Newcastle EA update
Dear Members,
We are now in the final stages of drafting your new Enterprise Agreement. Most of what remains relates to wording and clause numbering — the finer details. But make no mistake, we are still fighting hard on the ‘On Demand’ service. For too long, you’ve gone above and beyond to help the business deliver this service, and we are determined to ensure that it remains strictly voluntary. No more free favours. No more doing the company’s work for them without fair recognition.
A few critical areas still require serious discussion, including the rate of pay for new trainees. The company has proposed the following as a salary increase: 4/3/3 plus an additional 2% per year for Trainee Y1.
When it comes to wages for everyone, the company is refusing to budge from their current offer of 4%, 3%, and 3% over the life of the agreement, not even what the Sydney/NSW trains employees got! They claim this is “competitive” and point to the national wage price index (WPI) to justify it. But let’s be clear: we don’t drive indexes — we drive buses. And their offer doesn’t even come close to meeting the rising cost of living, let alone respecting the skills, responsibility, and safety-critical role you perform every single day. You deserve better — and we’re going to keep fighting until you get it.
This company relies on your work to keep Newcastle moving, yet they treat you as expendable. They’ll push you harder than a racehorse on Melbourne Cup day without a second thought about your safety or wellbeing. They claim to be competitive employers — but based on what? Why should you come to work as a trainee for a company that pays you LESS than a person working a checkout at a local supermarket? They don’t respect your labour, they don’t respect your sacrifices, and they certainly don’t respect the contribution you make to your community. We have carried this company on our backs through their staffing crisis, and now they expect you to accept scraps in return.
As part of our ongoing campaign to lift standards and win a fair deal, we are lodging another notice of protected industrial action, which was voted on last week at the online meetings – unsafe and defective buses. If they won’t value your contribution, then they can keep their unsafe buses in the yard. We’re done keeping their profits rolling while they keep disrespecting you.
No respect = No more favours.
If they won’t listen at the bargaining table, we’ll make sure they hear us loud and clear on the road.
Stay strong. Stay united. This fight is for fairness, for respect, and for the dignity you deserve.