RTBU Secretary takes concerns to Canberra

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens headed to Canberra as part of a union delegation this week, lobbying Federal politicians on issues of key importance to workers in NSW.

As well as discussing the issue of public transport, the union delegation also brought up a number of other important issues such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, Medicare, and changes to the pension.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) was also in Canberra to raise awareness of the plight of blue-collar jobs in Australia, particularly seafaring – and Alex Claassens headed along to show his support for their campaign.

Two ships in the past two months have sacked their Australian crew and replaced them with workers from developing countries. Some are paid as little as $2 an hour.

The MUA and other unions have since se up a Jobs Embassy outside parliament house, in order to take their concerns straight to the decision makers.

RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens at the MUA Jobs Embassy