Our last Tram and Bus Express for 2021
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Member Update: December 17, 2021
Dear Members,
It's been an absolute Goliath of a year for all of us. As we close off 2021 with the final Express of the year, we want to say a very big, and very heartfelt, thank you to everyone for everything.
We knew very well that all our hard work navigating both our usual areas of importance and the pandemic through 2020 would make us stronger in 2021, and with what we've achieved this year, we were absolutely right.
We'd like to start by highlighting some of our favourite hard-hitting achievements of the year, including:
- Powering through multiple EA negotiations for Regions 6, 7, and 8 during and beyond the second wave of COVID-19
- Completing our Depot BBQ tour and seeing many of you face-to-face once more
- Spearheading priority vaccination for transport workers with a letter to former Transport Minister Andrew Constance
- Securing a pay rise for TSA Legacy employees
- Winning equal career progression and proper Safety and Non-Safety critical worker pay for Pyrmont light rail drivers; and
- Continuing the fight to save our buses in the eastern suburbs
And there have been plenty of other crucial issues impacting members that we’ve all been working on throughout the year. We called for all employees affected by the IWLR tram cracking issue to be given meaningful work and for the government to ensure they suffered no loss of income. We kicked off bargaining in Region 8 after saying goodbye to government buses in the Northern beaches and parts of the lower North Shore. We're continuing to take on Keolis Downer Newcastle after presenting a log of claims at the tail-end of the year. We successfully achieved an award increase to 2.5% for STA employees. And we welcomed new Delegates at Randwick, Wickham, and Tempe.
But the show must go on!
We're closing off the year with a bang, zoning in on Region 6 with protected industrial action that has been ongoing since November. Together with the TWU, we hit hard with a series of stoppages in Regions 3 and 6. We were also met with threats from TSA to dock 31% of drivers' pay for the day we switched off the Opal machines, which we are fighting in the FWC. Having workers doing the same job on different rates of pay and conditions has never been, and will never be, acceptable to your union and we'll do everything we can to make sure members get what they deserve.
Looking back, what a year it's been! We are forever honoured to stand beside you every day to protect your wages, conditions, and wellbeing.
Many of us will be working over the holiday period while the majority of the public are taking time off. If that's you, we thank you for continuing to keep public transport moving and hope that you still find time to celebrate with your loved ones. Your sacrifices never go unnoticed.
2021 has been another whirlwind of a year, and with everything we have achieved and continue to strive for, we know that we're ready to hit the ground running in 2022 together.
To you, your families, and your loved ones, we wish you a wonderful festive season, the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of holidays!
Thank you for another great year.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Region 6 Industrial Action
This week saw more action in region 6 with no uniforms and wearing union clothes kicking off indefinitely- people were looking good in their bright red RTBU shirts! RTBU members also stopped using their phones outside of work and deleting the Blink app. You can read the bulletin to region 6 members here.
The company has tried to make a grab for 10% of worker wage for the uniform ban. Clearly, they haven’t learnt from getting the 31% cash grab from workers knocked down to 1.5%, so we’ve lodged that natter in the Fair Work Commission this afternoon. It won’t be fixed instantly but like the 31% which took time, it will be heard by the Commission fairly fast.
Notification was also given today for another 24-hour stoppage next Thursday. To make it up to commuters we’ll be giving notice on Monday to commence fare free services ongoing from Christmas Eve-day (Friday 24 December).
The company will take 1.5% for days where we do not operate Opal machines so it’s a small price to pay for a massive publicity and the pressure that TfNSW will be putting on the company.
Keolis Downer Newcastle EA Update
We met with Keolis Downer on Tuesday 14 December. At the meeting, Keolis Downer explained their rationale behind their log of claims. Your committee has now taken this information away from the meeting, and will be analysing its potential effects on members, and whether there will be any benefits to come from it.
Our next meeting with Keolis Downer is scheduled for mid-January. A Members' Bulletin will be sent out to you early next week with more details.
2022 diaries available now
Diaries for 2022 are now available for collection at most depots. Please see your delegate to get your diary.
For those at Pyrmont and North Sydney, your diaries will be ready from next week.
In the media: Our strike in Region 6
Last week, we kicked off Monday 6 December with a full-day strike in Region 6. You can read more about it in the Channel 7 News article below:
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New South Wales bus and train drivers to go on strike several times this week
6 December 2021 - Thousands of NSW commuters will have to make other travel plans this week as bus and train drivers take industrial action over pay and conditions.
The strikes began on Monday with inner west Sydney bus drivers walking off the job as part of an ongoing dispute over pay equality.
On Tuesday bus drivers in the city’s south west will also strike, before the two groups stage a co-ordinated walkout for two hours during the Friday afternoon peak.
Sydney’s inner west light rail to resume in February
Services on Sydney’s inner west light rail will resume from February next year, with the state government to use trams from the CBD line to supplement the network until all 12 cracked trams are repaired by October.
Transport Minister Rob Stokes says services will first resume between Central and Lilyfield in February, and will be extended to Dulwich hill in the following months.
The 12 cracked trams will be repaired at a Pyrmont depot, which will be able to work on two vehicles at a time.
‘High speeds, sharp curves’ contribute to cracked trams: Spanish builder
The Spanish manufacturer of Sydney’s cracked trams warned the NSW government that sharp track bends had contributed to the faults, while new documents show questions were raised in the transport department over the standard of track maintenance.
Internal NSW government emails, as well as correspondence between the state and manufacturer CAF show the company told the government the trams had been travelling at “high speed” through “sharp curves” on the inner west network.
The inner west light rail system has been paralysed for up to 18 months after it was first revealed cracks had been found in all 12 trams servicing the network.
‘Make them in Australia’: NSW looks local for next transport fleet
Thousands of electric buses will be made in Australia as part of the NSW government’s next mammoth public transport program as it continues to deal with the long-term fallout of overseas purchases of trams, trains and ferries.
The government announced in December last year its intention to convert the NSW bus fleet to zero emissions by 2030.
In case you missed it: Mandatory Vaccination: TfNSW Mandatory Vaccination Policy
Please note the following article deals with mandatory vaccination for public sector workers. At this stage this does NOT include Keolis Downer or Busways workers.
Yesterday afternoon Transit Systems made it known that they would be following the TfNSW position but in a slightly different way. The union is reviewing their position and will issue advice to members early next week.
As part of the dispute lodged with STA and TfNSW, the Tram & Bus division has received a letter from TfNSW outlining the next steps for employees who are not vaccinated. That letter says-
“In respect to vaccination, the Policy requires that by 6 December 2021, employees are to:
1. provide evidence of being fully vaccinated; or
2. provide evidence of having at least one (1) dose of vaccination against COVID-19 and then be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations; or
3. have submitted an exemption request from the requirement to be vaccinated.”
Exemption requests can be more than medically related, for example if you’re waiting on Novavax to become available. The Union has NO INPUT AT ALL into the exemption process. The letter says this about how to lodge a request-
“To submit a request for exemption, an employee is to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration Form and submit an exemption request. Once submitted it goes to the review panel to consider and remains confidential. This panel is led by the People & Culture Division, consisting of representatives from the business, legal, People & Culture and Safety teams, who will consider the role and the exemption that is being applied for.
The review panel will objectivity evaluate the exemption sought in partnership with any other relevant subject matter experts. A decision is then made which will be communicated to the employee and their manager for further discussion and action.
Where an exemption request is approved, consultation will occur with the employee to determine whether suitable alternative work with additional controls can be provided.
The situation will then be reviewed up to six months in the case of medical contraindication and up to three months in the case of other exemptions. During this period, whether or not suitable alternative work with additional controls can be provided, the employee will continue to receive their salary or master roster.
Where an exemption request is declined, engagement will occur with the employee on the outcome and a direction to comply with the Policy will be given. If the employee meets the requirements of the Policy, they will be able to resume work. If not, the employee has the option of taking accrued annual or long service leave or unpaid leave. Alternatively, the employee will not be paid. On 7 February 2022, their situation will be reviewed. This may lead to a situation that results in the termination of their employment for failing to comply with a reasonable and lawful direction.”
Members seeking exemptions should contact their employer ASAP about getting the relevant paperwork and should submit that paperwork as directed as soon as possible. If by December 6th you don’t fall into one of the 3 categories (mentioned earlier in this article), you will be on leave or leave without pay if you have no leave available.
Because of the bus privatisation, Region 9 (the East) will be the only region captured by this policy on February 7th 2022 (out of all current STA employees). If by then you have not complied, then TfNSW makes it clear that termination is on the cards.
Understand, this is not a fight about what people are paid, it’s a fight for people to keep their jobs.
The Union remains pro-vaccination and pro-choice. The union also understands that from a WHS perspective, vaccination is not the be all and end all of safety control measures that can be used to protect drivers from COVID in the current environment. There is no reason for example, why unvaccinated employees cannot wear masks, be regularly tested, and physical distance in the workplace to keep everyone safe.
Paperwork is being prepared to dispute the policy via the IRC.
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.
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.
RTBU 2021-2022 Festive Season Office Hours
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Pitt Street Office will be attended as follows:
Tuesday, 21st December 2021 - 08.00 – 16.30
Wednesday, 22nd December 2021 - 08.00 – 16.30
Thursday, 23rd December 2021 - 08.00 – 16.30
Friday, 24th December 2021 - 08.00 – 13.00
Saturday, 25th December 2021 - CLOSED
Sunday, 26th December 2021 - CLOSED
Monday, 27th December 2021 - CLOSED
Tuesday, 28th December 2021 - CLOSED
Wednesday, 29th December 2021 - 08.00 – 16.30
Thursday, 30th December 2021 - 08.00 – 16.30
Friday, 31st December 2021 - 08.00 – 13.00
Saturday, 1st January 2022 - CLOSED
Sunday, 2nd January 2022 - CLOSED
Monday, 3rd January 2022 - CLOSED
Normal Office Hours of 08.00 – 16.30 will resume on Tuesday, 4th January 2022.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
