From the Branch Secretary

The RTBU NSW is in full swing at the moment and members have probably noticed the change in government at a state level has coincided with a notable shift in how many of our issues are dealt with. Of course that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing – in fact we’re facing challenges on many fronts – but there has been a noticeably less combative approach to workers and more willingness to at least acknowledge the expertise of RTBU members.

A couple of areas where this has been particularly evident are the New Intercity Fleet and the major change agreement which has been secured with the NSW Government. After years of dispute with the former NSW Government, the RTBU – through the unwavering commitment of its members and staff – has finally forced real progress on a safe new Intercity Fleet.

While there is still a lot more work to be done, the fact that the RTBU has finally reached agreement on a final operating model is a significant step forward and one which shouldn’t be underestimated. When you consider the fight the former government put up against the modifications required to make the fleet safe for members and commuters, the fact that the RTBU has forced Transport for NSW to this point is incredibly significant and a sign of the strength of the union. In a similar vein, the fact that the RTBU recently secured a Major Change Agreement with the current NSW Government is also a testament to union strength. The Major Change Agreement, which was signed by the Combined Rail Unions, commits to collaboration between rail agencies, workers and unions on significant changes in the transport system. This is a sizeable shift in the dynamic and the power workers, via the RTBU, hold when it comes to making changes that will impact the running of our transport network. It also guarantees no forced redundancies, which is an important win for all workers.