2019 Rail and Road - December Edition

VOLUME 111 No.3 December 2019

AND

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

Merry Chistmas and a

Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families Print Post Approved 25500003-01148

NSW BRANCH Head Office Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel (02) 92642511 Fax (02) 92611342 Email nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au Website www.rtbuexpress.com.au

Jervis Bay

Tram and Bus Division 83-89 Renwick Street Redfern NSW 2016 Tel (02) 93197277 Fax (02) 93194341 Email info@rtbu-nswbus.asn.au

Locomotive Division

RTBU Holiday Park Vacancies - Book your holiday now

The 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 Find Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RTBUNSW AND

RAILROAD

ADVERTISING RATES

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.

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: unionnetwork@bigpond.com Printing - Brightset, Banksmeadow, (02) 9316 4800 Art & Design - P Design - proberson@hotmail.com - Phone 0402 032 949

Level 4, 321 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel (02) 92643400 Fax (02) 92647679 Email nswloco@rtbu-nsw.asn.au

Newcastle Office 33 Gordon Avenue, Hamilton NSW 2303 Tel (02) 4961 4311 Fax (02) 4961 4779 Email newcastle@rtbu-nsw.asn.au

Wollongong Office Level 1, 306a Crown Street, Wollongong, 2500 Tel (02) 4227 5798 Email wollongong@rtbu-nsw.asn.au

Branch Executive Secretary Alex Claassens President Joanne McCallum Assistant Secretary (Road) David Babineau Assistant Secretary (Rail) Robert Hayden

Elected Full-Time Officials Branch Secretary Alex Claassens Locomotive Divisional Secretary Robert Hayden Tram and Bus Divisional Secretary David Babineau Tram and Bus Divisional President Daniel Jaggers

Organisers

Director of Organising Freight Organisers

Toby Warnes Steve Wright

Kevin Pryor Passenger Organiser Bob Newham Branch Organisers Helen Bellette

Mick Cartwright

Trent Hunter Industrial Officers Grace Morgan-Cocks

Vacant Communications Officer Peter O’Connor

From the Branch Secretary Since our last issue of Rail and Road, we have been back in the Fair Work Commission over the design of the New InterCity Fleet, which makes it impossible for guards to monitor public safety as their job requires.

We were joined by Martin Stewart, who suffered horrific injuries when he was dragged beneath a train in Melbourne with no guard to hear his cries for help.

Unsurprisingly, in spite of the Minister’s commitments TfNSW have not committed to rectify the design problem and prevent accidents like Mr Stewart’s when guards cannot hear commuters on the platform.

Our National office has been working with national transport bodies to increase penalties for assaulting public transport staff, and we are encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to take the ACTU Safe at Work survey for its upcoming submission to a Government review of our laws. The more information we have about your experiences, the better we can advocate for the rights of all workers.

Since the Government announcement in October to privatise the remaining regions of Sydney buses, the RTBU Tram and Bus Division has been keeping members informed and attending affected bus depots across the regions to consult on further courses of action. The RTBU has been out speaking to, and consulting with, our affected members in the bus sector and we’ll continue to hold depot meetings, public information stalls and rallies, and work closely with the UnionsNSW campaign to attempt to to reverse this decision. This government’s privatisation fixation impacts each and

every one of us, so as a united union we’ll also continue to keep the broader RTBU union membership and community engaged.

The RTBU also launched a campaign opposing Sydney Trains’ plans to remove the safety booth at Liverpool Station.

Management’s justifications are paper thin, but the move will cost the public thousands for no foreseeable benefit.

Shadow Transport Minister Chris Minns attended the campaign launch to show his support for protecting our members’ safety. We’ve also continued the fight to ensure that our guards have a meaningful role on the New Intercity Fleet – you can read the latest update on our Fair Work Commission submissions in this edition.

Members at Mt Druitt Station had a win on safety in the Fair Work Commission, after members stuck together for more than a year, opposing Sydney Trains attempts to turn the booking office into a retail shop, and expecting members to work in a potentially unsafe environment, especially at night.

On the planning front, Infrastructure Australia’s report card holds some dire warnings for our cities. Congestion on Sydney’s roads is predicted to leave traffic crawling by 2030, forcing buses to ‘crush capacity’ as commuters seek to take advantage of bus priority lanes. It’s clear we need public transport solutions that plan for the future, and soon.

While the NSW Government has been keeping much of the public attention on its expensive Metro and light rail projects in Sydney as the saviours of public transport, despite the already long list of failings, transport in regional centres is

being ignored. The RTBU has been campaigning to address a number of major regional transport issues across NSW, including improvement of regional services, reopening disused rail lines and preserving disused rail corridors, and commencement of work on high speed rail links. Regional NSW should not continue to be neglected in terms of transport planning, and the provision or reliable, safe, modern transport services.

Amongst this planning chaos, the Morrison Government continues to chip away at our civil liberties. One of the most radical anti-union bills in the democratic world is now in the hands of a handful of crossbench Senators (see reports in this Rail and Road).

Meanwhile, a landmark free speech case has found that public servants can be legally sacked for criticising the government. This is a deliberate erosion of our rights to free speech and freedom of association.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing RTBU National Secretary, Bob Nanva for his years of dedication and work for the RTBU, and welcome Mark Diamond as the newly appointed National Secretary. We look forward to the next chapter and new directions under Mark’s stewardship.

The Christmas Holiday period is a time for family, friends and relaxation. While the issues facing working people and their families won’t stop over this period and while many of our members will be working, we do wish our members and their families a restful and enjoyable holiday season.

In this Issue Industrial News NIF Design Faults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Metro Trains Sydney Enterprise Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Industrial Notes Transdev CSELR EA Negotiations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Aurizon Dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 General News Declaration of Results – Casual Vacancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Toddler Left Stranded on Driverless Metro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Heavy Rail Needs More Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 New Directions for RTBU National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Bus Privatisation … Betrayal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Increase Penalties for Assaulting Public Transport Workers. . . 14

Locomotive Division Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

No Progress on Gender Pay Gap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ensuring Integrity – The Government’s Latest Attack on Workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Public Transport Key to Sydney’s Future – and Metro Won’t Cut It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safety Matters Mount Druitt Station Staff: Win on Safety!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rails of Tears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Campaign News Stand Up for Regional Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Whistlestop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15 16 17 20 21 23 26 28

Industrial News The NIF Design Faults The NSW Government’s New InterCity Fleet trains, which are due to arrive in Australia by the end of the year, are deliberately designed to ensure the guard can’t do their job.

There’s about a 15 second blind spot – a 15 second period when people can fall in the gap between the train and the platform; kids can get separated from their parents; people could get caught in the doors.

That’s despite the fact that NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, publicly committed in October last year (following pressure from Our Transport supporters) to maintaining the current guard role on the trains.

Not allowing guards to perform this vital safety duty is a disaster waiting to happen.

The current design means that guards can’t open their door to see or hear passengers who are getting on board the train just prior to departure – the crucial moments when serious incidents could occur.

The bureaucrats at Transport for NSW – the government organisation overseeing the project – will try and claim that all the safety aspects are covered and that there’s nothing to worry about. That’s simply not true.

We’ve seen tragedies on trains without guards, or adequate guard services, before. We can’t afford to let that happen here in NSW.

New InterCity Fleet - South Korea Trip The Korea inspection trip confirmed the RTBUs worst concerns and fears.

RTBU representatives were not able, despite requests, to see a completed train while in South Korea. The RTBU is not aware of whether a completed cab design yet exists, or if it is still to occur. The carriages that representatives did see were incomplete.

Delegates and members present have reported profound disappointment in the train which was worse than expected. The RTBU continues to believe that the design and operating model for the train is flawed on many aspects, making members’ jobs difficult, meaningless, and unsafe. Among the flaws identified on the trip were: • The inadequacy of the external CCTV system to delivery clear and concise images to safely monitor the platform train interface.

• A system that allows unauthorised access to the crew cab in certain circumstances.

• If the driver becomes incapacitated, passengers can enter the cab without authority.

Page 4

• When passengers need help, they cannot contact the guard directly; they have to go via the Rail Operations Centre first.

• The use of an In-Cab camera.

• There is no dual-purpose workstation (e.g. Driver Trainer/ Principal).

• Increased Distraction & Task Prioritisation was identified with the extra tasks required of the driver in new operating model.

• Peripheral vision is obscured by Cab equipment.

• The CCTV screens used as a “primary safety measure” are confusing in their layout and are of an inferior quality, including a slow refresh rate with glare being prominent. The location of the monitor is unacceptable.

• Both drivers display units, including the ATP screen, have glare issues.

• Issues with Workstation Dimmer functionality.

• Excessive noise in the Cab above 100kph, far worse than on the Oscar.

• The park brake gauge is in the wrong location.

• Crew access/egress issues with step ladder locations.

In addition to the above there are still significant issues around traction interlocking and its effects on the role of the guard and driver on the NIF (even though the excuse about infeasibility of its removal has been revealed as a lie), as well as the additional duties/workload drivers will be expected to perform and, of course, the proposal to have an incab camera!

NSW Trains state that the (NIF) was, ‘built for customers, by customers’. It is irresponsible that in manufacturing the NIF little consideration has been given to a design that provides a fair workplace for train crew.

None of these issues have been settled yet, and NSW Trains continues to ignore concerns about the NIF operating model, workload and safety concerns and would seem to be committed to a pre-conceived outcome regardless of issues raised.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED & NEED LEGAL ADVICE? MICHAEL BARNES PARTNER

SCOTT DOUGALL PARTNER

PETER LLEONART PARTER

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.

1800 059 278 enquiry@codea.com.au

www.codea.com.au

When It Matters

SYDNEY PARRAMATTA NEWCASTLE CANBERRA WOLLONGONG CAMPBELLTOWN

Metro Trains Sydney (MTS) Enterprise Agreements Infrastructure Agreement In November, MTS infrastructure members took their fight for an enterprise agreement to the Fair Work Commission (Commission). MTS played dead for 3 months until the RTBU filed an application with the Commission. In November, the RTBU met with MTS who presented a list of conditions it wanted to cut from the previously agreed document.

