Member Update: August 6, 2021

Dear Members,

This week has been a whirlwind of news and change. The pandemic continues to disrupt what we thought was the beginning of a new normal, and it may seem difficult and tedious to keep up with the flurry of announcements on the daily. To relieve some of this pile-on, you can read the latest COVID-19 update with key information for our members.

As usual, we're also continuing to monitor affected transport routes as they are updated on the NSW Health Case Location and Alert list. Because the situation is changing so quickly, please check comprehensive list of Public Health Orders and restrictions on the NSW Health website to stay up to date.

We're pleased to see members adhering to the health advice and we encourage you to keep it up in order to keep yourselves and the community safe. 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.

Due to the unique working conditions of bus operators, we have written to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance imploring him to prioritise vaccinations and rapid testing for the over 3000 bus operators employed by the State Government and private operators. You can read the letter here.

In case you missed it in the previous Express, the ACTU has put together a briefing note covering the limited support that is currently available for workers who are affected by recent COVID-19 outbreaks in their state or territory. You can view the ACTU fact sheet here to see what is currently available for members in each state and territory, including eligibility and how to apply.

And after feedback from members and delegates your Enterprise bargaining team have developed a log of claims which will be used to drive the upcoming negotiations with Keolis Downer, Newcastle. We will have member meetings at Depots in the next few weeks to explain the Log in more detail, but so we can get started please fill in this survey to let us know what you think before negotiations commence.

We are continuing to appeal to members to please give generously to the donation account we have set up for Michael Yammouni, a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian. All funds from the account will go towards Michael's legal defence. View the details on where to donate here.

We also encourage you to show your support for the RTBU campaign calling for the government to protect COVID-vulnerable workers. The petition targets workers with pre-existing conditions who are more susceptible to adverse effects from the virus. Implementing a financial support system similar to JobKeeper will allow them to remain safe at home and securely employed to ensure they can stay out of harm's way. As essential workers, we know that a way to ensure safe and secure employment in the face of adversity should be a right for all.

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

NSW Police patrolling transport networks

Members are advised the NSW Police force will be patrolling transport networks throughout NSW. According to a tweet by the Police Force, this police presence is to ensure Public Health Orders are being adhered to on trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

Vaccination Update

The RTBU continues to push for Transport Workers to be given priority for vaccinations, bus drivers in particular due to their working environment. As it stands, 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.

Government advice has changed this week, with Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) stating that all individuals aged 18 years and above in greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

This is on the basis of the increasing risk of COVID-19 and ongoing constraints of Comirnaty (Pfizer) supplies. In addition, people in areas where outbreaks are occurring can receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose, rather than the usual 12 weeks, to bring forward optimal protection.

Remember if you’re an STA employee, you can claim two hours pay for getting vaccinated on your day off or after a shift, and you should see your staff supervisor for more information about how to claim that. Private sector employees should have rosters allocate an RDO or a day off for a vaccine. Talk to your local roster clerk as soon as you know what date your vaccination appointment is.

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.

A Letter to Constance: Covid-19 Vaccine Priority for Bus Operators

RTBU Tram and Bus Divisional President Daniel Jaggers has written to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance requesting that bus drivers be identified as a priority employment category for vaccination and workplace rapid testing.

Over 3000 bus drivers employed by the State Government and Private Operators are at unique risk of contracting and/or transmitting the highly infectious Delta strain of COVID-19. Working environments of bus operators mean they are more susceptible to working in enclosed spaces with multiple passengers for a long period of time, increasing the chance of them becoming a close contact.

This is especially crucial as bus stops and passengers have the potential to cause a rapid increase in infections where a transmission event occurs. This is particularly the case when a few days are required for contact tracing and infected people are active in the community for some time before identification.

You can read the letter to Minister Constance here.

Keolis Downer Newcastle Log of Claims
Have your say!

After feedback from members and delegates your Enterprise bargaining team have developed a log of claims which will be used to drive the upcoming negotiations with Keolis Downer, Newcastle.

The most common response from members is that you don’t want to lose any conditions. This Log of Claims is about protecting what you currently have and seeking improvements and enhancements.

You can read and endorse the Log of Claims right here.

