Sydney & NSW Trains Protected Action:
Letters of Solidarity from NZ RMTU, ASLEF & JRU NZ RMTU (Rail Maritime Transport Union), ASLEF (UK Train Drivers Union) and JRU (Japanese Rail Union) have written to pledge solidarity following the protected industrial action taken by NSW and Sydney Trains members. The NZ RMTU have given their full support to the campaign and congratulated the Members, Division Officials, Organisers, and Delegates on what they have achieved. They celebrated the immaculate organisation the members put into the campaign, especially in the midst of pandemic. ASLEF also sung praises for the 4-hour stoppage on 28 September, which rounded off the month of action. Their letter highlighted that
not only were the actions taken over the course of the month a show of the RTBU’s strength, it was also a great success in showing the power of a highly unionised workforce to new and younger members of the RTBU. JRU, on behalf of their 20,000-strong membership base, also wrote to us emphasising that, while striking and fighting for our rights is a major part of the action, the RTBU’s education and organisation of members throughout this period and beyond is key to our big strides forward. We thank the NZ RMTU, ASLEF and JRU for their well-received letters. In addition to the support shown from unions around the world, we
have also received many unsolicited letters of support from the travelling public. The following is typical of the support from commuters: “Hey, I heard about the strike, and as someone who catches the train into the city for work all the time I say good on you guys. Privatisation of public transport is absolutely ridiculous, there are SO many issues that I am sure you know, and the cost of living has gone up a lot more than 3.5%... especially if you rent. I have my own battles to fight(no unions in my industry boo) so not much more I can do to help, but thought I would say keep up the good work.”
Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year to all RTBU Members and their Families Page 12
RAIL & ROAD December 2021
