Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: June 18 2021
Dear members,
A passenger who rode a 200 bus route service has tested positive for COVID-19. As well as the other passengers on the bus, the bus driver and close contacts at the Waverley depot are getting tested and isolating for 14 days as a precaution. The bus itself and common areas of the depot are being deep cleaned in addition to the usual sanitation practices in place.
The NSW Government announced this morning that masks will be compulsory on public transport from 4pm onward for the next five days. We encourage everyone to wear a mask not just because for the new rule, but for their own protection and that of their families. The current COVID-19 strain found in Sydney is the Delta variant, which is known to spread faster and easier than the strains NSW has had before. We encourage members to remain safe and vigilant as we navigate yet another cluster of cases in the state.
Some members may remain affected by the premature deactivation of Employee Opal Cards by Transport for NSW. If your Opal card does not work, you should show the card to the Station Staff, Bus Driver, or other staff member and politely explain the situation. Passes are being sent to individual operators to distribute to their staff. In the meantime, if you have changed your address, personal email address, phone number and or work location please contact the RTBU Head Office now.
We have some updates regarding the Log of Claims for STA Region 8 and TSA Region 6.
Members from STA Region 8 will be presented with a link to a Log of Claims Survey via SMS to complete. This is your chance to have your say on what the union wants in the new Agreement prior to our first meeting with Keolis Downer on Monday 21st June.
Members from TSA Region 6 will also be sent a link via SMS. Once they have it, they will be able to view their complete collated Log of Claims before we line up our next bargaining meeting.
To the news now. As the NSW Government gets ahead on their plan to electrify the entire bus fleet by 2030, new research by the University of Sydney and University of NSW has found that concerns over long-term public health impacts for major projects were often ignored, or considered too late. In time with this, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance reiterated his determination to progress a transition to electric buses, trucks, and cars in NSW amid this report on infrastructure and public health.
And Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two is making headlines once more. This time, with a long-awaited update on the fate of the project. The NSW state budget is expected to allocate $50 million to Stage Two, which will link Camellia and Sydney Olympic Park via Wentworth Point, upon the completion of Stage One in 2023. While Minister Constance has backtracked on his suggestion to switch to trackless trams, the next stage of development continues to be heavily scrutinised due to the controversial acquisition of the parcel of toxic land at Camellia for a potential depot.
If you haven't heard, we'll be at Tempe Bus Depot for another Depot BBQ! Catch us there on Tuesday 22 June from 11am to 2pm. Come down and say hi, and get your share of the goodies.
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 here.
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.
Masking up, Yet Again
In typical fashion, the Government announced at 11am this morning that masks will be compulsory on public transport for the next 5 days, but didn’t tell anyone else beforehand. We now have the usual scramble from TfNSW and all operators to try and communicate this to their staff.
Masks will be compulsory on all public transport in the Greater Sydney Area for 5 days. This will take effect from 4pm today.
We encourage everyone to wear a mask not just because for the new rule, but for their own protection and that of their families.
The strain of COVID-19 in Sydney at the moment is the Delta variant which is considered by the World Health Organisation to be capable of "significantly increased transmissibility". That means it’s going to spread faster and more easily than the outbreaks we’ve had in the past. We know COVID-19 likes the cold and as we come into winter it’s more important than ever that members stay vigilant about protecting themselves.
Waverley Depot & COVID-19
A person who tested positive to COVID-19 was confirmed to have travelled on a 200 route bus service. Anyone on the bus is being advised to isolate for 14 days and get tested.
The driver in question and a couple of close contacts at the depot are getting tested and isolating for a few days as a precaution.
The bus itself is being deep cleaned and sanitised, and common areas of Waverley depot are being deep cleaned as well in addition to the usual sanitisation that is in place.
It’s important that members report buses where the tape has been removed from the side seats near the driver’s cabin, or there are no signs on the first Opal machine telling people the machine is closed. Having these both closed gives us physical space and helps to keep us safe in situations like this.