At the Commission, the RTBU told the Commission that MTS had acted “capriciously” by changing its mind so late in negotiations and was therefore bargaining in bad faith. As a result of the Commission hearing, MTS and the RTBU met again on 27 and 28 November 2019 to try and finalise the infrastructure agreement. MTS was required to ensure that all information about any change they propose is provided to the RTBU, and that all relevant decision makers are at the table during negotiations.

We will keep you updated on how the ongoing negotiations pan out.

Operational Agreement For operational employees, the fight for an operational agreement is before the Commission on 16 and 17 January 2019. The RTBU’s evidence has been filed showing the Commission that a majority of MTS operational employees want a fair agreement that takes into account rostering principles, shift penalties, and other important issues.

We’re still urging MTS management to sit down and develop proper rostering principles, regardless of what happens at the Commission. We will keep you updated as this progresses. The RTBU will be out on the network in December to update members in person.

Festive Season Office Hours The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Pitt Street Office, will be attended as follows:Monday, 23rd December 2019

08.00pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday, 24th December 2019

08.00pm - 1.00pm

Wednesday, 25th December 2019

CLOSED

Thursday, 26th December 2019

CLOSED

Friday, 27th December 2019

8.00am - 4.30pm

Saturday, 28th December 2019

CLOSED

Sunday, 29th December 2019

CLOSED

Monday, 30th December 2019

08.00 - 4.30pm

Tuesday 31st December 2019

08.00 - 1.00pm

Wednesday, 1st January 2020

CLOSED

Normal Office Hours of 8.00 till 4.30 will resume on Thursday 2nd January 2020 Page 6

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Industrial Notes Transdev CSELR EA Negotiations We are currently negotiating an Enterprise Agreement with Transdev who are the operators of the new City South East Light Rail (CSELR). Originally the company only came to the table with the bare minimum offer of the National Employment Standards (NES) which was rejected by the union and the employee representatives.

The union insisted that the current agreement that covers the workers at Pyrmont tram depot (except for the Inner West Light Rail Drivers who are covered by a different agreement) be the starting point. The union has been successful in this endeavour with a few exceptions. The main one of those exceptions has been around the buyout of the current paid meal break. Transdev would have members believe that this buyout of the meal break gives more flexibility to its staff, when in reality the buyout means you spend more time at work for a similar rate of pay. Transdev have put it forward that changes they are proposing are all about flexibility when really they are looking at this expansion as an opportunity for cost cutting measures.

In November a majority of members voted down the Transdev offer. The RTBU will continue to negotiate with Transdev and consult with members in order to improve the rejected offer through strengthening dispute settlement procedures, enhanced roster provisions, implementation of ‘Home Depot’, and new grades for all classifications.

The union will continue to negotiate for better wages and conditions. We refuse to let employers get away with deception.

Employees have worked hard to earn these rights and we aren’t letting Transdev get away with the bare minimum.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Train accident victim urges NSW Government to honour the train guard

Martin Stewart and RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens outside the Fair Work Commission.

In 2002, Martin Stewart was in a terrible accident and near death after he fell between the gap on the platform and was dragged under a train for 200 metres.

On top of already being blind, he lost an arm, a leg and part of an ear in the accident, horrific injuries which could have been prevented.

As the guards had recently been removed from the train by the Victorian Government, there was no one to hear his cries for help or signal the driver to stop.

Now the NSW government has revealed a deliberate design in it’s new intercity fleet where guards will be unable to check on commuters in the critical 15-second window before the train departs.

“We’ve recently seen a string of accidents where guards have been vital to preventing and responding to situations in that short window.

We need to do everything to ensure nobody ever has to experience anything like Martin’s terrible tragedy again,” says RTBU Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden.

“There is already enormous pressure on drivers to be wary of situations like these.

Removing that guard element in the train’s design altogether will mean that pressure will increase tenfold. The emotional trauma drivers face every day from accidents takes an enormous toll on their health and we need to do everything we can to help them and keep the public safe. It’s a shame that the NSW government does not share these concerns at all.”

Page 7

Aurizon Dispute - Fair Work Commission In November a Notification of Dispute was issued to Aurizon Coal NSW on the failure to adhere to the provisions of the Enterprise Agreement specifically: Clause 38 Annual leave, Clause 53 Workplace Representative Rights & Appendix 6 – Workplace Privacy, Employee Surveillance & Communications Monitoring.

The original dispute was lodged in March 2019 only 3 months after Aurizon committed to begin implementing the clauses of the EA and only days after the Fair Work Commission had certified the Enterprise Agreement. Failing to resolve the dispute it was lodged with FWC for conciliation with the application being submitted on 10th April 2019. The conciliation hearing occurred in FWC Newcastle on 6th May 2019 and with the substantive nature of the dispute another day was required and this was 21st May 2019.

Following the conciliation hearing and not being able to reach a resolution this matter was referred to FWC for arbitration with the 1st hearing taking place on 20th August 2019 in FWC Sydney for the Workplace Representative Rights. The 2nd hearing took place on 29th & 30th October 2019 at FWC Newcastle for the Annual leave and Appendix 6 disputes.

Both sides put witness statements and comprehensive supporting documents forward to support each case and we are now finalising our final written submissions supporting our position. This was finalised by mid November 2019 for the Commissioner to deliberate prior to making his decision. We are optimistic this may be made prior to Christmas but we will have to wait and see.

Merry Chistmas and a

Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families Page 8

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

General News DECLARATION OF RESULTS - Casual Vacancy Election The results of the election for the following offices conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and the rules of the organisation are: NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH OFFICES Locomotive Division Branch Divisional Delegate to Branch Council – Northern District Nick Kranias Branch Divisional Offices Tram and Bus Division Kingsgrove Sub-Divisional Representative on Divisional Committee William Lekkas

NON-OFFICE POSITIONS Locomotive Division Branch Locomotive Divisional Council Sub-Divisional Representative (Depot Organiser) Intercity/Railcorp Group Newcastle Interchange Tony Clear

Rail Operations Division Train Guards Sub-Division Branch Sub-Division President Craig Turner Train Guards Sub-DivisionFlemington Maintenance Centre Depot Sub-Division Secretary Sunny Garcha

Sub-Divisional Representatives (Depot Organiser) South West Group - PN Bulk Moss Vale Paul Darlington

Toddler left stranded on driverless Metro Union warns more incidents will follow on the Metro and New Intercity Fleet After a toddler was carried away from his mother on an automated Sydney Metro train in late August, the RTBU warns that the frightening incident will become the norm unless urgent action is taken to rectify a dangerous design flaw on imported trains.

Seven news reported that the toddler was forced to travel alone in his stroller for 13 minutes after a driverless Metro train’s doors closed separating the toddler from his mother who was left stranded on the platform. It was reported that passengers and staff within the train, guarded the child until the train reached Epping station, and was reunited with his mother shortly later.

The Seven News report also stated that the ‘$7.3 billion Sydney Metro has been plagued with problems since it began operating in May. There have been 30 incidents including train doors malfunctioning and delays

caused by urgent mechanical repairs, track work and improperly working fire alarms and lifts.”

A fault in the New Intercity Fleet trains being imported from South Korea means the guard cabin doors close at the same time as passenger doors, preventing guards from monitoring the platform to ensure all commuters have boarded safely.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said that the unfortunate unfortunate incident with the toddler underlines the crucial role of train guards in ensuring commuter safety on the rail network, but insists it’s not too late to minimise the danger on the New Intercity Fleet.

“This alarming incident on the Sydney Metro demonstrates exactly why automation needs to be moderated by human intervention,” said Mr Claassens. “The driverless Metro train had no staff to monitor the platform and hold the doors so that this woman could board safely with her young child.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

“There is no doubt that more children will be torn from their parents by automated train doors in Sydney unless the NSW Government commits to ensuring the New Intercity Fleet arrives in Australia with a door mechanism that allows guards to do their job.

“The RTBU raised this obvious danger to commuter safety with the government as soon as we discovered the design of the new trains. However, the government has refused to confirm whether the new trains can be fixed.

“If the government won’t listen to us, I hope they will listen to Sydneysiders horrified at the thought of losing their child on our railways. Their safety must always take priority.”

To keep up to date or to become involved with campaigns around the Sydney Metro, rail safety, improvements to our public transport and related campaigns go to ourtransport.org.au

Page 9

Infrastructure Australia warns of ‘Crush capacity’ for public transport According to a Sydney Morning Herald report in August, Sydney commuters will have to endure a far greater number of crowded buses on many routes within the next decade, especially those to the northern beaches which will be in danger of easily hitting “crush capacity”.

The warning comes in Infrastructure Australia’s latest report card, which confirmed Sydney’s public transport has become more crowded over the past two years.

The nation’s top infrastructure adviser forecasts substantial growth in demand for public transport in Sydney over the next 12 years as more people opt for trains and buses due to congested roads, rising parking costs, and more apartments built along rail lines and it predicts trains to the city’s west and south west will become more crowded by 2031.

Bus priority lanes along the congested Military, Spit and Pittwater roads on the north shore are forecast to result in commuters opting for buses such as the B-line services to get to and from work.

“As a result, services using the northern beaches bus corridor are forecast to be operating well in excess of crush capacity all the way from Dee Why to North Sydney in 2031,” the report warns.

A standard 45-seat bus is deemed to reach crush capacity when it is carrying 60 passengers.

Passenger demand for buses travelling along busy Victoria Road, as well as the bus-only T-way route from Parramatta to Liverpool, is expected to rise for similar reasons.

“Bus priority measures on these routes mean that they are forecast to offer proportionately faster travel, relative to worsening conditions for driving,” the report said.

With Sydney’s population forecast to grow from 4.9 million

to 6.4 million by 2031, the independent infrastructure body makes the case for further investment by the federal and state governments in the transport network.

On the rail network, the T8 Airport Line between the fast-growing precincts of Green Square and Mascot in Sydney’s south, and a stretch of the same line from Revesby to Panania, is one of the “most challenged by demand growth”.

The T2 Inner West line, and the T5 Cumberland between Merrylands and Parramatta, are also at risk of operating above “crush capacity” by 2031. On trains, crush capacity is defined as six people standing for every 10 seated.

Infrastructure Australia predicts new metro train services, such as the $12 billion line from Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour to the CBD and beyond, will reduce the likelihood of crowding on trains through the north shore and Bankstown rail corridors.

While commuters can expect it to become harder to find a seat on trains by 2031, the opening of several metro lines over the next decade means few of Sydney’s train lines are forecast to be operating above “crush capacity”.

Green Square station is under increasing pressure from a population surge in surrounding suburbs.

Heavy rail needs more investment as peak hour trains bursting Systemic overcrowding on Sydney’s heavy rail network cannot be alleviated by the new Metro, increasing the urgency of funding for new rail lines outside the NSW Government’s pet Metro project.

As the Metro West will be under construction for the next decade, RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens has warned that the singledeck Metro will not fill the gap in consumer demand, especially given future projected growth.

“No train should be running at an average of 150 per cent capacity,” “The fact that this is happening

Page 10

across several train lines indicates a systemic problem.

“Trains are bursting at the seams during peak hour, and in ten years the situation will be far worse.

Clearly, the Metro’s single-deck, low-capacity fleet will not alleviate this problem, either in the immediate future or in the long term.

“Governments have known for years that Sydney’s growth would only gain momentum, but there’s been no significant investment in laying down new heavy rail lines.

Now Sydneysiders can’t afford to wait.

“We know that heavy rail will still be carrying the bulk of Sydney commuters even when the new Metro West line is open. Stalling new transport infrastructure in favour of the Metro is a time bomb.

Sydney simply cannot afford for the government to realise in ten years’ time, once construction is complete, that the Metro has not solved our overcrowding problem.

“We need to build new rail lines with high-capacity, double-deck fleets to meet growing demand. It’s time the government poured money into a network that is tried, tested, and exactly what our city needs.”

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

New Directions for RTBU National Mark Diamond Appointed as Shayne Kummerfeld also paid tribute RTBU National Secretary to outgoing National Secretary Bob Nanva. “Bob has led the RTBU with Mark Diamond was appointed as the distinction since 2011.

Union’s new National Secretary in October, following the resignation of “Under his stewardship, the RTBU Bob Nanva. has weathered the storm of successive anti-union conservative Federal Many members will know Mark Governments, and has implemented from his role as the RTBU’s National substantial reforms to its governance Lawyer, where he worked closely and financial management. with officials, organisers, delegates and members across all Branches and “The RTBU has also been seen as Divisions and was responsible for: a relevant and credible voice on the national stage -which was recognised Running high-level and precedent when Bob was appointed as a setting legal cases for members; National Vice President of the ACTU. Providing strategic and legal advice “Although Bob leaves the full-time across the union on enterprise role from his Union, we are sure his bargaining and industrial strategies; advocacy for public transport and Coordinating the National Office’s infrastructure will continue in his New RTBU National Secretary, Mark campaign against wage theft at new political role as a proud and Diamond labour hire companies; continuing member of the RTBU. Leading the implementation of training “RTBU members wish Bob all the programs across the Union; best in his new role with NSW Labor.”

Leading the Union’s response in nationally significant National Council Priorities industrial and legal disputes; and The RTBU National Council was held in late November, Providing day-to-day guidance, training and assistance to and outlined a set of priorities to guide the union in the people at all levels of the union. coming period. Since his appointment as National Secretary, RTBU National President Shayne Kummerfeld said that Mark Diamond has consulted with national Executive Mark Diamond has proven himself as a highly- effective Members on where the RTBU is currently and what we may and compelling advocate for RTBU members need to go in future. These consultations formed the basis of “Mark has been at the forefront of our battles with a detailed initiatives paper presented to the RTBU National employers over recent years – not just in the court room, but Council.The initiatives include: also with organising, negotiating and campaigning.

• National membership System “Mark has the full support of the National Executive, and • Union Growth Strategy we’re sure he’ll do a fantastic job as National Secretary.”

• Improvements to RTBU Rules • International Engagement • Addressing Labour Hire and Casualisation • Advocacy around our industries and environmental sustainability • Fight Against Privatisation • Building a Strong National Union • National Communication • Use WHS laws more effectively • Strengthen smaller union branches • Inland Rail • National Employers Stratgey • Co-ordination of Enterprise Agreements • Industrial and Organising Assistance • Make RTBU more women friendly • Improve alliance with other unions • Continue to lead on Bus conditions Former RTBU National Secretary addressing previous The full RTBU Initiatives document can be viewed at National Council rtbu.org.au

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Page 11

Bus Privatisation, ‘franchising’ … It is a Betrayal!

The announcement in October by the Berejiklian Government that they intend to privatise the remaining sectors of Sydney Buses in regions seven, eight and nine is a blatant betrayal of Sydney commuters and the people of NSW. Bus region seven covers Sydney’s north western suburbs, including Ryde, region eight the lower north shore and northern beaches, and region nine the eastern suburbs. The regions cover scores of routes, many of which run to Sydney CBD. NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said the privatisation of the last remaining bus regions in Sydney would be a “shocking betrayal of Sydney commuters”.

“The Premier said no more privatisations, and here we are just months after the election and she is busy selling off our public assets,” Ms McKay said.

Labor’s Transport Spokesman Chris Minns said the decision was based on an “ideological obsession”, rather than performance data.

“The only region that [Transport Minister] Andrew Constance has privatised, region six [which covers the inner west], has never met its on-time running KPIs. Never. Not one month,” he said. (Sydney Morning Herald, 24 October 2019) The NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has denied the Berejiklian government is breaking an election pledge by privatising the remaining state-owned bus routes, arguing the shake-up is actually a “franchising”.

(Canberra Times 24 October 2019) Premier Gladys Berejiklian added patronising insult to these claims by telling parliament: “We’ve been franchising bus services since 2011.

Page 12

Wakey wakey, we’ve been doing it for the last eight years, shock horror.”

(Canberra Times 24 October, 2019) Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said job security for public transport workers and those who supported them had “just been demolished”.

“Under any privatisation, the new operator is behind the eight ball before they start because they have to cut budgets,” he said.

“This is a deep betrayal by the Liberals who said nothing of this before the election. The [Transport] Minister must come clean on his plans for the train network.”

“If they were fair dinkum, they would have taken it to the state election.

But the last thing they want to do is take a privatisation agenda to the state election because people hate it,” he said. (Sydney Morning Herald,October 24 2019)

The privatisation process for these regions is expected to take 18 months to 2 years. The Government can expect this period to be filled with protests, petitions, and growing public opposition to the plans.

“We know privatisation doesn’t work. Recent bus privatisation in the inner-west and Newcastle has failed dismally. On-time running is down, routes have been cut, stops have closed, and workers’ conditions have plummeted,” RTBU Tram and Bus Division Secretary, David Babineau said.

“We’ve seen the shocking impact it has had on services and bus drivers in Sydney’s inner-west and in Newcastle – it beggars belief that the NSW Government wants to expand a failed experiment throughout Sydney. The is no justification whatsoever for this decision.

“In Region 6, on-time running has plummeted since the service was privatised. Since taking over, the private company has failed to meet its on-time running KPIs every month.

“Bus drivers have also borne the brunt of privatisation in Newcastle and Region 6, with significant impacts on pay and conditions.

“Commuters deserve to know their current routes and services are going to be protected, and bus drivers deserve to know their wages and conditions are also going to protected.

“The onus is now on the NSW Government to show how it is going to protect workers’ conditions as well as the world-class public service the people of Sydney deserve if it insists on continuing down this unjustifiable route.”

Since the announcement in October the RTBU has been campaigning, with the assistance of UnionsNSW

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

(Please see #keepbusespublic and ourtransport.org.au) and attending affected bus depots across the regions to consult on further courses of action.

The RTBU has been out speaking to our affected members in the bus sector and we’ll continue to hold depot meetings, public information stalls and rallies to determine where the membership wants to go to from here. This government’s privatisation fixation impacts each and every one of us, so as a united union we’ll also continue to keep the broader RTBU union membership informed along the way.

Union officials and delegates have been working with not only politicians but local community groups to bring the news to the attention of the public that privatisation is coming and what it will mean for them. We have also been working with other unions and UnionsNSW, in developing communication and campaign strategies.

The Union encourages members to become involved in getting this message out. This is the start of a campaign which will build momentum as time goes on. It’s not about the big things at the moment but a hundred small things.

The Union needs its members now more than ever to dedicate their time to this fight, even if it is only for 1 hour. This could be assisting the delegates either in getting petitions signed, assisting in street stalls, attending rallies or letterbox/handing out flyers. The more people know about what the government is doing

and how privatisation will affect them personally, the greater chance we have of success. People do care about buses but we have to tell them what’s going on first.

This is your union and now is the time to show our strength. Below are some of the things YOU can do to assist in this fight.

• Attend depot meetings • Attend public rallies • Distribute flyers (out of work time and out of uniform) • Get signatures on the petition • Anything you feel you can offer For details of meetings and events and to join and support the campaign to Stop the Sale of Our Buses, go to www.ourtransport.org.au and the busexpress.com.au

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Page 13

Union joins call for increasing penalties for assaulting public transport workers The RTBU has added its voice to nationwide calls to increase penalties for assaulting public transport workers, bringing them in line with penalties for assaults on emergency service personnel.

Key bodies representing Australian public transport operators and employees are seeking increases in penalties for assaulting public transport staff so that the penalties are equal to the assault of emergency personnel.

The joint statement comes as reported assaults on transport staff climbs with the increasing numbers of commuters.

Bob Nanva, then National Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, said “Like emergency personnel, public transport staff provide a vital service for our communities, assisting millions of Australians to travel around our cities and regions daily. These workers deserve to go to work and do their job without threat or harm so that they can return home safely.”

“Anti-social and violent behaviour towards public transport staff is simply unacceptable.”

As patronage on public transport continues to grow, so too do incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence towards transport staff.

“We need stronger measures to deter these assaults, and we know that stronger penalties work,” said Danny Broad, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association.

“Elevating penalties to align with assaults on emergency services staff will reinforce the message that abusing and assaulting transport staff whilst they are simply doing their job will not be tolerated,” said Mr Broad.

In 2009 the Western Australian Government introduced mandatory jail sentences for assaults against public officers (police, ambulance officers, transit guards, court security officers, prison officers and youth custodial officers).

Laws were further strengthened in 2014, introducing a minimum jail term of 12 months for grievous bodily harm to public officers; nine months for bodily harm (in circumstances of aggravation); and six months for assault causing bodily harm.

By 2016, the Western Australian Government reported a 26 per cent reduction in assaults against public officers and a 35 per cent reduction in incidents obstructing public officers since amending the legislation in 2009.

In March 2016, the South Australian Government increased penalties for assault on transport staff to equal that of assaulting emergency services personnel.

Michael Apps, Executive Director of the Bus Industry Confederation said “Public transport operators currently undertake a range of measures to assist employees such as training in effective communication techniques, and de-escalation methods, while at the same time providing security support technologies such as body-worn cameras, CCTV, security screens and duress alarms.

These alone aren’t enough.”

“We have written to Transport Ministers in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Tasmania calling on them to adopt a similar approach to Western Australia and South Australia by increasing penalties for those who assault public transport staff,” said Mr Apps.

“Assaults to public transport staff can cause severe and lasting physical, emotional and psychological trauma,” said Naomi Frauenfelder, Executive Director of the TrackSAFE Foundation. TrackSAFE is a registered charity dedicated to reducing injuries and fatalities on the rail network and improving the workplace for rail employees.

“The rail industry invests heavily in trauma support resources for staff, including the Rail Industry Trauma Management Framework, trauma and resilience staff training, and other measures to support employees.”

“That said, appropriate penalties for those that choose to threaten or assault staff is also a critical component in trying to reduce these incidents,” concluded Ms Frauenfelder.

Merry Chistmas and a

Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families Page 14

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Loco Delegates Conference: International Speakers The loco delegates conference held at the end of August presented a range of new ideas from our overseas rail union mates.

The General Secretary of the Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU), Mr Akinori Yanagi, highlighted some important achievements the union had made.

In particular, he focused on how young members of the union understand humanity and the importance of fighting barriers together. Using member donations, the JRU have been building schools and sending members on trips with disabled children.

Wayne Butson, General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RTMU) in New Zealand, explained how unions were the only regulating authority for rail workers in New Zealand. Rail workers were exempt from national safety laws and instead, employers were put in charge of employee safety. As if they could be trusted!

Of course, the RTMU knew that to

employers, the bottom line came before employees, and they gave them one hell of a fight. However, though the RTMU has had wins for rail worker safety professionally, they are still finding it difficult to guarantee that safety with privatisation threatening everything.

Sound familiar?

British speakers had much the same to say. The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) has been fighting privatisation and taking

a stand for what they believe in. Often, governments justify privatisation by saying that more money is needed for schools, hospitals and social work.

However, Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary, made the point that the money they save from privatisation never goes to these causes.

By trying to make trains more cost-efficient, the British government has only made blunders with trains where drivers were unable to even see out of the windscreen. If only the NSW Government had learned from them.

With deregulation, the government only pays for the profitable services, and 19 million bus journeys were lost in the UK last year.

It’s key to have international solidarity with all our fellow unions.

We understand the importance of the fight for worker rights. If we don’t fight for our rights, who will?

On demand bus blunder costing taxpayers around $500 per trip Taxpayers could be forking out up to $500 per passenger, per trip for the Transport Minister’s pet ‘on demand bus’ project to run in his electorate of Bega – an irresponsible waste the bus drivers’ union says needs to be stopped.

Reports show that the service has been a dismal failure, with just handfuls of passengers using the on-demand service in Andrew Constance’s Bega electorate. Similar stories of the failure of on-demand buses have been seen elsewhere across the state.

Tram and Bus Division Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW, David Babineau, said the Transport Minister needs to urgently release the contract details of the on-demand service and admit that the concept simply doesn’t work.

“These on-demand bus services are the greatest waste of taxpayer money imaginable,” “While the Transport Minister is throwing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars at a service that clearly doesn’t work and that commuters clearly don’t want, he’s also cutting vital public bus services from other areas.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

It’s a disgraceful case of mismanagement.

“We know that the Transport Minister has grand plans to sell off our bus networks and force commuters onto ‘uber-style’ services and these on-demand services are clearly a step towards that. Trouble is, these vanity projects are seeing thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars thrown down the drain.

“The lack of uptake, despite the government’s efforts to get people onto these services is a clear sign that commuters want adequate investment into public bus services and not unpredictable government subsidised taxis.

“The NSW Government must urgently release the contract for the Bega service as well as all other on demand contracts so the public can see these projects for what they really area – a gigantic waste of money.”

Page 15

No progress on gender pay gap The gender pay gap remains stationary at 14 per cent, equating to an additional 59 days pay this financial year for the average male worker compared to the average female, according to data released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

On average, women fall $241.50 short of men’s average earnings each week. Structural issues including undervaluing labour in femnised industries, unpaid labour and caring responsibilities and institutional sexism mean that the pay gap persists.

The Morrison Government opposed measures put forward by the ALP at the last election to improve the appallingly low pay for workers in childcare – a predominantly female workforce – describing it as the road to communism.

The system is stacked against working women

We need to Change the Rules so women get better pay and more secure work.

HERE’ S HOW: •

Increase the minimum wage so it is a living wage

•

Reverse penalty rates cuts

•

Close the 15.3% gender pay gap

•

Close the superannuation gap so women don’t retire in poverty

•

End wage theft and superannuation theft

•

Women in long term insecure work need the ability to request a move to permanent work

•

Improve paid parental leave

•

Ten days paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers

•

Stronger rights for flexible work so we have time to care for family members when they need it

•

Address gendered violence in the workplace

•

Improve awards in line with community standards

Together, we can Change the Rules for working women.

Union women are Changing the Rules.

Authorised by S. McManus, ACTU, 365 Queen St, Melbourne 3000. ACTU D No. 118/2018

The Morrison Government has also campaigned against universal paid Family and Domestic Violence leave, the living wage and expanding support for people with caring responsibilities, all measures which would close the gender pay gap.

The gap extends into retirement, with women currently retiring with 40 per cent less super than men, due in part to super not being paid on income earnt during parental leave – another solution which the Morrison Government has opposed. The rates of poverty and homelessness for older women are increasing.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus stated that the “The Morrison Government is doing nothing to close the gender pay gap because it is made up of people who either don’t believe it exists or don’t believe it is a problem.

“This government has campaigned against measures which would have improved women’s pay and position in the workplace at every turn”.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE

Page 16

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Ensuring Integrity – the Government’s latest attack on workers and our unions The first order of business for the Morrison Government has been to try and push through legislation that will rollback the basic rights of working people instead of tackling near record low wage growth and a struggling economy.

They turn a blind eye to millions of dollars lost to workers through wage theft and instead attack workers and our unions.

The bill is called the Registered Organisations (Ensuring Integrity) Bill but is known as the Ensuring Integrity Bill or the EI Bill.

During the election campaign the Morrison Government insisted that it had no plans to reduce workers’ rights despite constant questions from unions and the media. Now, Morrison has drawn from the wishlists of big business, dusting off previously failed legislation to attack working people’s freedom to organise.

The rights of workers to organise, and for members to democratically run their unions is an internationally recognised human right, like a free press. Free unions are essential checks on the powerful in any democracy. Every single worker benefits from the work of unions, attacking unions is another way of attacking every worker’s rights.

The Australian union movement is already heavily regulated and the EI bill goes further than any other western democracy in interfering in democratic workers organisations.

This is part of a wider web of erosion of civil liberties and democracy in Australia.

What does the EI Bill do?

The EI bill would give the Government, employers, or any other party with ‘sufficient interest’ the power to intervene in the running and work of unions, disqualify people from union leadership, block union mergers, and more easily deregister unions.

If it passes in its current form the bill would provide for automatic disqualification of a union officer for any offence under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, or another country, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for a period of five years or more.

It would allow the ROC, the Minister, or a ‘person of sufficient interest’ to apply to the Federal

Court for a wide range of orders including disqualification of an officer, deregistration of a union, alteration of a union’s eligibility rules, restriction of the use of funds or property of a union and more.

It would also allow a Federal Court to disqualify a person from holding office in a union on a wide range of grounds, including that a person is not a ‘fit and proper person’ – so, for example, if they had twice been caught driving without a license.

The Federal Court would also be able to deregister a union, disqualify officers, alter the eligibility rules, suspend the rights and privileges or restrict the use of funds or property of a union or part of the union on a wide range of grounds, including findings against the union, officers or members such as filing union paperwork late with the Government authority.It would Introduce a long and complicated process for union amalgamations which requires the Fair Work Commission to refuse an amalgamation if an amalgamating union or its officers have even minor breaches of the law, and to consider any objections of any employer organisations based on the impact they claim the amalgamation will have on employers in the industry.

And of course, the bill does not apply to corporations or other types of elected officials like politicians.

