Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: November 5, 2021
Dear Members,
In shocking news, the Inner West trams will be out of service for 18 months as cracks continue to be uncovered in every single tram inspected so far. This is yet another example of why local transport infrastructure should be the way to go. Not only do these safety hazards put light rail workers and commuters at risk, service suspensions may also inconvenience passengers travelling to essential work or other locations.
We’re calling for an iron-clad commitment that the government will find and support alternative employment for the hundreds of workers on the Inner West Light Rail. We also need quality public transport, made right here by Australian workers. It may be too late for the Inner West Light Rail. You can read our full press release on the issue here.
On Monday the government announced their decision to retain the 373 bus route and modified plans to at least a dozen more services such as the 303, 348, 356 and 375. While this is a victory for public transport in the east, many more services are still on the chopping block. The cutting of the following services were confirmed on Tuesday morning: 300, 301, 302, 309X, 310X, 314, 316, 317, 338, 353, 357, 372, 376, 377, 391, 393, 394, 395, 400, 400N, L94, X40, X93, and X99.
This is merely a box-ticking exercise for the NSW government, with service cuts, timetabling changes, and job losses still occurring as part of the plan. The fight isn't over until we save our public transport.
EA negotiations are moving along, with Transdev reconsidering their offer to address the issues of career progression, and pay for Category 1 Critical Safety Workers and Category 3 Non-Critical Safety Workers. Your negotiating committee feels there are grounds for in-principle agreement, and members will be given the final say on this. We've fought tooth and nail to have these two key conditions met and with your help we can bring it over the line. This marks a massive step forward for the IWLR EA. Congratulations to everyone involved for standing together and taking action for the outcomes you deserve!
Preliminary discussions with Keolis Downer have also been completed. A formal log of claims will be presented at the same time as Keolis Downer and agreement on fortnightly meetings is to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Keolis Downer have already drawn a card, citing financial constraints. At this indication, we're geared up for what's coming and are ready to show them the united strength of the RTBU.
Despite these service interruptions, transport capacity has increased to 75% from Monday 1st November in line with NSW Health advice as Covid restrictions are wound back. You can read the full details and what this means for you in this edition of the Express.
More and more people are starting to travel about and fill the streets. It remains important than ever to keep following the usual rules in line with public health orders - such as masks on public transport. Please also remember to pay attention to any exposure sites you may have attended in a personal capacity. This helps to continue keeping yourselves, your loved ones, your colleagues, and the public safe and healthy.
As we continue to come out of extended lockdown, some of us may need a bit of extra support. If you think your wellbeing has taken a hit over the last few months, we encourage you to reach out to a loved one, a mate, or to one of the services available to you.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Union calls to protect workers from Light Rail fail!
There is shocking news today as it was revealed that the Inner West Light Rail trams would be off the tracks for the next 18 months.
The Union immediately called for all employees to be given meaningful work and for the government to ensure they suffered no loss of income.
This is a known fault with this model tram and it should not be workers who suffer because the government habitually goes for the cheapest option available.
Like other transport workers in NSW, these members have worked through uncertain times during the pandemic with the government changing the rules week by week and sometimes day by day. The government needs to give an immediate and unequivocal guarantee that no worker will be worse off.
IWLR EA Update: Your unity achieves positive outcomes
Following our meeting with Transdev on 28 October your negotiating committee was successful in having Transdev agree to include career progression reflecting that of the CSELR progression in your EA.
- Driver Trainee - 0-6 months
- Driver Grade 1 - 6-12 months
- Driver Grade 2 - 1-3 years
- Driver Grade 3 - 3+ years
This is a huge step forward for the equal treatment of all Drivers across all networks.
After further negotiations, Transdev have also come back with revised rates of pay on the issue of Category 1 Critical Safety Workers and Category 3 Non-Critical Safety Workers. This reconsideration also addresses the claim of having Category 1 Critical Safety workers paid more than Category 3 Non-Critical Safety workers.
Three cheers and a huge congratulations to everyone for their efforts in achieving these outcomes! By standing together and participating in protected actions over the last few weeks we've managed to force Transdev to reconsider their offer.
Your unity is your strength!
Region 6 says NO to fear!
Members in Region 6 have sent a clear and strong message to Transit Systems that they are not buying the lies being sold. The company has confirmed that the proposed two-tier EA was voted down but, so far, have not released the voting numbers. We can only assume it’s due to acute embarrassment that their fearmongering failed to scare members into surrendering hard won conditions.
Now they’re saying that they won’t participate in further negotiations. While they can come to meetings and just say NO to everything, they HAVE to come to meetings. The bargaining process does not suddenly stop because the company decides it’s inconvenient. Jamie Sinclair is not exactly an authority when it comes to the Fair Work Act so take his advice with a grain of salt.
The next step is to make sure that EVERYONE WHO CAN, VOTES YES TO THE COMBINED UNION PROTECTED ACTION BALLOT!
The ballot is open until Monday. If you were sent a link via SMS or email PLEASE VOTE!!
We need to be able to put pressure on the company to come to the table and meaningfully negotiate, and the only thing they understand is public embarrassment and disruption. This won’t be like the one-day-off industrial action during privatisation. It’s a different game now with different players and rules. This will be sustained and protected legal action, and everyone needs to stand up and be counted.
Talk to your fellow RTBU members and make sure they have voted! Together we can force this company to take workers seriously and secure a better deal for all our futures.
Solidarity is our Strength.
Update: Newcastle EA Negotiations with Keolis Downer
Preliminary discussions took place on Wednesday 3 November to cover housekeeping for all parties throughout negotiations.
At this meeting, your union presented a verbal log of claims to Keolis Downer. This log of claims was based on members' feedback, and a formal log of claims will be presented in tandem with Keolis Downer.
Keolis Downer have indicated that they are under financial constraints, and would be looking for efficiencies to provide for any pay increases. With this indication from them, we are more than ready for the fight ahead and emphasised to Keolis Downer that, as representatives, we will be guided by membership. By sticking together and facing these challenges as a united front we'll be best placed to enter negotiations headstrong.
Agreement to meet on a fortnightly basis once formal negotiations begin.
Government opts to retain the 373 bus route
After receiving more than 8800 submissions to its overhaul of eastern suburbs public transport, the government has opted to retain the 373 bus route from Coogee and Randwick to the CBD via Taylor Square, which will operate every 10 minutes during the day.
Apart from keeping the 373, the government has also modified its original plans for about a dozen services, many of which involve slight changes to the routes buses will take or frequency.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union division secretary David Babineau said the government was only addressing as many concerns as it had been forced to in order “to tick boxes”.
“We are still getting service reductions and job losses,” he said.
Vaccination Reminder
Bus drivers, due to their working environment, are at particular risk. Members are encouraged to sign up for the appropriate vaccination for your circumstances ASAP. The sooner you’re protected, the sooner your family is. Members who for health reasons are eligible for priority vaccination are encouraged to make an appointment. Vaccinated employees with health risks are considered safe to attend work. Employees not yet vaccinated who have health issues should approach their staff supervisors or line managers to discuss what options are available.
If the Pfizer vaccine is suitable for you, the STA have designated appointments available for you to get vaccinated. Contact your local manager for more information.
Please stay safe and stay vigilant. Bring any issues or concerns to the attention of your local delegate, including any hot spots where you see consistent non-compliance of mask wearing by passengers on buses or at bus stops.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
