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Member Update: June 10, 2022
Dear Members,
It has definitely been crunch time for many of us, with a number of enterprise agreements being negotiated at the moment. Members and delegates are working incredibly hard to ensure we are getting fairness, better conditions and decent living wages over the line. A huge thank you to everyone for the role you're playing.
Members in Newcastle took stop-work action from 10am-2pm on June 3rd after unanimously voting down Keolis Downer's latest offer. There have been developments regarding the planned action for next week, see below for more.
In Region 7, we're grateful for members' patience as we continue conducting due diligence on Busways' lengthy document. It's critical that the needs of members in the region are addressed and we are working through the document to ensure that is the case. More to come on this once the process is complete.
In Region 6, fortnightly meetings began on 26th May, with the plan being to continue to hold those meetings until an agreement is reached. Negotiations have been constructive so far, and we hope they stay that way. The next meeting is scheduled for 14th June.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Newcastle industrial action
Following a unanimous decision to vote down the latest insufficient wage offer from Keolis Downer, RTBU members took stop-work action between 10am and 2pm June 3rd as part of their fight for a decent living wage.
Tram and Bus Division President of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW, Daniel Jaggers said drivers are being forced to take protected industrial action to pressure their employer to pay a wage which allows them to make ends meet and live where they work.
“Keolis Downer told drivers they could work seven days a week to supplement their income, because they claim they can only pay what the State Government gives them. If that is the case, the RTBU is calling on Minister David Elliott to have these contracts readjusted to ensure our members receive a living wage” Mr Jaggers said.
The RTBU apologises for any inconvenience and has timed the stoppage for the middle of the day to reduce any impact on school and peak services. Parents were assured that drivers will be there to get their kids to and from school.
The union sought direction from the members who decided to push for a 7% pay rise over 2 years.
Solidarity on the day was strong with representatives from Hunter’s Workers, the SDA, CFMEU, MUA, AMWU and the AWU all in attendance supporting our members.
Further action was to take place next week with the BDC however the legal back and forth between the company and the union over a technicality means that will be rescheduled. The bulletin sent to Newcastle members can be read here.
Region 6 EA Update
After the combined 24 hour strike, TSA stopped using the services of the bargaining agent they had employed (an ex-liberal Victorian Senator), and unions are finally dealing with the company directly. This is a huge win and we might actually get somewhere instead of running in pointless circles as we have been for months.
The RTBU and TWU have also been working on unifying our respective Log of Claims, thereby doing much of the work of walking through how two sets of conditions are best combined to the benefit of ex-STA AND new employees. For our members in Region 6 we stand united.
We’ve had a single meeting in the new format which has accomplished more than the last year of bargaining combined, and we’re cautiously hopeful that the company is actually interested in coming to a negotiated settlement. Time will tell, but as long as members remain strong in their conviction to continue to fight for fairness, the union will lead that fight.
The next meeting will be held on the 14th of June.
Region 7 Bargaining Update
Busways presented a complete draft of its proposed agreement recently, which we are currently in the process of working through.
The document is long and contains many items compared to the STA Award, which we are costing out and mapping against conditions that members have told us are important to them.
We appreciate your patience during this ongoing process. We're doing our due diligence to ensure the best outcome for members.
An update will be provided when we have more information.
Region 7 Bargaining Update
Busways presented a complete draft of its proposed agreement recently, which we are currently in the process of working through.
The document is long and contains many items compared to the STA Award, which we are costing out and mapping against conditions that members have told us are important to them.
We appreciate your patience during this ongoing process. We're doing our due diligence to ensure the best outcome for members.
An update will be provided when we have more information.
Region 8 pay issues ongoing
Members in Region 8 held depot meetings this week about the pay issues that have been ongoing for over the last 7 months.
While the company has made improvements there are still ongoing systemic issues that need to be identified and addressed.
RTBU representatives will be meeting with KDNB payroll and finance officers next week to analyse how each payment type is being calculated. Any errors found will have the appropriate fix applied to the workforce.
Members have also demanded an external audit and this has been communicated to the company today. It remains the case that overpayments must be reclaimed with permission from the employee and this is not to cause financial hardship. That means 12 months should not be considered a hard deadline for repayments if it impacts your financial situation unduly.
If members start a payment timetable before the end of the financial year they will be liable for the net amount. If they start a payment timetable they will be liable for the gross amount. This is law according to the ATO because tax was taken out for this financial year.
All over/underpayments are subject to change, for example if we find errors in how certain payments are being made and it turns out a debt should be reduced or voided, then it will.
A bulletin will go out to members following the meeting next week.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
