Station Staff at NSW Trains asked to perform ‘Right of Way’ on the NIF

Bulletin No: 60.20

Station Staff at NSW Trains on the Newcastle – Central Coast line have received briefing note that they will be expected to perform flagging duties and assist with the testing of the New InterCity Fleet (NIF) when it stops at stations this Saturday, 24 October 2020 as part of a “mission readiness exercise rehearsal”.

This note was dropped on Station Staff without any consultation with the Stations Wages Sub-Division Delegates, or relevant Health and Safety Representatives (HSR).

The RTBU is in dispute with NSW Trains about their proposed operating model which includes the right of way duties involving the operation of the NIF. We have not seen any evidence that the NIF, in its current form, is safe. The RTBU has enrolled the services of an independent safety expert to prove our concerns.

There has been no evidence provided by NSW Trains that demonstrates that Station Staff providing a right of way to the NIF is safe. The NIF is designed to operate in a way vastly different to existing rollingstock, which has so far not been properly explained to Station Staff making the exercise much riskier.

NSW Trains is putting Station Staff in a precarious position where if something goes wrong, they may be held liable.

This risk is unacceptable. By providing a right of way you may be putting yourself, your workmates, and

the community at risk. It is also noted that the current NTOSP 6 procedure does not reflect giving right of way to the NIF as it is intended to operate.

All Station Staff are reminded that if you are issued an unsafe directive, you are within your rights to refuse it on safety grounds. If you feel the situation is unsafe, you should ask management for other available work at the time the NIF arrives at your station. You should not lose any pay for this time.

If you have any questions about the above, please contact your delegates, sub-divisional representatives, or your organiser.

Issued by: Trent Hunter Organiser

Authorised by: Alex Claassens Branch Secretary

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