Weekly Wrap

Welcome to the weekly wrap where we take a snapshot of what’s been happening across the RTBU Qld Branch this week.

Rail Safety Week is just the beginning!

This week, being Rail Safety Week, we have begun our campaign to get level crossings removed or upgraded across Queensland.

Thanks to all our members who identified dangerous level crossings they have encountered a few weeks ago, it has been the starting point of our campaign.

I kicked off the week by meeting with the media to push awareness of this dangerous issue and call out all levels of government to put a plan into action for the removal of level crossing around the south east network and upgrade or remove regional ones.

Click here to watch how we kicked off Rail Safety Week

This is only the beginning!

If you're not following our Facebook page head over to it here - to follow the latest updates and plus so much more.

We also got to hear from one of our retired RTBU Members, Paul McKenna, sharing with the ABC his experience when he was driving trains daily in Rockhampton. Nearly every day he witnessed people playing Russian roulette at the many level crossings he had to pass through on the job. You can read the article here.

Every member deserves to go home safely after their day's work is done. This is why this issue is so important to us and we will drive to get it done.

Union Proud - Corridors

Newly elected QR Corridors delegate Cheney sent us this great photo of corridors members Karisa and Rachel at the depot, union proud.

Our corridors members are out doing vital work every day making sure vegetation is under control on our networks. With their agreement coming up for expiry next year, these workers will soon start bargaining for well deserved increases in their wages and conditions.

Aurizon Infrastructure Catch-up

Central District Organiser Dave Bulloch had the opportunity to catch up with infrastructure member "Nugget" and Workplace Delegate Andrew "Welly's" Wells.

There was some lively conversation about their upcoming EA bargaining.
Both of these members work in Aurizon but were keen to add their support to the PNQ Intermodal fight.

As Wellsy said, "We are one big Union and we stick together"

Aurizon Coal Bargaining - Week 2

Last week we kicked off bargaining with Aurizon Coal management and presented a log of claims for the core of the agreement (the parts that apply to all employees in that EA).

So with that underway, Bully headed out to Coppabella to catch up with members and have discussions around core bargaining and get feedback to take back to the table.

While the topic of the day (and night) was the Aurizon Coal EA, the Coppabella members were quick to show their support for PNQ Intermodal members in their battle for fair and reasonable conditions as they too understand what it is like to have to fight for what is deserved.

Back in Brisbane Carla and Stef attend bargaining for core on behalf of members. There were a lot of discussions around fatigue, disputes procedures, leave and a number of other key issues raised by the membership.

Bargaining for Freight Operators and Maintenance streams begins in Mackay next week with Karly Cole, John Roberson, Ben Voysey and Jared Falls leading the charge for their workmates.

Jeans for Genes Day - a message from Stef

What an effort!! Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the Jeans for Genes fundraiser this year - every single, dollar counts. A massive shout-out to those of you who chucked in a little extra. I saw every donation and it definitely did not go unnoticed.

I run this fundraiser for all the amazing little legends living with Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Achondroplasia, Lissencephaly (to name a few) and the kids going through chemotherapy, dialysis, radiotherapy and other life saving treatments. As well as parents who have lost a child before they could even live a life due to a genetic condition.

Having a little legend of my own, I can tell it means so much to us to see everyone get behind the cause by raising funds and awareness.

The fundraiser is still open if you still want to donate.

Thank you all again. Until next year!

Donate here

PN Coal EA - Meetings continue today

PN Coal Members will be aware that there is a meeting between the company, your bargaining reps and our most senior officials today to hear what they have learned from their depot visits.

Stay tuned for a news letter on what took place soon

When in Vietnam

Recently, Redbank driver, Marino Nugter and Guard, Tracy Tran took a trip to Vietnam and they sent us some pictures from their holiday.

We were so stoked to see Marino had packed his 2022 RTBU Labour Day shirt for his trip and we think he makes an excellent model.

Please keep sending us your holiday snaps, we absolutely love seeing them!

Pacific National Mainline industrial action

Over the last few weeks, Driver Members working for Pacific National Intermodal QLD have been exercising their industrial rights to take protected industrial action.

Delegate Ben Gebert and Organiser Stef have been bargaining for a fair agreement since March to no avail. All that the members are really asking for is some recognition for time away from their families and a roster that actually means something.

The industrial action that the members have been engaging is in the form of overtime and lift up/ lay back bans.

During the week members from other areas of rail have been sending in messages of support for the PNQ drivers. The message is clear;

Stay strong, stay united - we're behind you!