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Member Update: August 26, 2022
Dear Members,
It’s been a busy time for the Tram and Bus Division. We've got lots to cover in this week's edition of Tram & Bus Express, with various movements made across Enterprise Agreement negotiations. All the finer details are under each update.
In Region 6, delegates walked out of a meeting with Transit Systems on Wednesday after the company refused to agree to key claims during a bargaining meeting. Given such, we will be recommencing industrial action next Wednesday 31 August. Further details are in the article below.
In good news, Newcastle members have voted YES to Keolis Downer Hunter's latest proposal with a whopping 97% of the vote. The disappointing part is that KDH will not immediately be passing on the backpay, but instead will be waiting for the Fair Work Commission to ratify the EA. Congratulations to everyone for standing together and never faltering throughout this months-long process!
We also met with CMET today and a dedicated bulletin go out to CMET members on Monday regarding the outcome of this meeting.
Over the coming weeks, we'll also be collating the survey results for Wickham Trams members before getting members to endorse their Log of Claims. Depot meetings will be held, with dates and times to be announced once they've been set.
And in Randwick Trams, we're ready to welcome our next Delegate. Expressions of Interest are now open for the role, so if you've ever thought about becoming a union Delegate this is your chance to put your name down!
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Newcastle EA Update
Thank you for your patience over the last couple of months as we worked towards a fair EA aligned with members' endorsed log of claims.
KDH's latest offer was put up to members for a vote and we're delighted to announce that it was a resounding 97% YES vote.
Congratulations to all of you for sticking it out through the entire process, and to Industrial Officer Lizanne for her critical eye on each proposal members were sent.
When we work together as a united front, fairness always wins!
The union put forward to KDH for the backpay to be paid immediately but unfortunately KDH has made the decision to not pass on this backpay until the document is approved by the Fair Work Commission.
We will now work on finalising your new EA in the Fair Work Commission.
Region 6 EA Update - Strike Action on 31 August
As you might recall, after the suspension of strike action last month and the great win we achieved with backpay, the RTBU and TWU committed to negotiate with Transit Systems in good faith during the past few weeks.
However, on Wednesday 24 August your union delegates walked out of a meeting with Transit Systems after the company refused to agree to key claims during a bargaining meeting.
These claims are crucial to ensuring ‘Same Job Same Pay’ – protecting the conditions of legacy drivers and lifting 900 drivers. The claims that were rejected by Transit Systems were:
- All Broken Shifts must be limited to a maximum spread of 12 hours
- Broken Shift loadings must be paid at 150% after 9.5 hours and 200% after 10.5 hours
- AM/PM Shift Loadings of 15% between 5pm-12pm, 50% between 12am-4.30am and 15% between 4.30am-7am (with penalties paid across entire shift finishing after 8pm).
Transit Systems refused to accept any of these conditions… they instead offered old excuses and tried to shift the blame onto your union representatives…
Given such, we will be recommencing industrial action next Wednesday 31 August to force Transit Systems to take YOU and your bargaining representatives more seriously.
The proposed action will include two peak hour stoppages between 4am-7am and again between 2.30pm 5.30pm.
Your delegates will be holding yard meetings in the coming days to seek endorsement from YOU and prepare for the stoppage.
If you have any questions in the meantime – please don’t hesitate to contact your local delegate.
What can YOU do?
- Attend Workplace Depot Meetings
- Get Ready to take actions
- Advise other members and workers of what is happening
CMET EA Update
The RTBU and ETU have been meeting with CMET as we continue bargaining.
We met with CMET again today and a dedicated bulletin go out to CMET members on Monday regarding the outcome of this meeting.
Wickham Trams EA Update
The survey for your Enterprise Agreement closed last Friday 19 August.
The union will now be collating the information and results over the next few weeks prior to seeking your endorsement on your Log of Claims.
Depot meetings will be held during this time to keep everyone up to speed. These are still being scheduled, so watch out for dates and times on the union notice board.
Region 7 EA Update
Thank you to everyone for your patience during this ongoing process.
We have a meeting scheduled with Busways on September 9. In this meeting, we will go over their redrafted EA after taking into account the union's position on their original proposal.
More to come following this discussion.
Randwick Trams - EOI for Workplace Delegate
An expression of interest has gone out for tram members in Randwick Tram Depot to nominate for workplace delegate. If more than one person nominates for the role, a ballot will be held.
If you've ever considered being a union delegate, here's your chance to get involved!
Farewell to Darren Woods
It is with sadness that our office sees the immediate departure of our Part Time Organiser Darren Woods due to unforeseen circumstances.
Darren will be sorely missed, considering his knack for recruiting new members, representing members with disciplinary matters, and most importantly, the guidance given by him to delegates.
The RTBU would like to wish Darren the best in facing the challenges that he is now confronted with.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
