Newcastle industrial action update
Firstly, apologies for the confusion today. It became clear (for reasons we’ll explain below) that the company was not taking the bargaining process seriously and giving absolutely no respect to their workers.
This meant that for actions to take place next week, they needed to be notified yesterday and this was done late afternoon. We wanted to make sure that ANZAC services were not disrupted and had to make sure that no-one was caught out doing partial shifts. Having action next week also lessens the financial impact on members because of the opportunity to earn extra money during the Easter and ANZAC holidays.
Unfortunately, the company has failed to understand that how you treat your workers on the day to day has a definite impact on how your workers respond to you. This is especially true when bargaining and workers have a legal avenue to express that displeasure.
KDH has played games arranging the meetings and releasing delegates by first claiming they could not release everyone to attend bargaining meetings, then claiming that the company was at establishment and there was no driver shortage.
At the last bargaining meeting the company failed to roster the Belmont Union shift – even though there were two people available to do it – with no explanation. They have refused to even discuss many of the claims simply, saying ‘No’ and then giving the reason for rejection as ‘No’.
Now, a new policy has been flagged where any worker who is injured must attend a medical appt and their staff supervisor gets to attend as well! Additionally, every employee must declare every kind of medication they are taking to the company.
The Union is going to contest these policies and fight back against this total lack of respect to workers.
In light of the lack of progress that has been made with negotiations as well as the ill-advised changes the company is seeking to impose on workers, we are calling a 24-hour stoppage from 2am Thursday 24 April until 2am Friday April 25. This will NOT impact ANZAC day services.
The normal process, as established at depot meetings recently with officials would be to take this action to members for a vote and this will be the way forward in the future. The RTBU negotiating committee will only call action unilaterally if we see a genuine need and know that it is worth doing, so we ask for your trust that we are in this fight together and that the RTBU will always fight for its members.
Again, we apologise for the lack of consultation, this is not the normal way we do things and hope that members understand that the company is not getting better with their approach to bargaining, but worse. In that circumstance, workers must stand up and send a message of solidarity to employers that we demand respect and fairness going forward.
Enjoy your long weekend if you get one and stay safe if you’re working.