going to explode when they take over.

Our road map means that members should NOT SIGN ACROSS TO THE NEW EMPLOYER until the union gives the instruction to do so.

At every step there is also a stick we can use, and this is one of the biggest. With solidarity from the members, we can make sure that the company sees it to be in its own best interest to work with us, and they’ve already committed to doing so.

Today KD sent us a letter reaffirming their intention to work together and get everyone across the line without being worse off. There can never again be a two-tiered workplace like Region 6 has suffered for the last two and a half years. Regardless of the consequences, the union and its members must stand strong to ensure all workers in the Northern Beaches have good conditions and a strong voice into the future.

Picnic Fund Gift Cards

The executive moved a resolution on May 7th that all members are to receive a $50.00 gift card (eftpos).

This is a benefit provided for members of our division through the picnic fund. These cards have been ordered and will arrive at the depots within 2-4 weeks for the Delegates to distribute.

We thank you for your patience as we wait for the gift cards to arrive for distribution.

Let’s look after COVID-Vulnerable workers, and keep Australians safe.

Australia is doing an incredible job of containing the COVID-19 virus. But when outbreaks occur, not everyone can work from home during a lockdown - and this loss of income is disastrous for workers and their families.

The RTBU is launching its campaign for a COVID-Vulnerable worker payment, allowing workers to continue receiving their full pay, while staying at home and out of harm’s way during a lockdown period. Help us keep Australia and its workers safe.

Sign the petition, spread the word.

Watch an explainer video here.

COVID-19: FAQs

We are constantly updating the COVID-19 frequently asked questions section of the website, so please make sure you head there and have a look. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Division office at nswbus@rtbu-nsw.asn.au. 

Donations for TSA Driver Michael Yammouni

Donations are being collected to assist a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

We’ve all had and seen near misses and know how easily this could happen to any one of us. The RTBU has set up an account for drivers to donate to and help with Michael’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Michael knows who has contributed.

Thank you for supporting our colleague as he traverses this most difficult of times.

View the details on where to donate on the Tram & Bus website.

Donations for STA Driver Roy Stanton

Donations are being collected to assist an STA bus driver from Randwick bus depot. Roy has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a delivery driver.

We’ve all had and seen near misses and know how easily this could happen to any one of us. The RTBU has set up an account for drivers to donate to and help with Roy’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Roy knows who has contributed.

View the details on where to donate on the Tram & Bus website.

Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers