Member Update: September 19, 2022

Dear Members,

We bring you this special edition following a busy week last week with the Branch Council meetings across two days!

In Region 6, a meeting was held at the request of the company between union officials and management. A bulletin will be forthcoming to members by the end of the week with regards to where we are up to with negotiations.

In Region 7, officials will be attending Ryde Depot tomorrow to hold information sessions around the current EA negotiations. Dates for Willoughby members are TBA. We've had two recent industrial wins for our Region 7 members with Busways removing the trial of laminated journals while also agreeing to pay artic allowances for those rostered on shift, whether they operate the bus or not.

The Fair Work Commission has now approved the Newcastle EA that members voted on! The union is now consulting with Keolis Downer Hunter as to how backpay will be processed.

A reminder that this Thursday has been declared a public holiday so we encourage members to check that you receive your rightful entitlements.

And in Randwick Trams, there was no need to hold an election as we had one nomination in each workplace delegate vacancy. We welcome and look forward to working with Controller delegate Maher Osman and LRV operator delegate Henry Cheung!

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

Region 6 EA Update

We met with TSA last Monday to try and streamline processes to help bargaining progress faster. It’s been over 18 months since we started, and if things don’t keep up to pace then the RTBU has no problem leading members out the door again.

A bulletin will be forthcoming to members by the end of the week explaining things in more detail.

Region 7 EA Update

The officials will be attending Ryde Depot tomorrow 20 September to hold information sessions at the following times:

09.45am
11.15am
01.45pm

We hope to see you there. Willoughby information sessions are TBA.

Region 7 Industrial Wins

We're celebrating two recent industrial wins in Region 7.

Firstly, the union has won a commonsense victory with Busways removing the trial of laminated journals, taking the issue away from a dispute. Busways have agreed to sit down with the union at a later date to go through a proper consultation process.

We had another win in the artic shifts also not going down the dispute path after Busways agreed that anyone who is rostered on an artic shift will be paid the articulated allowance whether they operate the bus or not. The company has indicated this to be effective from the pay period on the 19th of September, pending any payroll software issues. This will remain in place until a replacement Enterprise Agreement is approved.

Newcastle EA Update

The Fair work Commission has approved the EA that Newcastle members voted on. This EA will come into effect on Monday 26 September 2022.

The union is now consulting with KDH in regards to how backpay will be paid.

Randwick Trams - new delegates

As we had one nomination in both categories, there was no need to hold an election for the workplace delegate vacancies.

We welcome and look forward to working with Controller delegate Maher Osman and LRV operator delegate Henry Cheung.

Public holiday entitlements

Thursday 22 September 2022 has been declared a public holiday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

This means members should receive applicable public holiday entitlements for this day in accordance with your enterprise agreement.

Please remember to check your upcoming payslips to ensure you receive your rightful entitlements.

Should you have any queries or need any assistance please don't hesitate to contact the union office.

In solidarity,

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers