Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
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Member Update: October 8, 2021
Dear Members,
We're on the cusp of the first official easing of COVID restrictions in NSW on October 11. Case numbers have dwindled since the period of a worrying 1,000+ cases per day, and we must now turn our attention to working with the virus constantly circulating in the community when the state begins its reopening. However, cases are still being recorded within the transport industry. Rapid antigen testing trials continue at the four selected sites before they become more readily available from November.
In the midst of this, Andrew Constance has resigned from state government and his position as the NSW Transport Minister for another potential stint in federal parliament. Constance is another domino down following the resignation of former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Many have been coming out celebrating his "successes", so we thought we might do the same and applaud him for leaving behind a messy pile including the controversial light rail infrastructure plans, the privatisation of all Government bus services, the expensive and contaminated light rail depot at Camellia, and the sweeping-under-the-rug of fresh allegations that he and the former Premier knew about the safety risks of establishing the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE).
Negotiations with Transdev have been moving along, with another meeting happening as of the distribution of this Express regarding alternative offers. Protected action by Pyrmont Depot members has continued up to this point. We will advise members of the outcome of this meeting as we come away with new information.
And STA has chalked down staff training to a simple video. We aren't convinced that this version of online training is fit for purpose and highly recommend that members who must conduct this "training" do so not on their personal devices, rather on a device provided by the employer.
It's baby steps back to a "new-new-normal" and we understand that the winding back of restrictions can be daunting. We highly encourage you to seek support if you need it - in a loved one, in a mate, or in one of the services available to you.
You know the drill! Wear a mask as required, social distance where possible, and, where you can, pay attention to exposure sites in case you may have attended any of them personally.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL UPDATE FOR ALL GREATER SYDNEY WORKPLACES
Please see THIS UPDATE for important news on working conditions from 11 of October 2021.
David Jackson elected Workplace Delegate at Wickham Tram Depot
A big congratulations to David Jackson!
David has been elected as Workplace Delegate at the Wickham Tram Depot.
David is ready to hit the ground running and is looking forward to be a representative of the workers at Wickham Depot.
We have no doubt he'll be going all in towards achieving good workplace outcomes for members.
Pyrmont Tram Depot: An update on the Transdev EA
We met with Transdev on Wednesday 6 October, with both parties going away from that meeting with the expectation that Transdev will come back to the bargaining table today in regards to alternative offers.
This meeting is happening at the time of this Express' distribution.
Protected industrial action by Pyrmont Tram Depot members - such as the bans on wearing uniforms, overtime, cleaning hazardous waste, and using the Transdev app - has continued up to this point.
We will keep updating members on the outcomes of these meetings.
STA training video is insufficient
It has come to our attention that operators have been implementing training for workers by simply asking them to watch a video.
We believe that this does not constitute proper training as employees are limited in their capacity to engage with the training outside of the video content - for example, asking questions during or before the "training".
We recommend that members do not use their personal devices to watch the training video, and instead seek an alternative device provided by the employer.
COVID Update
8 October 2021
The new Premier of NSW seems keen to make a good impression and it’s full steam ahead for the first easing of restrictions to occur for fully vaccinated people on 11 October 2021. Significant restrictions will be lifted at that time; however we’ll have to wait for the 80% mark to be reached before we see a significant shift back to normal life. From 1 December 2021, most restrictions will be lifted for all people, vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Members can find more information on the 80% and 1 December easing of restrictions here.
Unfortunately, we are still seeing cases pop up across the transport industry. This week there are at least 10 active cases in the bus network.
As previously reported, rapid antigen testing was set up in 4 new sites. We have been informed that rapid antigen testing on those sites showed up 3 positive cases, however follow up COVID testing exposed them as false positives. Transport is predicting that from 1 November 2021, rapid antigen testing will be allowed to be performed unsupervised opening the door for this type of testing to become more widespread. There is a danger that companies will expect employees to do frequent testing in their own time, which is something the union is opposed to. It is the employer’s obligation to keep the workplace safe and provide the mechanism for employees to get tested, and that should be done on paid time which is something we’re continuing to push for in all workplaces.
With the reopening of the state now all but guaranteed to happen in the next couple of months, our attention will have to turn to working with the virus constantly circulating in the community. Some employers are making contingency plans for COVID outbreaks in critical workplaces such as Network Control Centres. If your employer is doing this, make sure that your HSRs and delegates are involved, and if in doubt, contact your local delegate. Obviously it’s in everyone’s interests to ensure a safe workplace, but we always need to be on the lookout for management trying to take advantage of the situation.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance quits state politics for tilt at federal seat
New South Wales MP Andrew Constance has confirmed he will quit state politics to run at the next federal election. He also confirmed he would not contest the NSW Liberal leadership, following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian, and would tender his resignation this week.
However, Mr Constance said he would remain the Member for Bega, the seat he has held for 17 years, until the end of the parliamentary session, because the peak of the pandemic "wasn't the time for by-elections".
Mr Constance entered cabinet when the Coalition took office in NSW in 2011, and held the role of treasurer for a year before becoming Transport Minister.
‘Not worthy’: Dominello damns plans for $100m bus interchange in Sydney’s north
NSW Customer Service Minister and Member for Ryde Victor Dominello has lashed out at plans for a $100 million bus interchange at Macquarie Park, describing them as “not worthy” for the fast-growing area and demanding that his ministerial colleague revise them.
His intervention follows criticism from Ryde Council that Transport for NSW had discarded two designs it had proposed for the bus interchange and precinct upgrade at Macquarie Park. He urged then-Transport Minister Andrew Constance to rethink his agency’s proposal, and urged people to sign a petition to “push for a fit-for-purpose” transport and community hub for Macquarie Park.
“A fit-for-purpose transport/community hub will enhance our local interactions to create a modern-day innovation village,” he said in a circular to constituents in Ryde.
Construction of the interchange is due to start late next year and be completed by the end of 2024.
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.
Donations for TSA Driver Michael Yammouni: Thank you!
TSA Leichhardt depot bus driver Michael Yammouni would like to thank all members who made a generous donation towards his legal defence.
Helping those who are navigating through difficult time really shows how ready members are to support each other.
Michael will always appreciate those who came together to support him through the legal process.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
