Dear members,

It's been another week of the Corona crisis and your Tram and Bus division has been hard at it. This week has seen a strong focus on getting safety screens for drivers enlarged with several prototypes being considered.

This week we also saw a great initiative from the Our Transport campaign where the public thanked our hardworking bus drivers and sent them hundreds of messages of support. Your efforts are not going unnoticed and we're glad to see everyone's appreciation being voiced.

The recent announcement of a $5000 on the spot fine and possible jail time was put to the test with a 13 year old girl charged with common assault and remanded in custody for spitting on a driver last week. These new laws are a great example of how Union pressure can force a change when the government has the spotlight on it. The Union can only do that with the support of its members, and everyone is certainly behind these tough new measures. With at least another two spitting incidents this week, it’s a good example of why we need to fight to keep these penalties on the books.

Transport workers have been abused and spat on for too long and this is finally a chance to have a genuine penalty permanently in place. There’s no excuse for such disgusting behaviour in normal times let alone in the middle of a pandemic.

COVID-19 safety screens update

This week, the union has been working with employers and TfNSW to have the safety screens for drivers enlarged. This is an important safety feature for our drivers as we start to see a potential easing of restrictions and increase in commuters on the network. It is important that we don't see a flare up in COVID-19 infections.

A prototype model for this prepared by Transit Systems was provisionally reviewed. The State Transit Authority have also come up with prototypes which have been provisionally reviewed. These STA models are more comprehensive and offer better protection and security. They are good enough that a Fleet Safety meeting will be convened to formally assess the screens along WHS lines.

This assessment will include practical driving in day and night conditions.

The RTBU is working to ensure that the added safety measure does not introduce more hazards into the driver’s work environment.

Members will be kept updated on our progress.

Community backs our essential bus drivers

There has been a huge surge of public support towards our members as they brave the streets and continue to keep the wheels turning for our communities. It is a true testament to their hard work and dedication that they are up every morning keeping the public transport system functioning for those who need it.

Recently, over 600 emails were sent to the Tram and Bus Division thanking bus drivers for their hard work and were much appreciated by the division. They also served to highlight the critical part played by tram and bus members in surviving this crisis even though they may not get the recognition they deserve. 

The division is very proud of the work members are doing and continue to do in this unprecedented crisis. 

"We want to thank the community for their support in these challenging times and acknowledge how supportive they have been. Members have really been toughing out there and seeing positive messages like this makes a world of difference," said RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineau.

"Our members are essential workers and sometimes it takes a crisis to show just how valuable the work they do can be for our most vulnerable. We ask that you continue to support our members as they navigate through this pandemic."

Click here for more photos on our website.

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. 

Thanks again for continuing your essential work during this time of crisis.

Stay safe.

In solidarity, 

David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers