2016 Rail and Road - March Edition

RAILROADAN

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE NSW BRANCH OF THE RAIL, TRAM & BUS UNION

VOLUME 108 No.1 March 2016

Print Post Approved 25500003-01148

Community Protests at

Medicare Cuts

Selective advertising is available in RAIL & ROAD at competitive individual issue rates or a discounted annual rate. A design service is also available to have your advertisement professionally designed to your specifications.

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RAIL & ROAD is the official journal of the NSW Branch of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and is produced as part of the union’s communication strategy to inform and report on matters of interest to members. All editorial and advertising inquiries should be addressed to Peter O’Connor Telephone: 0430 188 116 e-mail: [email protected] Printing - Brightset, Banksmeadow, (02) 9316 4800 Art & Design - P Design - [email protected] - Phone 0402 032 949

RTBU Holiday ParkVacancies - Book your holiday nowThe RTBU Holiday Park is a great place to escape to for a peaceful break in the

National Park and a walk along the beach.Avoid the rush and the high season rates - book your holiday now. The Holiday

Park is situated in a National Park and Members can enjoy a holiday by the sea and relax with fishing, tennis, boating, swimming or bushwalking.

RTBU members can also now get discounted rates at the United Services Union Aquatic Resort (Motel and Caravan Park) at Port Macquarie.

For booking enquiries please telephone Head Office on

(02) 9264 2511

NSW BraNch

head OfficeLevel4, 321 Pitt Street,

Sydney NSW 2000

Tel (02) 92642511

Fax (02)92611342

Email [email protected]

Website www.rtbu-nsw.asn.au

Bus and Tram Division83-89 renwick Street

redfern NSW 2016

Tel (02) 93197277

Fax (02) 93194341

[email protected]

Locomotive DivisionLevel 4, 321 Pitt Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Tel (02) 92643400

Fax (02) 92647679


Newcastle Office33 Gordon avenue

hamilton NSW 2303

Tel (02) 4961 4311

Fax (02) 4961 4779

Wollongong OfficeLevel 1, 306a crown Street, Wollongong, 2500

Tel (02) 4227 5798


Branch ExecutiveSecretary alex claassens

President Phil Kessey

assistant Secretary Mick Schmitzer

OrganisersNewcastle Mick Schmitzer

Wollongong John curley

Frieght Organiser Steve Wright

Branch Organisers Brendan Edghill

Paul Douglas

Bob hayden

Lead Organisers

Phillip Kessey

Doug Klineberg

Lizanne Bennett

Education Officer Maryanne Stuart

Industrial Officer Peter O’connor

Selective advertising is available in RAIL & ROAD at competitive individual issue rates or a discounted annual rate. A design service is also available to have your advertisement professionally designed to your specifications.

RAILROADAN

D ADVERTISINGRATES

RAIL & ROAD is the official journal of the NSW Branch of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and is produced as part of the union’s communication strategy to inform and report on matters of interest to members.

All editorial and advertising inquiries should be addressed to Peter O’Connor Telephone: (02) 9264 2511 e-mail: [email protected]

Printing - Brightset, Banksmeadow, (02) 9316 4800 art & Design - P Design - [email protected] - Phone 0402 032 949

RTBU Holiday ParkVacancies for School Holiday Period

The RTBU Holiday Park is situated in Jervis Bay on the South Coast.Modern self-contained units with colour TV, microwave ovens and

accomodate families of up to 6 persons. The Holiday Park is situated in a National Park and Members can enjoy a holiday by the sea and relax with

fishing, tennis, boating, swimming or bushwalking.

For booking enquiries please telephone Ingrid at Head Office on

(02) 9264 2511 or Dept: 34432

Keep your career rollingAll job applications professionally prepared

Expertly Written Selection CriteriaContact [email protected] or Telephone 02 9319 0926

NSW BrANch head OfficeLevel 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000Tel (02) 92642511 Fax (02) 92611342Email [email protected] www.rtbuexpress.com.au

Bus and Tram Division83-89 renwick Street redfern NSW 2016Tel (02) 93197277 Fax (02) 93194341Email [email protected]

Locomotive DivisionLevel 4, 321 Pitt StreetSydney NSW 2000Tel (02) 92643400 Fax (02) 92647679Email [email protected]

Newcastle Office33 Gordon Avenue, hamilton NSW 2303Tel (02) 4961 4311 Fax (02) 4961 4779Email [email protected]

Wollongong OfficeLevel 1, 306a crown Street, Wollongong, 2500 Tel (02) 4227 5798Email [email protected]

Branch ExecutiveSecretary Alex claassensPresident Joanne MccallumAssistant Secretary (road) David WoollamsAssistant Secretary (rail) robert hayden

Elected Full-Time OfficialsBranch Secretary Alex claassens

Locomotive Divisional Secretary robert hayden

Tram and Bus Divisional Secretarychris Preston

Tram and Bus Divisional PresidentGary Way

OrganisersWollongong John curleyFreight Organisers Steve Wright Kevin PryorPassenger Organiser Bob Newham Jessica Epps

Branch Organisers Lizanne Bennett helen Bellette Mick cartwright Michael Farhat Graham Fozzard Luke hayden communications Officer Peter O’connor

Jervis Bay

Find Us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RTBUNSW

From the Branch Secretary

Industrial NewsNew Agreements for Terminal Operators and Maintainers . . . 5rTBU Stands By Sacked Port Waratah Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Industrial NotesSignallers Dispute Over Non Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Aurizon ‘Zero Trust’ Stickers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Members raise concerns on Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7PN coal Members Left Wondering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Sydney Trains Train crew Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7General NewsSecretary Goes to canberra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8rTBU Supports Mobility Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Union Protests as hunter Loses More Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9rTBU Member Awarded ALP Life Membership . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Union Secures Travel Savings for Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Michael Farhat calls it a Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12harmony Day celebrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Aurizon Employees reject In-cab recordings . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Asciano, QUBE and Brookfield Love Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Pledge For Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Baird’s Privatisation Plan a Betrayal of Western Sydney . . . 19rTBU Ensures Transport on Labor Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20campaign TrailrTBU Members Join PVcU Medicare Protest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Safety MattersInjured Workers Protest Insurance conference . . . . . . . . . . . 23Unprovoked Attack on Bus Driver One of Many . . . . . . . . . . . 24Whistlestop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Now that we are well and truly into the new year, our union continues to carry out the usual day to day work of defending and protecting member’s working conditions across the industry. A number of significant agreements negotiated last year have been formally approved and implemented, and we will continue to monitor and ensure that all members conditions and entitlements under their agreements are met. Over and above the usual work of our union, are a number of serious challenges and threats coming from our governments. The one over-arching topic at the moment is the increased enthusiasm by the NSW Government to push down the road of privatisation. While the government pushes ahead with its tendering for an ‘integrated’ Newcastle transport system, despite even private companies publicly questioning the sense and cost-effectiveness of such a move, we are hearing increasingly more announcements on privatisation of a wide range of transport services and infrastructure.The NSW Government still believes that the best way to pay for new rail infrastructure is to sell off profit-making assets – or as they quaintly call it – ‘asset recycling’. In short, the main benefits from this approach flow to private business interests, and become a tax burden for future generations having

to make up for the lost revenue from government (or more accurately public) assets. This is a lazy and short sighted approach, which says more about the government’s ideological position than about its business case. Our union has been arguing an alternative approach based on successful overseas models, where governments realise that transport infrastructure actually creates value for the economy, and governments harness the financial benefits which are then used for future public transport assets, and remain in public control. This is known as value capture.Last year our union commissioned a report by SGS Economics and Planning into value capture and its potential applications in Australia. It can involve a range of options, including levies on property owners who benefit from increase property values, or developing along rail corridors and over train stations to realise and maximise the value of those assets. These are usually referred to as Transit Oriented Developments (TODs). At the recent NSW Labor Conference, the RTBU passed a resolution committing Labor to investigate value capture as a way of funding new public transport projects. One week later, Premier Mike Baird announced a tender process for possible private developments over inner city train

stations. The main difference being, this government is not looking to develop the assets in order to reinvest in into the public transport system, but rather for private investors and developers to do the work and take the profits. There have also been leaked reports that the entire Sydney Trains network could be handed over to a private operator. So we need to keep publicly challenging these models for public transport, and putting forward better and more sustainable solutions to keeping public transport under public ownership and control.Given the enthusiasm of this government for privatisation as a short-term and quick fix for planning and investing in public transport infrastructure and projects, we need to continue to take the lead role in the public debate and campaigns to highlight the short-comings of the government approaches, and in putting forward strong and sound alternatives. We cannot afford to be reactive or get caught on the back foot on this issue. We need to do the front running on community anti-privatisation campaigns. We need to be creating the headlines around effective and longer term solutions for public transport. We also need to continue to put ideas such as ‘value capture’ and ‘TODs’ in the public domain as real alternatives to the more short-term and politically motivated strategies of the government.

