Events of today, the NSW Government is out of control

Dear members,

Today the NSW government completely lost the plot. Ministers of all equations put aside any sort of rationality, reasonableness, or candour, and put on confected outrage and smeared the good name of every railway worker in this State.

Our industrial action taken today was one that we have engaged in many times before, one that has allowed trains to run, to a set timetable, albeit at less frequency. But this didn’t suit the government narrative. “Disgusting”, our esteemed Premier said, as he stood in a hard hat pretending that he somehow has credentials as a frontline worker. Then in the same sentence, he chose to threaten to terminate our EA.

This is a continuation of the despicable behaviour we have grown accustomed to from a government that is out of touch, and in a clear death spiral.

The government has not been able to come to grips with the fact that bus drivers are also taking industrial action, as are the nurses (tomorrow, 1 September). The problem is not with the workers of this state, the problem is with the government.

At 11am, we had a meeting set with David Elliott, Transport Minister. The Minister walked into the room and told us the following:

• He would be putting the agreement as drafted by them to a vote within 48 hours.
• The agreement would contain the government wages cap (2.5%, 3%).
• The outstanding Infrastructure Claims would not be included in the agreement.
• The Cleaners would be granted a $2 per hour allowance – it is not at all clear how this would apply or what terms it would be granted on.
• If members vote the agreement down, the government would be applying to the Fair Work Commission to terminate the agreement and any NIF modification commitments torn up.

We are resolved to fight this government with everything we’ve got. Be it through the Courts, Commission, or on the ground, this government does not deserve a moment of peace between now and the next election. Enough is enough.

Many of you would have heard that our Secretary told the media this morning that the public would have two weeks of relative peace. This is true in a way as in order to take industrial action, we have to give almost 2 weeks’ notice before the action can commence.

This is a legal requirement mandated by the Fair Work Commission. However, we have a number of indefinite actions on foot that will continue to cause them pain.

Contrary to media reporting – we have not dropped any industrial action.

Tomorrow, we have a bargaining meeting with all EA delegates. We have invited both Chris Minns and Perrottet to come along to look into the whites of our eyes and face the music.

We hope these two have the guts to show up.

Keep an eye on www.ourrightsourfight.com.au for further updates and campaign materials.

In Unity,
RTBU NSW

Issued & authorised by Alex Claassens, Secretary, Rail, Tram and Bus Union – NSW Branch
Level 4, 321 Pitt Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 92642511
nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au
www.rtbu-nsw.asn.au

31 August 2022

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