ACTU Congress: Change the Rules

Your RTBU Bus & Tram Divisional President Dave Woollams, and Secretary Chris Preston, joined union representatives from across the country this week for the ACTU’s National Congress which was themed: Change the Rules!

The Congress – which is the latest and most important gathering of Australian unions - was a fantastic opportunity for unions to discuss our next steps in tackling our ever-eroding industrial relations system, and a chance to debate and vote on the policies that will form the basis of the union agenda for the next three years.

As our RTBU National President said in his speech to the room, “I know for sure the forces of privilege would have been watching every second [of the conference], and despairing about the unity, conviction and determination on display on display right here in this room.”

You can read RTBU National Secretary Bob Nanva’s full address to the ACTU Congress here. http://www.rtbu.org.au/enough_is_enough

ACTU Congress also saw the election of the leadership of the ACTU and other office-holders. Congratulations to Michele O’Neil, head of the textile workers union, who was elected ACTU President at the Congress. Michele will work with ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus, to lead the union movement’s push for a fair go for workers.   

Newcastle Light Rail recruits – make sure you join the RTBU

You may have seen in the news that Keolis Downer is recruiting staff for the Newcastle Light Rail as it nears completion.

The company is seeking to fill 20 fill time positions for light rail drivers and control staff. The RTBU will cover workers in both of these roles, working to ensure they get the fair wages and conditions they deserve.

We encourage anyone considering applying for these positions to make sure you join the RTBU to ensure your workplace rights are covered.

We’ve all seen the problems Keolis Downer has caused its workforce in the past – with timetabling and pay issues a key feature of the private company’s takeover of the bus network in Newcastle. But the RTBU has proudly worked to force the company to fix the issues impacting workers, and negotiated numerous successful outcomes for workers.

The RTBU put the heat on Keolis when their payroll system was failing to pay drivers correctly and ensured this issue was fixed, and we’ve been out in the media time and time again speaking up for our Keolis Downer drivers’ when timetable complaints and other issues are in the news.

We’re looking forward to working with these new Keolis Downer workers to ensure they get the pay, conditions and respect they deserve too. We’re also looking forward to standing up for light rail drivers and control staff in coming months as the workforce in the region grows.

Best of luck to anyone applying for these new light rail jobs, and we look forward to representing you and standing up for issues that matter to you.

Click here to read the story in the Newcastle Herald about Keolis Downer’s recruitment drive.

RTBU forces ALP to commit to ending privatisation

The RTBU has helped pressure the NSW ALP into ruling out any further privatisation of public assets, including our public transport systems.

Following a strong anti-privatisation campaign by the RTBU in Newcastle and Region 6 and strong lobbying from the union, NSW Opposition leader, Luke Foley, pledged at the party’s recent state conference that the ALP will stop the reckless sell-off of public assets, guaranteeing that under a Foley Labor Government there will be:

– No privatisation of NSW hospitals;

– No privatisation of water;

– No more electricity privatisation; and

– No privatisation of public transport services.

RTBU Tram and Bus Division Secretary, Chris Preston – who addressed the recent ALP State Conference, outlining the need for the party to oppose privatisation and detailing the damage current Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, has done to transport in the state – said that securing the commitment from the ALP is a big win, not only for RTBU members, but for public sector employees broadly.

“This Liberal Government has a sick obsession with selling off our public assets to the detriment of the community,” Mr Preston said.

“You only need to look at what a disaster the Newcastle bus privatisation has been to see why privatisation doesn’t work.

“It’s great that the ALP has listened to RTBU members and committed to ending the privatisation of our public transport systems. We’ll certainly be holding them to that promise. ”

Read the full story on Bus Express.

Your union is here to stay

Some members may have heard recent news about another union raising a dispute over coverage of Transit Systems bus operators.

It’s disappointing that the dispute has been raised, but we’re confident the issue will be rectified swiftly so we can all get back to doing what we do best – protecting the rights of workers.

To confirm, it is the RTBU’s view that the other union in question – the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) - is wrong. The RTBU believes we have coverage of Transit System Bus Operators under our current rules. However, to avoid further disputation, the RTBU is taking steps to amend our rules to make this absolutely clear. This rule change will take some time occur.

On our understanding, there is no real question that the RTBU can cover those persons who were members of the RTBU before the transfer to Transit Systems, and who have continued that membership after the transfer.

The RTBU has a long and proud history of representing Bus Operators across Australia. We have achieved an industry standard of pay and conditions for Bus Operators in NSW. We will continue to protect and fight for the rights of Bus Operators in New South Wales, in both the public and private sector.

If you have any questions about the issue, please don’t hesitate to contact the RTBU Bus and Tram Division office on (02) 9319 7277.

Region 6 members, have you updated your details?

The RTBU requires you to fill out new union payroll & traffic fund deduction forms due to the change of employer in region 6. Please click here to download the forms from Bus Express.