Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: March 12 2021
Dear members,
NSW is about to hit two months without a locally acquired case. For your safety and the safety of others, mandatory mask-wearing is still a welcome policy as commuter capacity climbs.
As usual, there are some exemptions for transport workers which you can read in the bulletin. Mask-wearing will continue to be a crucial safety measure as the NSW Government predicts an increase in peak hour commuter capacity to 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
We're starting off next week with another member BBQ - this time at the Waverley Depot! See us there on Tuesday 16th March from 11am to 1pm serving up some good food in good company. A big thank you to Wagecover who's supporting us by putting on these BBQs.
On Wednesday, the RTBU met with Transdev to begin formal negotiations for the Inner West Light Rail Enterprise Agreement 2021. Numerous issues were tabled, including Transdev's fiscal position in the global world. The members are seeking for the company to treat them equally to those members who work at Randwick depot by giving them the same pay and working conditions. You can read the full details of the meeting on the Member Bulletin.The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 31 March 2021.
Following the disturbing footage of a man riding on the back of a light rail vehicle along George Street on Monday afternoon, we must reiterate the importance of safety and wellbeing supports for drivers. The irresponsible actions of individuals should not have negative effects on the ability of our members to carry out their duties.
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 account we have set up for 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.
And a reminder that the deadline to activate RTBU Gift Cards is March 31st. To those who have not yet done this, we encourage you to mark this off your to-do list in order to use the card for well-deserved goodies.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Waverley Depot BBQ
We look forward to holding the next member BBQ at Waverley Depot!
Meet us there on Tuesday 16 March from 11:00am - 1:00pm.
Thank you to Wagecover for supporting this BBQs - there's nothing like meeting up with you all again on a frequent basis over some great food.
Inner West Light Rail Enterprise Agreement
The RTBU met with Transdev on Wednesday 10 March 2021 to begin formal negotiations for the IWLR Enterprise Agreement 2021.
At this meeting numerous issues were discussed including Transdev’s fiscal position in the global world. Transdev globally has been negatively affected by the pandemic but Transdev Australasia is fortunate to have contracts with the government that ensure a revenue stream. The members Log of Claims were also discussed with the company to provide a response to these claims at the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 31 March 2021.
Read the full details of the meeting on the Member Bulletin.
STA AWARD VOTE
Members this week voted to endorse the government offer in the new STA Award. While the 0.3% remains an insult to members who have worked diligently through uncertain times, there is no way short of industrial action we could change that. This Award is only the first step in the path to retaining our conditions in the private sector. Among other things, a new definition of a ‘Shift Worker’ has been included. This means that once a private operator takes over, members will continue to enjoy 5 weeks annual leave and leave loading.
The federal definition of a shift worker is terrible, with drivers in the private sector only get 4 weeks annual leave. Other leave items like Purchase Leave, Long Service Leave, and Career Breaks have also been preserved. The next step is negotiating with a private operator. With the Govt backed by the Industrial Relations Commission, we had less leverage to negotiate this Award. With a private company who wants their business to work from the beginning, we’ll have far more bargaining power.
Officials will be visiting STA depots over the next two weeks to answer questions about the path forward.
Region 6 Headway
As members in Region 6 know, the ‘Headway’ system has been introduced. The RTBU argued hard against the way TSA wanted to monitor this system, which was to introduce tablets into the drivers cabin. While this seems completely ridiculous given the recent focus on driver distraction, they went ahead with it. We delayed the testing for two months while arguing 3 things -
1. It’s a further stress on drivers.
2. It’s a distraction.
3. Employees should be compensated for the above with an allowance.
Eventually, Safework NSW was called in and decided that while further testing was needed for night-time operation, the system was safe. The RTBU position is that perhaps Safework NSW should have driven a bus with a tablet in it before making a decision. While the units themselves may have been approved by the safety regulator, the union reserves the right to put the matter into dispute if members experience issues. Region 6 members are strongly encouraged to report issues in writing to their local delegate. Without a written record of problems, we can’t take them forward.
Now that the company has been forced to the negotiating table, we’ll be seeking to have an allowance included for doing Headway trips.
Region 6 MSD Gets Up!
In a victory for common sense, the Fair Work Commission has approved the RTBU Majority Support Determination! The RTBU has been fighting since Region 6 was privatised to get rid of the two-tiered workplace that TSA set up with the approval of TfNSW. Unfortunately, we have been fighting that battle alone, but while that made things harder, the job of a Union is to fight for its members regardless. After more than two years of battling, BOTH companies that employ drivers have been dragged to the negotiating table by the FWC. This is a huge step in getting the same pay for the same work and having all drivers in Region 6 working on the same conditions. A special thank you to non-members who signed the petition for standing up for fairness and respect in the workplace.