In this Issue

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED & NEED LEGAL ADVICE?

1800 059 [email protected] www.codea.com.au

SCOTT DOUGALL PARTNER

MICHAEL BARNES PARTNER

PETER LLEONART PARTER

When It Matters

When it matters contact Michael Barnes, Scott Dougall or Peter Lleonart for a no obligation case evaluation.

Carroll & O’Dea are lawyers for the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and can assist you with your legal needs.

Workers Compensation Motor Vehicle Claims

Personal Injury Damages Claims Insurance Disputes

Providing trusted advice to RTBU members for over 50 years.

SYDNEY PARRAMATTA NEWCASTLE CANBERRA WOLLONGONG CAMPBELLTOWN

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rAIL & rOAD March 2016

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED & NEED LEGAL ADVICE?

1800 059 [email protected] www.codea.com.au

SCOTT DOUGALL PARTNER

MICHAEL BARNES PARTNER

PETER LLEONART PARTER

When It Matters

When it matters contact Michael Barnes, Scott Dougall or Peter Lleonart for a no obligation case evaluation.

Carroll & O’Dea are lawyers for the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and can assist you with your legal needs.

Workers Compensation Motor Vehicle Claims

Personal Injury Damages Claims Insurance Disputes

Providing trusted advice to RTBU members for over 50 years.

SYDNEY PARRAMATTA NEWCASTLE CANBERRA WOLLONGONG CAMPBELLTOWN

Industrial News

New Agreements for Terminal Operators and Maintainers

Union stands by sacked Port Waratah workers

The RTBU and Pacific National reached agreement for the Intermodal Terminal Operators Enterprise Agreement just before Christmas after more than a year of negotiations with the following outcomes. Terminal OperatorsOn 23 January 2016 the FWC approved the Terminal Operators EA which including the following:• 3 Year agreement backdated to the 1st July 2015• 2.5% wage increase backdated to the 1st July 2015• $6,000 payment for early notice of retirement• Less arbitrary conditions around personal/carers leave• Minor changes in wording around Terminal

Locomotive driver role• Improvement in how Annual Leave hours can be

deducted• Increase in Temporary Transfer allowances• Increase in relocation payment• Increase in pathology blood testing when done outside

rostered hoursMost importantly the above was attained with no loss of existing conditions which is a credit to our members and their hard working delegates, in particular Rod Spinks

from Sydney Freight Terminal and Stepan Jackimowicz from Perth Freight Terminal.

MaintainersFor the Maintainers the following was agreed between the RTBU and Pacific National after more than a year of negotiations to form the Pacific National Asset and Infrastructure Services Agreement 2015• 3 year agreement backdated to 1st July 2015• 2.5% increase for each year of the agreement backdated

to 1st July 2015• Increase in Aggregate Allowances (which included a

separate payment of over $2,000 to some employees who had been underpaid during the life of the last EA)

• Correction on how overtime is paid on public holidaysAs with the Terminal Operators EA, the above was achieved with no loss of existing conditions which could not have been done without the hard work of the delegates on the negotiating team and the support of the members around the country. In particular thanks to Ian Livingstone from Melbourne Wagon Maintenance Centre and Rod Savage from Adelaide Maintainers.

The company advised redundancies would be by both voluntary and forced methods, and the redundancies were a result of a weak coal market and a step down in a contractual arrangement with one of its major customers.This reduction in train crew is in addition to several redundancies from the same business unit less than a year ago.The RTBU, while acknowledging the step down arrangement will result in a reduction in tonnage, does not believe the numbers Pacific National are providing equate to the forecast reduction of coal, nor the tonnes lost to a rival rail operator.This opinion has been formed due to the retrenchments occurring at the same time as the company actively advertises for casual train crew to work through a labour hire company.

This has occurred not only in the Hunter coal area but also in other areas of the business across the state, such as grain in the north and south regions.Previous redundancies in Pacific National failed to properly consider all other options available, including seeking company wide redundancy swaps, in an effort to minimise, and where possible eliminate, the need for forced redundancies.We call on Pacific National to do everything within its power to find alternate employment for these highly skilled, trained and committed employees.The RTBU will be actively participating in discussions with the Company to ensure our members are treated in a respectful and dignified manner, minimise losses, and ensure as many members as possible keep their jobs.

Rail Operator Pacific National NSW/VIC Bulk Division announced it would be reducing its Port Waratah based Train Crew by making 46 employees redundant.

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Aurizon ‘Zero Trust’ stickers coming your way

Proposal to Move Station Staff into a Garbage Room.

Aurizon members – keep an eye out for stickers coming your way soon.In protest of the company’s move to fit in-built cameras inside Aurizon cabs, the union is sending stickers which say: ‘Aurizon thinks your business is their business….tell them it’s not on. Zero Trust’ to all Aurizon members across the country.The stickers are designed to show that workers don’t just think these cameras are an unnecessary breach of our privacy, but also a potential safety issue.

On Friday the 15th January the RTBU were advised that Sydney Trains were intending to remove the control room on platforms 4 and 5 at Burwood Station. The RTBU had a number of concerns in relation to this which included: 1. Sydney Trains disregarding the settlement from the Unions

NSW procedures. This agreement was that no control rooms would be removed.

2. Station Staff not having a safe place to retreat to in the event of an incident.

3. The positioning of the HUB. The RTBU had further concerns when advised that Sydney Trains were proposing the lift motor room at the end of the platforms as an alternative for a safe place. The lift room was totally unsuitable on the grounds of hygiene, lack of suitability and proximity to be used as a safe place. In addition, there is no roof so bird droppings cover various areas. The RTBU put this matter into dispute and after a number of conversations Sydney Trains agreed not to remove the control room. However, it must be noted that Sydney Trains will be revisiting the possibility of removing the control room in the future.

Industrial Notes

Signallers Dispute Over Non PaymentThe RTBU met with Sydney Trains on the 22nd January 2016 in relation to the back pay claim dispute. The basis of the dispute is the non-payment of 150% when called in to cover a shift with less than 24 hours notice providing the shift does not attract any further penalties (E.g. being called in for a public holiday).Sydney Trains position at the meeting was as follows:• Sydney Trains payroll have

calculated the amount of backpay that Signallers and Area Controllers

are owed from the microster on an individual basis.

• The date for the final package in relation to the backpay claim will be presented to the RTBU at a meeting to take place after Easter.

• After this Sydney Trains will send out letters to home addresses to Signallers and Area Controllers that are entitled to backpay. Basically if you were called in for work with less than 24 hours notice and worked the overtime within the six year period that is covered by

the dispute you will be entitled to backpay.

• The payments will also include some retired Signallers and Area Controllers and the estates of deceased members.

The RTBU advises members to ensure that Sydney Trains have their correct mailing address.The RTBU will update members on this dispute progress. If you have any further questions or comments please contact your local delegate or the RTBU office'


It’s end of the line for rail chairs

PN Coal members left wondering

Sydney Trains Train Crew Reforms - Update

The Daily Telegraph recently reported that hundreds of train staff are having their chairs taken away to improve customer service on Sydney’s rail network, sparking a stand-up fight with the union.After a trial at Central Station, chairs are being removed from ticket gates at stations across the city.Sydney Trains also wants to remove control boxes, where platform staff sit between trains, for the same reason.However, the Rail Tram and Bus Union complains that making Customer Service Attendants spend close to eight hours a day on their feet will lead to health and safety issues.Sydney Trains said chairs have been removed for staff monitoring ticket barriers at Central, the City Circle and a number of suburban stations so they are “available to quickly help customers” and not stuck in back offices.

