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Member Update: April 1, 2022
Dear Members,
It seems the rain has returned, dampening the recent bout of sunshine and no doubt causing concern in areas affected by the floods. Our thoughts are with the residents of Lismore, who had to evacuate once more early this week. A reminder that the RTBU, has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for members who have been impacted by this extreme weather event.
An application must be submitted no later than 30 April 2022 to a Panel for consideration for a gift of up to $1,000 from the monies raised by the fund. View and download the application form here.
You can also make a contribution to the GoFundMe by clicking here.
For those attending Robin O'Donoghue's Farewell BBQ on Sunday 3rd April, there has been a venue change due to dismal weather conditions. The new location will be Kotara Bowling Club at 2 Howell St, Kotara. The final details and flyer are in this Express.
EAs in Region 6, Region 7, and Newcastle are moving along thanks to the great teamwork of delegates and members. Negotiations are due to kick off soon in Canberra with the NERR having been sent to employees and a schedule of meetings due to be lined up in a week or two.
In Region 6, we had another bargaining meeting last Tuesday. We are continuing to work together to come up with a plan for further industrial action as we keep trying to fix this historical mess of a two-tiered workforce.
In Region 7, we're awaiting the first bargaining session scheduled for 6th April. We'll update you on the outcome of that meeting as soon as we can.
And in Newcastle, negotiations have been put on hold whilst we deal with an overtime dispute through the FairWork Commission. A teleconference conciliation meeting on this took place on Wednesday.
In the news, public transport will be free for 12 days starting on 14th April, covering the Easter Holidays and ANZAC Day. This comes after the RTBU put the pressure on the NSW government to compensate commuters after last month's rail shutdown. And in the Eastern suburbs, anxiety is rising amongst transport workers and commuters as privatisation continues to loom over the region. A safe and reliable public transport system is vital to community mobility, and residents and workers have every right to be concerned about the privatisation of buses in the area.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Venue change for Robin O'Donoghue's farewell picnic
Due to a dismal weather forecast, we have changed the location of our farewell picnic for Robin O'Donoghue this Sunday 3rd April.
The new location will be Kotara Bowling Club at 2 Howell St, Kotara.
Updated event details:
EVENT: Farewell BBQ for Robin O'Donoghue
PLACE: Kotara Bowling Club, 2 Howell St, Kotara
DATE: 3 April
TIME: 10AM - 2PM
We look forward to seeing you there to celebrate Robin's outstanding contribution as Belmont Depot delegate.
Region 7 Log of Claims survey
The first bargaining session is scheduled for 6th April.
The company has made it clear that they are seeking one set of conditions covering all employees going forward, with the aim of finishing up the process by the end of 2022. As long as bargaining takes place smoothly and in good faith, this is likely achievable.
After reaching out to members with a survey, the results are in and in order of importance, the top 5 items were-
- 5 weeks annual leave
- No backwards step in pay
- Keep all allowances at the least or improve them
- Keep ADO’s
- Sick leave, same rates or improved
Other notable mentions include meal breaks at the depot, no 13 hour broken shifts and meals at depots. All these and more will make up the union agenda when we meet next week. Members will get a bulletin after that meeting and all the others to come. It is crucial that members are involved in this process; it’s only with transparency and accountability that YOU have a say in what YOUR conditions will be.
Region 6 Bargaining update
This week saw a half day caucus between the RTBU and TWU and then we sat together at Trades Hall and had the scheduled bargaining meeting. It was great for both unions not just to be bargaining together but to be sitting in the same room united for workers.
Next week’s bargaining meeting has been moved until the 19th due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that both unions are going to meet again next week for a full day to go over some of the claims. If we can agree on a combined Log of Claims between the unions, it makes the fight that much easier than simply supporting each other’s position. Unfortunately, the bargaining meeting did not produce any results. Unions again asked for someone with operational knowledge to sit on the company side so they could understand WHY all drivers need things like standing time and toilet breaks- this was refused. Things got a bit spicy after that. As a division run by transport workers, it’s hard to keep your cool when you get told of workers getting called in to the office to justify spending more than 8 minutes travelling to and then using the toilet and travelling back. It’s offensive, degrading, completely disrespectful, and is a great example of how this company thinks of their employees as nothing but slaves.
