Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: September 10, 2021
Dear Members,
New South Wales remains suffocated by the Delta strain. With vaccination rates climbing towards the 70-80% target, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has begun hinting at what reopening will look like across the state. But transport workers are still reeling at the ever-changing Public Health Orders, a lack of commitment to priority vaccinations, the difficulty in having a safe workplace if there is no testing for COVID, and the mandatory vaccination for certain postcodes if you want to continue to earn a living.
Despite backflipping on having rapid antigen testing in place for workers who do not get the vaccine by the September 6 deadline, a trial of its use will still be rolled out at certain depots. We have been negotiating with TfNSW and employers to try and limit the impact on workers and drive home a clear message that the testing regime is vital in any strategy to limit the spread in workplaces and the broader community. These regimes should complement the push for workers to be vaccinated and be an alternative for any worker who is unable to be vaccinated for medical or personal reasons. The RTBU's position on mandatory vaccination can be found here.
In the face of so much change, it's great to see members' efforts to keep yourselves and the community safe. As always, wear a mask as required, social distance where possible, and, where you can, pay attention to exposure sites in case you may have attended any of them personally.
We are continuing to appeal to members to please give generously to the donation account we have set up for Michael Yammouni, a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian. All funds from the account will go towards Michael's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
COVID Update – 4 September 2021
As COVID cases continue to rise, over the last week there has been a shift in rhetoric by the NSW Government. In days gone by, we’ve been told that total case numbers and the number of infectious cases in the community must come down and that’s why restrictions need to be in place. Now the Government says nothing can be done and restrictions will only ease once vaccination rates hit certain levels (70 or 80% depending on the media cycle).
The Public Health Orders (PHO) released last weekend took away the option for workers in Local Government Areas (LGA) of concern to be tested, either through Rapid Antigen testing, or PCR testing (the normal Covid test) every 3 days. The PHO dictates that for any worker to leave an LGA of concern, they need to have the first jab of a COVID vaccination.
We have been meeting with employers and Transport for NSW all week to try and limit the impact on workers and drive home a clear message that the testing regime is vital in any strategy to limit the spread in workplaces and the broader community. These regimes should complement the push for workers to be vaccinated and be an alternative for any worker who is unable to be vaccinated for medical or personal reasons.
The RTBU’s position on mandatory vaccination can be found here.
However, a rapid antigen testing trial is still going to be rolled out across the Transport cluster regardless of the PHO in the coming weeks. You can read a list of the trial sites on the Branch website.
Pyrmont Drivers to take Protected Industrial Action for Equal Career Opportunity
From Tuesday 14 September, Light Rail Drivers from the Pyrmont Depot will begin taking protected industrial action. As part of this action, Drivers will refuse to clean up vomit or answer their phone to the bosses in response to Transdev's refusal to provide them with career equality as part of current enterprise agreement negotiations.
For Pyrmont Drivers, it currently takes five years to reach the highest possible grade, compared with just three years for Drivers elsewhere.
More actions will be taken throughout the week, including:
- A uniform ban (all PPE will still be worn)
- A ban on overtime working from Thursday 16 September
- A ban on using the Transdev app, which is used for service updates
- A ban on cleaning up hazardous waste such as vomit and urine. Cost cutting measures put in place around five years ago mean that rather than take a vehicle containing hazardous waste straight in for cleaning, light rail drivers are now meant to put a powder substance on the waste product and finish the route before getting the tram cleaned.
- Not answering a two-way radio until they are completely stopped at a station.
Having equal opportunity in this area is a basic ask.
The fact that members must resort to these types of action in order for them and their EA to be taken seriously by Transdev shows how far Transdev is willing to drag any progressive discussion on fair career progression.
Transit Systems hits a new low, expect worse to come!
After being taken to court by the RTBU over failing to pass on a pay rise to ex-STA employees in Region 6 (despite committing to do so in writing), Transit Systems (TSA) are now trying to present that increase as some sort of generous offer in Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations.
After delaying negotiations for weeks by refusing to put forward the company’s position, TSA appointed an external bargaining representative. This was nothing more than a delaying tactic to give them time to put together their own draft EA without considering ANY of the things members have said they want and deserve in an agreement.
The draft EA the company sent directly to employees before it went to any bargaining representatives does one thing and one thing only; it sets in stone the two-tiered workplace. It removes even more conditions and money from ALL employees and rips out union rights to try and make sure there is no-one to fight against their future robbery plans.
Make no mistake, TSA will try and convince you that this is a good deal, that it’s in your best interest to vote up, and that they are on your side. NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.
This is the company trying to bypass Unions and bargaining representatives to put forward a complicated document and then try and sell it to employees while they’re confused.
This is EXACTLY what we expected them to do.
TSA has no shame and no interest in your wellbeing as a person. To them you are nothing but a renewable resource they want to pay as little as possible. If they had their way, TSA would undo over 80 years of hard-won conditions for all employees and replace it with the bare minimum.
TSA are fighting FOR THEMSELVES as they have since the beginning, and they are fighting AGAINST YOU. The company has ALWAYS been fighting you- to take money out of your pocket and take everything from your conditions that costs them money.
For TSA to win, you have to give away your working conditions and vote yes- THAT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.
The RTBU and TWU are united in fighting this grub company to get members what they have said they want- equality based on the Copied State Award.
If members in Region 6 still want that, then get ready to fight. The battle cry is ‘NO DEAL’, and the fight starts now.
Media Release: Rapid Antigen Testing vital safety measure: transport workers
7 September 2021
Rapid Antigen Tests should be available at all transport workplaces as an additional safety measure aimed at protecting workers and the public, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said today.
The call comes after revelations politicians at NSW Parliament will have access to the tests.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union Secretary, Alex Claassens, said having additional safety measures in place to test for Covid-19 is a simple matter of safety.
“We should be doing everything possible to keep workers and the community safe. Having Rapid Antigen Tests in place at workplaces is a common-sense approach to this pandemic,” Mr Claassens said.
“We’ve been calling for on-site testing for weeks. Some employers are moving ahead with testing because they can see the obvious benefits, but regular testing of workers has been removed from the Public Health Order which leaves wriggle room for other employers.
“Why the NSW Government would decide that testing is important for politicians but not for frontline transport workers beggars belief.
“We want everything possible done to keep people safe from Covid-19.”
Public health restrictions fail to dent NSW public transport satisfaction
Passengers have reported improved ‘safety and security’ on the NSW public transport system in the latest customer satisfaction survey, with satisfaction levels reportedly high across the board, improving from pre-pandemic levels.
Bus services were scored high with a 94% satisfaction rating.
NSW minister for transport Andrew Constance released the survey scoring transport performance the first half of 2021 on Tuesday. The survey was conducted during the Christmas 2020 Northern Beaches COVID outbreak, when masks became mandatory for commuters travelling on the public transport network.
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.
Donations for TSA Driver Michael Yammouni
Donations are being collected to assist a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
We’ve all had and seen near misses and know how easily this could happen to any one of us. The RTBU has set up an account for drivers to donate to and help with Michael’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Michael knows who has contributed.
Thank you for supporting our colleague as he traverses this most difficult of times.
View the details on where to donate on the Tram & Bus website.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