Members Raise Concerns on StationsCSA Sub-Division Secretary, Terry Johnson has visited a number of stations recently. During these station visits numerous concerns have been raised and presented to Sydney Trains. The following is a summary of the issues that members have raised and updates on their current status. 1. Part Time positions not being filled

– This matter is now in step 3 of the Dispute Settlement process.

2. Station Staff standing for unreasonable lengths of time. The length of time is up to 7 hours and 40 minutes at some locations. Another part of the issue is that Sydney Trains have implemented a rotation system. The flaw in this system is that station staff are rotating to a different duty that also requires standing. – The RTBU is waiting for the response from Sydney Trains.

3. Job Security features as a major concern for station staff. This is due to the recent amount of station reforms that have taken place. – The RTBU has reported this to Sydney Trains and are waiting for a response on what strategies they are intending to put in place to address the angst in the workplace.

4. There is confusion in relation to the accrual of annual leave entitlements for station staff. It appears that shift working station staff are receiving less than their five weeks entitlements and non shift workers are receiving less than their four weeks entitlements. – The RTBU has raised this with Sydney Trains and we are waiting for a response.

Confusion appears to be reigning over at Pacific National Coal.There have been multiple changed meeting dates and the company has continually failed to deliver on promised communications. And on top of that, the union has also heard reports of management telling members that that the original redundancy plan is being reviewed because they may have miscalculated their figures…Adding further confusion to the situation is that in an interview screened on ABC News 24 ‘The Business’ program recently the Asciano CEO responded to a question about the robustness of coal contracts with the following:“We have a very robust coal business” and contrary to what you read in the press sometimes, all the doom and gloom about the industry, it’s really the opposite we have seen record levels of throughout.”The union is greatly concerned that the CEO’s statement contradicts the reasoning we’ve been given for the redundancies, and is seeking urgent talks with the company to discuss this further.Members will be updated as soon as information comes to hand.

The Sydney Trains reform meetings are already well and truly underway in 2016, with a number of meetings with the company already taking place and delegates into their third week of working group meetings. Sydney Trains have only recently started to provide some detail on some of the matters being discussed, which the working groups are now examining, and developing their own options based on all the feedback we’ve collected from members through survey and other means. The Safety Indicators group is the area where the majority of work is currently being done, as the safety indicators will have an impact on all the other working group areas. The group is currently concerned that the company’s proposed safety indicators do not take into account all the relevant information, so are working carefully through the possible scenarios in order to see if they can come up with a more appropriate method which actually assess workload in a shift. Sydney Trains is still insisting that there is a need to move swiftly, however it is the union’s firm view and commitment to continue to focus on getting things right, rather than rushing the process in an effort to meet an arbitrary and unrealistic timeline. The RTBU request that member’s keep in mind that unless you hear it and or see it in writing from your union, it is probably a rumour. If members have any questions or comments please contact your local delegate or the RTBU office.


The Secretary goes to CanberraRTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens headed to Canberra as part of a union delegation recently, lobbying Federal politicians on issues of key importance to workers in NSW.

The delegation met with senior politicians from across the Parliament.

As well as discussing the issue of public transport, the union delegation also brought up a number of other important issues such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, Medicare, as well as changes to the pension and entitlements of those on defined benefits superannuation.

In a reflection of just how bad it has become under the Liberal Government, the MUA and other unions have set up a Jobs Embassy outside Parliament House, in order to

take their concerns straight to the decision makers.

General News

RTBU Supports Mobility AccessThe RTBU is giving support to the Unanderra Access Group who have been lobbying ( and submitted a petition with 10,000 signatures which they have been told they will have to do again?!) State and Federal governments for a number of years to have a lift installed at Unanderra station so as to provide better access for people with disabilities, elderly and less mobile people who live in the area to be able to catch a train from Unanderra instead of having to go to either Wollongong or Dapto to be able to board a train. As Unanderra is the fifth busiest station on the Illawarra line and has a high number of tourists who visit the nearby Nan Tien Temple, it makes no sense that this station does not have lifts installed when compared to other areas with less patronage.Unanderra Station was approved for a Station Upgrade (completed in 2007) and Elevator Installation (which was ceased in 2009 due to mains and pipes that had eroded under the ground). A 10,000 signature petition was submitted to National Parliament by Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay MP in 2012. The Unanderra Access Group has been advised that they will need to re-submit the petition. Access Group Chairperson Bec Schmidt has written to NSW Premier Mike Baird; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull; Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten; Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss; and even the NSW Governor, David Hurley, over the past twelve months, trying to get some answer or action on the station upgrade. The response received by the Unanderra

Access Group, are frustrating to say the least, with most being referred to other people, with a number passing the correspondence on to NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance. The most specific response was received in January this year, from John Sidoti MP, Parliamentary Secretay for Transport and Roads, advising that Unanderra Station ‘was being assessed under the Transport Access Plan’.WIN News recently ran a story on commuters in wheel chairs at the station dragging themselves and their wheel chairs up and down the stairs to access the station. As part of the story, a spokesperson from the Nan Tien Temple, Ven. Rev. Miao You Shih, invited politicians to visit the station and see the situation for themselves, and offered the hospitality of the Temple to host any such delegation.


Unions protest as the Hunter loses more jobsWith State and Federal Liberal Governments coming after our jobs and working conditions, unions have joined together in the Hunter to protest more threatened job cuts.

The protest outside the office of Bob Baldwin MP in Raymond Terrace came in response to the forcible removal by police of five workers from the bulk alumina carrier CSL Melbourne docked in Newcastle.

Only two months ago, unions in Newcastle were protesting the proposed privatisation of Newcastle Buses and Ferries, now they have come together again to defend the jobs of seafarers who have seen their jobs disappear at the stroke of a pen from the Federal Transport Minister who has allowed foreign workers earning as low as $2 an hour to now staff domestic shipping routes.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said this is a dark day for regional jobs.

“The Hunter alone has seen the sacking of seafarers, freight rail staff, and the threatened sacking of transport staff in Newcastle.

“It just shows that the Hunter is being used as a test case for just how far they can push their agenda of privatising and outsourcing jobs,” Mr Claassens said.

When the State Liberals threatened Newcastle Buses, the labour movement showed their strength and solidarity with nearly a dozen unions coming to show their support for protecting transport jobs in the Hunter.

Mr Claassens was proud that the RTBU stood alongside the unions that supported them last year in that fight including the MUA, AWU, the AMWU, and the ASU.

“In this climate, and the threats that we face on a daily basis from these governments, we need to stand together and we need to support each other in our fights to protect rights and conditions,” Mr Claassens said.

NSW Government meets with the union over Newcastle privatisation

Companies “not completely convinced” that trams are good for Newcastle

The NSW government met with the union over plans to privatise Newcastle Buses earlier in the year.The government has revealed that 12 companies have responded to the “market sounding”, and that they have shown “strong support” for the integrated service of buses, ferries, and light rail. This confirms union suspicion that the real reason behind the sell off of Newcastle’s public transport was to sweeten the deal for a private company to come along and build the proposed light rail.

DERAILED: Laurent Offroy, middle, the Newcastle project director for Keolis Downer.

The Bus and Tram Division have known since the beginning that more buses and more frequent services would be better for Newcastle, not an expensive light rail line.Now a senior official from the company that wants to run a privatised transport network in Newcastle says a better bus system would work just as well and be “much cheaper” than the government’s proposed light rail network.Laurent Offroy, Keolis Downer’s Newcastle project director, says the city is not big enough to justify a light rail network.With even the private companies saying that light rail isn’t good for Newcastle, we can see that this is more about the Liberal Government’s commitment to privatisation over good policy solutions for public transport in New South Wales.


At the recent Labor Party Conference held in Sydney, RTBU activist and delegate Andrew Reekie was awarded Life Membership of the ALP after more than 30 years involvement as a member of the Seven Hills and Lalor Park Branches. During that time Andrew has held several positions within the branches and the party.Andrew has shown, and continues to show the same commitment to the union movement, having been a delegate for the RTBU for 27 years. Andrew is continuing his active involvement through the RTBU Retired Members Association and Local Community Unions activities.

In January, ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver wrote to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to clarify the Federal Government’s position in relation to retaining penalty rates. Mr Oliver asked that the Commonwealth Government make a submission to the Fair Work Commission Modern Award Review that supports the retention of penalty rates, consistent with Minister Cash’s statements made to Radio National. The Prime Minster’s response is provided below.

RTBU Member Awarded ALP Life Membership

ACTU Seeks Clarification on Penalty Rates


Union Secures Travel Savings for Members

Private sector pay growth drops to 2%

Pack your bags, because RTBU members can now enjoy savings on all TFE Group hotels!

In great news for those looking to get away, the union has secured a new deal that will give members access to the special corporate rate on hotel rooms - usually reserved for business travellers.

Just by booking through the TFE Hotels website directly and paying with your credit card, members can now enjoy discounts at all Adina, Vibe, Rendezvous and Travelodge hotels worldwide.

Go to the following link or use the discount code TH6234129 when making your reservation to get the special rate. All bookings should be made through TFE Hotels directly, with all travel questions or issues directed to the hotel.

https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Chain=14687&locale=en-US&promo=TH6234129

The 2% rise in private sector rates of pay last year is the lowest in the almost 20 years of the Wage Price Index, according to the ABS.

Growth in rates of pay (excluding bonuses) in the private sector dropped from 2.4% in trend terms in the 2014 calendar year.

The private sector rate of trend growth is just ahead of the 1.7% headline consumer price inflation rate, but in line with the underlying inflation rate of 1.9% (trimmed

mean) or 2.1% (weighted median).

Growth in rates across the economy also dropped to a new low of 2.2% in 2015, while public sector growth dropped slightly to 2.6% in the calendar year.

It should be noted that the new low rates come only two years after then Workplace Relations Minister Eric Abetz warned in a speech to the Sydney Institute of the dangers of a wage "explosion".

Proudto Be

UNION

rAIL TrAM AND BUS UNION – NSW BrANch

EQUAL PAy FOr EQUAL WOrK

My UNION FOUGhT FOr MyEqual Pay for Equal Work * ... And Won!

*In 1969 the Commonwealth Conciliation & Arbitration Commission established a principle of equal pay for equal work, specifically excepting female work, which evolved slowly to become ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ in 1972. The ACTU Equal pay Case wins equal pay for men and women performing the same duties, introduced in 1975.




Michael Farhat Calls it a DayAfter more than 40 years on the job, and the past dozen or so as a Branch Organiser with the RTBU, Michael Farhat has decided uncharacteristically to give management a reprieve, and relax into retirement.

Michael has worked in various locations around the industry, and spent many years as a union representative at Darling Harbour then at Sydney Central Station. He has held various elected positions in the union including Vice President of the CSA Sub-Division and as delegate to Branch and National Council.

In 2003, Michael was appointed as Organiser in the Sydney Head Office, with responsibilities in the workshop and passenger fleet maintenance areas. As any manager or RTBU member who knew Michael during this time, he took on the role of defending union members with enthusiasm and passion always. He will be missed by members and officers alike, but always fondly remembered for his fiery defence of members and their families.

Many past and present work colleagues and RTBU members caught up with Michael at Platform 26 (Royal Exhibition Hotel) on 12 February to say their goodbye’s, wish him well, and share a few war stories. We take this opportunity to wish Michael a long and happy retirement enjoying time with his family and putting his feet up after a well earned rest.

Michael supporting

MUA members at Botany

picket

Michael and Jonathan Parker at Climate Change Rally

Former Branch Secretary Nick Lewocki speaking at Michael's farewell

Secretary, Alex Claassens presenting Michael with a Membership Plaque


Harmony Day Celebrations Kick Off Early at Parramatta StationHarmony Day is traditionally held on the 21st of March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Australia is a very diverse country which is clearly demonstrated within the rail industry. Some figures from the ABS 2011Census data that support this are:

• 45% of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was

• 85% of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia

• The most common languages spoken in Australia are English, Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Vietnamese, Tagalog/Filipino, Spanish and Hindi

• There are more than 60 Indigenous languages that are spoken in Australia

• 92% of Australians feel a great sense of belonging in Australia

Parramatta Station led the charge by running the celebrations on the 15th of March.

This amazing event was coordinated and run under the guidance of Laarni Dizon ,Signaller from Granville Box with an army of volunteers including Imelda Bondoc, Libby Rose, Maria Corazon Talastas, Julie King and Shilebeth Hanz to who all deserve hearty congratulations.

The ceremony was opened by Laarni who warmly welcomed everyone and covered the full program.

There were many highlights of the event which includes Libby Rose (CSA) performing the

mesmerising traditional ‘Malong’ dance routine and leading a sing along to ‘From a Distance’, Ash Kharel who performed traditional Nepalese dance, Stephanie Bernardo who has the voice of an angel, a Jazz set performed by Bobby Harrison who would make Frank Sinatra green with envy, Aaron O’Neil who performed a rousing set on the Bagpipes and the Zaffet Afraah Entertainment who performed Middle Easter drumming led by a Mizmar (similar to an oboe).

We also had the privilege to be addressed by Ms. Dai Le. Ms. Le spoke about how she arrived in Australia in 1979 as a refugee from the camps in Hong Kong. Ms. Le also spoke of some of the challenging aspects she faced and with much hard work she mastered English. Ms. Le is an award-winning journalist, film-maker and broadcaster with the ABC. Ms. Le is passionate about increased representation of Asian Australian women and cultural diverse groups in mainstream institutions and went on to form the Diverse Australasian Women’s Network (DAWN). DAWN was created as a space where Asian women and men can advocate for and promote inclusive leadership from within Australia's culturally diverse workplaces.

The RTBU would like to congratulate all the members that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to put this event together; it was a true reflection of Harmony Day.

The event finished with a feast containing food from various cultures.


Aurizon Employees Reject In-Cab RecordingsAfter seeing Aurizon’s lackluster attempt at an employee survey to gauge workers’ views on the introduction of in-cab recording systems, the RTBU Loco Division decided to launch our own member survey.The preliminary findings show that members’ understanding of the proposed Block 1B software upgrade (of which the in-cab recording systems are a part) is very mixed.One thing that members are completely unified on however is their opposition to the implementation of the in-cab recording systems, with 97% of respondents saying that they do not support the introduction of the system. Some of the survey results are included below, and a more detailed analysis of the survey responses will be provided in the next issue of Rail & Road.

AUTHORISED: R Hayden Locomotive Divisional Secretary Level 4, 321 Pitt St Sydney.NSW 2000

March 15, 2016

Aurizon in-cab recordings: your view

After seeing Aurizon’s lackluster attempt at an employee survey to gauge workers’ views on the introduction of in-cab recording systems, the Loco Division decided to launch our own member survey.

The survey closed yesterday, and the preliminary findings show that members’ understanding of the proposed Block 1B software upgrade (of which the in-cab recording systems are a part) is very mixed.

One thing that members are completely unified on however is their opposition to the implementation of the in-cab recording systems, with 97% of respondents saying that they do not support the introduction of the system.

See an overview of the findings below:

Do you support Aurizon's implementa3on of the in-‐cab recording systems?

YES

NO

I don't know


Do you believe your workplace conversa3ons should be recorded?

YES

NO

I don't know/don't care

Do you believe the in-‐cab recording system will reduce incidents?

YES

NO

I don't know


Do you believe your workplace conversa3ons should be recorded?

YES

NO

I don't know/don't care


YES

NO

I don't know


Do you trust Aurizon management to do the right thing with video and audio

recording in your workplace?

YES

NO

I don't know


YES

NO

I don't know


Do you think the in-‐cab monitoring will be a distrac3on to drivers that could impact

safety?

YES

NO

I don't know

Do you feel Aurizon has undertaken a comprehensive consulta3on process with

workers on the Block 1B upgrade?

YES

NO

I don't know


Do you think the in-‐cab monitoring will be a distrac3on to drivers that could impact

safety?

YES

NO

I don't know

Do you feel Aurizon has undertaken a comprehensive consulta3on process with

workers on the Block 1B upgrade?

YES

NO

I don't know


What do you think Aurizon leadership will use the in-‐cab recording system for?

[choose all you think are true]

Performance reviews

Discipline

Incident inves=ga=on

Improving safety

I don't know

Other


After first announcing that they were going with the Qube Consortium’s bid, the Asciano Board a week later indicated that Qube and Brookfield have now decided to team up and develop a joint bid for 100% of Asciano.

