Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: March 5 2021
Dear members,
As passenger capacity steadily increases with people returning to work, Opal has implemented an alert system to try and manage crowding on public transport services and encourage social distancing on board. This is in addition to mask-wearing which remains mandatory for commuters, with 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.
This week, members of the Enterprise Agreement committee visited STA depots to discuss the current Award negotiations with members. To follow this, there will be an Attendance Ballot covering the Award negotiations this Monday 8th March from 8:00am to 4:30pm at all STA depots. The Ballot is an excellent chance for members to exercise their right to vote.
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.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
STA Award Negotiations
Following a series of visits to STA depots this week by members of your Enterprise Agreement committee, there will be an Attendance Ballot regarding Award Negotiations for all members to vote on.
The Ballot will open at all STA depots at 8:00am on Monday 8th March, and close at 4:30pm on the same day.
Voting is one of the most effective ways to show support and solidarity, and so members are encouraged to exercise their right to vote.
You can read more on the Member Bulletin here.
Note: regrettably the format of this document was affected by IT issues.
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.
NSW Transport agency extorted by Clop ransomware after Accellion data breach
Following last week's data breach of Transport for NSW's Accellion systems, Clop ransomware - who is believed to be behind the breach - published screenshots of alleged emails and documents stolen from the NSW Government.
Accellion is commonly used by government agencies, educational instructions, and organisations to share files with people external to their organisation securely
The ransomware gang is now extorting Transport for NSW and its other breach victims, stateing that Transport for NSW or other interested parties can make a payment to prevent the leak or buy the stolen data.
Opal rolls outs COVID-Safe travel alerts upon increase in commuter capacity
Users of the Transport for NSW Opal Travel App can now opt-in to travel alerts that gauge social distancing capacity on approximately 35,000 commuter journeys. More than 2.2 million predicted occupancy notifications have been sent since the feature was rolled out to Metro users in November 2020.
Notifications are generated using real-time capacity and predictive data from NSW’s Opal electronic ticketing system, but only spawns if a passenger has travelled regularly over a 21-day period.
The Light Rail is currently the only transport mode awaiting access to alerts.
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
