Weekly Wrap
Welcome to the weekly wrap where we take a snapshot of what’s been happening across the RTBU Qld Branch this week.
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Breaking: EA terminations loophole to be closed
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Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke MP, has written to the Fair Work Commission today, advising the Commission of impending legislative changes which will limit the ability of employers to terminate enterprise agreements, and prevent them from using terminations as a bargaining tactic.
"For far too long, Australians have had their existing pay and conditions threatened simply because they wish to bargain for a new enterprise agreement," said RTBU National Secretary Mark Diamond.
This is a huge win for members. With so many EA bargaining in the works or coming up in the rail industry, bargaining for a new agreement without the threat of terminating existing pay and conditions will make it fairer and more achievable.
This win has come out on day 2 of the two-day Jobs and Skills summit. National Secretary, Mark Diamond has been on the ground in Canberra strongly advocating for issues that are affecting our members.
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Carla got to sit on the panel at Maurice Blackburn Sexual Harassment Seminar
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This morning, Industrial and Women’s Officer, Carla Jones was invited to sit on the Maurice Blackburn panel for their sexual harassment seminar. Every few months, Maurice Blackburn runs a seminar on a given topic of law and invites Industrial Officers from all over the State to keep them up to speed with the latest developments in that area. This helps our Industrial team provide you with better advice and guidance when you need it.
Today Carla’s job was to provide the Industrial Officers in the room with more practical, union focussed guidance.
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Saying G'Day to Miriam Vale
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To be honest, it has been a while since we dropped in, we did get there a few weeks ago and this time by chance we got to catch up with the Infrastructure members during their break to say hello and chat about the Infrastructure agreement in Queensland Rail that expires in early 2023. Nothing beats listening to members and getting the facts. Well done to all our Miriam Vale members.
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PNQ Mainline Drivers go on STRIKE!
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This week members in Pacific National Intermodal stopped worked for 25 hours. This escalation comes after 4 weeks of industrial action with bans on shift alternations and overtime.
The bargaining team has been bargaining with the company for 6 months now and has only had 1 of the member's minor claims accepted, despite accepting a number of the company's.
Our members are not asking for the world, they want common sense changes to their roster, recognition for when they are away from their families, and a decent wage increase to help keep up with the cost of living.
These are simple and fair asks and as long as PNQ continue to reject them, the RTBU and our members will stand with these workers in their fight.
During the strike, we got together in Brisbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville with supporters coming along across the industry. Long industrial action can put a strain on workers, especially in smaller cohorts, having the support and encouragement from their Comrades to STAY STRONG & STAY UNITED helps keep them fighting for what they deserve.
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Members from the RTBU got together for a mass union meeting at Progress Rail at the Redbank workshops.
Members voted unanimously in favour of a number of resolutions as part of the bargaining process, including a decent pay rise which keeps up with the cost of living, Super payment which keeps up with the legislated rises, and pandemic leave for isolating workers with covid19.
Keep up the fight, workers united will never be defeated.
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Delegate training in Mackay - Getting Organised
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Delegate training is one of the most important things that the RTBU could do and this week Dan Van Scherpenseel and Dave Bulloch got to deliver some stage one delegate training to great delegates in the making.
Members standing up for their workmates is what makes us strong and with some skills behind their belts, we look forward to the increasing activism for the workgroups they now lead. Pictured below are Dan VanScherpenseel, Tyler Denton, Mitch Greenbank, Dorothy Walters, Emily Borlase, and Dom Fox, who met in Mackay this week. It is always great when our partners, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, come to give some finer tips to delegates. We must say thanks to Elspeth Ledwy and Matt Wicks for taking time out to join with us.
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Banyo and the Resurfacing Gang
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The resurfacing gang at Banyo had their first Union agreement claims meeting this week to discuss improvements they want to see in the upcoming QR EBA, which expires in February. Top of the agenda was a decent pay rise and night shift allowance, something that will go a long way towards tackling the rising cost of living for workers.
If you are yet to have an EBA log of claims meeting at your QR depot, please get in touch with your Organiser or Delegate to arrange one. With a tight labour market and workers bearing the brunt of rising costs, there has never been a better time to get involved, stand, and fight for our futures. Unity is strength.
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Members on holidays - Cairns edition
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This week traincrew members Marino, Tracey, Brad and Stacey accompanied by their partners headed to Cairns where they all were this time last year for Brad and his wife Natalie's wedding.
While in Cairns they took a trip together on the Kuranda Scenic Rail, checking out the beautiful rainforest scenery, and old railway history.
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Bluff depot and above rail members, got together to talk all things Rail
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It was a great catch up as we discussed the going's on in our industry including the what's and where's of the Aurizon Coal Bargaining. Jodie Wickens our Branch Delegate and Network Controller for Aurizon also came out to catch up with members and her days off.
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Trackside Systems Delegates Gracemere "they are a force"
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Whether you are a Telecommunications Technician, Signals Electrician, Systems Maintainer or an Overhead Liney our great delegates are on their game and they are getting in early for their next Enterprise Agreement that expires in May 2023 by engaging with members on what they want to achieve.
It was great catching up with our delegates and members to hear firsthand some of the issues they see as priorities. Delegate training is key for us all and later this year we will be holding our Infrastructure delegate training to give them the underpinning knowledge they need to do what they do best, bring workers together. Pictured above are Tim Massingham, James Dawson, Jake Thomas, and Aaron Healy. Stay strong and stay united.
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Tragedy Strikes Charleville RTBU Delegate
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Long term member and delegate William Pugsley has last week been victim of a terrible tragedy when this week his house burned down to the ground.
The RTBU sprung to action as soon as we found out, and contacted QR to make sure Pugs was supported during this period. We're pleased to say that today QR CEO Kat Stapleton contacted State Secretary Peter Allen, and head of regional QR Jim Benstead contacted Pugs directly to let us know he will get ex gratis leave to deal with his situation and get back on his feet.
RTBU are family, we need to stick together. Our hearts go out to Pugs in this difficult time.
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We're here to help
Need to talk to the union office, or just need some help contacting your local rep? Contact our membership team on 3839 4988 for assistance, or email us at info@rtbu.com.au
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