The talks are in the early stages and there is no formal agreement between Brookfield and Qube as yet, but the joint move is looking increasingly likely at this stage.

Only one thing is for certain at the moment – keeping up with this saga is not easy!

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the Asciano bid in detail in an article on 26 February. The SMH article reported that:

“An eight-month takeover battle for ports and rail group Asciano could be at an end after rival bidders Qube and Brookfield Infrastructure teamed up to work together on a joint $9.05 billion cash offer.

Logistics group Qube and Canada's Brookfield have told Asciano's board they are willing to pay $9.28 per Asciano share in cash to split up the company.

Qube and Brookfield want to run Asciano's Patrick's ports business in a 50-50 joint venture while their consortium partners, which include international infrastructure groups and pension funds, would acquire Asciano's Pacific National rail haulage business.

A successful deal would avoid a bidding war for Asciano, which was first approached by Brookfield in July when the Canadians offered $9.05 per share in cash and stock for the whole company."

Brookfield and Qube have tried to out manoeuvre one another over the past eight months with competing takeover bids of a similar value, making it hard for Asciano's board to choose a winner but benefiting shareholders who have enjoyed

increasingly higher offers.”

Qube and Brookfield, which each own 20 per cent of Asciano, need approval from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) before making a formal bid. However, investors appear confident that a deal is likely, with Asciano shares rising by 14 cents, and Qube’s shares rising by 20 cents in late February. If the deal is approved, Qube and Brookfield would pay $2.9 billion for Patrick’s.

Qube’s consortium partners, also plan to team up with some of Brookfield’s consortium partners to buy Asciano’s Pacific National rail haulage business, “Brookfield will not take a stake in Pacific National to assuage competition concerns previously raised by the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), which has been reviewing both Qube and Brookfield’s proposals”, the SMH article has reported.

The Asciano, Qube and Brookfield Love TriangleQube and Brookfield teaming up?

Proudto Be

UNION

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PENALTy rATES OF PAy

My UNION FOUGhT FOr MyPenalty Rates of Pay * ... And Won!* Penalty rates were established in awards in 1947, when unions argued in the Arbitration Commission that people needed extra pay for working outside normal hours, or working ‘ unsocial’ hours.


Labor Bill to Seek to Boost Protections for Visa WorkersThe Federal Opposition has given notice that it will introduce a Private Member's Bill that would trigger a crackdown on underpayments, sham contracting and exploitation of temporary visa workers.

Shadow workplace relations minister Brendan O'Connor unveiled the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Australian Workers) Bill 2016 in February, which will be introduced into the Senate on March 15.

"Labor is willing to work with the Government, the Greens and the crossbench to deliver this critical protection for workers in Australia," he said.

O'Connor accused the Turnbull Government of inaction on exploitation, despite hearing evidence in a Senate inquiry that 7-Eleven workers were being intimidated, and even beaten for complaining about underpayments.

The Bill is based on Labor's policy, Protecting Rights at Work, which was released earlier in the year by Labor leader Bill Shorten.

The legislation makes clear that the Fair Work Act applies to workers who breach their visa conditions, which is expected to result in more complaints of exploitation.

It would increase maximum penalties for underpayment but the explanatory memorandum says the higher penalty would "only apply to companies that should have a "level of human resources sophistication" and that are already subject to statutory duties that govern their conduct.

"The higher penalty will not apply to small business," the EM says.

It includes a new s559C which introduces two new criminal offences for breaches of the Fair Work involving temporary overseas workers.

The draft explanatory memorandum says the offences relate to coercion or a threat within the meaning of the

slavery and slavery-like conditions provision in the Criminal Code.

The definition of coercion includes force, duress, detention, psychological oppression, abuse of power, or taking advantage of a person's vulnerability, but does not affect the definition of coercion in other parts of the Fair Work Act.

"This offence is intended to penalise conduct which is serious, but which falls short of existing offences related to forced labour, servitude and the like," the draft explanatory memorandum says.

Elsewhere, the Bill aims to crackdown on sham contracting and include protection from adverse action if a worker asks whether they are an employee and not an independent contractor.

It will also give the Fair Work Ombudsman more power to pursue employers who liquidate their companies to avoid paying entitlements.

ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said recent cases at 7-Eleven, Myer and Pizza Hut showed that current laws are not strong enough and that penalties need to be increased.

"We've seen and heard too many examples of exploitative conduct by employers who feel they can get away with treating their workers in a despicable manner but these high profile cases are only the tip of the iceberg," Oliver said.

"It's time company directors are held personally liable for lost wages and entitlements in cases where companies fold only to open the next day under a different name, in the same way they already are for unpaid Superannuation."

"There needs to be bipartisan support for these significant and long-called-for worker protections which lift the corporate veil."

www.locoexpress.com.au

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Corporate Sydney Trains jobs come at the expense of those on the frontline

I Pledge to Challenge Conscious and Unconscious Bias

These are the figures that highlight the NSW Government’s attack on frontline transport services.An examination of the number of workers employed in various roles within Sydney Trains, shows that while the number of frontline jobs has been slashed, backroom management roles have skyrocketed.The Transport for NSW document reveals that ‘Corporate’, ‘Professional’, and ‘Senior Service’ roles have increased sharply, while train operations, train crew and station staff numbers have fallen considerably.If this isn’t a clear sign that the NSW Government has its priorities all wrong when it comes to our transport systems, we’re not sure what is.

RTBU Women’s Campaign Committee (WCC) members take the ‘Pledge For Parity’, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day. International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual tradition that began in 1908 and is observed on March 8. The day marks a global celebration of women's economic, social, political, and cultural achievements. Each year, new barriers to female success emerge, which makes it difficult to achieve gender equality in all aspects of life. Therefore, in addition to the celebration of women's achievements, IWD encourages citizens all over the world to take action toward gender parity between men and women. Past years have focused on themes such as "Woman and Human Rights" and "World Free of Violence Against Women." The IWD theme for 2016 is "Pledge For Parity." It asks people all over the world to pledge to help women achieve equality with men.The RTBU WCC were joined by the Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC and Maryanne Stuart, ACTU Organiser on the Better Future Campaign, who is well known to RTBU members in her previous education and training role in our union.Courtney is a former official of the NSW Australian Labor Party, spending the last ten years organising community campaigns with Labor members across the state with a strong focus on ensuring regional NSW receives its fair share of government services and infrastructure.As a newly elected member (March 2015) of the NSW Legislative Council, she is committed to representing all of NSW. Courtney will be a strong voice for working families, who are often too busy balancing work and family and get overlooked by government. Courtney strongly believes that governments, first and foremost, should support working

people and provide a safety net for those who need it most. She is a strong advocate for universal and accessible healthcare, quality local education, and safe and fair workplace practices.After meeting with the WCC, Courtney Houssos mentioned the work of the committee in a speech to Parliament on 9 March:“Finally, I pay tribute to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union Women's Campaign Committee, who I spoke to yesterday on International Women's Day. Every day these incredibly humble and dedicated train and bus drivers are breaking down barriers and advocating for women's participation in some of today's most male-dominated roles. I was inspired by them and the valuable work they do for not just our community but all women”. Everyone - men and women - can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly - whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.


