ARTC INFRASTRUCTURE MEMBERS LEAD THE WAY
Bulletin: 49/19
To: Rail, Tram and Bus Union – Infrastructure ARTC Members,
ARTC INFRASTRUCTURE MEMBERS LEAD THE WAY
As you would be aware, the RTBU is currently bargaining with ARTC for the enterprise agreement that covers Network Controllers, Signal Electricians, Civil Work Group Leaders, Engineers, and office/administrative staff (Salaried Staff).
We have been told some managers are comparing this bargain and the offer with the fight that our infrastructure members had over the last few years.
This round of ARTC bargaining was (and is) shallow and pointless. ARTC plainly wanted a roll-over agreement with no changes to avoid the fight that infrastructure put them through in 2017 and 2018. Nothing is more telling than the wage offer ARTC put on the table.
ARTC put an offer of 3% per year of the agreement to avoid the looming fight with the other part of its workforce. It knew this would be an attractive number to employees in today’s economic climate. Considering the struggle that infrastructure members endured to achieve their pay increase last year, it’s obvious that ARTC has limped away with a bloody nose and does not want another fight.
RTBU infrastructure members fought and won and the offer to the Salaried Staff at ARTC and it proves that infrastructure members are still winning.
There is no doubt that this offer was made because of the blood, sweat and tears of our staunch Infrastructure members, and the financial hits they took to show ARTC they were not going to give in to a disrespectful boss and a substandard agreement.
What the offer made to settle this agreement shows is that ARTC bruise like the rest of us. This puts infrastructure members in good stead to take up the fight again in 2021. It’s important that we periodically remind ARTC that we have not gone away and that we expect respect when it comes to negotiating another agreement.
It’s important that the offer put to Salaried Staff isn’t seen by infrastructure members as punishment for the fight they put to ARTC. Quite the opposite, it shows that collective power has knock-on effects and that everyone benefits when the boss knows you won’t back down.
If you want any further information about the offer put to salaried staff, don’t hesitate to send us an email on nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au , or call us on 9264 2511.
Issued and Authorised By:
Alex Claassens
Branch Secretary