Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: May 21 2021
Dear members,
We're continuing the fight against the NSW Government's unjust demolition of 25 bus routes in the Eastern suburbs and exploring ways to lessen the impact this will have on the amount of lines of work in the rosters.
We're calling on you to join us on May 30th for a community rally as we make as much noise as we can to cut through the NSW Government's bubble and make them listen. RSVP for the rally here.
By slashing a large group of routes they've put both our work, and a secure and reliable public transport network, on the line.
A reminder to those at Randwick bus depot that Wagecover will be bringing the goods on Monday 24th May from 9:00am to 12:00pm for our next depot BBQ! We're excited to see you there and hear about everything going on at your depot.
In the news now, where the NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has concluded that misconduct or corruption cannot be ruled out from the NSW Government's controversial purchase of toxic land on which they planned to build a Camellia light rail depot as part of the Parramatta project. Not only have the NSW Government blown out $53.5 million to purchase this land, they've also managed to sink taxpayers into a $107 million hole just to clean up the hazardous materials at the site. The lack of policy, procedure, and concern for safety here is almost embarrassing for the NSW Government - another notch onto their track record of poor governance and insufficient foresight.
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 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.
On Time Running and You
For the longest time, the responsibility for on time running has been put onto the bus driver. While is some cases it may be within our control, most times it’s not. Below are some of the times of when operators have NO control of OTR:
- Insufficient running time on actual routes (not only for the actual route but the time required to get to the starting point)
- Being held up by passengers for longer than normal at a bus stop (eating into the already insufficient running time)
- The unpredictable traffic conditions we face everyday.
Bus Companies are happy to push that responsibility onto drivers while at the same time cutting back our work and often not supporting drivers in the face of complaints. The way to fight this is in your hands!
- Do not put yourself in a position where you’re doing the company favours.
- If a trip hasn’t got enough time, then it runs late. (Note on your journal late running due to safe driving practices)
- Ensure you take your standing time or take breaks when required (this is to ensure the safety of one’s self). You need to keep track on your journal of any changes to your running times so you can refer to it later when asked.
Your responsibility is to make sure everyone gets from point A to point B with safety being your highest priority. If that means you run late then that’s what happens. As a driver, your responsibility is to leave the depot on time, what happens after this is often not in your control. Nobody will thank you for stressing yourself out or causing yourself an injury because you’re madly trying to keep a trip to time. Your job is to safely transport people on the bus including yourself.
We need to stop thinking that by pushing ourselves the company will give us a pat on the back; the company will discipline you if you are caught taking shortcuts.
We need to stop doing the companies favours because they sure as hell don’t do any for us.
Transdev IWLR EA Update
Transdev have throughout the negotiations kept insisting that our members who work on the IWLR (Inner West Light Rail) network do not do the same work or operate on a network that is equivalent to, or complex as the CSELR (City & South Eastern Light Rail) network.
The negotiating committee met with Transdev this week and presented them with the Union’s position as to why our members on the IWLR should be treated equally. Same Job/Same Pay.
- Competencies: These are identical for both networks as shown in Transdev’s own position descriptions and as demonstrated by the training given to LRV Operators on both networks – it is the same training with the same outcomes, i.e. all LRV Operators who successfully complete training have attained the same required minimum level of skill, competency and knowledge.
- Complexity: Both networks present their own unique complexities. Each Operator must be knowledgeable of, and able to manage, the complexities of their own network. These complexities are addressed through the training modules that are given to all LRV Operators irrespective of which network they will be working on.
- Knowledge: At the end of the training given to all LRV Operators, each successful participant has been found proficient to the same minimum level of thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Each participant has acquired the same shared knowledge across the entire training with one additional difference, specific knowledge of their own network. As each LRV Operator is expected to have specific knowledge of their own network, obviously some of the practical training will focus more on route knowledge of one network than another, depending on which network the trainees will be working on. No distinction is made either in the training or in the Position Description of one network needing “more knowledge” than another.
The members of the IWLR have made it clear to the union that they are prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve an outcome that improves their working conditions and acknowledges their competence as equal.
We will keep you posted as the negotiations progress.
Randwick Bus Depot BBQ
We're happy to announce the next stop of our depot BBQ tours: Randwick Bus Depot!
We'll see you there on Monday 24th May from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
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.
Corruption ‘cannot be ruled out’ in controversial Sydney land deal
The NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has found misconduct or corruption cannot be ruled out in the state government’s controversial purchase of a highly contaminated parcel of land at Camellia near Parramatta for a multibillion-dollar light rail project.
It was concluded that Transport for NSW carried out an “ineffective process” by failing to formally value the six-hectare site at Camellia, and assessing the cost of cleaning the land up, before buying it.
Taxpayers are now on the hook for an extra $107 million to clean up the site.
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
