Region 6 Update

Dear member,

On 19 March 2020 the Fair Work Commission delivered its Decision dealing with the RTBU Rule Change application. The RTBU is seeking to clarify that we can sign up new members in a workplace where a private operator takes over from the government operator, and the RTBU has previously been established. This is about keeping what we have, not expanding into new areas.

The RTBU was partially successful in its application but nevertheless proposes to appeal the Decision. This is because a number of aspects of the Decision are unclear and an appeal will hopefully clarify the RTBU’s ability to enrol the bus operators in question.

The Decision did however confirm that legacy (ex-STA) operators in Region 6 continue to be eligible for membership of the RTBU and to be represented by the RTBU. It further confirmed new drivers in Region 6 could otherwise conveniently belong to and be represented by the RTBU if the whole of the application had been granted.

In the circumstances, the RTBU is also considering what other legal avenues are open to it to ensure that the bus operators in question who want to join and be represented by the RTBU can do so.

For the moment however, the RTBU will not be signing up new bus operators in Region 6 until the further litigation is finalised. The RTBU looks forward being able to enrol those operators in the near future.

In solidarity,

RTBU NSW

NOTE: Due to technical issues, some members may not have received this bulletin when it was originally distributed. Apologies for any inconvenience.