Negotiations fall over at the final hurdle

Unfortunately, tonight the negotiations with the Government failed to achieve an agreement.

We were extremely close to getting an agreement, but Transport for NSW once again decided to stick its nose in and seek to remove a further clause from the enterprise agreement. This time it was the clause achieved last agreement to give a $4,500 payment at the start of each new agreement.

At no time was this claim by Transport raised during negotiations, or discussed. It was simply assumed that they could remove it without asking us.

Information for drivers/guards:

This means that the go-slow action starts again tomorrow at 0001hrs, as do the associated s.471 lockout notices. The effect of the s.471 notices is to lockout members from their employment.

Some key facts about the s.471 lockout notice:

1. You don’t have to tell anyone of your intentions at any time – silence is golden.
2. You can simply not go to work.
3. You don’t have to tell anyone you are coming back the next day, you just have to turn up.
4. You will not be paid for the entire shift that you either don’t show up for, or enforce the go-slow. If you are found to have been enforcing the go-slow, you may lose your full shift of pay.
5. If you choose to apply a ban, or don’t show up, you only lose that shift’s pay, not the full 2 week period.

We asked Transport for NSW on multiple occasions to withdraw its lockout notices and just observe the go-slow (an action with minimal disruption). However, it refused to do so.