Dear members,

We would like to start off by extending our thoughts and well-wishes - and encourage you all to do the same - to those who commemorated their loved ones on the International Day of Mourning on Wednesday 28 April. To those who attended one of the services being held on the day, we hope that you found comfort around those in the community who attended.

Another day we will be commemorating tomorrow is May Day.

We invite you to join Divisional Secretary David Babineau at the May Day Rally in Parramatta as we march through Prince Alfred Square to Willow Grove, and return for a Family Fun Day in the afternoon. The march will begin at 10:30am, and we will return by 12pm to continue celebrations at the Fun Day. 

May Day is an annual highlight in the union calendar and it's always exciting to march with our members and watch our movement grow with each passing year.

So make sure to join the Saturday rally as we come together in solidarity to remember those who came and fought before, celebrate the successes of the present, and fan the flames of enthusiasm for the future. 

We've also had a win and common sense has prevailed as Transport for NSW has agreed to the RTBU request for an extension of 6 months to employee home and duty passes. It's important to note that the extension only covers the local Opal Card part of the travel pass system. It does not extend to point to point passes, family passes or interstate passes. It remains the union position that employees should be covered when travelling to and from work at the least, by travel passes at the employer’s cost.

And a reminder to all our members to check in with their family and friends, and ask them R U OK?. We visited Randwick Tram Depot on Wednesday to check in with how they're feeling and emphasise the importance on supporting each other to be mentally healthy and open. It takes only a few seconds to say hi and ask how someone's doing, especially if their behaviour has changed or if they have recently experienced something that may affect their mental wellbeing.

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. 

May Day Rally 2021

We invite you all to join Divisional Secretary David Babineau at this Saturday’s May Day Rally in Parramatta as we celebrate the unions’ success in achieving an eight hour day!

Parramatta Rally and Family Fun Day
What: May Day March and Family Fun Day
Where: We will assemble at Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta, march to Willow Grove, then back to Prince Alfred Square.
When: The march kicks off at 10:30am and the Family Fun Day will start at 12pm.
https://www.facebook.com/sydneymayday/

How did May Day come about?

May Day commemorates those who fought and succeeded in ensuring decent and fair working conditions in Australia.

Prior to this, working days were unsustainably long, with some employees working 12 hours a day over six days each week.

Many Australian workers eventually saw the toll such a working system was taking on them, and on April 21, 1856, stonemasons at the University of Melbourne marched to Parliament House to push for an eight-hour working day. An agreement was eventually reached and Australian workers welcomed the new eight-hour day. A victory march was held on May 12 that year and each year after that.

In light of the labour movement’s successful push for an eight-hour day, a large May Day meeting was held in Melbourne in 1890. On May 1 that year a local newspaper made reference to that day as May Day.

The first May Day march occurred on May 1,1891 in Queensland. More than 1000 people participated in the march and carried banners.

Today, May Day remains one of the most important event in the union calendar. Unions and their members come together in solidarity as they remember those who came and fought before, celebrate the successes of the present, and fan the flames of enthusiasm for future action towards better conditions, rights and wages.

Union Wins Employee Pass Extension!

In a win for common sense, TfNSW has agreed to the RTBU request for an extension of 6 months to employee home and duty passes.

This was originally asked only for Region 6 members to cover the negotiation period where we’ll be seeking to have them included in a new Agreement. Eventually it grew to cover regions 6, 7, 8 & 9. We did try for Newcastle as well but those had already expired so TfNSW wasn’t keen to touch it. This means that in Region 6, ex-STA employee travel passes will now expire at the end of the year, and the other STA regions will have an additional 6 months.

This agreement also extends to Gold Pass accrual, so if you are close to getting over the line, that may help. Members a few months short of a Gold Pass should contact us and the union can raise it directly with TfNSW on your behalf.

Importantly, the extension only covers the local Opal Card part of the travel pass system. It does not extend to point to point passes, family passes or interstate passes. Those will still have to be booked and paid for before the previous expiry period, which is the end of this financial year for ex-STA Region 6 employees.

It remains the union position that employees should be covered when travelling to and from work at the least, by travel passes at the employer’s cost. We will be seeking this in all our negotiations from bus and tram operators.

R U OK? Randwick Tram Day

We visited Randwick Tram Depot yesterday to ask depot employees R U OK?

It’s always important to make time to check in with your family and friends every now and then, especially if you think they are acting different or their wellbeing has taken a hit for any reason.

We want members to know that mental health is extremely important to us and that we’re always here to provide members with non-judgemental support and friendship whenever they need it.

We encourage you all to keep asking R U OK? to make sure we’re all aware that we have each others’ backs.

Sydney’s public transport growing back differently post-pandemic

Sydney’s public transport will not return to pre-pandemic levels until international borders reopen, according to the network’s chief operations officer Howard Collins, but light rail patronage had increased by 630 per cent from lockdown in April 2020 to March 2021, compared with trains which bounced back by 220 per cent and buses by 159 per cent.

Despite the growth, he said Sydney’s public transport was a long way off returning to pre-pandemic levels, and once it did, the make-up of the network would likely be vastly different.

“As soon as we see more international movement ... until that comes back I don’t think we’ll see a substantial uplift again." Mr. Collins said.

Read the full article on The Sydney Morning Herald

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.

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