Dear members,

We hope you had a safe and enjoyable Easter break. For those who were working throughout, we appreciate your service and thank you for your hard work and dedication. As always, our tram and bus members are a vital part of ensuring communities are functioning as normal in these hard times.

COVID-19 is keeping us busy with constant meetings with employers and government to make sure all safety standards and government advice is being heeded. We are carefully following the news and doing our best to monitor our members' employment. You are our priority and just as you keep the wheels turning for everyone else, we will keep the wheels turning for you.

We are still pushing for masks for our members from the Department of Health, as well as fighting to have the government's Special Leave apply in the private sector while the government is paying contract operators as normal. We will provide more information on that as it evolves.

We don't know what the future holds as the pandemic continues but know that your union is working as hard as we can to keep you and your loved ones safe. 

RTBU Rule Change

The Rule Change is being appealed by both the RTBU and the TWU and is set for a telephone hearing with the fair Work Commission on Wednesday 20 May 2020. As before, the RTBU seeks only to continue representing members where we have been operating in some cases for over 100 years. It remains unfortunate that no agreement could be reached but each Union is in the position of trying to protect its own interests. The RTBU has always sought to ensure that members remain the priority in contested areas as they exist and may exist in the future although this is difficult when the employer exploits the division for its own advantage. Once the Rule Change process has run its course and both Unions know where they stand, hopefully putting the members first will be given the attention it deserves.

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. 

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.

The information outlined below is relevant for workers employed by employers eligible for and participating in the JobKeeper program. That is, employers who have:

• A turnover of less than $1 billion and their turnover has fallen by more than 30 per cent; or
• A turnover of $1 billion or more and their turnover has fallen by more than 50 per cent;

Please note, this is general advice – please seek advice from the Union on your specific circumstances.

Click here to read the info. 

Thanks again for all that you do. Stay safe.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers