Infrastructure Division – Enterprise Bargaining Update
14 November 2024
Dear Members,
Our Infrastructure Division Enterprise Bargaining delegates have been prosecuting claims for months now, with some key claims already agreed too. Currently, we are focussing on the priority ones as set out below:
1. Raise to the Upper Limit of Competency Progression (ULCP) for track and structures staff by one increment.
- Track, Structures and Resurfacing staff to go from 3.1 to 3.2
- Signal Mechanical to go from 3.2 to 3.3
- Track, Structures and Resurfacing WGL from 3.3 to 4.1
- Proposed for TL to go 4.5 to 5.1
We have held two specific meetings on this issue so far to work through the competency structure with Sydney Trains and L & D (Petersham) in order to identify competencies that can be used to make the increase happen. The group is also the group who recently conducted the Track and Structures review.
We have made it clear that we have no patience left for useless words and promises and that members have demanded action and results.
We continue to discuss this issue in ongoing meetings.
2. Night shift/Afternoon shift penalty increase.
- Night Shift increase to 200%
- Afternoon Shift increase to 150%
We have told Sydney Trains that the penalties that currently apply for these shifts are grossly inadequate for the impact they have on our members and their families.
The State Labor Government’s Rail Review findings highlighted the lack of incentives for staff to do more night work. Management knows that the future of maintaining the network is more night work. We’ve made it clear that the rates applicable for these shifts need to increase substantially before members will even contemplate talking about rostering changes in the future.
We have also told Sydney Trains management that will not be giving up any of our rostering protections in the EA to get this increase. It is time they recognised the drastic impact of these shifts on our families and our health.
Sydney Trains’ position remain that it will cost too much. This is not a concern of members and if management need to manage inefficiencies to pay for it, that’s fine, but this claim remains important to members.
We have asked them to give us a counter proposal.
3. On Call Increase Claim
- On call (rostered per shift) – increase from $29.90 to $70.00
- On call (non-rostered per shift) – increase from $44.96 to $100.00
We have told Sydney Trains management of the massive disruption On Call working has on our members and families. It is not an ideal way to manage incidents and should not be relied on without acknowledging its effect on members.
So far, management have offered $50 for a rostered day and $70 non-rostered day.
Also call outs of 4 hours or more will be paid at the overtime rate – 200% to apply for the first 3 hours instead of 150%. We will continue to push on this point.
4. Meal Allowance Claim
We have put to Sydney Trains that the meal allowance we won in 2018 must no longer be tied to the service entitlement. That means that start and finish times for payment of the meal allowance would no longer apply. We are arguing for the meal allowance to be paid for every 4 hours of the shift worked regardless of when the shift starts or finishes.
We have put to Sydney Trains that a meal allowance be included into the base rate to reduce administration. Sydney Trains are costing the claim.
5. Public Holiday Claim
We are proposing that every shift that goes into or out of a public holiday be paid at the public holiday rate for the entire shift.
- There has been a huge problem in relation to how payroll interprets this payment and has resulted in many disputes
- When our members work into/out of a public holiday, the effect is that members don’t get to enjoy the day off
- Under a new Fair Work Commission ruling, the employer cannot force you to work a public holiday, so this is also a crucial incentive if they want members to forego these days with their families and friends
We continue to bargain hard on this topic.
6. Additions to the Electrical safety Allowance
The RTBU is seeking to add the following tickets/qualification to the Electrical Safety Allowance.
- Crane and Plant Electrical Safety (WES62)
- Auxiliary (AS106)
- Signal Mechanical (AS105)
7. Dead Animal removal Allowance.
Due to the hazardous and distressing duty of removing dead animals of all types from the rail corridor, and the onerous procedure now expected to be followed, we are seeking an allowance for members who must do this task. We have not proposed a figure but put it to Sydney Trains to come up with a fair and reasonable offer.
Sydney Trains have offered $20 per occasion; we are still in negotiations about what this will look like.
These claims are just the ones we have identified as crucial claims put forward by members.
There is also a raft of other claims in Section 1 of the EA that apply to all staff that we are fighting for to improve pay and conditions for members in the Infrastructure Division. We are also supporting many joint claims made by other unions in Combined Rail Union (CRU) moving forward.
We know it is difficult to see you all face to face so we will set up online meetings on Teams for all staff who can attend and depot visits when possible. Watch for more bulletins and emails for dates.
Or for the latest EA related updates check out our website – www.fightingforourfuture.com.au.
Below are the details of the EA Bargaining Committee from the Infrastructure Division. These delegates are sitting at the bargaining table fighting for a better outcome for RTBU Infrastructure Members. Please don’t hesitate to contact the team if you have any questions.
EA Infrastructure Delegates
Jonathan Parker
RTBU Infrastructure Secretary
Signal Mechanical
Clyde Network Base
0447 441 732
Scott Wilson
RTBU Infrastructure Vice President
WGL Track
Hamilton Network Base
0412 521 502
Michael Sullivan
Signal Mechanical
Hornsby Network Base
RTBU Infrastructure President
0400 596 688
Jared Mckinley
WGL Traction
Hamilton Network Base
RTBU Infrastructure Divisional Committee Member
0420 972 060
In unity,
RTBU NSW