Union slams unfair fees for “Working With Children Check”

RTBU Bus and Tram Division President Gary Way, stood up at Unions NSW last night to register his concern over the impact of charging workers to undergo the “Working with Children Check”.

In a move the union is labelling a cash grab from the O’Farrell Government, public sector workers who require the check will now have to pay $80 before they can start work.

Gary said the move clearly had nothing to do with improving child protection given the measures won’t be introduced until 1 January 2015 and there were several glaring omissions on the list of workers who had to complete the check.

“Drivers have no problem with the check itself,” said Gary. “Any initiative that will further protect the safety of children is a good thing but we are very concerned about the impact this extra fee will have on drivers and their families.

“Our drivers are already under financial pressure and quite frankly they can’t afford to shoulder any further burden because of this government,” said Gary.

“These checks are very important, but it should be the responsibility of the government to ensure all people working with children are fit to do so.”

The Bus and Tram Division has written to Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon to request his assistance in seeing this unfair policy reversed for all affected union members. We’ll keep members posted with updates on this issue as they arise.