MTS – EA Update – Meeting No.5

Bulletin No. 12.25

Last week your RTBU Bargaining team met with MTS for meeting number 5 in the EA negotiations. The following claims were addressed:

Training/Mentoring Allowance

We have requested a review of all current or past Workplace Training/Mentoring Allowances.

CJC Workplace Trainers have previously received a percentage increase for this purpose and Engineering Control have never received any recognition for training and mentoring.

A Training/Mentoring Allowance is now the preferred remuneration pathway. The RTBU is claiming the Allowance be increased from $35 to $45 per day as allowances never increased in the last EA and therefore have not kept up with inflation.

The RTBU is also seeking a clear definition of what constitutes workplace training/mentoring so members don’t find themselves taking up this task without payment.

Zones and Zone preference

We are seeking the creation of zones across the network, so members are rostered in zones that are geographically practical.

MTS have agreed that with the opening of the Bankstown Line, zones will need to be created.

RTBU Delegates are putting together a draft zone proposal that will go out to members for discussion in the next couple of weeks – please engage with your delegates around this.

Seating on Stations

We are seeking staff seating on stations to reduce fatigue and injury from long periods of standing on hard surfaces.

MTS have asked your CJCS delegates to get feedback from stations members about what this would look like i.e. using existing customer seating or additional staff seating at Opal Gates etc.

Again, please engage with your delegates and let them know what you want.

Penalty Rates

We are seeking additional penalty rates for specific days (for example treating New Years Eve as a public holiday – this happens at Sydney Trains) – this had been rejected by MTS, but the RTBU continues to press this issue.

BEL Driver Allowance

We are seeking an allowance of 10% – this has been rejected by MTS on the grounds they intend to remove this function from MTS.

Service Increments

We are seeking service increments (seniority payments) for CJC’s to apply from years 1 to 3 – this has been rejected by MTS.

MTS put forward a claim around a trainee wage applying for a probation period during the first year, but we reject this.

Part-Time Work

We are in the process of analysing the results of our part-time survey and will present at the next meeting.

Safety on Trains and Stations

We have a number of claims around safety:

1. Body worn cameras – this claim has been tentatively accepted by MTS and RTBU delegates are involved in sourcing and reviewing models.

• Pressure mats – this claim has been accepted by MTS.

• Cabins on Trains – this claim is being actively considered by MTS. This is a very large piece of work and will involve negotiating with Transport for NSW, Sydney Metro and the regulator ONRSR as it involves altering approved infrastructure.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 14 May at the RTBU Pitt Street Office.

Please feel free to contact your RTBU Bargaining Team or Organiser Amanda Perkins aperkins@rtbu-nsw.asn.au if you have any questions.

Issued by:                                                                                                       Authorised by:
Amanda Perkins                                                                                      Toby Warnes
Branch Organiser                                                                                       Branch Secretary

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