News and views from the bus and tram lanes
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Member Update: January 27 2023
Dear Members,
We hope you've all had a great week and trust that you've all been staying safe and well. Out in the Tram and Bus lanes, we're working hard to deliver members good outcomes.
This week, members can access the new edition of the RTBU's quarterly national member magazine, Transport Now. Members can find a link to the latest issue down below.
In addition to this, in Region 6, the RTBU and TWU delegation met with management last week to find a way to agree on an enterprise agreement. Find the latest updates below.
Out in Region 9, the Union attended a depot meeting, which had a good turnout of members, and a solid discussion of issues. For more on this, see the latest update below.
Additionally, Peter Grech from the Union was set to come to Newcastle on Tuesday to meet with Delegates and members at Hamilton. Unfortunately, due to being newly elected, management did not allow Peter onto the sites of KDH. This situation is being fixed, and he should be set to visit Newcastle very soon.
In other news, a Go Fund Me page has been set up for Bus Driver George Michael, who has recently lost a son and had to take a leave of absence. We ask members to dig deep to help George through this difficult time. The link can be found down below.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Tram and Bus Division office directly. We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Transport Now: January 2023 edition
The January 2023 edition of the RTBU's quarterly national member magazine, Transport Now, is hot off the presses. This edition includes articles on the the RTBU union election results, how the Inland Rail project is at risk from shonky contractors, and much much more.
To read the latest edition, click here.
Region 6
Last week RTBU Tram and Bus delegation and TWU delegation met with region 6 management to find a way to agree on an enterprise agreement, which suggested that there would be long day of discussions. When both parties informed TSA management that we wanted a State copied award, they then informed us all that they would take this issue for arbitration. It turned out that this meeting finished prior to lunch with TSA.
The following day the company emailed the RTBU Tram and Bus division asking for approval for arbitration and a guarantee that we would not take any industrial action whilst the arbitration process was being heard. In addition to this, they also asked that the union to encourage members to vote up any suggestions made by the commissioner.
After legal advice, there have been no calls for the RTBU Tram and Bus Division to attend any arbitration hearing.
We will keep members updated on any progress for this.
Region 9
On Wednesday morning, Peter Grech from the Union attended depot meeting at Randwick of which had a good turnout of members. High on the agenda for members was the 20min crib break, Hays Street bus stop, the Eddie Ave pedestrian light and much more.
Thank you to Bruce for the invitation, it was really love coming out and meeting members.
In the afternoon a meeting was held with Trandev’s John Holland with Chris Argyru and Doris Sanchez. This meeting was set up as a catch up with Transdev John Holland management and it also put forward a trial for annual leave allocation for 2024. Much effort was placed into this presentation to management, and the feedback received was encouraging. We are hoping to have the final procedure to present this to management early next week.
Please note: this is just a trial for now and if unsuccessful we go back to the block system that is in place now.
Bus Timetable Changes
The RTBU Tram and Bus office has had a lot of calls from members regarding customers/passengers abusing them due to lack of services or loadings on buses especially this last week.
As you all may be aware a new roster commencing Monday 30/1/2023, and the new timetable set to make this situation even worse.
We have forwarded information to our media support team asking members of the public not to blame the driver.
Newcastle Bus Operations and Wickham Light Rail
Peter Grech from the Union was set to come to Newcastle on Tuesday to meet with Delegates and members at Hamilton, Belmont and Wickham Trams, as the Wickham Trams agreement has now expired. Unfortunately, due to being newly elected to the position, the employer did not allow Peter onto the sites of KDF. His application is now complete, and he is set to be in Newcastle soon to meet members.
NSW State Election
As we come towards the NSW State election at the end of March, we look forward to electing a more sympathetic Labor government. While we will no doubt have to push them, at least we know that they are more willing to work with Unions and understand that when we speak, we are not speaking for ourselves as organisations but for our members. Top of the list is the return of the Home and Duty passes for employees, ensuring there are no more two-tiered workplaces set up, pushing for TfNSW to extend funding for more entitlements for employees of companies operating TfNSW contracts. Longer term items include an industry wide Agreement and bringing buses back into public hands.
We encourage all members to make themselves available to assist those who do the work of representing workers in the political space during the election.
A message from the Hamilton Bus depot Delegate to all Members.
Hello, my name is Robert Matthews, and I am helping out a fellow Bus Driver, George Michael who has recently lost a son and had to take a leave of absence.
This is just a way to support our brother and friend in this very trying time. Any funds will go directly to Michael to help him pay some bills.
Any donation will be greatly appreciated by both me and George.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Peter Grech
