RTBU is currently working with the NSW government to secure an additional agreement for 9,000 public railway workers throughout NSW, which will intensify the attack on wages and conditions. The union has worked with PN and other freight companies to impose drastic reductions in conditions and jobs in Victoria, Queensland and across the country. The RTBU was successful and negotiated roundly after voluntary dismissals negotiated at the union level. In 2014, the RTBU signed AAS which allowed it to increase coverage to 49% of its workforce. The workers were not informed of the provision during the vote on this agreement. Under the pretext of improving rail safety, the new agreement allows the introduction of audio and video surveillance devices in locomotive cabs. These devices violate the privacy of workers and are used against those who oppose job cuts and company conditions. All of the above links are available on the agreements available on the Fair Work Australia website. The RTBU authorized the negotiation of a new agreement that lasted well over 10 months.
Late last year, the union launched a union action campaign for which workers voted in September. The union allowed only symbolic prohibitions and interruptions. The Rail Train and Bus Union (RTBU) has imposed another regressive labour agreement on some 850 workers in Pacific National`s (PN) coal and bulk transportation services in The State of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. In January, the RTBU held joint union leadership meetings in both divisions prior to the vote. It is about “explaining the results [of the negotiations] and answering questions.” BMA Rail 2013 Please note that this agreement is being renegotiated The results of the vote on the Enterprise Agreement (EA) published last month show strong opposition to the balances negotiated by the union. About 66% of the opponents ratified the agreement and 34% voted against it. The RTBU only succeeded in enforcing the agreement after months of exhausting workers and cracking down on the problems caused by years of work and work within the freight company. This was consistent with the union`s attempts to keep workers in the dark throughout the dispute. At no time did the RTBU indicate the wage agreements it proposed during the negotiations, merely stating that it wanted “a fair and reasonable increase in wages”. In fact, the wording gives the company sufficient flexibility to restructure staff under the pretext of an “operational” restructuring – a cost-reduction code to ensure the highest return for PN shareholders. The latest EA will deepen this process and include clauses that prevent casual workers from accessing tenure.
Until now, casual workers who worked for six months at the corresponding hours of a full-time worker could apply for full-time employment. This period has been increased to 12 months. The EA also retains “Lift up and Lay back” provisions that require workers to report to the service before their departure time and to stay late two to three hours after the end of their scheduled service, if requested by the company. In addition, the balance sheet shows that “full-time permanent employment” is not the “most important and privileged form of employment” of PN. The real objective was to intimidate the workers and put maximum pressure on them to ratify the agreement.
