Member Update: 20 December

Dear Members, 

We trust that you are in good health and high spirits! As the year comes to an end, the Union has been busy with many updates to report on. 

On a positive note, members recently voted a resounding YES on the draft enterprise agreement for the Keolis Downer Light Rail EA. You can read the latest on this down below.

Shifting our focus to Region 8, the ongoing payroll issue is on our radar. The payroll problems, for which the company is responsible, continue to persist. Further details are provided below.

In other news, an important meeting was held to discuss the first draft of the Transdev Light Rail Agreement. Members can find the latest details in the linked bulletin below.

Moving on to Region 7, negotiations are as complex as ever, involving multiple stakeholders. The Union is determined to fight for the best possible solution. Find all the details in the bulletin below.

Finally, we've included a bulletin for members looking to work on NYE. It's crucial to be aware of what you are entitled to and ensure you receive what you are owed. Refer to the included bulletin for more information.

We wish all our members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We know that many of you will be working throughout the festive season, but we hope you will have time to spend time with your loved ones! And as always, we hope you are staying safe and well - and if you have any issues or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.

Keolis Downer Light Rail Update

As previously reported, the ballot for the draft enterprise agreement, held on December 12, yielded an overwhelmingly positive result with nearly unanimous support from our members—a resounding YES vote. While we acknowledge that the draft agreement may not have included every claim we had hoped for, we recognise the significance of the inclusion of back pay as a crucial aspect of the offer.

Throughout the entire bargaining and voting process, one undeniable aspect has shone through—the remarkable unity demonstrated by our members. Your collective commitment, hard work, and patience is what delivered significant improvements to the last Agreement.

Paperwork was returned to the company today and we expect the Agreement to be lodged with the Fair Work Commission this week. Once ratified, members will have the backpay and scheduled pay rises delivered.

Region 8 Payroll Dispute Update

The payroll saga in Region 8 continues although we’re sure we all wish it wouldn’t.

KDNB are required to speak to all members that were affected by over and underpayments by the company and have flagged that they will be able to speak to everyone by March 2024. We will be reporting back to the Fair Work Commission towards the end of March 2024.

As previously advised, we recommend members do not pay back any money until there is definite confirmation that they were overpaid. It is also important to note that the company should be giving advice on how tax adjustments will work.

Members should be mindful that repayments should not put financial strain on you or your family, and you should only pay back any proven debt at a rate you can afford. If that’s $1.00 a week, then that’s what it is.

A special thank you to our local delegates who have been working tirelessly on the ground to protect members from claims by the company that have proven to be wrong.

Recently the new delegate at Mona Vale turned a member debt of over 13k into a credit of around $500! Yet more proof that the audit was flawed because the wrong information was provided by the company.

If any member who has been affected feels there have been any discrepancies throughout this process, please reach out to the union office or your local delegate for assistance.

Transdev Lightrail Update 

Recently a meeting was held between RTBU officials and company management. This was to go over the 1^st draft of the EA and discuss at a high level the position of the RTBU and Transdev in relation to some of the more difficult subjects, chief among these being the difference in pay between drivers on L1 and those on L2/3, as well as the proposed rates for L4 in Parramatta.

The next bargaining meeting be preceded by a caucus between the various workgroup representatives to go over outstanding items and strategies on how to pursue them.

See today’s bulletin here.

Region 7 Update

Well, Region 7 is officially the most complicated negotiation ever and it seems the only people not involved in the discussions on how to fix it are the current opposition party that made it all happen.

We have Busways, Transport for NSW, a couple of government ministers all trying to work out how we make Labor's promise of ending two-tiered workplaces a reality, and the RTBU doing everything it can to make SURE it happens.

See today’s bulletin here for the latest update on that process.

NYE Bus Driver shifts

Don’t want to drive a bus this NYE? No problem!

In spite of what some companies have been saying to their employees, NYE falls on a Sunday and Sunday work is voluntary overtime.

See today’s bulletin here.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Peter Grech