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Member Update: September 9, 2022
Dear Members,
It's been another productive week, with further Enterprise Agreement meetings on the boil.
In Region 6, a meeting was held at the request of the company between union officials and management. See more below.
In case you missed it: View some pictures and videos of the strike action on the Tram & Bus website here.
For Region 7, we met with Busways today. We used today's meeting to go over their redrafted EA after taking into account the union's position on their original proposal. This process will continue on Monday next week after which we’ll have a bulletin for members.
And in Randwick Trams, we're ready to welcome our next Delegate. Expressions of Interest are now open for the role, so if you've ever thought about becoming a union Delegate this is your chance to put your name down!
On Monday, a firetruck collided with a light rail vehicle at the Haymarket intersection. Thankfully there were no fatalities. Our thoughts are with the driver of the LRV, and the passengers and fire truck crew who needed medical assistance on the scene. You can read more details as reported on ABC News.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Region 6 EA Update
Last week we took strike action with the TWU with two peak-hour stoppages between 4am-7am and 2:30pm-5:30pm.
Since then, a meeting was held on Monday at the request of TSA. This was not a bargaining meeting, but was to try and set things up so bargaining can progress faster. It’s been over 18 months and if things don’t progress then the RTBU has no problem leading members out the door again.
Region 7 EA Update
We met with Busways today with the aim of going over their redrafted EA after taking into account the union's position on their original proposal.
We'll be holding depot meetings over the coming weeks to field questions and seek direction from members going forward.
We also raised the issue of Busways seeking to trial laminated journals, which for a variety of reasons we think is a bad idea. This issue is in dispute.
The union has also raised (yet again), the issue of artic shifts being paid only if you drive an artic bus. The union is confident there are grounds to dispute this formally and if we don’t get anywhere next week then that is the next step.
So far the company has been more co-operative than not, so a solution may be negotiated.
Annual Randwick Road Race
On Thursday we attended the annual Randwick Road Race held by the Bus Institute to show our support and continue our longstanding relationship with the Institute.
The Road Race took runners from 9 depots (Randwick, Kingsgrove, Waverley, Port Botany, Brookvale, Tempe, Willoughby, Leichhardt and Ryde) on a course of 8.4km around the perimeter of Centennial Park.
We're always supportive of the Bus Institute, and always make a contribution to the prize money to be won on race day.
It was a great day out and we were very lucky to have the rain making way for some much-needed sunshine.
You can view some pictures of all the action on the Tram & Bus website.
Until next year...!
Randwick Trams - EOI for Workplace Delegate
An expression of interest has gone out for tram members in Randwick Tram Depot to nominate for workplace delegate. If more than one person nominates for the role, a ballot will be held.
If you've ever considered being a union delegate, here's your chance to get involved!
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
