Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: November 12, 2021
Dear Members,
More and more people are moving about and relying on public transport for work, school and the HSC, entertainment and a great number of other reasons. Despite this, we had last week's shocking news that the inner west light rail is to be suspended for up to 18 months after cracks were found in all the trams.
Considering the track record on new transport infrastructure in NSW, this is just one more nail in the coffin of yet another poor overseas purchasing decision.
The Union immediately called for all employees to be given meaningful work and for the government to ensure they suffered no loss of income.
The RTBU has always known that quality public transport that is manufactured locally is the way to go. Instead, light rail workers are bearing the brunt of this suspension. So too are commuters who rely on a safe and reliable public transport system to get where they need to be.
The cracks are a known fault with this model of tram and workers should not suffer the consequences. Those working with the light rail have been essential workers through uncertain times, and have battled constantly-changing information and health measures. The government needs to give an immediate and unequivocal guarantee that no worker will be worse off.
Meanwhile, we've been visiting the Pyrmont depot over the last few days for the IWLR EA, making sure that members know what their continued, unified action has led them to achieve. You can read a full list of achievements in this edition of the Express. Well done again to everyone for exercising their collective power!
As the holiday season approaches, we can expect to see more people out and about shopping for presents and visiting loved ones. It remains important to keep following the usual rules in line with public health orders and to also 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.
IWLR EA: Here are your achievements!
We've been out and about to Pyrmont depot for the IWLR EA and outlining the major things members achieved by sticking to their guns. We're expecting that the company will put this out to a vote, and we'll update you as things progress. For now, it seems the forgotten depot is not forgotten anymore! The full list of major achievements include:
- A 2-year bridging agreement with an expiry date of 31 October 2023 (same as the CSELR network which will bring with it more bargaining power)
- Progression to the highest grade within 3 years instead of 5 years (all current employees to be bumped up one grade from whatever their grade was as of 1 November 2021)
- Safety Critical workers to be paid more per hour than Non-Safety Critical workers across ALL grades
- Mentor Allowance increased from 5% to 10%
- Domestic Violence Clause (10 days paid)
- Disciplinary Process Clause (A clear process around disciplinary matters)
- Enhanced Consultation Clause (ability for members to be involved in decision making)
- Enhanced Roster Clauses (to allow in assisting members more effectively)
- Enhanced Dispute Settlement Procedure Clause (ability to dispute anything)
- Place of Work Clause
- Home Depot Clause
- Indexation of all Allowances (except for mentor allowance which is attached to Rate of Pay)
- Removal of Code of Conduct (removal of an employer generated policy which we had no say in)
- Clause for a working party to be informed to consider and explore all available options for Free Travel on existing Transdev Services
- Overtime for Part Timers has been protected
- Income protection increased by 3% on 1 November 2021 and 3% on 1 November 2022
Region 7 negotiations Fail as Rostered
For the last few weeks, the RTBU has been in discussions with Busways about transitional issues as well as the bigger picture stuff like the Greenfield.
Unfortunately for those discussions, Busways has gone behind the union’s back and registered a back up agreement for the Greenfield. Union lawyers are currently looking at this to see if there’s a chance we can have it knocked off.
This has shown that the company is not interested in genuine negotiation to resolve their proposed two-tiered workplace and is not taking negotiations seriously. Things are now going to go in a very different direction.
Region 6 gears up for war
With the company EA rejected by 89% of employees and the protected action ballot approved by over 90% of members of both unions, the scene is set in Region 6.
The long overdue battle is finally coming and combined RTBU & TWU protected action will be starting as early as next week.
The company is still running around trying to pretend they haven’t spent the last 3 years screwing over workers, and have confirmed they have no intention of bargaining.
Too bad for them, the law says they have to attend meetings. They can sit there are just say ‘No’ to everything, but the process doesn’t stop because these crooks say so.
Transit Systems playing with pay
We’ve known for some time that Transit Systems were not doing the right thing with pay during the pandemic.
If you remember, the first win unions had was for the government to keep paying companies. This was done on the provision that they pay their workers.
We collected evidence and out the case to TfNSW that TSA were not just ripping off their workers but also taxpayers by screwing up worker pay again and again. It’s gotten to the point that the union has formally requested an audit of Transit Systems.
RTBU disputes Mandatory Vaccination
While the issue has been divisive and contentious, it comes to the principle of choice.
The RTBU has always been in favour of vaccination AND choice; we do not choose between these because it becomes inconvenient.
Yesterday the Tram & Bus division lodged a dispute with Transport for NSW on behalf of the entire NSW Branch of the union. We will take this matter to conciliation in the first instance and then refer back to the executive for a decision on how far the matter is pressed.
As we see challenges around the country and from the highest court in Australia to the lowest industrial tribunal, the results so far are not encouraging. Nonetheless, the case must be made.
No free ride on buses replacing dud trams
Thousands of inner west commuters forced to catch replacement buses for the suspended light rail service will still be charged for their trip, with Premier Dominic Perrottet saying they should pay their fair share despite the inconvenience.
Short-term replacement buses are usually free of charge, though due to the protracted suspension, the government plans to set up dedicated bus services for the route that would require commuters to tap on and off.
As commuters are forced onto dedicated bus services during the tram suspension, more than 1000 bus drivers across Sydney’s inner west and west could soon take industrial action over an ongoing wage dispute.
The discovery of cracks in the inner west trams, which were built in Spain, has increased scrutiny on the government’s procurement of overseas-built transport stock.
On the radio: NSW plan to hand control of the transport network to a quantum computer
The New South Wales Government is establishing a quantum technology hub they say will ultimately run Sydney's transport network, with the contracts to be awarded next year.
RTBU Express - October 2021 issue out now
Members can read the October issue of the RTBU Express, which covers all the major events over last month.
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
