News and views from the bus and tram lanes
No images? Click here
Member Update: April 8, 2022
Dear Members,
On Monday 11 April, Region 6 members are striking for 24 hours. We cannot sit back and allow the subpar conditions in Region 6 to continue, and so we're taking action as a united front with bus drivers from across the private sector. The NSW Government has created situations where you have workers doing exactly the same job on different rates of pay and conditions. We're calling it out for what it is - it simply isn't fair. Bus drivers who do the exact same work should not be segmented by a privatised network. Remember, this is Region 6 drivers only, but if you work in another region and have the day off you’re welcome to come and join hundreds of other drivers standing up for respect and equality.
In good news, we achieved a legal win this week! The RTBU took Transit Systems to court for underpayment after it was revealed they severely underpaid its workers - no surprise from a company that's been happily profiting from privatisation any way they can over the last 3+ years. The court has fined Transit Systems more than $180K. The estimated almost $3.5 million in backpay owed to Region 6 workers is still being contested. We’re going to the Fair Work Commission now because TSA wants the Commission to basically fix their screw up and say they don’t have to pay it. This is the final stage in what we hope will wind up being a huge win for members and serves as a fresh reminder that the union is always ready to do whatever it takes to hold employers to account. You'll find the finer details on what's happening next week in this edition of the Express.
For Region 7, our first bargaining session took place on Wednesday. The main aim was to set the parameters of bargaining and general housekeeping, things like how often we’re meeting and how long the meetings are. We're looking forward to getting started with your new EA, and Busways wants a deal finalised by the end of the year. The Union also had a big win legally with a full bench of the federal court throwing out the Greenfield Agreement. More on that below!
In Newcastle, we asked Keolis Downer to come back to the bargaining table this week after last week's overtime dispute, whereby those who wanted to take leave on Sunday 3rd April for Robin O'Donoghue's Farewell BBQ were pressed by KD to do their shifts. A compromise was ultimately met, where workers pulled together to volunteer and complete the shifts. The overall response was positive, with all shifts covered. Time and again, we've always managed to achieve great outcomes when members work together. In the context of your EA, this solidarity also didn't jeopardise any future protected action. KD has put another proposal to your negotiating committee who are reviewing it at the time of writing this. Members can expect and update next week.
On Sunday 3rd April we hosted a Farewell BBQ to say thank you to Belmont Delegate Robin O'Donoghue. It was a great turnout and everyone pulled together to make sure Robin knew just how grateful we were to have had her as a Delegate. We wish Robin all the success, happiness and more as she opens a new chapter!
Shifting gears now, we'd like to remind members that the RTBU, has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for members who have been impacted by the recent floods. An application must be submitted no later than 30 April 2022 to a Panel for consideration for a gift of up to $1,000 from the monies raised by the fund. View and download the application form here.
You can also make a contribution to the GoFundMe by clicking here.
We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.
Bus drivers win first step to a big win in legal case against private bus company, as Sydney farewells last remaining public bus service
Transit Systems has been fined more than $180K and the RTBU continues in the fight to force them to repay over $3.4million after it was found to have underpaid its workforce – a situation bus drivers say the NSW Government’s transport privatisation agenda is largely responsible for. Action was launched after the company first agreed to pay it after it was brought to their attention and then refused.
After losing in the federal court, Transit Systems is asking the Fair Work Commission to fix their screw up in a last-ditch effort to avoid paying what workers are rightfully owed. You can read the bulletin sent to members here.
Our legal win came as the keys to Sydney’s last remaining public bus service, Region 9, were handed over to a private company on Sunday.
Tram and Bus Division Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW, David Babineau, said while the legal win meant the union was closing in on back-pay for the hundreds of affected ex-STA bus drivers, the union anticipates it is simply the first of many cases it will be forced to run against private bus operators who choose to cut corners in order to save a buck.
“This is a classic example of what happens when private companies are allowed to take control of public services,” Mr Babineau said.
“These private bus companies, by definition, exist to turn a profit, not to provide commuters with the public transport system they deserve and clearly not to provide workers with the fair wages and conditions they deserve.
“The legal case against Transit Systems was a fantastic win, but it should never have got to this point. The NSW Government’s decision to privatise all of Sydney’s buses is what has allowed situations like this to occur. In this case, the company simply didn’t understand it’s obligations as an employer which is ridiculous for a multinational company.
“Bus drivers shouldn’t have to fight in court to get their fair pay, but unfortunately we’re only likely to see more of this now that the NSW Government has given our last remaining public bus services over to the private sector.
“The NSW Government’s obsession with privatising our public transport services not only robs commuters of the services they deserve, but it also robs workers of their right to fair wages and conditions.
“The Transport Minister at the time stood up and said that privatisating our buses would deliver a better service. We said at the time that was absolute rubbish, and time and again we’re being proven right. The decision to privatise our buses has come at the expense of Sydney’s commuters and bus drivers.
“Every single bus region in Sydney is now in the hands of private operators, which is an absolute disgrace and something the NSW Government should be held to account for.”
Farewell and Thank You, Robin
On Sunday 3rd April we hosted a Farewell BBQ to say thank you to Belmont Delegate Robin O'Donoghue.
The BBQ was well-attended, with NSW Branch Secretary Alex Claassens coming down to thank Robin personally for the value and commitment she's brought to the RTBU during not only her time as a Delegate, but as a member who has enriched the union from the beginning.
Members took up a collection to purchase flowers, chocolates, and other goodies for Robin to enjoy.
It was a great turnout with many laughs, memories, and experiences shared. In particular, the time Robin came down to Sydney on her own holiday time to give members the rundown on privatisation, what it meant for workers, and what we can do as union members to fight it tooth and nail.
It was fitting farewell for an absolute powerhouse of a person. A simple "Thank you" doesn't entirely encompass how grateful the union is to have had Robin as a Delegate. We wish her all the success in her role as a bus driver, and we'll be backing her all the way!
View some more happy snaps from the day on the Tram & Bus website.
Region 6 Bargaining update - 24 HOUR STRIKE ACTION
The next bargaining meeting has been moved until the 19th April due to scheduling conflicts. The RTBU and TWU requested for delegates from both unions to be released for a joint all day meeting this week. The last time we had delegates and officials from both unions together discussions were positive, and we were able to agree on a unified position for a couple of our claims, which makes bargaining easier because it turns two positions into one.
Unfortunately, the company refused this request just as they refuse to have anyone at the bargaining table who knows ANYTHING about buses.
Now the NSW government is trying to wash its hands of responsibility for bus drivers altogether and we have to remind them everything that TSA has done to drivers has been because the government has let them. THEY”RE the ones that threw public and private conditions together both in Region 6 and in the bus industry as a whole and THEY'RE the ones who can fix it.
We can’t sit back and let the NSW Government create situations where you have workers doing exactly the same job on different rates of pay and conditions, no matter if it’s in Region 6 or other parts of NSW.
Bus drivers who do the exact same work should not be segmented by a privatised network and we’ve been taken for granted for too long.
It's time for us to stand up again!
On Monday 11th April we're striking for 24 hours from midnight Monday morning till midnight Tuesday morning along with drivers from across Sydney.
We all know that the only people we can rely on is ourselves as drivers- COME AND SEE HOW THAT LOOKS WHEN THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF US TOGETHER!!!
Region 7 Greenfield and bargaining update
Our first bargaining session took place last Wednesday. The main aim was to set the parameters of bargaining and general housekeeping.
Your negotiating committee consists of Delegates Allan Nickoll and Gary Baker, Industrial Officer Lizanne Bennet, Divisional Secretary David Babineau, and Divisional President Daniel Jaggers.
To refresh your memory, the top 5 items important to members were:
- 5 weeks annual leave
- No backwards step in pay
- Keep all allowances at the least or improve them
- Keep ADO’s
- Sick leave, same rates or improved
Other notable mentions include meal breaks at the depot and no 13-hour broken shifts. All these and more made up the union agenda when we met in bargaining.
In a big development last night, the decision was finally handed down in the appeal we launched against the Greenfield Agreement that Busways put in place. This is what created a two-tiered workplace. As we know, they also put in a ‘back-up’ to that in the form of an Enterprise Agreement which was facilitated by TfNSW. In the judgement, the federal court unanimously agreed that the Fair Work Commission erred in its original approval as well as in dismissing the union’s original appeal.
This means that we only have the back-up EA to deal with in negotiations which will simplify the process if we negotiate an EA, but this was also a test case. If we had lost this fight, every time someone took over a new business they could try for a Greenfield Agreement which locks employees out of negotiating for their conditions for the life of the Agreement. We’ve now got some definitions and explanations from the court that protects workers in the future from companies trying to opportunistically rip off workers in that way.
When you remember that only recently, the Liberal/National federal government tried to have the maximum length of a Greenfield Agreement extended to 8 years instead of 4, this decision is even more important to protect workers from across the country in the future.
Newcastle EA Update
In the previous Express, we outlined how we came together and volunteered for the shift on Sunday 3rd April after many shifts were turned down so members could attend the Farewell BBQ of former Belmont Delegate Robin O'Donoghue. It wasn't easy for us to take the hard action we usually do, so compromise was key.
In breaking news, the Fair Work Commission has approved the Protected Action Ballot.
Members should keep an eye out for an email or SMS from CIVS with information on how to vote in this ballot.
In the meantime, we requested Keolis Downer to meet us back at the bargaining table this week. In doing so, the company has put forward another offer. Your negotiation committee is now reviewing this and will report back to members next week.
RTBU Flood Relief
Recent flood across Australia have ripped through many communities leaving many RTBU members impacted and even losing their houses and deeply impacting their lives.
The RTBU has organised a GoFundMe to support specifically RTBU members affected by these floods.
You can make a contribution here: https://gofund.me/f2c36586
News: State Parliament hears Hunter bus cancellations have left passengers stranded mid-route
NSW Parliament has heard Hunter bus commuters have been left stranded, sometimes mid-route or on the side of busy roads.
A notice of motion moved by Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison noted that the driver shortage was causing significant health and safety risks to vulnerable groups such as school students.
Ms Aitchison is among several Hunter MPs who have been inundated with complaints from parents whose children have been left stranded by cancelled bus services.
Hunter Valley Buses, one of the largest providers of school bus services, operates 3158 trips a week.
The company confirmed it had been forced to cancel more than 80 school bus services since the start of the school year due to the impact of COVID.
News - Opinion Piece: Parramatta light rail setback is a betrayal of Sydney’s new pioneer populations
The story of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 has many twists and turns.
It is now more than seven years since then-premier Mike Baird promised stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail between Parramatta and Olympic Park. The state government had already committed to Stage 1 between Parramatta and Carlingford, a project due for completion next year.
Such dreams now look further away than ever. In fact, tens of thousands of residents have been stung by fresh revelations in the Herald that the government is set to indefinitely delay Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, citing rising costs and labour shortages.
Sydney has had decades of transport focus on communities in the north and east. It is time to get serious about delivering transport infrastructure for Parramatta and the west.
This opinion piece was written by David Borger, executive director of Business Western Sydney, former lord mayor of Parramatta, and NSW government minister and State MP for Granville.
Thanks for your essential work during a time of crisis.
In solidarity,
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers
