The June 8 edition of Bus Express No Images? Click here Bus ExpressFriday June 22, 2018Dear members, This week the NSW Government handed down their State Budget, which as expected, did nothing good for commuters or transport workers. The Government gloated it's 'additional 2000 buses' that Constance has announced, which we know is garbage. Everything that comes out of this Minister's mouth to date has either been a lie, or drenched in PR swing, which we all see through. While Minister Constance tries to win over the public with these 2000 'new services', he is failing to mention all the services across the state that are being removed - to make it possible to call these buses 'new services'. Because of this Minister's incompetence, our current bus network is struggling to retain - let alone grow it's workforce. So these apparently new services beg the question: how will this Minister actually find the drivers to run them? In Newcastle, Opal data has shown that Constance's privatisation disaster has seriously impacted the elderly in our community - with seniors' passenger numbers falling to an alarming low. The bus stops and services which have been removed have hit the most vulnerable people in Newcastle hard- and Constance is to blame. You can read more about it in this edition of Bus Express.
In Solidarity, Chris Preston and Dave Woollams Media Release, 19 June 2018 2000 new bus services figure is deceptive Tram and Bus Division President, Dave Woollams, said the budget announcement that Sydney will get an additional 2000 bus services is a classic case of smoke and mirrors. “What we’ve seen in the past is that this Transport Minister talks up new services, but fails to mention all the services that he’s cut, or will be cutting, in order to make the new services possible,” Mr Woollams said. “It’s completely deceptive to say that we’ll get new services when the Transport Minister knows services have been cut and when we know that his privatisation plans will mean even more cuts. “It’s also missing key details. We already have a severe shortage of bus drivers in this state – how are they going to manage to work all these new services if we don’t have enough drivers to keep the current services running?” Inner West Courier: Fears over inner west bus shortage, mass cancellations forecast, as privatisation loomsBy Heather McNab and David Barwell, read the full story here. A CRITICAL shortage of bus drivers will cause mass service cancellations and pose safety risks to commuters when bus privatisation comes into force in the inner west, a Transport for NSW insider has warned. Transit Systems, a privately operated bus company, needs to fill 200 positions by the time it takes over the state government’s State Transit Authority on July 1, according to the source. However, the company has denied there is a shortage. A Transport for NSW spokesman also promised: “Transit Systems will be ready to deliver services for customers in the Inner West from 1 July.” Rail, Train and Bus Union NSW Bus and Tram Division Secretary Chris Preston said since the state government announced Region 6 would be privatised more than 70 workers have transferred out of the region into other areas. Even though existing drivers will be offered 18 month employment guarantees under Transit Systems, Mr Preston said there was “fear” among members about moving from the public to private sector. “The biggest concern for Transit Systems is that they’ll be given a whole lot of drivers who will quit or transfer to other STA regions before July,” Mr Preston said. “If Transit Systems was to come in with drivers 150 short they would have to contract out the work and in the worst case scenario may have to cancel services.” The Australian: Sydney Light Rail budget doomed to blowout"The controversial Sydney Light Rail project is set to go over budget — whether or not the Spanish subcontractor Acciona wins its $1.2 billion claim against the Berejiklian government. While the job is only half-finished, the NSW government has already paid or committed close to the full $2.1bn estimated for its construction. The Australian can reveal that transport bosses are expecting a blowout although the government has long maintained it was “on time and on budget”.
Newcastle’s disastrous new bus timetable has forced seniors and pensioners off our public transport, proving that the Transport Minister’s claims that privatisation would provide Newcastle residents with a ‘world-class transport system’ were complete rubbish. Opal figures released today show that seniors and pensioners have taken significantly fewer trips on Newcastle’s bus network, compared with the same time last year. RTBU Tram and Bus Division Secretary, Chris Preston, said the latest figures highlight what everyone suspected was happening, and are a clear example of the dangers of privatisation. “The new timetable, and the whole privatisation experiment, has been shambolic to say the least. We’ve got seniors and pensioners who can’t rely on getting a bus anymore. It’s just sad,” Mr Preston said. “Our public transport system should work for all commuters, but particularly those who need it most, like seniors and pensioners. Union dues – 2018 fee changeAll RTBU Tram and Bus Division members are advised that union dues will increase as of the first full pay period from 1st July 2018. The new rates that will be in effect as of 1st July 2018 are as follows: Bus & Tram Fortnightly rate Full-time bus operator $20.7 Part-time bus operator $18.3 Casual bus operator $16.65 Casual cleaners $15.35
Rail Fortnightly rate Full-time $22.85 Part-time/Casual $16 If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the union office. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has supplied information regarding the RTBU elections for National and NSW Branch positions for 2018. Click here to download the information. Nominations. which must be in writing and comply with the organisation’s registered rules, may be made at any time from 9am on Monday 2nd July 2018. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 23rd July 2018. Nominations may be withdrawn up to, but not later than, 5pm on Thursday 2nd August. Nominations will not be accepted by the AEC prior to 9.00am of the 2nd of July 2018. Nomination forms are available from the RTBU office. Members are urged to read this information and if you require further information, please contact Noopur Madan, Returning Officer with the AEC on (02) 9375 6321 or you may contact the RTBU Tram and Bus Division office on (02) 9319 7277 |