Despite the numerous scandals in banking, aged care and corporations that has seen money stolen, elderly people without enough food, wage theft, fraud, assistance given to terrorists and people dying, no one in any of those scandals has been barred from holding office nor has a single organisation been de-registered.

With our current government barely a week goes by where there isn’t a scandal. Minister’s going to work for lobbyists, MP’s hiding their investments from the public, questionable uses of allowance and yet the Morrison government does nothing. It won’t even enforce the weak ministerial code of conduct that is already in place.

This bill fundamentally interferes with the democratic rights of working people to organise, run our own union and choose who represents us.

It must be stopped.

Merry Chistmas and a Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Page 17

Amendments and Lobbying Delay Bill The Senate cross-benchers remain the key to whether the Government passes its Ensuring Integrity Bill. The two Centre Alliance and One Nation Senators as well as Senator Jacquie Lambie need to support the Bill for it to pass. After reaching some agreement with the Centre Alliance senators, effectively Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has confirmed that a vote on the Ensuring Integrity Bill will be delayed until after Parliament next sits on November 25.

The Minister hoped to put the Bill to a vote in the Senate in mid November, but One Nation and Senator Jacqui Lambie reportedly sought a delay.

Porter has stated that he is confident that a ‘sensible compromise’ can be reached with Senate crossbenchers to gain their support in passing the Bill.

“I am confident we are close to securing a Bill that will achieve the primary object – to establish a legislative regime that requires all registered organisations, unions and employer associations, to operate within the law,” he said.

Mr Porter has indicated that he is willing to accommodate some of the main concerns raised by Centre Alliance Senators as ‘largely reasonable’. Senator Patrick has said that the low threshold for application to disqualify a registered organisation for trivial breaches should be removed, and that only an “independent and impartial”

Registered Organisation Commissioner should be permitted to make such an application.

“Senator Patrick’s proposals regarding a demerit points system also seems quite workable and the existing penalty unit regime already set out in the Fair Work Act provides a sound basis for this type of approach.”

While the provisions already in the Bill established an appropriately “high bar” for potential applications, setting a threshold of 180 demerit points before an individual official could be subject to disqualification “would not detract from the effective operation of the reforms.” Mr Porter has said.

The points threshold was only the grounds for commencing an application but the only a court would have the power to disqualify an official or de-register an organisation.

Senator Lambie has been reported as stating that she said she will vote for the Ensuring Integrity Bill unless the secretary of the CFMMEU’s construction and general division Victorian branch, John Setka, steps down.

Similarly, as recently as late October, The Centre Alliance Senators were quoted in Workplace Express as saying that the legislation needs “extensive changes” to win their support, as it is currently using “a sledgehammer to crack a nut when only a nutcracker is needed”.

It remains to be seen whether Mr Porter’s optimism of support is misplaced.

Union members earn more in era of low wage growth People working under enterprise bargaining agreements are winning wage increases ahead of the cost of living, but wages remain too low across the board, data released by the Attorney General’s Department today reveals.

The Trends in Enterprise Bargaining report for the March 2019 quarter shows that wage increases in newly approved federal agreements fell by 0.1 percentage points to 2.7 percent per year.

This was comprised of a 0.1 percentage point fall to 2.9 percent in the private sector and 0.3 percent to 2.4 percent in the public sector.

Agreements that had union involvement – 85 percent of agreements – delivered pay rises of 2.7 percent on average, while those without union representation had only 2.4 percent pay rises.

The wage price index is currently 2.3 percent.

“This data shows once again that joining your union is the fastest way to increase your pay. People working where unions have been involved in collective agreements are winning bigger pay rises than those without union representation”. Said ACTU Secretary Sally McManus.

The public sector fall impacting people like scientists, engineers, nurses, administrators and teachers was a result of caps imposed by some governments that stop fair wage increases for public sector workers.

Particularly concerning is the high number of people whose wage increases were “non-quantifiable” in agreements – more than 45 percent. This is an indication that the current rules restricting bargaining and industrial action are hurting the ability of workers to win fair pay increases.

www.locoexpress.com.au Page 18

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Full court rules on leave test case A full Federal Court has ruled that a pair of 12-hour shift workers at a Cadbury chocolate factory are entitled to 10 calendar days of paid personal/carer’s leave, rather than a lesser amount argued by their employer and the Federal IR Minister.

Justices Mordy Bromberg, Darryl Rangiah and David O’Callaghan accepted the AMWU’s interpretation of the NES entitlement at s96(1), which provides that employees are entitled to 10 days of personal/carers leave per year of service.

The union said in a statement today that the NES mandates a minimum of 10 days of such leave and with the employees working 12-hour shifts, this should give them an entitlement to 120 hours of paid time off, whereas the company argued they were due 10 shifts of 7.6 hours each, or 76 hours.

“If you need to take a sick day, you should be paid for your normal hours of work, it’s as simple as that.

“And you should be able to take ten sick days paid at your normal hours of work,” AMWU Tasmanian branch secretary John Short said.

While the full court agreed that it should reject the application by the company for a declaration that under the agreement for the Claremont site in Tasmania, when the employees are absent from a 12-hour shift, then 12

hours should be deducted from their personal/carer’s leave balance, it split on the second declaration the employer sought.

Justices Bromberg and Rangiah refused to declare that the entitlement to paid personal/carer’s leave was “more beneficial” than that under the NES, while Justice O’Callaghan said he would have acceded to the employer’s request.

The Australian Industry Group, which acted for Mondelez, siezed on the dissenting view, saying that Justices Bromberg and Rangiah’s ruling “is inconsistent with the widespread industry practice and will have substantial cost implications for a large number of employers, if the decision stands”.

It continued in a statement that the Claremont agreement states that the 12-hour shiftworkers are entitled to 96 hours of personal/carer’s leave a year.

“This is a lot more generous than the 76 hours that employees would have been entitled to under the Fair Work Act if the Act had been interpreted in the manner that aligns with the widespread industry practice.”

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the Coalition Government’s intervention “on the side of a company that is trying to cut people’s personal leave below the legal minimum is a disgrace”.

Talks Begin on NSW Trains New Regional Diesel Fleet On Tuesday the 10th September 2019 discussions began between Momentum Trains, representatives from the Locomotive Division and Subject Matter Experts from NSW Trains in relation to the user engagement phase for the design of the New Regional Fleet. Transport for NSW has contracted Momentum Trains worth 2.8 Billion AUD to build this new fleet. The consortium, comprising of CAF (a Spanish Consortium which supplied the light rail in Sydney), UGL Rail Services, Pacific Partnerships, CAF Investments Projects and DIF Infrastructure V Cooperatief.

The Rolling Stock is a Bi Mode (electrical/diesel) single design fleet to replace the aging XPT, Explorer and Endeavour Sets. The design is from the Civity Train which is in service

in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The momentum consortiums role is to modify the train to meet NSW and Australian Standards.

The three designs are: 1. Long Regional (XPT) 2. Short Regional (Explorer) 3. Short Intercity (Endeavour) At the start of the presentation the consortium was adamant and purposely distanced itself from the New Intercity Fleet. They touted “user centred, not user led” however, by the end of the session it was very clear that this design is heading down the exact same path as the New Intercity Fleet.

It is quite clear that the same features on the New Intercity Fleet are to be included on the New Regional Fleet with In Cab Cameras, Traction

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Interlocking on crew cab doors, ADSO (Automatic Selected Door Operations), ATP, forward facing camera and IEDR being some of the feature designs for this fleet. Based on these inclusions, it should be more than obvious that NSW Trains will review its current Regional operating model and, thanks to the inclusion of traction interlocking, will exclude PSS’s and Endeavour Guards from the safety critical “Right Away” process during train departures and make this the sole responsibility of the driver.

TfNSW have started enquiring about enabling works at all places which will need up grading, extending, refits or new facilities to accommodate the new rolling stock.

More user engagement phases are being planned for over the next 6 months.

Page 19

How Australia compares to the 10 fastest public transport systems in the world A new study from the Polytechnic University of Turin has compared public transport services around the world in terms of average velocity, sociality and city cohesion.

Australia just made the list with Melbourne at number 10.

European cities, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Athens made the top 5 but in certain rankings, Adelaide and Sydney were also top contenders.

Sydney was high in terms of how many people you could meet on a single commute whereas Adelaide made the list for having a large fraction of the population able to be reached in a regular trip.

Australia’s public transport systems have come up short in global rankings, with Melbourne, the only major Australian city major city making a list of the ten best performers for speed and cohesion.

Melbourne scraped in at 10 on the Polytechnic University of Turin’s study (General Scores for Accessibility and Inequality Measures in Urban Areas) of the fastest and most sluggish public transport services in major cities around the world.

European cities were the clear winners with Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Athens making up the five. The only cities outside Europe that made the top ten were New York at eight and Melbourne.

These are the top 10 cities with the fastest public transport systems. (9News) The researchers looked at three main factors; average velocity, city sociality and city cohesion.

Equations for all three were calculated and accounted for all factors including population size, average commute distance and population density.

For Australian cities, Melbourne and Sydney had the fastest speeds, averaging about 4.5km/h, while commuters in Brisbane moved at 3.5km/h, the study found.

City sociality ranked how many people you could meet on a typical daily trip. Sydney ranked the highest while Brisbane was the lowest.

Researchers also looked at what fraction of the population can be reached by a typical trip. Among Australian cities, Adelaide came out on top.

Public transport is key to Sydney’s future – and the Metro won’t cut it Leaders from politics and industry have called for a greater focus on public transport to cope with Sydney’s population growth, as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW backs the intent but insists the Metro won’t solve Sydney’s capability challenges.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Population Summit saw industry and political leaders urge concentration on building public transport capacity as Sydney plays catch up to the rest of the world.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said new systems are needed, but Sydney’s multibillion-dollar metro network isn’t the answer.

“The NSW Government has for years poured money into the Metro, billed as the future of the city,” “But it’s an ill-designed system fundamentally unsuited to Sydney.

Page 20

“The low-capacity Metro is built for a city like New York where the same number of people get on and off at any given station. Sydney isn’t set out like New York, and the vast majority of commuters are headed to the CBD. “The network is built so passengers need to constantly change trains. That means here you get dangerous situations like mass overcrowding at Chatswood as people are waiting for the next train to the city.

“Sydney needs to plan for the future, and it’s no doubt that transport is the key. But the current plan the NSW Government is pursuing, including its single-minded focus on the Metro, is untenable and unsustainable.

“With the government’s passion for building toll roads and the creeping privatisation of our bus network – which means fewer services – there needs to be more emphasis high capacity public transport across the city.”

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Safety Matters Mount Druitt Station Staff: Win on Safety!

RTBU Members at Mount Druitt Station have had an important win regarding their safety at work in the Fair Work Commission. Together, members and delegates took part in a dispute with Sydney Trains which has been fought for over one year.

Since last year Sydney Trains management have been trying to turn the Mt Druitt Station booking office into a retail shop. The dispute was not about stopping the retail shop, but about Sydney Trains’ management expecting members to work in an environment that we believed to be unsafe.

For over a year, members have stuck together and told Sydney Trains management they would not accept working in an unsafe environment, especially at night.

Throughout the dispute, Sydney Trains continuously disregarded members concerns and tried to convince everyone that the dispute had to do with the planned retail shop itself.

Delegates Andrew Bent, Terry Johnson and John Steck effectively painted a clear picture to the Commission of our members’ safety concerns.

Taking this on board, the Commission convinced Sydney Trains that it ought to reach out to the RTBU for an

agreement on the issue.

At the Commission delegates successfully reached an agreement which was signed off as an official Fair Work Commission resolution. This resolution not only improves our members’ safety but ultimately confirms their rights when working in an unsafe environment.

If members feel unsafe working in the open customer environment especially late at night when by themselves, members have the right to remove themselves from that unsafe environment as per the SAFER and THREAT model without being subjected to any form of adverse action.

If members feel unsafe and are required to remove themselves from an unsafe environment they are still required to perform duties that are safe to do so until the issue is resolved.

This outcome was only possible by members being united and sticking together, as always unity is our strength.

Again, congratulations to all union members who took part in this dispute, especially delegates Andrew Bent, Terry Johnson and John Steck who fronted the Commission. This is an achievement we all should be proud of!

Bosses are putting together a proposal to significantly narrow the definition of “rail safety workers” If they succeed, this will mean many rail workers will no longer get training and support needed to keep you, passengers and the wider public as safe as possible. It will also undermine hard-won pay and safe working conditions.

By their own admission, the only reason the bosses are pushing for this is to cut costs.

The only way to stop them is to stand up for your right to be safe in the workplace.

Here are 5 things you can do to help put rail safety first: 1. C omplete our Rail Safety survey - Have your say about why rail safety is important for you. Download our survey from www.rtbu.org.au/rail_safety_first and send it back to us or complete it online.

2. S pread the word at work – Let people at work know what is going on and encourage them to complete the survey.

3. J oin the campaign – We’ll be rolling out a campaign to build community and political support to protect rail safety standards.

4. J oin the RTBU – Australian rail workers have been standing together to fight for their rights since 1861. Our strength is our solidarity.

5. G et your work colleagues to join – The more people in the Union, the stronger our campaign to protect your safety at work.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Page 21

Liverpool City Council calls on Sydney Trains to Stop with the Removal of the Liverpool Garrison Congratulations to all members and delegates who successfully lobbied Liverpool City Council (Council) to pass a motion to call on Sydney Trains CEO, Howard Collins and the Transport Minister, Andrew Constance to intervene and prevent Sydney Trains management’s decision to demolish the Garrison at Liverpool Station The motion passed by Council recognises members concerns about Sydney Trains’ plan to remove the Garrison and replace it with nothing.

Council has agreed that a Garrison is required at Liverpool Station and it of vital importance for the safety of station staff as well as their operational duties.

The motion passed by Council stated: The Garrison allows [staff] to perform their operational role safely when the rail network is in meltdown (train cancellations, out of course running).

The Garrison in the past has assisted commuters and staff for events such as:

• Assisting a pregnant woman during a medical emergency • Protecting the public and staff from a person wielding an axe • Helping dementia patients • Administering first aid • Shielding staff from violent and abusive customers • Protecting lost children • Recuperating from heat exhaustion during summer Liverpool was recently reported to be a hotspot for crime and assault. In dangerous situations, a physical refuge

at Liverpool Station like the Garrison is much needed.

This is a huge step forward in our fight to keep the Garrison. From here on out, Liverpool City Council will be backing members and delegates at Liverpool Station in order to protect their Garrison.

Again congratulations to all members who have collectively stood up and told their stories why Sydney Trains’ actions are unreasonable and will impact their safety.

Merry Chistmas and a

Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families Page 22

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Rails of Tears They’re on the front line of tragedy. How do train drivers deal with the horrors they witness every week? A report in the Weekend Australian (24 August 2019) looks in detail at the trauma and stresses faced by train drivers facing fatalities on the rail network.

It’s late December 2012, a few days before Christmas. Train Driver Len Gaut parks his car and grabs what he needs from the back seat. He walks across the suburban Sydney street to a bridge that spans the train tracks seven metres below, and stops halfway. The girl who jumped from this spot where Gaut now stands, who landed on the tracks in front of Gaut’s train an hour before sunrise, was only 17. There were two drivers in the cabin. His mate had never had a fatality before but for Gaut, then 55, it was all too common. Time slowing down; the long walk back along the tracks to confirm what he already knew. As the NSW TrainLink driver watched the girl’s last seconds of life, the only thought that had flashed through his mind was, Here we go again.

They’re the unseen faces that see too much. Forced to bear graphic witness to incidents far outside their job description, train drivers are joining the call to urgently address what Lifeline’s Alan Woodward calls a national emergency: this country’s suicide rate. Suicide accounted for more than 2800 Australian deaths in 2014, the last reported year: around eight a day, more than double the national road toll. About 150 of those suicides occur in the rail corridor each year.

They are the most horrific deaths you could imagine. Like most suicides, they go unreported to the public, but within the rail industry it’s an issue that’s always bubbled below the surface. In recent years, the industry has made a point of addressing the trauma faced by its employees and is trying to change a culture that expected workers to just carry on. By telling their stories, train drivers hope to spark conversations about how we can reduce the number of lives lost through suicide and the ripple effect that ruins so many more.

A lot happened to Len Gaut in the three days between the girl’s

fatal leap and his return to that spot on the bridge. The mandatory blood and urine tests. The police interview, reliving every detail. The trip to the mall the day after, trying to keep his mind off it; running into a fellow driver and his teenage daughter there. His colleague’s daughter had started talking about the girl who died, not knowing that Gaut was in the train. Before he could say anything she thrust her phone in his face, showing him a photo of the smiling girl in her school uniform, making Gaut recoil and avert his eyes. Then there was the barbecue at his 10ha hobby farm north of Gosford, on the NSW central coast; mates gathering to talk about anything other than the railways, until someone burst in and delivered the barbecue-stopper: “You were on the train that killed that girl, weren’t you?”

Len Gaut

Gaut’s family and workmates know he suffers. He’s been working on the railways for more than 40 years in a job that involves dealing with so much more than just signal failures. Despite appearing in control, he has been seeing medical specialists for the past 19 years. He witnessed his first fatality in 1974 when he was just 16. Two freight trains collided at Lithgow, west of

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Sydney, and one of the drivers was crushed to death. Gaut, the only person small enough to squeeze into the mangled cabin, was first to see the body. He was at the coalface of the Granville disaster of 1977.

Faces would haunt him, like that of the girl in the mohair jumper, looking for a short cut across the tracks in 1982. She dodged Gaut’s train but didn’t see the other one.

Horror scenes would keep repeating in his mind, like sitting in the cabin with the headlights on a decapitated head on the tracks so the police would know where to find it. Every time he climbed into the driver’s seat he would ask himself the same question: Am I going to kill anyone today?

Rob Maher grew up in Cootamundra in the NSW Riverina, joining the rail industry in 1978 at age 18, working at the Junee depot.

For him, the best part of train driving is watching the countryside flash by and getting a backstage pass into the lives of ordinary Australians.

Travelling from Parkes to Broken Hill, 810km of red desert, watching the sun rise and the animals stir. It’s fixing things on the run; bunging up an air hose with a 20 cent coin.

It’s kids running up to you on the platform and asking their wideeyed questions: “Have you ever run over a cow? Have you ever run over an elephant?” It’s following in your father’s footsteps and taking the Indian Pacific out of Sydney, winding your way through the Blue Mountains, easing the speed back so the passengers won’t spill their meals, cruising down through the curves — no bumps, no jolts — then making up time so the passengers can get to Broken Hill in time for their bus tour.

Over the years Maher, 56, has had his near misses. The bloke pulled off the tracks by a mate seconds before Maher’s train roared past.

The crashed car that his train clipped, lying on its side. He

Page 23

stopped the train, ran back and saw a bassinette and a car seat lying on the ground, babies’ clothes and toys strewn everywhere. He thought: “Oh God, you’ve just killed a family.”

But there was no one in the car. The police arrived and told him the car was stolen from a motel and the family was still there, safe. “It’s stuff that builds up,” says Maher, “stuff you don’t realise at the time.”

Rob Maher

When recounting his first suicide, Maher talks slowly, methodically, with an elegant precision. It’s something he’s replayed in his head a thousand times, though not through choice. “It was about 1.40am and we were coming into Culcairn from the Albury end. The other driver looks up and says, ‘It looks like there’s something on the line — it looks like a garbage bin.’ So I put the brakes on. And he hadn’t even finished speaking when he corrected himself. ‘It’s a person’.” Maher’s voice cracks and his hands begin to shake as he continues. “Everything that happens in that cab is in slow motion. My mate’s screaming his head off: ‘Stop! Stop! Stop!’ And the guy just stood there. And you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Just take one step, one step. I’ll only clip you.

Doesn’t matter which way, just one step.’ The brakes are coming on but you don’t feel any resistance in the train. And you wait for the impact and there’s an impact. There’s no bang. Just an impact, like you’ve hit a ghost. You come to a standstill and there’s silence.”

The man who died was around the same age as Maher’s son: early 20s. For that age group, suicide is

Page 24

now the leading cause of death in Australia.

Maher recalls his immediate reaction to his first fatality, speaking as though he’s detached from his body, hovering above himself, watching someone else dissolve into blackness. “Every noise you hear, everything you see, everything that goes on, is on a little video in your mind, playing and replaying. You’re thinking of everything: the person you’ve just killed, their family. And you don’t see it as a suicide; you see it as a person you’ve killed.”

After the incident, Maher took time off work. He wasn’t coping. “It was like jumping out of a 30-storey building and not hitting the ground.

The depressive states you go through are huge. Junee is a really close depot. My co-workers could see what I was going through, and that upset me, because I had brought them into my bucket of pain.”

Maher says his employer, Pacific National, was exemplary in the support it offered him: an employees’ counsellor, a rehab worker, flying him to Sydney to see a psychiatrist. After a month off, he finally felt ready to return to his train. As broken as he was, he says the cabin was the only place he felt he belonged. He called it his “safe space”. But was it? On his first shift back, Maher took his train out of Junee, through Bomen, then Wagga Wagga. He was feeling OK. Maybe he could do this, after all.

They approached a small tunnel, nicknamed the rat hole. Maher resumes his trance-like retelling.

“We get a bit closer and I see a man standing up on the embankment.

And I know what’s coming. My mate just says, ‘Oh, God no’.” It was 38 minutes into his first shift back.

Maher says suicide prevention should be Australia’s number one priority. “We don’t appear to be any closer to helping these people than we were 10 years ago. That upsets me. We’re losing all these beautiful people. They could be the people who improve our mental health in the future, and all of a sudden they’re not here.” He says suicide crossed his own mind, but he knew it wasn’t the answer. “I realised suicide was the reason I was in this dark place. Because people wanted

to be dead.”

Time passed, and the counselling continued. To occupy his mind, Maher decided to paint the house. “I love painting, but I did a shit job.”

He gives a stifled snort of a laugh, but is suffocated by an embattled face welling with tears. “I’m in the hallway and my wife’s watching me, because she knows to watch me. I don’t know whether she’s waiting for a sign or waiting for me to break down ... Then a song comes on the radio ... and I sing the song and she starts crying. That’s the moment I knew I’d be OK.” One of the medical professionals Len Gaut sought help from would describe Gaut’s career as a 40-year tour of duty. He would remind Gaut he was untrained to deal with any of this stuff; he wasn’t even trained in first aid. Gaut would speak of the three stages he would witness: person alive, person being killed, person dead. He would tell them of people he had hit who he went back to help, finding them still alive and begging him to save them — people who realised they had gone over the edge and decided they wanted to come back, but it was too late.

The psychiatrists, the counsellors, the mental health experts, none has to see the final act of a person’s life, and here train drivers are, dealing with the horrific end result of an overwhelmed and under-resourced mental health system. Emergency services workers, greatly respected by train drivers, sign up to the job knowing what to expect. Train drivers sign up to drive trains.

The girl who took her life in front of Len Gaut’s train a week before Christmas left behind a heartbroken family who did everything they could to save her. Gaut made one stop on his drive to the bridge that morning three days after she died.

He picked up his mate, the other train driver. They stood together on the spot where the girl had jumped.

Gaut placed what he had grabbed from his car on the ground. It was a bunch of flowers he had picked from his garden. They stayed for a few minutes, silent in their own thoughts, then walked back to the car, ready to get back to the job that, despite it all, they love. Back to what should always be their safe space.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

statement rinciples

y, we will us as our ever, nsition be er name.

name will be y statement, ncial Services’.

of the cy statement

Positioning Size on standard formats

Where possible, the legacy statement should appear in close visual proximity below the brandmark. A minimum of clearspace should be observed.

Formerly State Super Financial Services

Where the brandmark is positioned top or bottom right in a communication, the legacy statement should be right aligned.

g clients the ange;

“Fortunate enough to have a defined benefit super scheme?

s our history The right advice will help you make the most of your retirement.” operate in Formerly State Super Financial Services Defined benefit super schemes can help set you up for a comfortableWhere retirement the– brandmark is positioned top left but they’re complicated. It can be difficult to understand your benefits and easy to in a communication, the legacy statement miss opportunities.

should be left aligned.

At StatePlus, we have over 26 years of experience in the public sector helping hard-working Australians just like you on their journey into retirement.

Planning ahead and getting the right advice from our financial planning experts now, can make a big difference for you and your family in the future.

We know you’ve worked hard to earn your money. So we’ll work hard to give you the retirement you deserve.

Visit stateplus.com.au or call us on 1800 841 677 today to make the most of your defined benefit super scheme.

Formerly State Super Financial Services

StatePlus is the trading name for State Super Financial Services Australia Limited, holder of Australian Financial Services Licence 238430, ABN 86 003 742 756. This information is of a general nature only and is not specific to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any decisions you should consider its appropriateness to you.

Where horizontal space contraints apply, the legacy statement may appear in two lines.

Leading is set solid (the same as the point size).

Campaign Trail Stand Up for Regional Transport For too long, rural and regional NSW has missed out when it comes to transport. Governments have focused on the inner-city areas and have neglected to ensure people in regional NSW have access to the safe, affordable, efficient, clean and reliable services we deserve.

The recent announcement by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole to have regular coach services connecting Orange to the Bathurst bullet train to Sydney daily from mid October, is welcome in the Central West and more generally by those concerned about the lack of regional transport services. However, the announcement brings into focus how regional transport has been neglected and how much more needs to be done to improve regional rail services in particular.

It refreshes the call to bring back our disused regional rail lines as one obvious solution to regional transport limitations.

Disused rail lines in regional areas throughout the state are a goldmine waiting to be used – particularly during times of drought.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said a move by Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) to start carting water by train between Centennial Coal’s Charbon and Airlie mines near Lithgow should be seen as a wake-up call to other areas.

Trains carrying 725,000 litres of water a day are being used on the 40km route between the two mines.

“There are disused rail lines in many parts of the state that are begging to be reopened or, at a minimum, properly preserved,” Mr Claassens said.

“The SSR example in regional NSW is a great one. Transporting water between sites by train is not only helping drought affected areas, but it’s also creating jobs.

“Rail is a much better alternative to road for a myriad of reasons. There’s little doubt the smartest and safest way of transporting goods.

“There are debates raging in a many communities at the moment about what to do with disused rail lines.

“Reopening disused lines such as the Blayney to Demondrille line, the Armidale to Tenterfield line, Casino to Murwillumbah line, and the Rylstone to Mudgee line make complete sense.

“We also need to be preserving other disused rail corridors to ensure that future governments have the option of restoring rail services.

“What’s clear is that rail trails should be developed only as temporary measures, to ensure rail corridors and infrastructure are protected and used productively until such time as rail services can be restored.

“Particularly at the moment, when our regional communities are being hit hard by drought and unemployment, we’ve got to start looking at smarter ways of doing things and rail is often the answer.

“Our governments should be looking at rail as a realistic, sensible solution for assisting drought-affected

businesses and communities; getting trucks off our roads; and boosting employment.”

There is so much more that the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads needs to do to fix the range regional transport problems.

The list of things we need our NSW Government to commit to includes: SUPPORT The construction of Inland Rail and seek to leverage development opportunities from this vital nationbuilding project.

COMMENCE Work on an East Coast High Speed Rail network, in conjunction other States and the Federal Government, with stops at major regional centres.

PROVIDE Safe, clean, affordable, and reliable services for all commuters.

RETAIN Two-person crewing on freight trains.

REOPEN Disused lines such as the Blayney to Demondrille line, the Armidale to Tenterfield line, Casino to Murwillumbah line, and Rylstone to Mudgee line.

PRESERVE Other disused rail corridors to ensure that future governments have the option of restoring rail services.

Send Minister Toole a message to fix regional transport in NSW.

Get on the BUS EXPRESS! 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.

www.busexpress.com.au

Whistlestop Train Driver Dean Ivanov Retires We celebrated Dean’s 41 years of service at Mittagong RSL on Saturday 12th October with 57 friends, work colleagues and family present . Dean worked at Enfield, Eveleigh and had a stint as a Loco Inspector. Dean did time at Cambelltown on the ETR and then transferred to Moss Vale were he finished up his career.

Those in attendance reported a great afternoon rolling into the evening with many stories told. Dean is planning on some travel and spend much time relaxing with his partner Carme.

We wish Dean a happy retirement.

Dean Ivanov receiving a plaque of appreciation from RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens

Geoff Quinn Calls it a Day After nearly 42 years on the job, Train Guard Geoff Quinn has called it a day.

Geoff retired in August of this year, after starting work on the railways in January 1978.

Geoff described his time on the job in these terms “ I’ve enjoyed my time working with people from all over the world, doing various jobs such as a construction worker, Station Assistant, Shunter, Guard, Selected Guard, Mentor, Team Leader, at locations including Mortdale, Liverpool and Central.”

Geoff was also heavily involved with our union as a RTBU depot representative, A/Vice President, & Secretary of the RTBU Guards Sub Division, as well as a member of the Operations Division, Branch Council and a National Delegate. He will be remembered for his support to fellow Guard members, and his willingness to

help all members, over many years.

In summarising his long career, Geoff said “These jobs were interesting,

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

vast and a great learning tool of how the whole railways work together, to provide a safe, reliable network.

I’ve enjoyed my time working with great people from all over the world, learning different customs and practices. I used these experiences to represent Guards in pay rises, better conditions, and how to work smarter and safer.

Now with my wife Mary we are planning on seeing these places, that I’ve heard about” Geoff is now enjoying retirement on the South Coast, and apart from his desire to travel with his wife Mary, he is now helping to teach his grandchildren to surf and beach fishing. We would like to thank Geoff for his years of tireless service and dedication to our union and members, and wish Geoff and his family a long and enjoyable retirement.

Page 27

Happy Retirement Glen “Tex” Tarlinton NSW TrainLink Regional Driver Glen “Tex” Tarlinton drove the last train of his esteemed 42 year railway career when he retired on 5 July 2019.

His last service was NT36 from Taree to Sydney.

It’s a little known fact that Tex didn’t actually start his railway working life on the footplate….he was denied a position in “Loco” as he was deemed 1 ½ inches too short!

Consequently, he was given a position in Enfield South Signal Box as a telephone boy. So, on 14/11/1977 it all began. Tex recalls “I was 17 years old and told to report to Enfield South – just get on the bus from Strathfield. Well, after getting lost at DELEC, the Enfield Barracks and finally the old Tarpaulin Factory, a friendly worker pointed me in the right direction. I crossed the goods line and clambered through long grass and mud. I looked up and saw an older gentleman standing at the top of the stairs of the signal box and I asked, “Is this Enfield South? – I’m your new junior” to which he replied “Son, if I were you, I think I’d find an easier way to get to work!”

Tex really wanted to be a train driver, and on 9/7/79 he was appointed to DELEC Enfield Depot as a trainee engineman. Tex would be working shunters, trip trains and freight services to destinations such as Lithgow, Broadmeadow, Goulburn and Port Kembla. This is where he learnt of the railway camaraderie and mateship that would be evident throughout his career. Tex was appointed an Acting Driver at Enfield on 4/9/1983.

Although he enjoyed DELEC, his main goal was to be a passenger train driver, so on 4/3/1985, Tex took a promotion as an Electric Train Driver at Flemington Depot.

After a few years at “Flemmo”, he got itchy feet. On 6/11/1992 he transferred to Eveleigh – working on Intercity Services.

In 1994, the interstate rail business was about to be dramatically changed forever. National Rail was about to transform how the interstate rail business would be operated. National Rail was touted to be efficient, progressive, innovative. Tex thought, “I will give it a crack!”. So, on 2/1/1995, Tex took a position as Locomotive Driver at National Rail Corporation based at Chullora Intermodal Depot. He’s proud of his time there - he achieved a couple of personal milestones such as working the first 1800m long intermodal train from Sydney to Parkes, operating the Indian Pacific and Ghan for Great Southern Railway and Venice Simplon’s Great South Pacific Express. He even delivered the Sydney Depot Christmas cake by train – the cake made annually

Page 28

by the owners of the motel in which the train crews rested in Parkes.

By the early 2000’s, the railway industrial landscape had changed, along with the privatisation of National Rail. Tex thought it was time to move on.

On 28/1/2003, he took up a new position with CountryLink as an XPT Driver based at Sydney.

He now operated XPT and Xplorer passenger trains on the routes to Taree, Junee, Parkes, Dubbo and Canberra. The experience and professionalism Tex bought to this role earnt him respect among his peers and he was highly regarded by management. Tex was regularly rostered on special services such as the annual Elvis Express, The Silver City Stilletto and the Bathurst Race Train. Tex always humbly went about his business, always looking out for his workmates - later he would take on the role of Peer Support Volunteer.

So it was no surprise that many of his peers, railway family, colleagues and friends were waiting to wish Glen well when he arrived on the platform at Central the day of his last trip. Bob Nelson, NSW TrainLink’s Associate Director Operations, Planning and Readiness says, “Glen is a regular all-round good bloke, a real asset to the business and I wish him well”. He even got a mention on Radio 2GB’s Ray Hadley Morning Show…..!

Glen laments, “I’m humbled and surprised at all the fuss – I’m just a train driver.”

“I was on the Clyde Yard shunter the day the first XPT rolled out of the factory – I thought to myself that one day I’d like to drive that train. And I did.”

Glen plans some world travel with his wife Angela and will now have plenty of time for his love of golf.

Your railway family wishes you a long and healthy, happy retirement.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

We’ve got your back Proudly supporting the NSW Branch of Rail, Tram and Bus Union and their members.

RTBU Members are entitled to a free, initial consultation and discounted rates when referred by their union.

GET IN TOUCH Contact the RTBU on 02 9264 2511 for a referral to Slater and Gordon Lawyers

RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay RTBU Members can also take advantage of the United Services Union’s Aquatic Resort at Port Macquarie The 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 fishing!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 Office 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 United Services Union or full rates will apply.

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 cabins sleep up to a maximum of 6 people.

Cabins have a queen sized 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 cabins 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.

Bookings can be made by telephoning the RTBU Office on (02) 9264 2511.

Booderee National Park & Bherwerre Beach

Like Us on Facebook at

www.facebook. com/RTBUNSW

Page 30

In 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.

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.

Like Us on Facebook RTBU Holiday Park Jervis Bay RAIL & ROAD December 2019

CHANGE OF DETAILS FORM CHANGE OF PERSONAL DETAILS Surname

Given Name(s)

Gender Male Female

Street Address

Suburb

Post Code

Home Telephone Number

Work Telephone Number

Date Of Birth

Mobile Number

Email (work) Email (home)

Employer

Employee Number

Occupation: Eg Train Driver

RTBU Member Number

Work Location/ Depot

Date Commenced

Employment Status Fulltime

CHANGE IN BANKING DETAILS 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.

Part time

Casual

Next Pay Week

DETAILS OF BANK ACCOUNT TO BE DEBITED Name of Financial Institution (Bank)

Branch where account is held

Account in the name(s) of Bank/State Branch Number: (BSB Six Digits)

Account Number (Maximum of 9 digits)

DETAILS OF CREDIT CARD TO BE DEBITED Credit Card Type: Eg Visa, MasterCard, AMX

Credit Card Number

Credit card in the name of

Expiry Date

I/We authorise and request the Australian Rail Tram and Bus Industry 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.

SIGNATURE

SUBMIT

DATE Please Email your completed form to nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au by using the submit button Post: Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or Fax: 02 9261 1342 • Tel: 02 9264 2511

Profits that go to members, not shareholders.

The right support and advice to help you

feel future ready

1300 650 873

Consider our PDS before making a decision. FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, trustee of the First State Superannuation Scheme ABN 53 226 460 365.

Join the RTBU Retired Members Association Many retired members continue to receive copies of the journal Rail & Road, and take an interest in the life of the union. Many have also said that they would like to maintain a closer connection and involvement with the work of the union. The RTBU Retired Members Association was established to provide a forum for former members to meet, work on campaigns, address issues of particular relevance for retirees and to identify ways of assisting, supporting and contributing to the work of the union.

It is expected that the Retired Members Association will function independently and pursue issues that it identifies as priorities.

If you are a retired member of our union, we would like you to consider joining the Retired Members Association. Membership forms are available from the RTBU Head Office, Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney or on the union website: www.rtbu-nsw.asn.au

For more information, contact Peter O’Connor at the union office on (02) 9264 2511 For more information, contact Bruce Gale on 0414 934 878 or the union office on (02) 9264 2511

Page 14

raIL & rOaD June 2010

Have You Left the Industry?

Retired?

If you have left the industry, permanently or for a period, have retired, or are off work due to illness, 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 on 02 9264 2511 for more information.

RAIL & ROAD December 2019

Page 33

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM Surname

Given Name(s)

Gender Male Female

Street Address

Suburb

Post Code

Home Telephone Number

Work Telephone Number

Date Of Birth

Mobile Number

Email (work) Email (home)

Employer

Employee Number

Date Commenced

Occupation: Eg Train Driver

Work Location/Depot

Employment Status Fulltime

Part time

Casual

the undersigned, hereby apply to become a member of the I, Australian Rail, Tram and 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 and By-Laws for the time being of the Union.

Signature of Applicant

Dated

I, the undersigned, hereby apply to become a member of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union of New South Wales, 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

via DIRECT DEBIT fortnightly OR 1. I agree to pay $ 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 Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry 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 Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry 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

DETAILS OF THE ACCOUNT TO BE DEBITED

Account Name OR Name on Credit Card Financial Institution Branch

Date of next pay

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)

Card Type

Account No./If Credit Union Membership No.

MasterCard

Visa

Expiry Date

/

Credit Card Number

SUBMIT

Please Email your completed form to nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au by using the submit button Post: Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or Fax: 02 9261 1342 • Tel: 02 9264 2511

IMPORTANT PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR REFERENCE

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

RESIGNATION FROM MEMBERSHIP

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.

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.

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.

AM AND

BU S

Level 4, 321 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000

TR L

1. A member may resign from membership of the Union by written notice addressed and delivered to the Secretary of his/her Branch.

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.

R AI

OF THE RTBU

Tel (02) 9264 2511 Fax (02) 9264 1342 E-mail nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au Website www.rtbu-nsw.asn.au

UN

ION

Get health cover that matches your lifestyle

As an RTBU member, we want to do all we can to provide you with a health cover that matches your lifestyle.

Join rt health and receive these exclusive benefits: • 5% discount on all rt health covers (excluding Ambulance-only cover) • $150 Woolworths WISH card as a welcome gift to put towards your monthly grocery shop^ • Immediate waiver of all 2 and 3 month waiting periods, so you can start claiming straight away • Refer a friend, family or work mate to join rt health and you will get another $50 Gift Card*

^

See rthealthfund.com.au/group-gift-cards for more details. *See rthealthfund.com.au/mim-gift-cards for more details. 0819/3375

If you would like to find out more, you can call our dedicated RTBU hotline on 1300 782 810 or visit rthealthfund.com.au/rtbu