Your Union is Making it Happen

Despite the limitations of ongoing travel restrictions, the RTBU National Council was held on 10 November, with over 50 Delegates in six meeting rooms across six states, and the remaining Delegates tuning in via video-link from their homes.

Delegates delivered 18 reports, heard three guest speakers and passed 45 motions in just six jam-packed hours.

Some of the highlights of National Council included:

» Confirmation of National Office’s Operational Plan for 2022;

» Adopting rule changes to confirm the amalgamation of the two Western Australian branches from 1 January 2023;

» Addresses from Shadow Minister for Industrial relations Tony Burke MP and ACTU Secretary Sally McManus;

» Approving a campaign strategy for the forthcoming Federal election;

» Committing to campaign for more Australian-made trains, trams and buses.

Speaking at the National Council, National Secretary Mark Diamond told Delegates that working people, on their own, were sitting ducks for powerful corporations and the financial elite.

“But when we act collectively, when we are united, and when we have each other’s back, we’re right in the game,” Mark said.

“The formation of the modern RTBU - from the amalgamation of the ARU, AFULE, ATMOEA and NUR – was all about leveraging our power and building a stronger voice for union members.

“Our predecessors had a vision, and determination, to better the lives of workers in the rail, tram and bus industries.

“Our mission, our sacred duty as custodians of this great trade union, is to deliver on that vision. To make it happen.”

You can find a link to the National Office Operation Plan and to a video of Mark’s Diamond’s opening address on the RTBU website at

www.rtbu.org.au/ making it happen

National Councillors meeting in Brisbane

NAtional Councillors meeting in Sydney