Tram and Bus Express: News and views from life in the bus & tram lanes
No images? Click here
Member Update: August 20, 2021
Dear Members,
COVID-19 has seeped into the Leichhardt, Tempe, Waverley and Ryde Depots. As the spread of the Delta variant worsens we are working hard to ensure that members' physical, emotional and financial health is addressed.
We've been in contact with both Transit Systems and State Transit, and can confirm that those members who are close and casual contacts required to isolate due to a positive Covid-19 within the depot will be paid. Please contact your local Delegate for details.
Members will not have to utilise any of their personal leave for the time they are away from work due to a positive COVID-19 case within the workplace.
The RTBU has also partnered with Union Health – the fairer health fund for union members and their families - to ensure our members are looked after by a health fund that’s owned by members, with union values at the core of everything they do.
Information on testing requirements for transport workers have been released by TfNSW. You can read the updated requirements and types of testing here.
We appreciate the great work members have been doing to keep yourselves and the community safe. As always, 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.
Nominations have now opened for the Casual Vacancy Election at Tempe Bus Depot. You can learn more about how to nomination here. Nominations will close at 5pm AEST on August 31st.
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 hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Casual Vacancy Election: Tempe Bus Depot
Nominations for the Sub-Divisional Representative on Branch Divisional Committee at Tempe Bus Depot are open.
Nominations must reach the Returning Officer via the lodgement method(s) stipulated below not later than 5:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on 31/08/2021.
How to lodge nominations, nominations must be lodged via the following method(s):
By Portal: Australian Electoral Commission Portal, www.aec.gov.au
By Email: A properly completed nomination form including all necessary signatures and attachments may be scanned and submitted as a pdf file to IEBnominations@aec.gov.au The subject line for the email should read “E2020/132 Nomination” and include your name.
TfNSW Health Update: Testing requirements for Transport employees
Transport for NSW has released new information on COVID-19 testing for transport workers.
There are a number of circumstances in which workers may need to be tested for COVID-19. Please read the fact sheet carefully for everything you need to know about the different types of testing, information on each and how they apply to you.
Transit Systems Work-Related COVID-19 Payments
Early last week, RTBU Officials received confirmation that the COVID-19 pandemic had spread to depots in Region 6 – specifically Leichhardt and Tempe.
Understandably this is an uncertain and worrying time for impacted members from both a health and financial perspective.
As indicated in last weeks’ notice, we have been in contact with Transit Systems and can confirm that those members who were required to isolate due to a positive Covid-19 within the depot will be paid as outlined on the Tram & Bus website.
COVID-19 infiltrates Depots
In the week commencing on 9th August, COVID-19 spread its tentacles amongst our members at the Leichhardt and Tempe Depots, and Waverley and Ryde Depots.
As of today, we had over 200 bus operators from Leichhardt and approximately 50 staff from Tempe depots being required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days which commenced from when they were first exposed. This is the first time we have had a mass group of bus operators required to self-isolate at the same time.
Due to the extraordinary numbers of bus operators isolating, the Leichhardt depot has been forced to operate on a Sunday timetable from 16 August with the small amount of bus operators they have left that can work. This will continue until those bus operators self-isolating are permitted by NSW Health to return.
The union would like to send our thoughts and wishes for those members and their families who currently are having to deal with the COVID-19 virus, together with those members in self-isolation awaiting test results.
If any member requires assistance during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact your local delegate or the union head office. It is important to know that help is not far away in the face of adversity. You can also access support here- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
As the outbreak worsens across NSW and within the other regions, we do not doubt that more incidents will occur across the network (Ryde Depot as of today is seeing the latest outbreak). It is in these times we need to be supportive of each other and remember that we are all part of our work families and as families we all stick together.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your delegate or the office.
Please stay safe and take care.
REMINDER: Keolis Downer Newcastle Log of Claims - Have your say!
A log of claims which will be used to drive the upcoming negotiations with Keolis Downer Newcastle has been developed.
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.
If you haven't already please fill in this survey to let us know what you think before negotiations commence.
COVID-19 and Union Health
Still no good news on the COVID-19 front. There was an additional 390 cases on Friday, and another 466 cases today. There are still only a small proportion of these in isolation meaning that we are likely to see even higher numbers over the coming days. This morning, the Government reduced the existing 10km rule to 5km for Greater Sydney, further restricting our movement without a reasonable excuse.
Although the vaccine rollout is still woefully inadequate, it does seem to be accelerating, which is a good thing if we ever want to get out of this crisis.
Unfortunately, NSW is in a mess, and the leadership required to get us out is sadly absent. This is not something we will get out of by chance, it will take a concerted and well-planned course of action. Let’s just hope that somebody steps up to the plate.
As usual, remember your health and safety is our highest priority. If you have any COVID related issues, please get in touch with your delegate.
The RTBU also sent members a quick update about the union’s health fund last Saturday.
The union wants to ensure our members are looked after by a health fund that’s owned by members, with union values at the core of everything they do.
That’s why the RTBU has now partnered with Union Health – the fairer health fund for union members and their families.
Vaccination Reminder
Bus drivers in particular 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.
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.
Hundreds of NSW transport staff isolating after COVID-19 test worker positive
Hundreds more NSW transport staff have been forced into isolation after a person conducting COVID-19 tests on workers at Sydney’s Central Station was confirmed as a positive case.
NSW TrainLink regional rail staff were on Saturday alerted to the exposure, which has resulted in more than 20 regional and interstate services being cancelled a day after the entire state was thrust into a week-long lockdown.
Transport for NSW on Sunday confirmed more than 260 TrainLink staff had been affected after coming into contact with an employee of an “external provider” who had tested positive.
The note revealed the extent of the exposure, listing eight days between August 4 and 13 as potential exposures.
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.
There is a lot of confusion about movements and requirements under the new Public Health Orders, please check the latest information.
If you must have proof of your COVID-19 test, you must show the proof of your test when asked:
- At your workplace by your manager (occupier), or
- To a police officer
You do not need to get the results of your COVID-19 test before going to or staying at work.
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