STA Region 8 – Log of Claims Survey
Members will be presented with a link to a Log of Claims Survey on Monday via SMS. It will outline the things the union wants in a new Agreement and give the opportunity to have your say about things you think have been missed.
We’ll put the results together and send them back for members to approve as soon as possible.
The first meeting with Keolis Downer is scheduled for Monday 21st June to get the ball rolling and talk though expectations. Members will be updated on those discussions.
It is crucial that when members are given a Letter of Offer to sign up with Keolis Downer that they DO NOT SIGN until the RTBU says so. We have leverage in this whole process, but only if we STICK TOGETHER.
The union will not be putting people in a position where they will be financially disadvantaged in any way.
TSA Region 6 - Log of Claims
After a lengthy process of collating member responses and pulling items out of a model EA that was compiled by delegates, the Log of Claims is finally done.
A link will be sent via SMS to members to view this. We need members to endorse this online so we can proceed to negotiations. As soon as that’s done we’ll be lining up the next bargaining meeting.
The RTBU and TWU will be sitting together and working to get the best outcome for ALL workers in Region 6. One Agreement, one set of rosters, and the same pay for the same work.
Redfern Building Sale
Although it has yet to be ratified at the upcoming National Executive meeting, it is expected that there will be a reversal on the decision to sell the building at Redfern despite the high offer made.
National Secretary Mark Diamond met with the Tram & Bus Divisional Executive to discuss our concerns with the plan. The main issues were that there was no guarantee of upscaling to a better property as no replacement had yet been found, that other ways could be found to unlock the equity of the building without selling it outright, and that it was genuinely too big a step to take without more certainties in place. It was also noted that property values in Redfern are not expected to fall either.
Mark took our points onboard and, after consideration, agreed to roll back the sale. While he remains committed to growing the assets of the RTBU for its members, he agreed that more certainty around how that is achieved was needed.
Issues with Employee Opal Cards
Some employee issued OPAL cards might not have been working, with Transport for NSW prematurely deactivating them before members have received their new and active OPAL cards.
If your OPAL card does not work, you should show the card to the Station Staff, Bus Driver, or other staff member and politely explain the situation. Rail workers are in the same boat so they’ll understand.
Passes are being sent to individual operators to distribute to their staff.
If there are any operational issues, such as delays in sign-on or sign-off times caused by not being able to travel because of the pass not working, members will be fully supported by their Union. Please be aware that CCTV cameras cover all gates at stations and all buses.
If you require further information, please contact your Delegate, Organiser or the RTBU Head Office.
Finally, if you have changed your address, personal email address, phone number and or work location please contact the RTBU Head Office now.
Minister wants electrification of all NSW vehicles to overcome health concerns
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance says he’s determined to see the electrification of all cars, buses and trucks in NSW in order to improve air quality amid public health concerns over the government’s expanding motorway network.
Mr Constance’s comments come as new research conducted by academics from the universities of Sydney and NSW found concerns over long-term public health impacts for major projects were often ignored, or considered too late.
Mr Constance has previously announced the government aims to electrify its entire bus network by 2030, and opposed any imminent distance-based tax on electric vehicles, arguing it would prove a handbrake on their take-up.
Missing link in Sydney’s light rail back on track
The second stage of the Parramatta light rail has been revived after months of speculation over its future, with the NSW government set to allocate $50 million to the project in next week’s state budget.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the tender process for the next stage would begin ahead of the opening of stage one in 2023. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new money would be spent on stage two planning, geotechnical work and an environmental impact statement.
The government’s announcement on stage two comes ahead of a parliamentary inquiry scrutinising its land acquisition processes for a parcel of highly contaminated land near Parramatta for a light rail stabling yard.
Charging ahead with local manufacturing
The first locally manufactured electric buses will roll out in Sydney later this year, as the NSW Government charges ahead with its plan to electrify the bus fleet by 2030.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the Element electric bus, built by Custom Denning, will be the first electric bus entirely manufactured in NSW.
“We are another step closer to creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, thanks to Custom Denning manufacturing electric buses at its factory in St Marys,” Mr Constance said.
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.
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