We will have member meetings at Depots in the next few weeks to explain the Log in more detail, but so we can get started please do fill in this survey to let us know what you think before negotiations commence

Letter of Offer for Region 8

Our members in Region 8 have recently received letters of offer from Keolis Downer while negotiations continue. Your RTBU Delegate and Officers engaged in these negotiations with an overarching goal of creating a Federal Enterprise Agreement. This will ensure the agreement is compliant with the federal system and incorporate the conditions and protections from the STA Award. Several key items have already been agreed on, with the remaining items to be discussed.

However there has been some confusion as to whether members should sign their letters of offer.

The RTBU has recommended that members do not sign the letters until they are advised to do so once negotiations are complete, though members may preemptively fill in the form so that it's ready to go if they wish to do so.

The union will not put members in a position where their conditions will be worse off. So, we strongly recommend sticking together and holding off on handing in the form until we have given the green light.

By acting in unity, we can and will get a better outcome.

You can read the relevant member bulletin here.

Rail and Road – Volume 114, No.2, June 2021

The latest edition of Rail and Road is available now.

Click here to read your copy.

NSW government to install 1000 new mobile speed camera warning signs

It seems common sense has prevailed. After a controversial decision nine months ago to stop warning drivers about one thing last year, NSW has ‘backflipped’ and made some big changes.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the nearly 1000 new permanent signs, as well as 360 digital signs used to warn drivers about speed cameras, would remind drivers they could be caught speeding “anywhere, anytime”.

“Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, with almost 50 per cent of fatalities last year caused by someone travelling at an inappropriate speed,” he said on Tuesday.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns called the move a “partial backflip” and urged the government to bring back portable warning signs as well.

"... the data is showing clearly that warning signs work to change driver behaviour and the fact the government is now putting signs back up is proof of this.”

Read the full article on News.com.au and see footage of Minister Constance speaking on the matter on Channel Nine News.

COVID Update – 31 July 2021

COVID went from bad to worse with case numbers growing and the number of people in the community while infectious remaining stubbornly high. Unfortunately, nothing the Government is trying seems to be working. It has become increasingly apparent that the delay in taking action when the outbreak first began was a terrible error by the Government.

As always, it is frontline workers who bear the brunt of Government mistakes. Transport workers are still, as they have always been, providing a vital service to the public in this trying time. Unfortunately, this week we saw a positive COVID case at Penrith Signal Box. Again, we did not see the transparency you would expect when people’s health is on the line, and it was left to the Railway rumour mill to distribute the information. Employers need to do better when they are faced with COVID cases, we deserve at least that.

COVID-19: Clarifications and new information on support available

There is a misconception by some people that the Public Health Orders are somehow illegal or do not have the force of law. The Public Health Orders are made pursuant to Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. Section 10 then makes it an offence to not comply with such an order. It is the law.

The RTBU suggests that if you are affected by this latest change that you get tested at a location either close to your depot or on the way to or from work. Hopefully this will limit the time you're spending waiting in queues at testing sites in Fairfield itself.

New ACTU guide on government COVID support

Recent COVID-19 outbreaks across Australia have again highlighted the inadequacy of the Morrison Government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing failure to look after Australian workers.

The ACTU has put together a briefing note covering the limited support that is currently available for workers who are affected by recent COVID-19 outbreaks in their state or territory.

A number of workers are entitled to unpaid pandemic leave through their relevant Modern Award.1 In March of 2021, the paid pandemic leave provisions operating in a number of health care sector awards (including the Aged Care Award 2010) expired.

ACTU fact sheet available here - with what is currently available for members in each state and territory, including eligibility and how to apply.

COVID-19: FAQs

We are constantly updating the COVID-19 frequently asked questions section of the website, so please make sure you head there and have a look. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Division office at nswbus@rtbu-nsw.asn.au.

Donations for TSA Driver Michael Yammouni

Donations are being collected to assist a TSA bus driver from Leichhardt bus depot. Michael has been involved in an accident that has tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

We’ve all had and seen near misses and know how easily this could happen to any one of us. The RTBU has set up an account for drivers to donate to and help with Michael’s legal defence. Add your name or depot location to the deposit reference field so Michael knows who has contributed.

Thank you for supporting our colleague as he traverses this most difficult of times.

View the details on where to donate on the Tram & Bus website.

Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.

In solidarity,

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers