Sydney Trains – Reform Update

Bulletin 46 –

To: RTBU Guard Members,

Members are advised that Train Crew Delegates met with Sydney Trains Management on Wednesday to be given the same Sydney Trains reform presentation as your RTBU Executive received last week, and for Delegates to ask any questions in an effort to get additional information.

Whilst Sydney Trains gave the same presentation they did give some further hints which had not been given to your RTBU Executive, they are as follows:

• Management thought the vote could occur in November. (Members are advised that this has never been discussed with the RTBU, our Delegates even remarked “what year” based on the nature and amount of reform Sydney Trains where seeking).
• Whilst Train Crew would be allocated a Home Depot, they would also possibly be part of a ‘cluster’ of depots and be rostered to start and finish at the other depots within their ‘cluster’ without the employees agreement. (Delegates made their views clear on this item).
• They also indicated they had a number of items that were not negotiable, but did not provide any further detail on them.

Our Delegates did make it clear that they wanted Sydney Trains to focus on fixing the current and ongoing payroll issues/disputes, which Delegates believed had increased markedly since Sydney Trains payroll and timekeeping were absorbed into Transport for NSW.

In the afternoon and following the Sydney Trains Presentation and Q&A session, Delegates had time to discuss with the RTBU Executive their thoughts on what they had heard and to discuss the RTBU’s involvement in the ongoing process.

Delegates were concerned about the lack of detail, and the perception that Sydney Trains were withholding detail about what they actually wanted and the message that Sydney Trains was portraying to members about the RTBU’s involvement in the process.

Delegates resolved that the RTBU involvement would include;

• As many Delegates as possible,
• Membership need as much opportunity as possible for feedback and comment on the process as it unfolds,
• Membership ownership of any possible outcome, and
• That prior to any further meetings with Sydney Trains, the Drivers and Guards Divisions need time to properly consider and develop their respective structures to deal with the task ahead of us all, and that the RTBU will not be rushed into an agenda / timeframe set by Sydney Trains.

At time of writing no further meetings have been set with Sydney Trains, and will be subject to the Drivers and Guards Divisions confirming their respective structures.

Members will be kept up to date as information and discussions occur and should make sure your Delegates have your up to date email and mobile number so you can receive information and updates directly as they are issued by your Union.