Dear members,

NSW is on high alert for coronavirus. Following NSW Health advice, self-isolation is critical to limiting the spread. It’s important you understand when you need to do this as this helps to protect us at work as well as the broader community. 
 
We need everyone to make sure you keep checking the NSW Health website, which lists the areas where there have been reported cases. It also details who needs to self-isolate and for how long. This is continually being updated as new cases are identified, so it’s not a ‘look at this once and I know what’s happening’ scenario. It’s on all of us to make sure we check and follow this advice at all times while we’re out and about in the community. 
 
If you’re confused or unsure about when to self-isolate, read the ‘When to self-isolate’ webpage or visit the NSW Health website as this has up to the minute advice we all need to follow. 

In this time your union has been getting out there and fighting for members' rights to proper protection at work. In a massive win, we have finally convinced Transport for NSW to agree to providing public transport workers masks if they request them.

As members have been saying since day dot, masks are necessary as members are often in situations where the number of passengers far outweighs the limit and number of green dots. Social distancing is just not possible in all situations on public transport, particularly on buses and trams.

During our fight we've had to have volunteers from across NSW and the ACT make reusable masks because the NSW Government was unwilling to admit despite all the research, that masks were necessary. Their reasoning was outdated, irrational and frankly, a complete cop out. As the Victorian compulsory masks situation shows, masks make a big difference and anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.

Finally though, members from STA, Transit Systems, Keolis Downer and Transdev will be able to request masks and have them provided. Although it is important to note that these are not compulsory. 

Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to keep the fight going. This has been a huge success and thank you to everyone who has helped along the way. However, it's not over. We still need to make sure that there is enforcement of social distancing on public transport and if this is not done, at least make masks mandatory for passengers if there is overloading.

We hope that you and yours continue to stay safe. Let's stick together during these tough times and stand in solidarity against employers who would hope to avoid giving us what we deserve!

RTBU wins face masks for members

In some exciting and well-deserved news for the Division, Transport for NSW has agreed to provide public transport workers with masks if they request the equipment.

After giving them a huge fight and tirelessly campaigning in the media, through the public and on the ground, it seems they've finally heard us. This win is directly a result of members, delegates and officials working together and standing in solidarity with each other to keep our frontline members safe and protected as they deserve.

The NSW Government has realised that their essential workers who have been carrying the community through this crisis without complaint justifiably want the proper PPE that should have been provided to them months ago. Their reasons for not providing face masks have edged on absurd and childish.

They've said masks stop you from getting infected, people not wearing masks properly or fiddling with them presents a risk of infection and ultimately that masks are just not effective. All ridiculous reasons and all able to be countered. Masks have been effective since the very first flu and the NSW Government hasn't given a single valid reason for not providing them. This decision has been well overdue.

"We want to thank everyone who kept up the fight with us at this time. A special mention to community members who donated face masks for our drivers and sent through messages of thanks for their hard work. It means a lot," said RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineau.

"However, this is not the end of the line for the NSW Government. They still need to work towards establishing enforceable public transport distancing guidelines. It's not enough to simply ask members to wear masks if they want to. The public must wear masks when social distancing is not possible and policed when using public transport to make sure we avoid congestion on the network altogether.

A guide to face masks

Please see our handy graphic  below to make sure you are wearing your mask properly.

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 again for your essential work during a time of crisis.

Once again, stay safe.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers