Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: October 15, 2021
Dear Members,
Following a gruelling 106 days in lockdown, New South Wales is revelling in it's first small tastes of freedom after the first round of restrictions were eased on Monday.
Whether you go big and have a safe get-together with family and friends, or take it easy and start with something like a (much needed) haircut, we hope that members who are able to enjoy this easing of restrictions find some well-deserved joy and comfort, especially after the tough last few months.
From what we know, masks are still mandatory on public transport for both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults. However, we understand that the prospect if increased patronage on public transport may be daunting for workers nonetheless.
Further to the trials being conducted at the four depots, there are reports that at-home rapid antigen testing will be available from the beginning of November. Hopefully, this will help provide some reassurance to members before restrictions are completely wound back in December.
Welcome to the "new-new-normal"! It's uncharted territory, but we'll be stronger navigating it together.
Restrictions have eased, but we must remain vigilant and continue to abide by the public health orders, especially in terms of mask-wearing and social distancing. If you're enjoying life out and about, remember that cases are still popping up here and there. We ask that you please keep paying attention to any exposure sites you may have attended personally.
If you need an extra pick-me-up, we highly encourage you to seek support if you need it - in a loved one, in a mate, or in one of the services available to you.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
COVID Update
15 October 2021
On Wednesday 13 October Transport for NSW began a process of consulting on their new “COVID controls” to be applied to the workplaces of its agencies.
The COVID controls proposed mainly include all of those that are currently applied in the workplace.
However, the major difference is that Transport is proposing to implement a mandatory vaccination requirement for people to come to work, be that working on the frontline or working from home, as has been done by employers in other industries and government entities across Australia.
The RTBU nationally has clearly set out its position on mandatory vaccines. If you haven’t seen it, you can read it here.
Members would have received an email from Transport for NSW earlier that morning. If you haven’t seen the documents sent out for consultation, you can see them here and here.
We encourage affected members to submit their feedback to Transport through the online form here. If you are able, please copy the contents of the feedback from the form before submitting it into a word document and send it through to nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au so that we are aware of the issues being raised.
As always, stay safe.
Tempe Delegate Election Result
Although he has served as a caretaker delegate for well over a year, the RTBU officially congratulates and welcomes Peter Papdopoulos to the Tram & Bus Executive as the elected delegate for Tempe bus depot.
Peter is not backwards about fighting for member rights and has always been a passionate advocate for his members at a local level. We look forward to Peter’s continued contributions to the division.
Region 8 EA tracking well
The latest draft of the proposed EA is currently with delegates to review and is on schedule to be put to members early next week.
The plan is to have a vote on Friday 22nd October at depots and for an electronic vote for members not rostered on.
We’ll have a bulletin early next week confirming arrangements.
Region 6 EA Negotiations
With the RTBU and TWU lodging a combined protected action ballot application, the scene is set. It’s quite amusing to watch the TSA public relations campaign on Blink. If you believe the spin, they’re a reasonable bunch of people who are just doing their best and nothing bad that has happened over the last 3 years is their fault. What a joke!
THEY are the ones who set up an unfair workplace so they could save money.
THEY are the ones who have rostered ex-STA employees out of a job through the two-roster system.
THEY are the ones who are happy to work new drivers like dogs with no breaks and 13 hour broken shifts.
WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN STOP THIS!
Through voting WE have the power to knock back anything they offer us if it’s not what we want. The only way we lose our future conditions is if we give them away! We need to send this company a message that pretty words don’t make up for 3 years of deliberate misery dished out to workers. We need to vote the EA DOWN, and vote YES FOR PROTECTED ACTION!
Remember to update your details so you can vote in the protected action ballot at membership@rtbu-nsw.asn.au or call the membership team on (02) 9264 2511.
Transdev meeting and alternative offer
The union met with Transdev today and were presented with an alternative offer, in which Transdev has reconsidered some of the claims the Union had presented at earlier negotiations.
Unfortunately, Transdev was unable to address the two main issues that members want resolved. We have given Transdev until COB next Tuesday 19 October to have the adjusted rates available for the union to receive feedback from our members.
In the meantime, our members are continuing to take Protected Industrial Action.
Some COVID-19 restrictions in NSW have eased for fully vaccinated people — what you need to know
A large number of restrictions eased on Monday: cafes, restaurants and bars are allowed to open, the caps on numbers at weddings and funerals are being increased dramatically.
While many changes have taken place, all adults, vaccinated or not, must still wear a mask when inside public venues, at airports and on public transport.
Here’s everything you need to know, if you have had both jabs.
NSW reopening carefully watched around Australia, experts say
There will be risks and benefits to residents of New South Wales as the state reopens after 106 days in lockdown, public health and policy experts say.
Having surpassed the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone early last week, gyms, cafes, restaurants, pools, shops, hairdressers and beauticians will reopen in NSW from Monday and people will be allowed to venture more than five kilometres from home.
Meanwhile, public transport services will return to a Monday-to-Friday timetable in NSW with 18,000 more train, bus and ferry services.
Honorary associate of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney Yale Wong said it was "unchartered territory" to be opening up with high case numbers and there were still unresolved issues when it came to transmission on public transport.
In case you missed it: Special Notice to RTBU Members – Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union Recall Elections 2021
Information has been received from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) regarding the RTBU elections for NSW Branch positions not filled in the RTBU Election for 2018.
Nominations, which must be in writing and comply with the organisation’s registered rules, may be made at any time from 09.00am (AEDT) on Friday, 29th October 2021. Nominations close at 17.00pm (AEDT) on Friday, 19th November 2021.
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
