News and views from the bus and tram lanes No images? Click here Member Update: 11 August 2023Dear Members, We hope you've been well throughout this week. On another note, this week a meeting organised by the RTBU took place between us, TfNSW, and Busways General Manager Mr. Byron Rowe - you can find details of this down below. We've also included a bulletin which members can find a link to below - but in short, Busways has had a strange reaction to the protected action ballot, accusing the union of trying to mislead the Fair Work Commission. Find more on this below. As some of you may be aware, QUBE members were locked out for 13 days, being left without pay. Adding to this, QUBE gave $1000 gift cards to those who chose to work during this period. That's why the Union's Locomotive division has set up a support fund for financial assistance to union members. Details care available down below - but any support is appreciated. Newcastle Update Light RailNegotiations are continuing but there’s been little movement. We have asked for 48hrs notice of a change of shift and the 15% penalty to commence from 5pm instead of 7pm, and before 6am instead of 5am. We have also asked for some minor changes in regards work flexibility. The company has refused most of these requests and is still considering the 15% penalty. Unfortunately, the KDH position has always been a roll-over of the greenfield agreement and the fact that Network Controllers are on a separate Agreement makes things difficult. We are expecting a response from the company next week. Region 7 UpdateThis week a meeting organised by the RTBU took place between us, TfNSW, and Busways General Manager Mr. Byron Rowe. The conversation centred around who and how to pay consistent entitlements for the whole workforce. As part of exploring options, the recent Region 6 EA is being costed to see how much the bill will be to get that close in terms of conditions for the two workgroups. That result was 95% of the old State Award, but the goal remains that conditions the RTBU and its predecessor Unions fought to achieve for over 100 years are extended to everyone. As Region 7 members would also be aware from the bulletin last week, which you can read by clicking here, Busways decided to react the protected action ballot a bit strangely. Instead of voicing opposition to the ballot in a timely manner, they accused the RTBU of misleading the Fair Work Commission. Following this, they demanded a response in less than 24hours with the threat of legal action. All this came after they had many days to review it and said nothing. Not only was the threat baseless, but the whole thing was handled so poorly that the lawyer in question nearly single handedly made sure we did everything we could to hurt the company. As a result of all this, we’re redoing the ballot and a fresh application will be put in next week. Region 6 UpdateThe Enterprise Agreement recently voted up by members in Region 6 is in the process of being ratified by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The FWC needed clarification on a couple of things, for example the clause about annual leave meant that if a #900 driver qualified as a shift worker according to the National Employment Standards, they couldn’t get 5 weeks annual leave even though by law they should. The company had to rewrite the clause to reflect that entitlement. Region 8 UpdateThe saga of the KDNB audit continues. Not only is the company still seeking members repay the gross amount instead of the net, they continue to find audit mistakes in the process. On top of this, payroll is still getting it wrong. At this point I’m unsure what qualification is required to work in that department, but it seems like something out of a cereal box; 22 months since they took over and they can’t get it right. It’d be laughable if the impact wasn’t so stressful for the workers. It’s pretty hard to consider overtime when you don’t know if you’re going to be paid right and the payslip is two separate documents you have to reconcile. The RTBU has also made representations to TfNSW that a single payslip showing a daily breakdown of earnings be required for all operators, and we’ll continue to push this issue publicly. We’re also looking at what legal action is available. The difficulty is that beyond overpayments where the Union can advocate for repayment, and underpayments where we can advise members of their rights (like a repayment plan that suits your financial circumstance and not the company), the issue is largely between the employer and the employee. We’re getting advice about the net vs gross issue and will be able to pass that advice onto members next week. Also happening on the Northern Beaches is the widespread rollout of the telematics system. This new toy keeps track of your speed, acceleration and braking and makes notes when you do any of these things too much. That means doing over the Yard speed limit in now likely to come back to get you. The main issue from a Union perspective is when safety measure on one hand introduces a hazard on the other. We’re pushing for agreement that results will not be used for disciplinary purposes, which will be difficult, and for official clarification form the company that using the system is compulsory. We’re also demanding a Risk Assessment be done so delegates can assess the impact of the audible alarms and warning lights in daylight and night time conditions. If they prove a distraction then we’ll be pushing back. In the meantime, we recommend that you DO NOT use your own mobile to log into the 3rd party app. Transdev Tram & Bus ITF SurveyWorking with Unions globally, the RTBU is engaging with the International Transport Federation to look at how technology is being used by Transdev who are a global player in the transport business. We need as many people as possible to respond to this anonymous survey so we can look at ways to manage where the technology goes. One possible outcome is a National or Global agreement between Unions and Transdev to limit certain technologies or practices, which could protect workers now and in the future. QUBE Member Support Fund As some members may be aware, QUBE locked out its Locomotive Division QUBE Members for simply demanding that the company honor an Agreement reached in the FWC. You can read all about it by clicking here, but in essence, the lockout left members without pay for 13 days. Members must include their name on any donation. RTBU-Owned Training OrganisationAs members may already be aware, training organisations in our industries often deliver sub-standard training. The Union has long been concerned with the safety implications that come with this, and we’re doing something to fix that problem. The RTBU acquired Training Ahead Australia (TAA), and has taken up ownership since 1 August 2023. Over the coming months, key personnel from TAA and the RTBU will meet to formulate a strategy on how to maximise TAA’s potential for the benefit of all members. You can read about that in greater detail here. In solidarity, David Babineau and Peter Grech |