In opposition, NSW Labor campaigned against bus privatisation. But, the new minister now says “the options available are limited”. Jim McIlroy reports.
Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU)
Two unions covering rail workers in New South Wales have welcomed the federal Fair Work Commission’s decision to grant a pay rise for rail staff over 2022–23. Jim McIlroy reports.
NSW bus drivers are striking to receive the same pay and conditions for the same work across the network, reports Jim McIlroy .
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union described the NSW government’s unilateral shut-down of the Sydney train network on February 21 as “a huge dummy spit”. Jim McIlroy reports.
Commuters in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are angry with the New South Wales government’s plan to cut 25 bus routes in the south-eastern suburbs, reports Jim McIlroy.
Bus drivers held a four hour stop-work on August 24 to demand improved conditions and COVID-19 safety measures, reports Jim McIlroy.
The RTBU announced on February 28 that its delegates and members had unanimously endorsed an in-principle agreement for a new enterprise agreement with Yarra Trams, writes Leo Crnogorcevic.
Train operator and Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) delegate Robert Car was sacked by the privately-owned Metro Train Sydney (MTS) company on March 27.
In response to the decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to order Sydney train drivers to suspend their planned 24-hour strike on January 29, ACTU secretary Sally McManus declared: "The right to strike in Australia is close to being dead."
Even though the NSW government convinced Fair Work deputy commissioner, Jonathan Hamberger on January 25 that the Rail Tram and Bus Union’s (RBTU) overtime ban and proposed 24-hour strike should be suspended, Sydney’s hard-pressed commuters continue to support railway workers’ demand for an agreement that does not mean drivers have to work overtime to take home a fair wage.
Railway workers want a wage rise of 6% a year over the next four years to bring them in line with wages for drivers in other states.
In the wake of the horrific burning to death of Brisbane bus driver Manmeet Sharma on October 28, the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) held a national day of respect on November 9 to highlight the issue of driver safety across Australia.
In a statement RTBU national president Phil Altieri said: “It was an honour to join sisters and brothers from across the union movement today in honouring Manmeet Sharma (Alisher).
