Weekly Wrap
Welcome to the weekly wrap where we take a snapshot of what’s been happening across the RTBU Qld Branch this week.
|
|
Alan Bambrick - The Legend of Alan will live on
|
|
We thought we would share with our broader RTBU family of the recent passing of Alan Bambrick, Life Member of our great union.
Alan made sure that Labour Day's in Rockhampton will continue for generations to come with his last will and testimony. You can read more about it in the newsletter that went out to members in Rockhampton recently here.
Here is also a message from a proud member in response to Alan's gesture.
Craig
It comes as no surprise to read of this gesture from Alan. Great to see his name live on in this way.
Alan signed me up to the ARU back in the early eighties and of course I am still a member of the RTBU. .He convinced me to come over from the vehicle builders union.
He was a legend and now will live on as a legend.
Cheers Dale McDonald
|
|
Mitchell is going the distance for sick kids!
|
|
When Flynn was just 7 years old, his life changed after he was diagnosed with cancer in his hand. To remove the cancer, his parents had to make the decision to amputate two fingers and part of his hand, to his wrist.
During this time, Flynn and his family spent a lot of time in hospital and were regular visitors for the 2 years after Flynn's diagnosis. The Children's Hospital Foundation was fantastic and helped the family a lot through this time so when Flynn was asked to be an ambassador for the foundation's 42K, dad Mitchell was very excited.
Mitchell, who is a Driver for QR wanted to do something special for the foundation for all the support they gave Flynn and his family during such a tough time in their lives. So he decided to join the foundation's 42k challenge and push himself to run 42km a week over the month of August in the hopes of raising money.
This is the second year that Flynn has been chosen as ambassador and Mitchell fundraised for the foundation.
|
|
The most aesthetically pleasing union notice board we've ever seen
|
|
This week, Andrew headed out to Linfox Acacia Ridge, to catch up with members with some regional members joining via teams.
There have been concerns around management recently talking with members regarding their current enterprise agreement and trying to encourage them to sign individual contracts. We had a really good chat around this, including the fact that they don't have to sign anything. Our members were excited to sit down and discuss how they feel about their current enterprise agreement, with plenty of ideas about what they would like to see moving forward.
|
|
|
Infrastructure Delegates Training
|
|
This week, Infrastructure Organiser, Elliot D'Arcy, held delegate training for some of our infrastructure delegates.
Regular training is essential for our delegates so they can be up to date with the latest information and tools to be able to support their workplaces.
Branch Secretary, Peter Allen, stopped by to discuss with our delegates the upcoming demand for rail workers, skills shortages, upcoming rail projects, and how the RTBU is going to use this to improve the working lives of infrastructure members.
|
|
|
|
Freight Operator Representatives Karly Cole and John Robertson
|
|
This week Organiser Bully headed to Mackay where the Aurizon Coal bargaining was being held. The Aurizon Coal agreement is broken up into 4 sections: Core, Freight Operators, Maintenance, and Drivers with each section or stream being held separately.
This week, first-time bargaining representatives, Karly Cole and John Robertson from Freight Operations and Maintenance joined Bully and the company at the table to present their log of claims. These initial meetings are generally around gaining an understanding of what each party is seeking.
We're back at the table next Monday in Brisbane with Freight Operators and Drivers.
|
|
|
|
Maintenance Representatives Jarod Falls and Ben Voysey with Organisers Dan McCallum and Dave Bulloch
|
|
PNQ Intermodel Mainline Bargaining
|
|
Bargaining continued with Organiser Stef and Delegate Ben returning to the table to continue negotiations on behalf of members at PNQ. They left the table no better off than when they started bargaining 5 months ago.
Meanwhile, the members are 2 weeks in to Protected Industrial with bans on shift alterations (lift up/lay back) and overtime. The company has been trying to rattle them by threatening to doc their pay if they refuse to change shifts and throwing words around like "for every action is a reaction"
But our members can't be broken. They're staying united and staying strong.
Members from Aurizon, One Rail and BMA sent us photos in support of PNQ Drivers showing solidarity across companies and grades in the industry. It fills us with such pride to see members of our union get behind their comrades who are just trying to get fair wages and conditions, slogging it out against greedy companies.
|
|
|
While laying off in Mackay, Townsville PNQ Delegate Simon Crisp (Crispy) briefly caught up with Organiser Bully who was in town for Aurizon Coal negotiations.
|
|
|
Calling all amateur photographers
|
|
|
|
Gold Coast Tram at night - Image supplied by Kris Cosgrove
|
|
We are seeking your photographs of trains, trams, buses, yards, tracks, and other infrastructure to keep as stock images to use in newsletters and on social media. Any photos you send in will be credited to you.
You can send your photos to mail@rtbu.com.au, through our social media channels or by using #RTBUphotos
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