Baird's privatisation plan a betrayal of Western Sydney

What’s more, it would be the ultimate betrayal of the transport-poor residents of Western Sydney, who desperately need access to affordable and reliable public transport.In the 2015 NSW election, Mike Baird made it clear that only way to pay for train lines was to sell off profit-making government assets. It was even given a nice friendly name: “asset recycling”. Asset recycling, however, is a lazy and short-sighted way to build new infrastructure. It ultimately imposes financial pain on future generations who have to pay extra tax to make up for the lost revenue from those government businesses.There are better, more sustainable ways of funding infrastructure.Governments in other parts of the world have realised that transport infrastructure creates value for the economy. Conventionally, most of that value ends up in the hands of the private businesses and property owners. But if governments are able to harness some of those financial benefits, then new public transport assets can pay for themselves over time.This approach is commonly called value capture, and it’s all about making sure that some of the value created by a new infrastructure project is returned back to the people who are funding it.Last year the RTBU released a landmark report, prepared by SGS Economics and Planning, into value capture and how it can be

applied in Australia. The value capture approach can be done a number of different ways – such as applying levies to property owners and businesses that benefit from increased property values.It can also involve developing land along rail corridors and over train stations to realise the value of those assets (so-called Transit Oriented Developments).If NSW were to adopt a value capture approach then the State Government could invest in Transit-Oriented Developments along rail corridors and at stations.And when new rail lines are built, the property owners and businesses who profit from increased land values could pay a portion of their windfall back to the government to help pay for that infrastructure. It’s good, sensible policy – increasing densities around transport nodes, providing housing options for people closer to the city, and generating a vital income stream for government.Labor took the first step towards this approach at the recent NSW Labor Conference – passing a resolution to investigate value capture as a way to fund new public transport projects.The Baird Government followed suit one week later by announcing a tender process for possible developments over inner city train stations.Here’s the difference - instead of developing its rail assets in order to reinvest the money back into the system, the Baird Government is

looking for private developers to do the work – and take the profits – for them. This is not capturing value – it’s liberating value and sending it straight into the arms of merchant bankers, property developers and multinationals.According to media reports, the Baird Government is apparently in discussions about developing the airspace over rail lines with MTR, the Hong Kong-based multinational it has already contracted MTR to run the North West Rail Link.And leaked government documents have also revealed that the entire Sydney Trains network could be handed over to a private operator such as MTR.If there’s any thing to be learned from the Hong Kong experience it’s that rail assets are valuable and can provide an important source of income for governments.The Hong Kong government must be laughing their heads off at the eagerness of Australian politicians to give them free money.A Premier for the people would develop inner city rail assets and reinvest the profits back into Western Sydney. A Premier for the people would also create a government-owned infrastructure manager to build affordable housing along transport corridors.But if Mike Baird wastes this rolled gold opportunity – and hands it over to the merchant bankers and deal makers - it will prove that he is nothing more than a Premier for the big end of town.

RTBU National Secretary Bob Nanva has blasted Mike Baird’s reported plan to privatise the rail system and hand over the airspace over train stations to private developers as an outrageous act of economic vandalism.


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Branch Secretary Alex Claassens has provided a summary on the outcomes of the recent NSW Labor Conference that was held in the Sydney Town Hall on the 13th & 14th of February 2016. As usual the RTBU was well represented with our delegation successful in getting a number of resolutions passed by the Conference.

Investment in transport infrastructure and opposition to privatisation of public transport services were two of the big issues raised by us.

Our Union played a big role in the Conference, putting forward important policy ideas and supporting the election of the party’s first-ever female General Secretary.

National Secretary Bob Nanva gave an important speech about party reform, while Alex chaired the policy committee examining transport, urban planning environment, energy, regional development and local government issues.

Below is a summary of some of conference highlights for our Union:

RTBU Resolutions

NSW Labor has embraced the RTBU’s policy of using “value capture” and the development of rail assets to fund new public transport projects. The issue was highlighted in the Sydney

Morning Herald in the lead-up to the Conference, and caused quite a bit of discussion around the Conference.

The RTBU’s policy resolution was moved by National Secretary Bob Nanva, and seconded by the Labor Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP. It was accepted by the Economics Policy Committee and endorsed unanimously by the Conference.

NSW Labor has committed to keeping all existing government-run public transport services in public hands, endorsing a policy resolution from the RTBU.

The RTBU also put forward a resolution condemning the Baird Government for its proposed privatisation of Newcastle Buses.

The controversial changes to Sydney’s bus timetables also came in for criticism, with the RTBU putting forward a resolution to restore bus services connecting commuters to critical destination points such as Circular Quay.

Kaila Murnain: Labor’s first female General Secretary

Kaila Murnain was convincingly elected to the position of General Secretary, receiving over 60 per cent of votes from Conference Delegates.

Kaila is an energetic and talented campaigner. She grew up in Narrabri and joined the Labor party when she was 15, and has worked tirelessly for the party ever since. Kaila certainly gave an inspiring speech to the Conference floor.

The relationship between our Union and the ALP is just as vital today as it was for our forebears, with the Liberal State Government following their ideology of trying to balance the books by job cuts and privatisation of public assets.

In case you still need persuading, remember that we have lost 3,000 positions in the public sector since their election. The Baird Government has privatised the ferries and announced the privatisation of all public transport in the Hunter, and just recently announced it is looking at the privatisation of the Sydney Trains Network.

And let’s not forget the support they continue to give the big end of town like Aurizon and Asciano where they are lining up to slash Jobs, wages and conditions at every turn.

So probably now more than ever we simply must have representatives in state and federal parliaments who are committed to protecting the rights of working people.

RTBU Ensuring Transport is on Labor Agenda


RTBU Members can also take advantage of the United Services Union’s Aquatic Resort at Port MacquarieThe RTBU and USU have a reciprocal arrangement where members of each union can book holidays at the two locations, at member discounted rates.

The USU owns the Aquatic holiday resort, in a glorious location on the Hastings River at Port Macquarie on the north coast of New South Wales. The resort consists of a Motel and a Caravan Park.

Stay in comfort at the holiday resort and enjoy great discounts and great style while relaxing in what many say is the best climate in Australia.

No matter what type of holiday you are after your needs are covered. Lots to do any time of the year! There are a lot of attractions in the area for you and your family – have a great game of Putt-Putt golf or try Jet boating, Parra Sailing, Waterslides, Wave Bowling & Lawn Bowls which are all within walking distance. And don’t forget the fi shing!Please note – there are no tent sites at the Port Macquarie Caravan Park.

You can contact the motel or caravan park by calling the Comfort Inn Aquatic Motel on 02 6583 7388 or the Aquatic Palms Caravan Park on 02 6584 9155 or check the website at www.aquaticinport.com.au

You can also call the United Services Union’s Head Offi ce on 02 9265 8211 for more information.

Members must provide proof of identity plus their RTBU membership card at the time of arrival at Jervis Bay or Port Macquarie or full rates will apply. United Services Union

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RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay

Located in the Booderee National Park, the RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay, is just a 3 hour drive south from Sydney, but a world away…Each of the 14 self-contained units sleep up to a maximum of 6 people and rates are based on a family of 2 adults and 4 children. Other rates are available, however all units only have the capacity to sleep 6 people.Units have a double bed, two single beds and a set of double bunks. You will need to bring your own sheets as only mattress protectors, quilts and pillows are supplied.The units contain a digital television, an oven, microwave, fridge, crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots and pans as well as basic cooking utensils. Make sure you come prepared as the closest grocery shop is in Vincentia, a 30 minute drive away.The RTBU Holiday Park facilities available to all guests include a Boat Ramp, Undercover Bar-B-Q area with seating, Tennis Court and a Coin Operated Laundry.There are various swimming spots to enjoy and natural areas to explore, suitable for all the family.Kangaroos, possums, wallabies, kookaburras, bandicoots, echidnas and rosellas visit the grounds of the Holiday Park daily. Enjoy fishing for whiting, flathead and bream from the calm shores or take a quick walk to experience beach fishing for tailor and salmon on the pristine Bherwerre Beach.The boat ramp allows direct access via the Sussex Inlet Channel to St Georges Basin or outside into the famous fishing grounds of Jervis Bay.Bookings can be made by telephoning the RTBU Office on (02) 9264 2511.

