REGRETFUL FAREWELL

Bulletin: 43/19

To: Rail, Tram and Bus Union – Infrastructure Members,

REGRETFUL FAREWELL

It is with great regret that I write to you all that I have notified the RTBU that I will be moving on elsewhere within the union movement.

I have been offered an opportunity to organise within the CFMMEU which I have accepted.

This was by far the hardest decision I have ever made.

Organising in the Infrastructure division is a unique experience in our union. The division covers rail workers in the public sector, private sector and labour hire industry which each brings its own challenges.

I have had the amazing opportunity to organise and get to know workers from various companies throughout rail infrastructure. It was an honour and a privilege to represent you in my capacity as an Organiser.

I started at the RTBU when I was 17 years old, basically growing up in the union. Over the 11 years I have been at the RTBU I have learnt much and I have members like you to thank for that. I like to think that this is not the end of my time organising in the RTBU, more like it is on hiatus while I challenge myself in a new industry with its own unique challenges.

A group of workers that stand together in solidarity against industrial oppression by hostile employers is a force to be reckoned with. It’s this group that has the power to bring about change on an industry wide scale.

I believe that rail workers have the capacity to bring about such change.

We are in a time of stagnant wage growth, erosion of union member rights, introduction of industrial legislation hell bent on demonising unions and its members and an all out assault on workers by a hostile conservative government backed by their donors who only care about lining their own pockets.

Now more than ever is a time to join a union and get active in your union. It’s time to unite and support our brothers and sisters around Australia in a fight for the ages. Workers are the most important asset to this country, and we all must stand together to protect that asset especially against governments and organisations with an agenda to destroy it.

I will never forget all the members I have worked with over the years and I will miss you all greatly.

I wish you all the best in your continued efforts to be recognised for the extremely important work you do and your fight for workers rights.