Member Update: November 4 2022

Dear Members,

It's been another big week for us all.

A general bulletin was sent out this week to Bus members that has caused concern about a potential move to nothing but straight shifts. This is due to TfNSW expectations of companies contracted.

Out in Region 7, Busways is still working on timetables to present to the union that reflect a sustainable work-life balance for members. We'll update members in the following week about how this goes.

In other news, CMET have today sent through the draft EA so we’ll be reviewing it and getting back to members with what the proposal means for workers.

In addition to this, members in Region 6 will be getting a bulletin this afternoon updating them on the progress of EA negotiations. We've reached the point in negotiations where members face two choices - unifying the rosters or grandfathering the Legacy drivers. You can find more details on this below.

Members, a reminder of our action to email the NSW Government. No one knows the failures of privatisation in transport better than us, and with more emails sent to the Government, the better our chance of making them listen to us.

And on another note, a big thank you to all members who donated to the fund set up for Jared Church. We raised $2600 for Jared's wife, Rebecca and his three kids, thanks to everyone's generosity. Our thoughts are all with Jared's family and workmates during this difficult time.

Finally, Members have been asking about absentee votes for the RTBU elections. We’ll have a step-by-step guide for you next week.

And as always, if you have any questions, ideas or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Tram and Bus Division office directly.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

General Bulletin for Bus Members

A general bulletin was sent to members this afternoon following rumours of a move to a Saturday timetable by TfNSW. This has caused widespread concern from members about a potential move to nothing but straight shifts, as you’d expect.

TfNSW expects the companies which have been contracted to provide the bus services according to the timetable. If they can’t do this, then the companies get fined. The categories for fines are for things like- Cancelled Trips, On Time Running, Complaints (per 100,000 trips) etc. The fines are significant.

Because of the driver shortage (partly created by privatisation causing many to leave the industry), companies are having trouble meeting these targets, particularly the ‘Cancelled Trips’ target.

Transit Systems in Region 6 has approached TfNSW and asked for a timetable change (Mon-Fri only) which will assist them in delivering services that reflect their current staffing levels. This means that a reduction in available overtime can be expected. TfNSW has approved this but will reduce the payments made to the company in line with the reduction in kilometres being performed.

If other companies get to the same point where the fines are hurting more than the loss of kilometres, they will probably do the same thing.

TfNSW has confirmed that any requests to change a timetable will be reviewed by them, but that at this stage they are not directing companies to do anything other than perform the work they would normally do.

Members need to be mindful that overtime is not guaranteed and can be taken away by the employer at any given moment for whatever reasons.

Region 7 Roster Dispute

Busways are still working on presenting the union with revised rosters that replicate the current work-life balance rosters members currently work. Therefore, the dispute is still active, and updates will follow in the following week's Tram and Bus express.

Region 6 EA Update

Members in Region 6 will be getting a bulletin this afternoon updating them on the progress of EA negotiations. We’re at a point now where we understand what a single set of conditions will look like in terms of the spread and rate of penalties, as well as many of the other items members are most interested in.

There are two choices before members-

Unify the rosters.

This would remove any reason for TSA to favour one work group over the other. There would be no cheap option for the company to use because everyone would cost the same. This would ensure job security and an end to work leaving the legacy rosters. The price for this would be a degree of compromise.

2. Grandfather the Legacy drivers.

This means we do not put the work together and we continue down the path we have been on for 4 years with 2 rosters. We would keep all our conditions unchanged. The price for this would be no job security or security of what members would be earning.

We’ll know at the end of next week which way members want to go with this and follow that direction accordingly.

Email the NSW Government to end Bus Privatisation

Last month, the NSW Legislative Assembly handed down a report recommending the Government end bus privatisation.

You can read the full report and its recommendation here.

We've known that bus privatisation doesn't work. No one knows this better than our members and commuters, who have both suffered.

That's why we've set up an action calling on the NSW Government to adopt the report's recommendations. You can add your name to our letter and help add pressure on the NSW Government to fix the mess they've made.

It'll only take a moment, and the more emails we send, the greater our chance of making bus privatisation an issue for the election and beyond.

Remembering Jared Church

Thank you to all members who generously donated to the fund set up for the family of Jared Church. We were able to raise $2600 for Jared's wife Rebecca and his three children. This will help support Jared's family through this difficult time.

Members, please remember that if you are struggling, support is always available. You can access support resources through the Black Dog Institute. Additionally, 24/7 support is available at Beyond Blue.

Union Elections Reminder

A reminder to members that union elections for National and NSW Branch positions for 2022 are fast approaching. All members are encouraged to cast a vote - this is the best way to make sure the future representatives have the best interests of members at heart. Casting a vote during the Union elections is an incredibly important part of strengthening the democratic process of our union.

The Attendance Ballot will open on the 17th November 2022 at 7:00am and close on the 17th November at 4:30pm.

The Postal Ballot closes on 12 December 2022, 5:00pm.

We urge all members to use their voices by voting in the upcoming elections.

In solidarity,

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers