KDH – Enterprise Bargaining Ballot Update

Firstly, we would like to thank those members who took part in the Survey last week. It was a very large turnout and a testament to all of our commitment to achieve a fair agreement.

The results are in and a large majority of members have informed us they will likely be voting NO in the upcoming ballot.

The questions asked were to ensure that members were aware of what they will be voting on when the Ballot opens on Thursday, 8 January 2026. It was completely confidential to ensure everyone could express their view honestly and no one felt any pressure to answer in a particular way.

Wage increases

Specifically, we asked whether you understood that the extra 0.25% was equivalent to $7.80 per fortnight.

This figure is based on an income of around $82,000. As the 0.25% increase (approximately $7.80 per fortnight) is in the last year of the agreement, when you deduct tax, you may land around $4 extra in your pocket per fortnight.

Was this enough to change your mind from the way you voted in the previous ballot? You have overwhelmingly informed us NO!

Meal Breaks outside the depot

The next question that was asked concerned meal breaks outside of the depots. Whilst we acknowledge this doesn’t happen now, we have continually asked KDH to change the wording in the agreement to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future. If they don’t intend to do it, they would have no problem committing to it in the agreement. However, they continue to refuse to commit to it after several requests from members and the union.

Shift Lengths

We have received requests from members for better clarification regarding the issues surrounding the length of shifts – we have all understood this to be clear in clause 25.5 of the Enterprise Agreement – i.e. between 7 and 9 rostered hours only.

Recently, Keolis Downer Northern Beaches decided they would be like to extend rostered shifts in excess of 9 hours. The RTBU disputed the issue in the Fair Work Commission, and it ruled in favour of KDNB – i.e. the FWC said that under the relevant clause, Keolis Downer could roster shifts greater than 9 and less than 7 hours.

We took the case all the way to the Full Bench of the Commission and unfortunately it once again ruled in Keolis Downer’s favour.

The decisions don’t make a lot of sense to us given the clear wording of the clause – however the purpose of the push to change the wording in the new Enterprise Agreement to ensure shifts length are not in excess of 9 hours or less than 7 hours. KDH has continued to refuse to correct the wording of the EA to reflect what we all have believed to be the position on shift lengths – revealing their true intentions!

After feedback from the membership the RTBU will be campaigning for a NO vote until the above and other outstanding claims are fixed.

Remember voting commences 7am on Thursday, 8 January 2026 and we recommend that all members vote NO to this inferior Enterprise Agreement.