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Member Update: May 20, 2022
Dear Members,
It’s another fare-free Friday today for Region 6 as we work together with the TWU to keep our fight in the public eye and remind the company that we’re here for the long run. Every Friday in May will be fare free.
In Newcastle, members have demanded for KD to put forward another offer after the first draft was rejected for including changes that were not part of negotiations. If KD is unable to deliver in this new deadline, industrial action is on the cards once more. The timeline is for KD to have a proposal by 4pm today for members to go over for the next 7 days, otherwise Industrial action will recommence from next Thursday.
In Region 6, another bargaining meeting took place on May 18th. In between that and the strike two weeks ago, we were around handing out flyers to the public explaining why they travelled free on those Fridays and why we're taking action. Keeping the public informed of what's happening with their public transport means keeping management and the NSW government accountable.
In Region 7, Busways has presented a draft document for the union to consider. Delegates only had 2 days to analyse the offer, which the union believes is insufficient so we’ve secured a few weeks to crunch some numbers and offer feedback. Updates will follow as we make progress getting through the proposal.
In Region 9, RTBU officials and delegates were out at depots discussing the EA which is being voted on today. The RTBU has delivered the STA conditions to workers in the East, it’s up to them to vote for them.
A reminder to CMET employees to fill out the Log of Claims and return them ASAP! We’ll be collating the results soon and putting out the Log of Claims for endorsement.
A reminder that $50 gift cards are available from your local delegate. For CMET members, cards will be ready for collection from Monday 23rd May. Remember to bring proof of your membership when collecting your card.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
2022 Federal Election message from the Secretary
As we all know from the endless political ads we’ve been bombarded with over the last month, tomorrow is election day.
Normally, the division deliberately distances itself from such things in terms of discussion with members. While the union is obviously affiliated with the ALP, how you vote is your business and that’s how it should be. This time however, with the entirety of our membership in the Federal system, there is more at stake for all of us.
The Morrison Govt has repeatedly attacked working Australians and this isn’t going to stop. If re-elected, you can be sure the push to casualise jobs, reduce already slow wage growth, and push for more employer powers to disadvantage workers day to day will accelerate. The Fair Work Commission now has appointees who have NO INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS EXPERIENCE, but possess a definite conservative bent. This is where we’re supposed to go to get a fair hearing to resolve disputes. If we continue allowing this government to shape the fabric of our country then we, as everyday working men and women are without a doubt, going to more and more disadvantaged in our workplace as time goes on.
I’ve spoken to members who often vote Liberal and who are dismayed by the extreme direction their party seems to be taking. This election, we urge you to support the Labor party or Independents who hold beliefs that mirror your own. Don’t let habit dictate your vote, but how today’s government policies and conduct affect your tomorrow as a worker.
In Solidarity,
David Babineau
Level 1 Delegate Training
From left to right: David Jackson (Wickham Trams), Robert Matthews (Hamilton Buses), Daniel Jaggers (Divisional President - Tram and Bus), Christopher McPhail (CMET Trams)
Level 1 Delegate training took place in Sydney on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May with the wonderful trainer, Wayne Moody.
The following members from the different depots across the Tram and Bus Division attended both training days: David Jackson (Wickham Trams), Robert Matthews (Hamilton Buses), and Christopher McPhail (CMET Trams).
David, Robert and Christopher enjoyed the training and gave positive feedback on both the content of the training sessions, and the instruction and guidance of Wayne throughout the process. They see this training as beneficial to their roles as Delegates in the union and look forward to employing these new skills and aligning them with union values going forward.
Thank you to David, Robert, and Christopher for travelling to Sydney for the training, and thank you to Wayne for holding a great training!
Region 6 EA Update
Union officials met with TSA representatives on May 18th. This wasn’t a bargaining meeting but a reset to negotiations. Now that TSA has gotten rid of their bargaining agent, we needed to look each other in the eye and seek a way forward. Talks were positive with the company committing to providing data and reasons for any position they take instead of just saying ‘NO’ though a third party. It looks like a return to what we would consider ‘normal’ bargaining.
All this month we’ve had fare free Fridays to keep out issues in the public eye and demonstrate our solidarity to each other and the company.
By refusing to accept fares on those days, we caused a headache for management and the government while also thanking commuters for their ongoing support in our fight for fair pay and conditions.
To help keep this momentum rolling, stickers were distributed to the public explaining why they travelled for free and why drivers in Region 6 are taking action.
This type of transparency - letting commuters know they deserve better than what the current government is delivering on public transport - is crucial to keeping the management and the NSW government accountable.
Bargaining has been set to a fortnightly schedule starting May 26th, ongoing until we reach an agreement.
Region 7 bargaining update
When we met with Busways last week, they presented us with a complete draft Agreement. This is a lengthy document with a lot of different things in it compared to the STA Award. We’re working through it and costing the proposed changes as well as identifying what is completely unacceptable in relation to what members have told us they want. This process will take a few weeks so we ask for patience while we do our due diligence. An update will be provided when we have more information.
Region 9 bargaining update
The final EA document was made available to members to vote on today. The RTBU designed roadmap has been followed to its conclusion thanks to the willingness of Transdev John Holland Buses to work collaboratively with the union.
This agreement enshrines the STA Award conditions into a federal Enterprise Agreement. This is the fulfilment of the instruction from members who said they want to preserve the STA conditions and not have a two-tiered workforce.
Newcastle EA and Protected Action Update
In good faith, Protected Industrial Action was stopped on Wednesday 11 May with the agreement that Keolis Downer (KD) will put forward a proposal for the members to take a vote on Monday 23 May.
What we instead received was a draft that contained edits to items that had not been negotiated in initial discussions.
This offer was rejected by members, which means KD can no longer meet the timeline for a vote on Monday. In response to this, members have demanded an updated offer by 4pm today for members to vote on 30 May.
If KD are unable to deliver on this, then we will reinstate industrial action next week.
Members will be advised of the outcome, and the types of action we will be taking if it comes down to it.
In case you missed it: Gift Cards ready for Collection
The $50.00 gift cards have arrived and are available to pick up from your local delegate from Monday 9 May, except for CMET members who can get them from their delegate on the week commencing the 23rd May.
Due to corporate governance, ALL members will need to provide evidence of current membership when picking up these gift cards from their delegates.
The executive have decided that the best proof will be showing your latest payslip or direct debit statement.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
