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Member Update: April 29, 2022
Dear Members,
For those who had the chance to get out and about, or know others who did, we also hope you enjoyed the free public transport over the last few days brought to you by the diligence and resilience of RTBU members.
We're wrapping up the week with more EA news as multiple bargaining meetings progress.
In Newcastle, the Protected Action Ballot closed on Wednesday at 2pm. The outcome was a resounding YES from members, and now it's time to take action. Starting next next Wednesday, two actions will run for an indefinite period; until we tell the members to stop. If you need to refresh your memory, full details of the revised offer from KD are available here.
In Region 6, we’re finally getting some movement on bargaining and more actions are on their way! Further details and a link to the latest member bulletin can be found in this Express.
In Region 7, our second bargaining meeting took place last Wednesday 20th April. Busways presented its comparison of the Driver/Mentor EA with the State Transit Copied Award. Remember, any conditions in both agreements that are similar or the same will form the basis of any new EA for all workers in Region 7. Next week there will be a survey to members to endorse our Log of Claims before we present it to Busways.
In Region 9, the NERR was sent to employees to notify them that bargaining was commencing. This is in line with the RTBU plan to avoid a 2-tier workplace and deliver STA condition going forward. The final document should be available for review by members next week. TJHB are also scrambling to rectify payroll issues. The last thing they want at the beginning of taking over is to have workers angry about not getting paid right and they’re doing the right thing by being honest with workers about the issues. Of course, it’s better we have no pay issues at all and we’re talking directly with them as they fix each issue. You can read their bulletin to staff here.
CMET in Canberra will be sent a Log of Claims survey next week as we gather a list from members about what they want fixed in their workplace. CMET is coming from a Greenfield Agreement so this will be the first time workers will have a say in what they want changed.
As we enter the next phase of "new normal", as of 6pm last Friday 22nd April close contact isolation rules in NSW have changed for people who are household contacts of a positive case. Household and close contacts do not need to self-isolate if they do not have any symptoms, but must follow NSW Health household and close contact guidelines for 7 days from the last time someone in your household tested positive to COVID-19, or as otherwise directed by NSW Health if you are a close contact. The full details of self-isolation rules in NSW is available here.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Region 6 EA Update
The previous bargaining meeting scheduled for Tuesday 19th April was cancelled by the company and the next meeting is scheduled for May 18 2022. In an important development, the company is no longer using the services of a bargaining representative and is going to sit down with unions directly at the next meeting to try and reset the discussions and lay some groundwork that will actually deliver results going forward. Both unions have been meeting to unify our logs of claim and work to get the best deal for all members across the line. As always, members will have the final say.
Region 7 bargaining update
Our second bargaining meeting took place on Wednesday 20th April.
Busways presented its comparison of the Driver/Mentor EA with the State Transit Copied Award. We’re expecting for the company to present a fleshed out offer for consideration sometime in the next three weeks. We’ll be going over that and comparing it to what we have, and discussing the offer with members in depot meetings. In the meantime it’s a bit like the cold war- not much obvious going on but a lot happening behind the scenes.
Next week there will be a survey to members to endorse our Log of Claims before we formally present it to Busways. We’ll also be looking to clarify things like the several issues that have come up over the artic roster, and things we’ve learned from the Region 8 and 9 process.
A special bulletin will go out to Region 7 members next week to discuss where we’re at and what we expect to happen going forward.
Region 9 bargaining update
Transdev John Holland Buses (TJHB) has sent out the NERR, which is a legal requirement to let all employees know that bargaining is going to commence.
As we know, this isn’t bargaining in the usual sense and we have a document that’s being checked for typos before being put out for members to review. That should be available next week to give members plenty of time to go through it.
Depot meetings will be organised for members to offer feedback and hopefully we can continue with the roadmap that has worked in Region 8, to deliver the STA conditions to workers in the East into the future.
Newcastle EA and Protected Action Ballot Update
Voting for the Protected Action Ballot closed on Wednesday 27 April at 2pm. Members were asked to vote on 2 actions that you are willing to take to help progress your claims.
- Taking protected industrial action in the form of an unlimited number of stoppages of work of 1 to 24 hours in duration; and
- Bans or limitations on the manner in which work is undertaken (covers all other forms of industrial action that doesn’t affect safety)
The outcome was a resounding YES, and now it's time for action. The actions listed below will be carried out indefinitely - meaning they will only stop once member are notified of actions ending.
As with every series of protected action we do, we stand together as a united front putting pressure on Keolis Downer in a visible signal of our numbers and our power.
The first action starts next Wednesday 4th May with a ban on wearing uniform indefinitely.
Wednesday 4 May - Not wearing uniform indefinitely; wearing union paraphernalia indefinitely
Thursday 5 May - No attending office for any reason, unless for matters of safety, indefinitely
A bulletin was sent to members containing further details, which you can read here. We will advise members of any future actions we plan to take beyond these listed.
Save the Date: Hunter Workers May Day March - Sunday May 1 , 2022
Hunter Workers is holding a May Day Parade on May Day, Sunday 1st March.
All members and their families are invited to join the parade to celebrate the ever-valuable contribution of workers to society as a whole.
Assemble: Newcastle Museum
Time: 10am
March: Wharf Rd to Camp Shortland (Nobbys Beach)
May Day was born out of the struggle for shorter working hours in the early 1800's in Australia and was the turning point to establish the Newcastle Trades Hall Council 152 years ago. This day commemorates workers' rights and the labour movement, as well as the ongoing actions to improve the social and economic conditions of workers across the country and around the world. One popular cause that this day commemorates is the eight-hour workday.
The running sheet for the event is outlined below.
Camp Shortland May Day Carnival/ Family Day
11am
- Hunter Workers President Welcome
- Hunter Workers Secretaries Address
- Speakers
11:30am
- Entertainment
11am - 1:30PM
- Carnival Rides
- Face Painting
- Food Vans
News: Funding for Parramatta light rail extension hangs in balance
The second stage of Parramatta light rail is among projects which could be further delayed under plans by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to push back large infrastructure builds amid rising construction costs and labour shortages.
Corrections Minister and member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the delayed second stage of the Parramatta light rail project was one of the biggest issues across the area and would probably influence votes.
“We have not, at this stage, received a request from the NSW state government in relation to Parramatta light rail stage two,” Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said, adding that states needed to put forward proposals based on business cases if they wanted funding from the Commonwealth for projects.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
