Member Update: 19 May 2023

Dear Members, 

We trust you've all been staying well and safe. We know it's been a while since our last update, but despite this, we've been working hard, and have quite a few updates to share with you all.

Out in Newcastle Trams, your negotiating team met with KDH for their report back on our log of claims. We anticipate minor improvements in conditions without compromising our efforts to secure pay increases. For more on this see the article down below. 

For Region 7, the union will seek approval from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a Protection Action ballot, preparing for potential support to the Government and Busways. Members can find more information, including a downloadable bulletin down below.

In Region 6, officials and delegates from both Unions have made significant progress in bargaining meetings with TSA management. We aim to reach an agreement on unified conditions based on the Copied State Award, while considering slight adjustments such as reducing brokens by 15 minutes. Government intervention is awaited to address outstanding issues. For detailed information, please download the full bulletin.

Regarding Transdev, members should anticipate receiving a survey on May 22nd, which will play a crucial role in guiding future negotiations. Please keep an eye out this coming Monday for the survey!

And as always, don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Tram and Bus Division office if you have any issues or concerns. We hope you all have a good week ahead.

Bus Taskforce Announced

Last fortnight, we heard the announcement from Minister Jo Haylen that the NSW Government would be launching a new taskforce to closely evaluate the repercussions of bus privatisation across NSW. 

This announcement came off the backs that the previous coalition Government signed multiple long term deals with private bus companies amounting to $4.8 billion.  

We know Bus Privatisation has been a failure - and the Minister heard directly from drivers at the Brookvale depot, where the announcement was made. It's clear as day that it's time to put the brakes on this whole privatisation fiasco and get back to providing public transport that actually serves the public.

The NSW Tram & Bus divisional Secretary along with the Assistant State Secretary of the TWU are both on this Taskforce and we expect to get some things sorted out.

We may not be in the public sector and regardless of what both unions push for that may not be fixed in the way we want, but we’ll be making sure that all employees in all 4 regions enjoy the benefits and conditions the RTBU fought hard to achieve over that last 90 years. We expect no less.

Wickham Trams EA Update

Last week your EA negotiating team met with KDH for their report back regarding our log of claims.

We believe we may have some minor movement in conditions to secure without jeopardising pay increases which we are working hard to achieve.

Peter Grech will be visiting KDH Light Rail operations on Wednesday 24th May to talk to drivers regarding the current log of claims and other issues that has arisen though the negotiations.

Region 7 Update

The union will apply for approval from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a Protection Action ballot. If approved, we will take action within 30 days. This is to be prepared in case we need to support the Government and Busways and raise awareness among the public. TfNSW is evaluating fixes for Region 6 & Region 7 to align employee conditions. Updates will be given before the recommendation is made. Members can expect an update on the ballot next week.

Region 6 Update

Officials and delegates from both Unions attended a recent bargaining meeting with TSA management. The company has made significant progress, and both groups are closer to agreeing on a unified set of conditions based on the Copied State Award. There have been slight adjustments from the Union side, like reducing brokens from 13 to 12 hours and 15 minutes, but this doesn't necessarily mean using the extra 15 minutes. In the next EA, if these negotiated items remain, we will aim to roll back these concessions. We are now awaiting government intervention to address issues that the company won't address, while we fine-tune other matters. For more on this, download the full bulletin. 

Transdev Update

On Monday, 22 May, members can expect to receive a survey. This survey will play a crucial role in guiding the union during future negotiations. It is essential for members to voice their opinions and prioritise what matters most to them. Once the survey is distributed, please take the time to complete all the fields in the survey so we can accurately identify the preferences of employees at each depot.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Peter Grech