Member Update: 18 August 2023

Dear Members, 

We trust you've had a good week.

This week, the Bus Taskforce unveiled its first report, confirming what we've long known. The outcomes were as expected – the repercussions of privatisation linger on, leading to fewer drivers and unjust payment systems due to past government decisions. It's time for action, and action is what the Union is committed to.

On a different note, Keolis Downer Hunter has presented their proposed work agreement for worker review ahead of next week's vote. The Union isn't backing this agreement, as we believe the company can do better. If you're dissatisfied with the proposal, a resounding NO vote will urge the company to strive for improvements. Check out the article below for more details, and be sure to download the accompanying bulletin.

Furthermore, we're thrilled to announce the approval of the EA in Region 6! Anticipate the backpay and sign-on bonus connected with the EA to be processed by September 19th.

Out in Region 7, a fresh application for a protected action ballot is near completion and will be submitted on Monday. 

In the Northern Beaches, our members have been grappling with persistent payroll issues for nearly two years. The confusion arising from the use of separate documents for earnings calculation continues to affect drivers. While the union has taken legal action by sending a lawyer's letter to the company, the challenge remains in holding the company accountable within legal bounds.

The union accepted an offer for our Redfern premises that significantly exceeded market value. As a result, we've acquired a Registered Training Organisation. Along with this, our division will be relocating to the Pitt St office (currently occupied by the NSW Branch) by the end of the year.

Stay tuned for more updates and progress. Your continued engagement strengthens our collective efforts.

First Bus Taskforce Report Released

The findings from this week's Bus Taskforce Report comes as no surprise to both long-suffering commuters and bus drivers who have long advocated for better pay and improved working conditions.

Remember how they sold us the idea that privatization would lead to better services? Well, we're stuck with fewer drivers and a messed-up payment system that treats drivers unfairly depending on where they work.

The privatisation of the bus industry during the previous Liberal government's tenure is undeniably at the core of the issues we are facing in the industry now. 

And while it is positive to see the NSW Government nodding in agreement with the report's main points, but we can't just stop at agreements. We need real action to fix these ongoing issues caused by the cost-cutting from privatisation.

The bottom line: Public transport is a vital service, and it should never have been handed off to private companies. The Minns Labor government needs to step up, break away from the old profit-driven mindset, and return public transport to public control.

Newcastle Light Rail Update

Keolis Downer Hunter has put the Enterprise Agreement we have been negotiating out for review by workers before a vote next week. The RTBU is not endorsing this EA, we feel there are more things the company should have agreed to. If members there are not happy with the document they read, they need to tell the company in no uncertain terms! A strong NO vote will send a clear message for KDH to do better. You can read the bulletin sent to Newcastle Tram members by clicking below.

Region 6 EA approved by FWC

The EA in Region 6 has been approved by the Fair Work Commission, giving the company 6 months from now to put the two rosters back together. Unions will be directly involved in this process.

Members can expect the backpay and sign on bonus associated with the EA to be paid on the 19^th of September.

Region R7 Protected Action Ballot 

A new application for a protected action ballot is almost complete and will be submitted first thing Monday in order to comply with a legal technicality.

Confirm your membership details with the office ASAP on- (02)9264-2511 or (02)9319-7277.

Region 8 Payroll Dispute

Members who have been suffering with almost 2 years of payroll issues are still living the dream in the Northern Beaches. Payroll issues persist and the use of two separate documents to tell people what they earned is making it almost impossible for drivers to work out what they have earned.

Today a letter was sent from our lawyer to the company which can be read down below.

The hard thing is that every time the company screws something up they try and fix it. Because of that legally it’s hard for the union to punish them for it. The system wasn’t designed for workers and it seems as long as the company is trying to fix its mistakes then they can just keep on making them.

We’re waiting on specialist accounting advice and pending that we’ll lodge the matter with the Fair Work Commission.

Sale of the Redfern Building

As previously reported, the RTBU National Executive made the decision to accept an offer for the Redfern premises that was significantly above market value. The upshot of this is that the RTBU has now bought a Registered Training Organisation to corner the market on delivering quality training in the industries we cover, specifically Rail. The downside is the division has to move out.

We’ll be relocating to the Pitt St office that the rest of the NSW Branch occupies before the end of the year.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Peter Grech