Bargaining update – NSW and Sydney Trains
11 October 2024
Dear Members,
Intensive bargaining recommenced on Tuesday of this week, with all representatives back at the table to continue advancing member claims and to receive updates on matters where the employer had requested more time for consideration. Unfortunately, this week did not maintain the momentum we saw last week. While frustrating, we acknowledge the significant work involved in reviewing draft clauses for claims previously supported. The only new member claim supported on the day (subject to drafting) was agreement to provide a Cert IV for Drivers through an RPL process.
Wednesday’s bargaining was utilised to conduct detailed working groups focusing on issues within Regional Operations, RETRU, Infrastructure, Enterprise Agreement inconsistencies, and Sydney Trains’ Train Crew Technology claims. Many positive outcomes were identified in these working groups, but delegates emphasised that bargaining is about securing genuine, lasting, and enforceable improvements for members. “Talkfests” will not suffice – our expectation is to deliver lasting protections enshrined within our agreement.
Thursday began by formalising outcomes from last week’s apprentice working group. Representatives worked on drafting EA clauses and supporting policies to ensure entry-level employees are provided with effective and efficient programs to support their progression within the organisation. Concurrently, working groups continued in the Stations space where delegates and business representatives discussed more effective implementation of the STRAWA and developed a list of stations to be priority assessed for safety upgrades, including “safe places” and Garrisons.
The last working group of the morning session focused on the long-running issue of shorts. Members would know of the seemingly endless struggle to finalise and implement what should be a very simple process. While there has been substantial movement with shorts being rolled out for a raft of new classifications, there is still work to be done for members in infrastructure, with discussions focusing on potential issues of nighttime visibility. A frustrating exchange with management ultimately resulted in agreement to conduct a nighttime trial with the goal of addressing any issues of visibility while still allowing the wearing of shorts unless unsafe to do so.
After the break, “All In” bargaining recommenced on claims where employer representatives had requested time for further consideration. Key areas of debate included Parental leave, use of CCTV, Transfer processes, and Sick leave. While we are yet to reach acceptable outcomes for these important member claims, delegates emphasised that we will not be dialling back our demands.
Bargaining will recommence next Tuesday for the third week of intensive bargaining. Officials from the CRU will also continue to report back directly to Minister Haylen at the end of each week on the status of bargaining and to reinforce our commitment that should appropriate progress fail to be made, protected industrial action will recommence.
Delegates will also be holding a series of workplace meetings as well as attending train stations, to provide face-to-face EA updates and seek member feedback. The first of the sessions will be held on Monday 14 October, a schedule of times and locations can be seen below.
In unity,
RTBU NSW