Member Update: July 30 2021

Dear Members,

As we close off the fifth week of lockdown, we want to highlight just how important it is to take care of ourselves in these tough times. Some of you may be apart from your loved ones, or live alone, and many of you are continuing to provide an essential service throughout this outbreak. Whatever your situation is, we encourage you to keep your health and wellbeing in check as we navigate this new wave of the pandemic together.

Case numbers remain high, along with the number of people infectious in the community. We're continuing to monitor affected transport routes as they are updated on the NSW Health Case Location and Alert list. Because the situation is changing so quickly, please check comprehensive list of Public Health Orders and restrictions on the NSW Health website to stay up to date.

As usual, please adhere to the health advice. Wear a mask as required, social distance where possible, and, where you can, pay attention to exposure sites in case you may have attended any of them personally.

The reduction to a Sunday timetable has resulted in a battle to have everyone paid fairly. While most companies have done the right thing the RTBU continues to be at odds with Transit Systems. Read an update on the pay issue and bargaining here.

Bargaining in Region 6 is also progressing, a bulletin to affected members can be read here.

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 also encourage you to show your support for the 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.

COVID-19 Update: Clarifications and new information on support available

There is a misconception by some people that the Public Health Orders are somehow illegal or do not have the force of law. The Public Health Orders are made pursuant to Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. Section 10 then makes it an offence to not comply with such an order. It is the law. 

The RTBU suggests that if you are affected by this latest change that you get tested at a location either close to your depot or on the way to or from work. Hopefully this will limit the time you're spending waiting in queues at testing sites in Fairfield itself. 

COVID Movement Requirements

There is a lot of confusion about movements and requirements under the new Public Health Orders, please check the latest information.

Proof of COVID-19 test

If you must have proof of your COVID-19 test, you must show the proof of your test when asked:

·         at your workplace by your manager (occupier) or

·         to a police officer.

You do not need to get the results of your COVID-19 test before going to or staying at work.

If you test positive, follow the rules for people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19.

People who do not need a mandatory COVID-19 test

You do not have to get a COVID-19 test before working if you live and work outside the affected local government areas. Again, refer to the for the latest information.

More timetable changes next week

Transport for NSW advises that buses will be moving to an altered Monday to Friday timetable with school specials operating only when schools have requested them and some peak services trimmed back where buses are running consistently empty.

More services will be allocated to the Tradie peak early in the morning and afternoon. Inner west tram serves will be operating normal Monday to Friday and the Randwick and Kingsford tram lines will be working a Sunday timetable with additional services between 6-9am and 2:30-5pm. 

New ACTU guide on government covid support

Recent COVID-19 outbreaks across Australia have again highlighted the inadequacy of the Morrison Government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing failure to look after Australian workers. 

The ACTU has put together a briefing note covering the limited support that is currently available for workers who are affected by recent COVID-19 outbreaks in their state or territory.  

A number of workers are entitled to unpaid pandemic leave through their relevant Modern Award.1 In March of 2021, the paid pandemic leave provisions operating in a number of health care sector awards (including the Aged Care Award 2010) expired. 

ACTU fact sheet available here - with what is currently available for members in each state and territory, including eligibility and how to apply.

Vaccination Update

The RTBU continues to push for Transport Workers to be given priority for vaccinations, bus drivers in particular due to their working environment. As it stands, 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.

Government advice has changed this week, with Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) stating that all individuals aged 18 years and above in greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

This is on the basis of the increasing risk of COVID-19 and ongoing constraints of Comirnaty (Pfizer) supplies. In addition, people in areas where outbreaks are occurring can receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose, rather than the usual 12 weeks, to bring forward optimal protection.

Remember if you’re an STA employee, you can claim two hours pay for getting vaccinated on your day off or after a shift, and you should see your staff supervisor for more information about how to claim that. Private sector employees should have rosters allocate an RDO or a day off for a vaccine. Talk to your local roster clerk as soon as you know what date your vaccination appointment is.

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.

Busways wins Region 7 tender while in court for greenfield contract

The NSW Government has awarded Sydney’s Region 7 bus operations tender to Busways while the company is in court next week over a greenfield contract.

As David Babineau summed it up - "This is like booking your grandmother in for surgery with a doctor who’s facing a malpractice lawsuit".

Common sense indicates a responsible government would wait for an outcome from any court proceedings before awarding a contract to operate an essential public service. 

We've already had a taste of what a greenfield contract would create in Region 6. It resulted in a two-tiered workforce with separate pay and conditions doing the same job, with both workforces getting ripped off and people forced to find new jobs to make ends meet.

Read our media release in response to the announcement here.

Transdev IWLR Enterprise Agreement update

Your union has been negotiating the IWLR Enterprise Agreement (Pyrmont LRV Operators) for quite some time now and to assist in reaching conclusion your union recently lodged an application for protected industrial action.  The voting is currently open and will close as of next Wednesday.

Your negotiating committee has been strongly advocating that an IWLR operator should as a minimum be no further than 5.89% (average difference of all grades combined) behind an operator who works on the CSELR network. 

Transdev has been using the cover of Covid 19 as their reason for wanting a four-year agreement but members have countered with a two-year agreement that would have them as a minimum no worse off than the CSELR operators?
 
The company has continually rejected this minimum position of the members and now we’re voting on taking stronger action to make member views known.

Vote now and have your say. 

Workers begin bargaining with Keolis Downer Newcastle

The current Keolis Downer Newcastle Bus Operations Enterprise Agreement 2017 is due to expire on 28 November 2021.  

RTBU surveyed its members in late April asking for feedback on the work issues that matter most to them and what they’d like to see in the new agreement. From this feedback, the negotiating committee put together a broad log of claims to maintain and improve working conditions and push for a real pay increase.

This broad log of claims will be sent out within the next week to all our bus operator members in Newcastle seeking their endorsement before presenting anything to Keolis Downer.

Depot meetings will be held at both bus depots over the next few weeks to explain further details around the log of claims to members and answer questions. Dates and times for these meetings will be displayed within the depots and all members are encouraged to attend so as to send a clear message to Keolis Downer the power of our union.

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.

Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers