Dear members,

Happy Easter to all our Tram and Bus Division members. It's going to be a very different Easter for all of us, but we hope you stay safe and healthy. And if you're out working, as many of you will be, thank you. Our members have been instrumental in keeping our communities moving lately, even throughout incredibly testing times, and this Easter will be no different. 

On the COVID-19 front, we've continued our regular meetings with employers and government to ensure everything possible is being done to keep you safe. We’re currently working to have private operators pay employees who qualify for self isolation or are stood down, but are not sick, to be paid. Discussions around that are still ongoing and we'll keep members updated as those discussions progress. 

The current situation is constantly developing and sometimes it's hard to keep up but rest assured, your union is doing everything we can to keep you safe. Your health and job security is our number one priority. There's nothing more important.

COVID-19: FAQs

We are constantly updating the COVID-19 frequently asked questions section of the website, so please make sure you head there and have a look. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your local delegate or the Division office at nswbus@rtbu-nsw.asn.au. 

In the news: Bus Drivers 'not getting enough protection'

Tram and Bus Division Secretary, David Babineau, spoke with Ch9 this week about the lack of personal protective equipment for bus drivers.

Since the story aired, we've actually had a generous offer from some members of the community to make bus drivers some masks. Stay tuned for more on that. 

Click here to watch the story. 

Schools told to open in Term 2 

Today we've seen news that the Federal Government attempt to compel private schools to resume classes in Term 2 by tying opening to their funding. 

You can see an article about it here in the SMH. 

What this means for our union is that school services will likely resume in some capacity next term. Add this to the NSW Government guaranteeing normal contractual payments to the contract operators, and essentially means we can except the Government to keep running services as close to normal as possible.

That's welcome news when it comes to job security. Now we have to fight to make sure we keep people paid what they should be!

Jobkeeper: A quick guide to changes in the Fair Work Act 

The Federal Parliament has passed changes to the Fair Work Act as part of
the Government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy program. The changes only apply
until 28 September 2020.

Click here to read the info. 

Thanks again for all that you do. Stay safe.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers