Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: April 2 2021
Dear members,
Our thoughts are with those in Queensland who are in yet another lockdown. With Easter approaching, we hope that by some miracle they're able to safely spend the long weekend with their loved ones.
For members here in NSW, we hope you are able to spend time with your own friends and family as well. As we notified you in the previous Expresses, the union Executive is working diligently to lock in an alternative activity for your well-deserved picnic day. This comes after this year's Sydney Royal Easter Show Organisers placed restrictions on attendance that unfortunately do not match our usual picnic day process. The restrictions mean we had to nominate a single day for members to attend, rather than members choosing their own day. Options to be discussed at the next meeting are a gift card, a Family Fun Day, or both. Let your Delegate know your preference before they attend the next Executive.
For those members who have, within their industrial instruments, a provision for the employer to pay for a picnic day (STA, Keolis Downer, and TSA), the union has nominated Sunday 11 April 2021 as the picnic day.
We'd also like to remind you that Double Demerits for the Easter long weekend started on midnight Thursday 1st April and will be in place until Monday 5th April inclusive.
The NSW Government has announced an easing of restrictions from Monday 29th March. One of these is that mask use on public transport is now "Strongly Recommended", rather than "Mandatory". Masks are still encouraged in situations where you cannot practice social distancing (i.e. peak times).
In the news now, where heads remain rolling over the stunted construction of stage two of the Parramatta light rail. Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger has openly criticised Transport for NSW and Transport Minister Andrew Constance for their handling of stage two, with its development still up in the air as Mr. Constance deliberates future modes of transport instead.
And if the hole isn't deep enough, the cost to clean up the toxic Camellia light rail yard near Parramatta has doubled to and eye-watering $116 million. The yard was bought despite the area swarming with a “cocktail of highly toxic chemicals” including asbestos and hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen used in the manufacture of chrome at the site. This means the government has had to spend almost $170 million just to get the land prepared for the establishment of a maintenance yard by mid-2021.
Once again, we 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 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 her.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Have a wonderful Easter with your loved ones.
Double Demerits for Easter Long Weekend
A reminder that Double Demerit points are in effect from midnight Thursday 1st April and will run until Monday 5th April inclusive.
Stay safe and stay responsible when driving.
Former Virgin and Tiger Airline Executive Rob Sharp is new NSW Transport Boss
Former Virgin Australia and Tigerair executive Rob Sharp was confirmed as the new Transport for NSW boss last Friday, several months after the controversial axing of his predecessor Rodd Staples.
He will walk into a government agency with a $70 billion infrastructure pipeline in the midst of a prolonged restructure after it absorbed Roads and Maritime Services in 2019.
Mr. Sharp is due to commence in the position on April 7th.
Parramatta Light Rail: Western Sydney Business calls for stage two funding
After Parramatta Light Rail stage two was snubbed in October’s Budget, business leaders have renewed calls for the state government to finally deliver the vital $3 billion project and fill an infrastructure void.
The first $2.4 billion stage of the 12km track between Westmead and Carlingford is due to be completed in 2023 but in November, Transport Minister Andrew Constance indicated the second instalment would be scrapped when he said other modes of transport options were being explored so “why the hell would I rip everything up?”
“Parramatta Light Rail stage two has been sitting on the minister's desk for more than 18 months awaiting an ‘investment decision’ and it missed out on funding in last year’s state Budget,’’ Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the final business case for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail was currently being considered by the NSW Government, with an investment decision to follow.
Read the full article on The Daily Telegraph. Please note this article is behind a paywall.
Clean up bill for toxic Camellia light rail yard doubles to $116m
Taxpayers will fork out $116 million to clean up a heavily contaminated site near Parramatta for the NSW government’s light rail project, more than double the original bill. This comes after a reversal of earlier government plans to get the existing landowner to pay to clean up the site.
The escalating bill means the government has had to spend almost $170 million to get the land to a stage where the transport agency can start building a maintenance yard for trams at Camellia by midyear. The trams will run on the first stage of Parramatta’s multibillion-dollar light rail line when it opens in 2023.
The property next to Rosehill Racecourse has been described by an environmental expert as a “cocktail of highly toxic chemicals” including asbestos and hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen used in the manufacture of chrome at the site.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
