Storm over natural disaster leave

The Loco Division is currently in dispute over NSW Trains’ refusal to pay a shift for a driver who was unable to make it to work recently as a result of recent snowstorms.

NSW Trains have stated that they will pay two days which were on the period roster; however, the third shift – a rostered overtime shift that was posted on the period roster – is not to be paid as it is overtime.

The Enterprise Agreement clearly states that in the event of disaster/natural disaster, upon providing a statutory declaration, employees will be paid ‘if work was available’. It is the view of the RTBU that even though the third shift was an overtime shift it was also posted on the roster and therefore was guaranteed work. The RTBU will advise members as to the outcome of this matter once it has been resolved.