WE have to make them stop! The time is coming to take further action, stay tuned for more info next week!
Newcastle EA Update
An overtime dispute through the Fair Work Commission has put our EA negotiations on hold in the last week.
This all started when a large number of members turned down the Sunday shift for April 3rd, due to many members wanting to attend the farewell BBQ for Robin O'Donoghue or other personal commitments.
Due to the sheer amount of shifts that were turned down - it became clear to Keolis Downer that they couldn't operate the network without enough of our members on deck. Unfortunately, Keolis Downer responded by ordering a directive for workers to attend their shifts on Sunday.
We challenged this directive - arguing that the Sunday shift should be voluntary overtime only. Through a conciliation process with the Fair Work Commission, it was clear that to avoid the risk of unprotected action (where the Commission could fine individuals up to $13,360) we needed to find a way through. When we take action - we go hard - and we do it in a way that's bulletproof. And this was not. Our members decided to pull together and volunteer for the shift, so that now, enough shifts have been accepted for the buses to run this Sunday.
This outcome is important because it puts us in the strongest position to take up a protected fight in our battle for a better EA. If the company had been able to successfully argue that the union was organising illegal industrial action in this case, any chance of having an application for protected action (tied to our EA) approved by the FWC would have gone out the window. Members will get the opportunity to vote on different forms of Protected Industrial Action in coming weeks.
We've requested Keolis Downer meet us back at the bargaining table next week, so stay tuned.
Free Flu Vaccinations
The RTBU has put out a call to all employers to provide members with the opportunity to receive the flu vaccination at no cost in the workplace.
Most employers have flagged they intend to make the option available for their workers on a voluntary basis, so keep an eye out for times and locations around your depot.
RTBU Flood Relief
Recent flood across Australia have ripped through many communities leaving many RTBU members impacted and even losing their houses and deeply impacting their lives.
The RTBU has organised a GoFundMe to support specifically RTBU members affected by these floods.
You can make a contribution here: https://gofund.me/f2c36586
News: Parramatta trams to be built in Australia under bold new plan
Trams running on the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail will be required to be built in Australia, in what could be become an industry-wide edict. Transport for NSW will hold briefings from next week with local manufacturers around the country to assess their ability to build major transport domestically.
“I don’t think anyone would argue that Australian-made manufacturing — although sometimes expensive due to union pressures — hasn’t always been first class.” NSW Transport Minister David Elliot said.
News: Eastern suburbs bus changes: Commuters fear privatisation
In a last-ditch effort, Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill secured an Upper House inquiry into the impact of the privatisation of NSW buses and the cuts to services in recent years.
Last May, the NSW Government announced 25 bus routes from the eastern suburbs would be cancelled, adding to six routes previously cut.
“For three years our community has been crying out to save our buses. They were ignored. Hopefully this inquiry gets the government to pay some attention.” says Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker.
News: ‘Dream come true’: Parramatta light rail inches towards completion
Transport Minster David Elliot said 99 per cent of the tracks for the first stage of the $2.4 billion light rail project had been installed, with the final 50-metre segment of the 12-kilometre line to be laid in the coming weeks.
Asked if the Parramatta Light Rail would have the same trams used on the beleaguered inner west line, Mr Elliott said: “We’ll be making sure we don’t have similar problems.”
Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, and is expected to commence passenger services next year.
News: Sydney commuters to travel for free on public transport network for 12 days during Easter holidays
Public transport will be free across Sydney's entire network for 12 consecutive days during the Easter holidays, beginning on April 14th.
The free travel comes after weeks of tense negotiations between the state government and RTBU which culminated in a 24-hour shutdown of the train network last month.
The free travel will include trains, buses and ferries, but not private ferries, the airport line and Point to Point bus service.
The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) earlier said it would use industrial action to "force" the state government to offer free fares to commuters every Friday until June.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