Booderee National Park & Bherwerre BeachIn the Dhurga language, Booderee means “Bay of Plenty” and the area is the home to the people of Wreck Bay.The Booderee National Park has the only Aboriginal owned Botanic Garden in Australia. The gardens are well known for providing a centre for interpreting plants used by the local aboriginal people.The Park is also home to 200 species of birds, over 30 different native mammals including 10 species of bats, 37 reptiles, 17 amphibians and at least 180 species of fish.The White-Bellied Sea Eagle is a special bird at Booderee as it is the guardian of the Koori people of Wreck Bay and features on the Booderee National Park logo. This spectacular eagle has a white head, rump and underparts, dark or slate grey back and wings. It has an awe-inspiring wingspan of up to 2.2 metres. Within the Booderee National Park you will find beautiful white sandy beaches at Green Patch, Murrays, Steamers, Caves and Bherwerre.Bherwerre is home to some of the Boderee National Parks rarer seabirds. Pods of Bottle-nose dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves at the Sussex Inlet Entrance and Humpback whales have been known to enter the protected areas close to shore.

http://www.aquaticinport.com.au


Liberals given the message that they need to listen and be guided by the people. The message is HANDS OFF MEDICARE! Retired members and current members of the RTBU joined with the Penrith Valley Community Union (PVCU) to take the local liberal Federal Member, Fiona Scott to task over the proposed Medicare cuts.The PVCU is a collective of rank and file members and retirees of a number of different unions that live in the local area. The PVCU meet monthly to identify and develop campaign strategies. They then run these campaigns in their local area. Some of the retirees that attend have a history of membership with the RTBU, HSU, ETU, CFMEU, Professionals Australia, SDA, PSA, USU, MUA and NTEU and are all active through the various retired member’s divisions. The protest was headed by Peter Mason and is part of a major campaign by the PVCU against the changes the community do not support. Peter is quoted in a statement as saying ‘People are angry because they know this is the beginning of the end of Medicare as we know it. The Federal Liberal government won’t stop here. First it was the co-payment and cuts to hospital funding. Now they want to privatise the payments system and charge us for life saving tests. Cuts to these services will delay diagnosis and put lives at risk.”Ms. Scott is quoted in the Penrith City Gazette as saying in response that unions should not be spending members’ money on such campaigns and if she was a local union member she would be really angry. This is a pitiful response which really doesn’t address the concerns that people have to pay for lifesaving tests and serves to distract from the core issue of charging people for life saving tests and access to affordable health care. The PVCU is putting the Liberal Party on notice that the local community are not accepting any part of Medicare being privatised as it will make health care inaccessible for the average person. Australian can’t afford and don’t want an Americanised health system. Similar rallies will be held to oppose Medicare cuts at various locations in the near future - check the RTBU and UnionsNSW websites for details.

RTBU Retirees and Members with Penrith Valley Community Unions Protest outside MP’s Office

On the Campaign Trail


On Tuesday 23rd February 2016 the insurance industry held a conference at the Swissotel in Sydney. The subject of the conference was injured workers. It is interesting to note that no injured workers invited to attend or address the conference even though they were the subject matter. In response to this rebuff the Injured Workers Support Network and their membership held an action outside the Swissotel. The event was supported by Unions NSW and affiliated unions. This was inclusive of the RTBU who had a strong delegation which included current and retired members. The Injured Workers Support Network was set up in 2011 and is a not for profit organisation whose prime purpose is to assist injured workers in meetings the adjustment needs, psychological issues and re-employment challenges during their injury by offering advice in gaining the services for which they are entitled to. The RTBU is very proud to be associated with the Injured Workers Support Network. The event was opened by Rowan Kernebone (Injured Workers Support Network Coordinator). Followed by an address from Mark Morey (Secretary of Unions NSW) who informed the crowd that Unions NSW will continue the fight to reinstate rights for injured workers followed by Clayton Barr (ALP Member for Cessnock) and David Shoebridge (The Greens). A number of Injured Workers were given the platform to tell the crowd their stories which were all very moving. All of these injured workers told of how badly mistreated they were by insurance companies and the current systems. It was also obvious on how the political system have failed them by not supplying the proper support required whilst injured workers are fighting to reclaim their lives after a workplace injury.

Injured Workers Protest Insurance Conference

Safety Matters

Insurance Industry refuses to include injured workers in a conference about injured workers.


Fire alarms sent the workers rushing into King St as evacuation procedures kicked into place.The depot was shut down for approximately 45 minutes as local fire crews investigated the cause.While no fire was found interesting questions have been raised about the potential cause of the blaze.Local management was questioned and the lack of water pressure was blamed, however it could have been

a toaster, burning pizza box or a faulty sprinkler unit.The Union is pleased to announce that P TIPS (Public Transport Information and Priority System) - a global positioning system about buses and their locations wasn’t used to determine if the depot was in fact alight.No Members of the RTBU were harmed during this evacuation.

Following the attack of another Sydney bus driver, the Bus and Tram Division Secretary Chris Preston has called on the courts to deal swiftly with the offender.“Drivers have a lot to deal with while out on the road, and the last thing they need is to be harassed for just doing their job,” Chris Preston said.“Not only are they battling against Sydney traffic, they also have to deal with road rage, verbal assaults, spitting, and as this week saw, shovel attacks. Enough is enough,”With the offender arrested, Chris Preston said it was up to the authorities to deal with him.

“I understand that the man has been questioned by police, and I would expect that he will be dealt with properly to act as a deterrent to others who may think that they can get away with a cowardly act,” Mr Preston said.Union representatives have reviewed the security camera footage and found the bus pulled out from the curb with plenty of distance, yet still provoked this unnecessary outburst.When the offender became enraged the driver closed his window to try to defuse the incident but the thug took offence to this and decided to attack the bus.

Randwick Bus Depot Evacuated

Unprovoked attack on driver just one incident of many

An urgent evacuation of Randwick depot took place on January 27.


RTBU Express Website

www.rtbuexpress.com.au

For more information, contact Don McKechnie

on 0409 813 643 or the union office on (02) 9264 2511

Join the RTBU Retired Members

Association

Have You Left the Industry? Retired? Or No Longer Want to be in the Union?

If you have left the industry, permanently or for a period, have retired, or are off work due to illness, or no longer want to be a member of the RTBU, you must resign, or suspend your union membership, in writing.Our union rules provide that members leaving the union for whatever reason, must do so in writing. If you do not resign in writing, you will continue to be included on our union membership and liable for the dues owing for that time.Please note: Regardless of whether your union dues were paid by direct debit or through payroll deductions, the employer is not authorised to change your membership details after resignation or leaving the union. You must do this personally.Please contact the membership office at the union for more information.

Bus Express is constantly updated with new information from around the depots – including workplace disputes, industry updates and news about RTBU Members.

Members who subscribe to the web site get a fortnightly email with links to all the latest scoops. Printed newsletters will also be distributed around depots.

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Whistlestop

Farewell Sam Makki

In Memory of Joe Marinak (1931-2015)

In early January we learned the sad news that Hussein (Sam) Makki passed away after a long battle with cancer. Mr Tony Eid, Director Operations, Sydney Trains, described Sam as “an amazing person who dedicated his life not only to his family but to his work. Sam worked on the railways for over 30 years in various roles, but was most well-known for keeping the network moving when systems failed. Sam had the utmost respect of executives, senior management, his colleagues and train crew, he will be truly missed. Sam was well respected in the rail community, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Joe Marinak who was a stalwart of the Australian Railways Union from the 1950s to the early 1990s passed away in Sydney on 29 December 2015.Joe was employed by NSW Railways at the Chullora Workshops, where he took on the role of union representative over many years.Joe worked, from time to time out of the ARU office in Sydney as a Union Organiser in the 1980s and was always a strong supporter of the union and its campaigns.Joe believed in fairness in the workplace giving considerable attention to Occupational Health and Safety issues. Joe also devoted significant energy towards securing just solutions to wages and conditions issues brought to him as union representative by his workmates.Joe was for many years on the ARU delegation to the NSW Labor Council and also on the union’s delegation to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.Joe’s other passion was the Labor Party which he joined in 1963. His loyalty to the Labor Movement was exceptional.Joe served as President of the party’s Campsie Branch from 1973 to 2012. In 2003 he was awarded life membership of the party.

Over the years, Joe held numerous positions on the Labor Electorate Councils for the state electorate of Canterbury, and the federal electorates of Lang, Grayndler and Watson. Joe regularly attended the NSW ALP State Conference on the ARU delegation.Joe was also a member of the ALP’s Canterbury Municipal Committee and stood as an ALP candidate for Alderman on Canterbury Council in 1989.

Joe always gave unstinting support to Labor during elections spending all day handing out how-to-vote tickets and then scrutineering after the polls closed.In 1947 Joe escaped the oppressive regime in his homeland of Czechoslovakia, by lodging himself under a train and taking a death-defying journey across the border into Vienna. He then spent two years in refugee camps in West Germany before arriving in Australia in 1949.Joe is survived by his three children, Anne, Helen and John.


RIP Neville Schrader

VALE John Dawes

At the end of January, Branch Secretary Alex Claassens and Locomotive Divisional Secretary Bob Hayden, attended the funeral in Orange of former AFULE stalwart and train driver, Neville Schrader. Neville was originally from Kyogle, and started his career as an upholster in the Carriage Workshops before becoming a fireman on the steam engines in the 1960s, before progressing to becoming a driver, and posted to Ivanhoe on the freight trains. Neville met his wife in Ivanhoe, before moving and spending much of his working life in Parkes, where he was also an AFULE Western Councillor, and active on the AFULE Committee, and Divisional Vice-President during the era of Bob Plain and Bob MacManus.

Neville was also an avid bird watcher and passionate environmentalist, and spent a lot of his time educating people about our native flora and fauna. Neville was awarded an OAM for his outstanding contribution to the environment.

As with most train drivers, his other passion was his trains. As his son Robert recalls “Numerous times I had the opportunity to travel with dad from Parkes to Ivanhoe, where I too grew a love of trains just like dad. He always had a passion for his trains, and as a family, when travelling, would call out the class of train, and dad was always there to help us if we got it wrong.”

We extend our condolences to Neville’s family and friends, and join them in mourning the loss of a great railway and union man.

Earlier this year Sydney Trains and the industry farewelled a popular rail manager, in John Dawes. John was a dedicated railway man with over forty years of service. He commenced as a cadet engineer with Sydney buses in 1972 before transferring to State Rail Authority sometime after he graduated. John’s career lead him to such areas as:• Bus Engineering and Operations• Freight Operations• Freight Engineering and Projects including delivery of

diesel locomotives• Tangara Project• Train CrewingIn his early career in rail, John worked on a number of diesel locomotive projects, he then held a variety of positions from Train Crewing Manager and Engineering Manager, to Project Delivery Manager for Rolling Stock and worked on countless special projects for the Executive Manager Special Projects. John worked on a number of reform projects in the crewing and operations area including the development of the first Drug and Alcohol Policy and was a Director on the board of the formation of NSW Trains. More recently, John was instrumental in establishing the Sydney Trains Tangara

Technology Upgrade Project and delivering Oscar Stage 3 & 3A. John managed to balance his private and work lives, as he pursued his passions for:• Motor cycles• Sailing• Travel.John’s successes with sailing and motor cycles are a testament to his passion and attention to detail along with travel which took John and wife Pam to the 4 corners of the world.John was highly regarded in Transport as a person with great knowledge, empathy and common sense. John had the ability to communicate and be respected by all the people he worked with at all levels of organisations both within and outside Transport. John’s calm and logical approach together with a good sense of humour was a key reason for his successes throughout his career and specifically with the success of the Oscar Train Project.John will be considerably missed by friends, family and work colleagues. We offer our sincere condolences to Pam and the family in their time of loss.

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RTBU Change of DeTails foRm

Change of Personal Details

Change in Banking Details

Surname

Street Address

Home Telephone Number

Name of Financial Institution (Bank)

Credit Card Type: Eg Visa, MasterCard, AMX

Credit Card Number Expiry Date

Branch where account is held

Credit card in the name of

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Bank/State Branch Number: (BSB Six Digits) Account Number (Maximum of 9 digits)

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Account in the name(s) of

SIGNATURE DATE

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Employee Number RTBU Member Number

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Date Commenced

Next Pay Week

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Suburb

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Post Code

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iMPortant Members need to specify the date of their next pay so that when the membership fee debit occurs on a friday there is sufficient money in the account to ensure the transaction is not dishonoured which results in you then being charged an additional fee by your bank.

Details of Bank aCCoUnt to Be DeBiteD

Details of CreDit CarD to Be DeBiteD

I/We authorise and request the Rail Tram and Bus Union, until further notice in writing to arrange for my/our account described in this direct debit authority, to be debited with any amounts which the debit user may properly debit or charge me/us through the direct debit system.

I/We authorise and request this direct debit authority to remain in force until cancelled, deferred or otherwise altered in accordance with this service agreement.

Please email your completed form to [email protected] by using the submit button Post: Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or fax: 02 9261 1342

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sUBMit

I, ___________________________________________________ the undersigned, hereby apply to become a member of the Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Industry Union, an Organisation of employees registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 as amended, and hereby undertake to comply with the Rules & By-Laws for the time being of the Union.Signature of Applicant _______________________________________________________ Dated _____________________ I, __________________________________________________ the undersigned, hereby apply to become a member of the Australian Rail, Tram & Bus Union NSW, an Organisation registered under the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW) as amended, and hereby undertake to comply with the Rules and By-Laws for the time being of the Union.Signature of Applicant _______________________________________________________ Dated _____________________

DETAILS OF THE ACCOUNT TO BE DEBITED

Account Name OR Name on Credit Card __________________________________________________________

Financial Institution ______________________________________________ Branch ___________

Date of next pay week __________________________IMPORTANT Members need to specify the date of their next pay so that when the membership fee debit occurs on a Friday there is sufficient money in the account to

ensure the transaction is not dishonoured which results in you then being charged an additional fee by your bank.

Bank/State Branch No. (BSB) Account No./ If Credit Union Membership No. _____________

Card Type MasterCard Visa Expiry Date /

Credit Card Number

Please submit this Form to the RTBU’s Membership Officer by email [email protected] OR Mail to Level 4, 321 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 OR Fax (02) 9261 1342

RTBU MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

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Membership Enquiries Telephone (02) 9264 2511

1. I agree to pay $ __________ via DIRECT DEBIT fortnightly; OR

CREDIT CARD fortnightly or any other amounts as may be determined from time to time in accordance with the Rules of the Union.

I certify that I have received a copy of Rule 14, Notification of Resignation From Membership.2. I/We authorise and request the Rail Tram & Bus Union, until further notice in writing to arrange for my/ our account

described in this direct debit authority, to be debited with any amounts which the debit user may properly debit or charge me/us through the direct debit system.

3. I/We authorise my employer to notify the Rail, Tram & Bus Union of any change of address during my employment.4. I/We authorise and request this direct debit authority to remain in force until cancelled, deferred or otherwise altered in

accordance with this service agreement.Signature of Applicant _____________________________________________________ Dated ____________________

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Street Address

Home Telephone Number

Employer

Occupation: Eg Train Driver

Date Of Birth Email (work)

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Mobile Number

Date Commenced

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Post Code

MaleFemale

Fulltime Part time Casual

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RESIGNATION FROM MEMBERSHIP

OF THE RTBU1. A member may resign from membership of the

Union by written notice addressed and delivered to the Secretary of his/her Branch.

2. A notice of resignation from membership of the Union takes effect:–

(a) where the member ceases to be eligible to become or remain a member of the Union

(i) on the day on which the notice is received by the Union or

(ii) on the day specified in the notice, which is a day not earlier than the day when the member ceases to be eligible to become a member, whichever is later; or

(b) In any other case:–

(i) at the end of two weeks; or

(ii) on the day specified in the notice: whichever is later.

3. Any subscriptions, fees, fines and levies owing but not paid by a former member of the Union in relation to a period before the member’s resignation took effect, may be sued for and recovered in the name of the Union in a Court of competent jurisdiction, as a debt due to the Union.

4. A notice delivered to the Branch Secretary shall be deemed to have been received by when it was delivered.

5. A notice of resignation that has been received by the Union is not invalid because it was not addressed and delivered the Branch Secretary.

6. Resignation from membership of the Union is valid even if it is not affected in accordance with this Rule, if the member is informed in writing by or on behalf of the Union that the resignation has been accepted.

What happens if I get pregnant, sick for an extended period or take leave without pay?

If you are on unpaid maternity leave, sick or are off work for a substantial period of time you can seek to have your membership fees suspended until you return to work by giving written notice addressed and delivered to the Secretary of his/her Branch under Clause 11 (8):

(8) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Rule, should any member during any financial year be without pay owing to ill health or to other causes which a Branch Executive regards as warranting special consideration, then the Branch Executive may grant the member exemption from payment of all or any contributions imposed in accordance with the Rules for all or part of the period during which he/she is without pay. During the period of the exemption, the

member shall be deemed to be financial.

The Rail, Tram & Bus Union is bound by the Privacy Act and your information can only used for RTBU processes and cannot be used for any other purposes.

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2016 Rail and Road - March Edition

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