Member Update: May 27, 2022

Dear Members,

It's the first week under a different sun, with Australia on the reigns of a new and more diverse government than the last. We hope you all enjoyed a tasty sausage sizzle or a goodie from the cake stall when placing your vote last weekend.

In a great move forward, Region 9 has voted up the EA presented by TSA with an 89% YES vote amongst 67% of members who exercised their right to vote. This will now be taken to the Fair Work Commission to be approved. A huge congratulations and job well done to the delegates and members involved!

Elsewhere negotiations and reviews continue.

In Newcastle, members were given an updated offer due for a vote on Monday 30th May. Whether industrial action will recommence is highly dependent on the outcome of this vote, and members will be advised of this once information is available. It's important to note that the union has not endorsed the EA. Members are encouraged to cast their vote on Monday to tell KD what they think of their offer.

In Region 7, Busways presented a lengthy document that we are still going over to ensure that due diligence is taken before any further steps proceed. This will take some weeks due to the length and breadth of the document's contents. We appreciate members' patience as we do so.

In Region 6, a return to normal bargaining is in sight as STA removed their bargaining agent. Fortnightly meetings began on Thursday, with a view for ongoing meetings until an agreement is reached.

CMET members' gift cards became available on Monday 23rd May. Remember to collect yours from your local delegate and bring evidence of current membership with either your latest payslip or direct debit statement. 

We hope that you continue to stay safe and well.

Region 6 EA Update

Bargaining began a fortnightly schedule yesterday, and will remain ongoing until we reach an agreement. Remember, the TSA has gotten rid of their bargaining agent, prompting a return to a considerably "normal" bargaining process.

Negotiations are progressing well, in that we are speaking with a representative from the company about operational issues around our claims. Delegates have been able to communicate their experience of the bargaining process over the past year. While the company thought there were only ten claims to get through, there are actually more than 128 which the combined unions are firm on being addressed. The next meeting will be held in a fortnight on Thursday 9th June.

All this month we’ve had fare free Fridays to keep out issues in the public eye and demonstrate our solidarity to each other and the company. By refusing to accept fares on those days, we caused a headache for management and the government while also thanking commuters for their ongoing support in our fight for fair pay and conditions.

Stickers are also being distributed to the public explaining why they travelled for free and why drivers in Region 6 are taking action. Commuters deserve to have transparency around what the state government is doing to their transport system.

Region 7 bargaining update

We're continuing to work through a complete draft presented by Busways. We're costing the proposed changes as well as identifying what is completely unacceptable in relation to what members have told us they want.

This is a long document with many items compared to the STA Award. As a result, the process will take a few weeks. We appreciate your patience as we conduct due diligence.

An update will be provided when we have more information.

Region 9 votes YES to the EA

The final EA document was made available to members to vote on Friday 20 May. 

Of 67% of members who exercised their right to vote, 89% voted YES in favour of the EA.

All that's left to do is get your new EA approved by the Fair Work Commission and it will be over the finish line for Region 9.

The new EA has an expiry date of 31 December 2025. 

Well done to all delegates and members involved in the process!

Newcastle EA Update

KD put forward another offer on Friday, with the view for members to take a vote on Monday 30th May. 

The union did advise KDH that its members would not accept any pay increase that had a 2 in front of it, and therefore could not give an in principle agreement. The union has not endorsed the EA nor are we running a No vote at this stage.

It is up to KD to present how this new offer benefits members who deserve a living wage.

Industrial action was halted on Wednesday 11th May in good faith, but is on standby for recommencement depending on the outcome of the vote.

Members will be given more details once the vote has come to pass.

Gift Cards ready for CMET members

CMET members can now get their $50 gift cards from their delegate from Monday 23rd May.

Due to corporate governance, ALL members will need to provide evidence of current membership when picking up these gift cards from their delegates.

The executive have decided that the best proof will be showing your latest payslip or direct debit statement.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers