BRANCH ! NEWS NATIONAL
Representing rail, tram and bus workers with disabilities ! Disability advocate Andy Shim at the National Council meeting.
RTBU members come in all shapes, sizes, colours and abilities, but our workplaces are not always as inclusive or accommodating. In fact, too often our workplaces are designed in ways that make it hard (if not impossible) for people with disabilities. The RTBU is determined to knock down the physical, organisational and cultural barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in work and their communities. With that in mind, disability advocate Andrew Shim was invited to give a presentation to the RTBU National Council meeting. Andrew, who is autistic, gave a powerful insight into his experiences and the discrimination faced by neuro-diverse people and argued that people with disabilities need to be given a greater say in issues affecting them. Following Andrew’s presentation, NSW Branch Secretary Alex Claassens moved a motion to establish an RTBU Enabled Committee to represent members with disabilities.
Alex - who has been working with the International Transport Workers’ Federation to develop a global Railway Workers Disability Charter - said the RTBU Enabled Committee would be the first of its kind in the Australian union movement. “The purpose of the Committee will be to empower members with disabilities – enabling them to develop strategies for overcoming barriers to employment in our industries,” Alex said. “The Committee will be encouraged view to consider possible clauses for insertion into Enterprise Agreements, and new or amended workplace policies to make workplaces more inclusive.” The motion was seconded by SA/NT Branch Secretary Darren Phillips and passed unanimously. “There is much more that can be done to reduce barriers to participation for people with disabilities - and
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accessible public transport is just one of those,” Darren said. “But if we are going to take the inclusion agenda seriously, then we have to do more than just reduce barriers. “We need to redesign our infrastructure, our service delivery methods, and our organisations so that they reflect and work for all members of society. “That includes making sure people with disabilities, including neuro-diverse people, are represented in our political parties, our parliaments and our trade unions. “The change can start with us – we can do a better job in advocating for members with disabilities, and in giving them a platform so they can advocate for themselves.” The National Office will now work with State Branches to get the committee up and running in 2024.