We will begin bargaining soon, and the first thing the company has to do is to let employees know that negotiations are starting. The RTBU position is that the entire workplace should be lifted up to the Copied State Award. There is no doubt that this will be a fight. The company won the contract by saying they could do it more cheaply, and we’re going to be fighting for something that will make it more expensive. It won’t matter in the end- this is a company that has spent over two years treating people like a renewable resource without any human consideration or respect.
Now they can face the consequences of an angry workforce determined to stand up for equality and fairness! Members will be kept up to date with progress.
Media Release: 92% of commuters fear more buses will be axed after privatisation, survey finds
A massive 92% of commuters fear their bus routes will be changed or axed when regions 7, 8 and 9 are privatised, a new survey has found, prompting the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW to lay out recommendations for public consultation with local residents who feel excluded from the process.
The Our Transport survey of almost 2000 people living in three areas of Sydney set for bus privatisation found 91% felt they had not been consulted or informed about bus privatisation in their area. Respondents identified hundreds of routes they wanted to see protected and called for the restoration of services that were recently axed in sweeping cuts to the bus network, including the M10 and M50.
RTBU NSW has provided a briefing on the results to the Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Transport for NSW, making a series of recommendations for a transparent process that includes:
- design and implementation of a formal consultation process;
- clear communication about how the public can engage in this process;
- releasing the methodology behind changes to bus services; and
- ceasing the mandatory use of Non-Disclosure Agreements for timetabling staff.
“The community feels betrayed by the recent changes to their bus services. They fear more routes will be axed or changed, making it even more difficult for them to get to work, school, and go about daily life,” says David Babineau, Secretary of the RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division.
“Residents also told us it’s extremely important to have bus stops close to their home and destination. Removing stops has a huge impact on elderly and disabled commuters who are forced to walk longer distances. They have identified hundreds of routes they rely on most and want to see protected.
“These are the things the NSW Government would know if it had at any point asked residents how they felt about their buses being privatised. The Transport Minister has claimed these changes are based on community feedback, but this is frankly a lie. No opportunities for public feedback have been promoted.
“It’s time for the government to come clean about the hatchet job it has made of our bus network. Cuts to routes in Ryde, north Sydney and the eastern suburbs have actually left people stranded, with bus routes that no longer go near their homes. This can’t continue.
“Our recommendations are in line with Transport for NSW’s own community consultation policy, which has apparently been completely discarded. No more secrecy about the methodology, no more Non-Disclosure Agreements gagging timetable workers, and no more changes to bus services until the public have had their say.”
Mask Update and Q&A
We've recently updated the Mask Q&A to keep up to speed with state health direction. The NSW Government has fine tuned the direction for mandatory masks. After representations by unions including the RTBU, the government has introduced a degree of common sense to the Public Health Order.
Public Health Order Exemption: Mandatory Face Coverings
Members are advised of a recent exemption to the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport issued by NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard MP.
The order states a person is exempt from wearing a mask if they:
- Are at premises, at a public transport waiting area, or in a vehicle for the purposes [of] their employment or engagement; AND
- Are not interacting directly with members of the public.
This is limited to staff, contractors, volunteers, or workers at the premises.
This means that LRV operators do not have to wear a mask whilst inside the driver’s cabin, and that bus drivers running special do not have to wear a mask.
The RTBU will continue to support health advice for the safety of our members and the traveling public.
Full health orders and exemptions can be found on the NSW Government Health website.
If you have any questions, please contact your local delegate or organiser.
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.
RTBU Gift Cards - Activate before the deadline
In order to use your RTBU Gift Cards, please activate your card by March 31st. The card is valid until September 30th.
Dangerous stunt on George Street light rail condemned
Police have launched an investigation after a man was spotted riding on the back of a Sydney light rail vehicle along George Street. The incident happened just before 2pm on Monday, and staff are now racing to identify the man involved using footage from the cameras installed on the light rail network.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said police were aware of the incident and were investigating.
Transdev Sydney, the operator of the Sydney Light Rail network, confirmed it was investigating the incident, which it says could cause serious injuries or even death.
“Road users are reminded to play it safe around light rail, with new vision of a person riding outside of the light rail vehicle showing extremely dangerous behaviour,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.
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
