Member Update: November 26, 2021

Dear Members,

We kicked off the week with the first day of protected industrial action alongside the TWU. Monday's are a pain generally, but we made sure to hit them right where it hurt by turning off the Opal machines in Regions 3 and 6 for 24 hours. There's nothing less desired than a dent in the pockets. 

Discussions are now being had about what the next steps in the campaign will be, What is clear is that we can't sit by and let a two-tiered workforce exist in region 6. Having bus drivers doing the same job on inferior wages and conditions is unacceptable, and Transit System's refusal to negotiate a fair outcome so far has left us with no choice but to take industrial action. Stay tuned for more information on this and please speak to your local delegate if you have any questions. 

On Wednesday we gathered at Hyde park for the Rally to Save our Buses with Member for Coogee, Marjorie O'Neill. Fighting against bus privatisation has been one of our main missions and we're determined to make noise and make change until the NSW Government acknowledges that an attack on bus routes is an attack on workers and the public. A safe and reliable public transport network is a a cornerstone of everyday life. Slashing 24 services and at least 50 bus stops can fragment a community who just want to get about on their day, and the workers who keep the services moving.

As always, we encourage you to keep up the good work and follow the public health orders as the number of people travelling out and about increases. Please also pay attention to any exposure sites you may have attended in a personal capacity. This helps to continue keeping yourselves, your loved ones, your colleagues, and the public safe and healthy.

For those who may need a bit of extra support, or if you think your wellbeing has taken a hit over the last few months, we encourage you to reach out to a loved one, a mate, or to one of the services available to you.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

Reporting back: Rally to Save our Buses

On Wednesday, we joined Member for Coogee Marjorie O'Neill at the rally to save our buses at Hyde Park.

Privatisation has been a key issue for the union and we're always ready to join the call to save the 24 routes and at least 50 bus stops in danger of being slashed by the NSW Government starting in December. 

Public transport is an important asset to our society. Workers have a right to keep their jobs safe from the chopping block, and the public has a right to reliable services that take them where they need to go every day. 

Tram and Bus Division Secretary, David Babineau said it was fantastic to see workers, MPs and supporters turn out to the rally. 

"The NSW Government's attack on our bus services is far-reaching and is having a significant impact on services across Sydney, particularly in areas like the eastern suburbs.

"The attack on our buses is not only impacting commuters, but it's also impacting drivers. Service cuts also mean a cut to our work. Commuters and workers deserve better." 

The bottom line is every route we can save is more work for drivers, and we’ll soon see exactly how much existing shifts are going to be cut. The network changes will hit driver journals around December 5th 2021.

Region 6 industrial action to escalate

Although it may have seemed futile on the ground to drivers with customers not noticing that Opal machines were turned off instead of just not working, it had the desired impact. Media coverage was on our side and even conservative outlets gave us a good run. TSA has threatened to take 31% of drivers pay for that day, and the RTBU and TWU are fighting that in the FWC. The idea that 31% of your day as a driver is spent using the Opal machines is ridiculous and that’s what any pay reduction has to be based on.

We’re currently doing the rounds for depot meetings trying to educate members about Work to Rule and flagging stoppages later in the week. While the HSC is going on, we don’t want to impact that because we want to be talking about kids on buses we want to be talking about OUR issues. We’ll be moving forward with stoppages including a 24hour stoppage in the near future. Members should talk to their delegates to discuss the timeline for action.

Click here to see an example of the media in The Sydney Morning Herald

Elected Randwick Tram Delegate

In other Tram news, elections were called for nominations for RTBU delegate at Randwick tram depot. Only one nomination was received and that was for the previously acting delegate Eddie Carr. Clearly, he’s been doing a decent job because no one else wanted to run against him! Congratulations to Eddie and we look forward to his contributions to our union and supporting him in the fights for his members.

Pyrmont Tram EA Vote

The RTBU has endorsed the latest EA offered by the company. We consider this to be a good deal for workers with vital improvements in clauses as well as a fair pay deal that has addressed all the claims that were made by members. Voting opened today for employees and hopefully we can report a good result next week.

Transdev & John Holland win the East

In what was the worst kept secret in transport lately, a joint venture between Transdev and John Holland has been awarded the contract to run the Region 9 (Eastern Suburbs) bus service. Transdev have flagged they like the KD approach in the Northern beaches that saw a smooth transition, no two-tiered workforce, and a drag and drop of conditions into the Federal System (which will be voted on soon in the north). Time will tell how we go, but the company has dealt with us fairly in the Tram space, so a working relationship already exists. Hopefully we can turn that into positive outcomes for workers, especially after TfNSW and STA have butchered rosters so badly.

Gift Card Reminder

Don’t forget to activate your RTBU gift card by the end of this month if you haven’t already!

Mandatory Vaccination: TfNSW Mandatory Vaccination Policy

Please note the following article deals with mandatory vaccination for public sector workers. At this stage this does NOT include Keolis Downer or Busways workers.

Yesterday afternoon Transit Systems made it known that they would be following the TfNSW position but in a slightly different way. The union is reviewing their position and will issue advice to members early next week.

As part of the dispute lodged with STA and TfNSW, the Tram & Bus division has received a letter from TfNSW outlining the next steps for employees who are not vaccinated. That letter says-

“In respect to vaccination, the Policy requires that by 6 December 2021, employees are to:

1. provide evidence of being fully vaccinated; or

2. provide evidence of having at least one (1) dose of vaccination against COVID-19 and then be fully vaccinated in accordance with the recommended timeframe between vaccinations; or

3. have submitted an exemption request from the requirement to be vaccinated.”

Exemption requests can be more than medically related, for example if you’re waiting on Novavax to become available. The Union has NO INPUT AT ALL into the exemption process. The letter says this about how to lodge a request-

“To submit a request for exemption, an employee is to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration Form and submit an exemption request. Once submitted it goes to the review panel to consider and remains confidential. This panel is led by the People & Culture Division, consisting of representatives from the business, legal, People & Culture and Safety teams, who will consider the role and the exemption that is being applied for.

The review panel will objectivity evaluate the exemption sought in partnership with any other relevant subject matter experts. A decision is then made which will be communicated to the employee and their manager for further discussion and action.

Where an exemption request is approved, consultation will occur with the employee to determine whether suitable alternative work with additional controls can be provided.

The situation will then be reviewed up to six months in the case of medical contraindication and up to three months in the case of other exemptions. During this period, whether or not suitable alternative work with additional controls can be provided, the employee will continue to receive their salary or master roster.

Where an exemption request is declined, engagement will occur with the employee on the outcome and a direction to comply with the Policy will be given. If the employee meets the requirements of the Policy, they will be able to resume work. If not, the employee has the option of taking accrued annual or long service leave or unpaid leave. Alternatively, the employee will not be paid. On 7 February 2022, their situation will be reviewed. This may lead to a situation that results in the termination of their employment for failing to comply with a reasonable and lawful direction.”

Members seeking exemptions should contact their employer ASAP about getting the relevant paperwork and should submit that paperwork as directed as soon as possible. If by December 6th you don’t fall into one of the 3 categories (mentioned earlier in this article), you will be on leave or leave without pay if you have no leave available.

Because of the bus privatisation, Region 9 (the East) will be the only region captured by this policy on February 7th 2022 (out of all current STA employees). If by then you have not complied, then TfNSW makes it clear that termination is on the cards.

Understand, this is not a fight about what people are paid, it’s a fight for people to keep their jobs.

The Union remains pro-vaccination and pro-choice. The union also understands that from a WHS perspective, vaccination is not the be all and end all of safety control measures that can be used to protect drivers from COVID in the current environment. There is no reason for example, why unvaccinated employees cannot wear masks, be regularly tested, and physical distance in the workplace to keep everyone safe.

Paperwork is being prepared to dispute the policy via the IRC.

Vaccination Reminder

Bus drivers, due to their working environment, are at particular risk. Members are encouraged to sign up for the appropriate vaccination for your circumstances ASAP. The sooner you’re protected, the sooner your family is. Members who for health reasons are eligible for priority vaccination are encouraged to make an appointment. Vaccinated employees with health risks are considered safe to attend work. Employees not yet vaccinated who have health issues should approach their staff supervisors or line managers to discuss what options are available.

If the Pfizer vaccine is suitable for you, the STA have designated appointments available for you to get vaccinated. Contact your local manager for more information.

Please stay safe and stay vigilant. Bring any issues or concerns to the attention of your local delegate, including any hot spots where you see consistent non-compliance of mask wearing by passengers on buses or at bus stops.

Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers