The Hot Topic

Dollars and sense at STA

Tell us what is REALLY going to make STA more efficient.

All members will be aware that STA CEO Peter Rowley has done a tour of depots trying to convince drivers to accept changes to the Enterprise Agreement he negotiated with drivers not one year ago – all in the name of “efficiency”.

Mr Rowley says drivers must accept cuts to wages and conditions to stop the future privatisation of State Transit. But some drivers have their own ideas about what would actually make STA more efficient.

At one of the depot meeting a member asked what Mr Rowley would be doing to stop the huge amount of money lost to STA through fare evasion every day. The member wanted to know why  drivers were being asked to take a hit while this continued to happen. All Mr Rowley could say was it shouldn’t be drivers’ concern.

It’s true, it shouldn’t be drivers’ concern, but when they are being asked to accept cuts to hard fought wages and conditions to “save” themselves from privatisation it becomes their concern.

We know slashing wages and conditions is no way to make bus services better or more efficient. This is just short term thinking.

Drivers know the bus network better than anyone. And we know how it could be improved. Actually improved.

So give us your ideas! We have already received information from a member on how much could be saved if STA dealt with fare evasion on buses, but what else could be done?

Comment below to have your say.

RTBU BBQ tour goes Novocastrian

The RTBU took the BBQ tour to Hamilton last week, where Chris, Gary and David took over the BBQ, cooking up a storm in the depot and having a chat with local members about the problems they are facing behind and away from the wheel.

It was great to hear about a the implementation of a protocol to help drivers deal with rock throwing but there is clearly still a long way to go to keep drivers safe on the job from hooligans and vandals, particularly at night and when alcohol is involved. Read more »

Randwick driver raises reflection issue on new buses

When a reflection started appearing in the nearside mirror of the new 2400 series of Scandia’s and Volvo from a poorly placed new sticker on the buses at Randwick, a quick thinking member had the foresight to photograph the problem and report it.

The problem after investigation occurs when the sunlight hits the bus on the right had side causing a reflection off the sticker to occur in the nearside mirror.

STA placed the stickers there and when a complaint was put in said that no one was allowed to move the sticker but themselves.

As such, drivers began booking up the entire 2400 series at Randwick for maintenance. Read more »

Port Botany election result

Candidate to be the Sub-Divisional Representative on Branch Divisional Committees for Port Botany, Michael de Meo has been elected to the position uncontested.

Congratulations to Michael! Read more »

RTBU joins Ryde community protest against education cuts

On Tuesday RTBU representatives, including Divisional President Gary Way, joined the Ryde Community Union Alliance to protest outside Ryde MP Victor Dominello’s electorate office against the O’Farrell government’s cuts to education.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon addressed the protesters touching on   particular concerns for the area including cuts to Ryde and Meadowbank TAFE and the abolition of art courses.

Gary said the RTBU was keen to support the locals in speaking out about their concerns, particularly given the broader impacts the cuts will have on the community.

“Sydney’s largest bus depot is at Ryde, employing nearly 500 people. Many of our members live in the local area and will be affected by these outrageous cuts.” Read more »

Farewell Mark Brady

The RTBU would like to wish a fond farewell to Mark Brady who, after 47 years with State Transit, has decided to step out from behind the wheel and retire.

The RTBU recently threw a farewell BBQ at the Ryde depot and the Divisional Secretary, Chris Preston presented him with a plaque in honour of his years of service.

About 150 people turned up to say goodbye and good luck Mark who was a conductor for his first six months on the job, then worked as a driver at Ryde for the rest of his career. For years he has run the  ‘tea club’ at the depot and also represented State Transit in lawn bowl competitions against Queensland drivers.

We’ll miss you Mark!

Masterchefs step up again in BBQ tour of duty

A touch of Masterchef was yet again on show at the latest RTBU BBQ at Tempe depot – but it wasn’t the officials bringing the culinary skills it was the delegates and members!

Everyone at the depot got together to put on a feast of epic proportions with everything from Brazilian BBQ meat to gourmet salads.

Congratulations go to everyone who organised such a slap up meal for all involved. It made for a great get together and opportunity to discuss some of the big issues affecting our workplace at the moment.

And the tour continues!

Waverley depot protests against harsh application of the discipline policy

Fed up with management’s lack of respect for workers and what they see as unreasonably tough reactions to minor offences, members at Waverley depot have voted unanimously to put discipline into dispute.

Members also voted for a petition to present to the depot manager expressing their anger and disappointment at this over-the-top regime.

The issues are many and varied, but include a driver who slept through the alarm and turned up to work late. The dirver was issued a final warning. The driver’s last ’late employed’ was 8 years ago!

The petition is popular, with drivers happy to vent their anger. Wendy Wirth, delegate for the depot, says the members are walking around with ‘smoke coming out of their ears’ after being subjected, or hearing of the treatment of colleagues, to this disrespectful manner management has taken this year.

This dispute is ongoing at present and members will have opportunity in the near future to assess management’s response and react accordingly.

Kingsgrove depot dominates annual Road Race

Race winner Emil Boulos

It was a bumper turn out for the 58th Kingsgrove Depot Road Race this year with 48 runners and representatives from every depot including Newcastle – and even some walkers from Mona Vale and Brookvale.

The course runs 7.8km from Kingsgrove along both sides of the M5 to Beverly Hills and then winds back to Kingsgrove.

After the closed handicap was taken into account, the winner of the $300 prize this year was Emil Boulos, an event veteran who had been competing for 30 years. Mahenrda Singh came in second and achieved the fastest time without a handicap. Mark Mezzano came in third. All three place-getters were from Kingsgrove.

A raffle at the event also raised $500 for the Intellectual Disability Fund of St George which the depot has been supporting for the last 19 years.

Once again the union is proud to be a sponsor of STA Institute Road Races. Well done to all participants and those who generously supported the raffle. See you next year!

Willoughby delegate keeps drivers in the loop

Sukhdip Khatra, Gary Way and Graeme Cassey

This week the Willoughby Depot Rank & File Depot Meeting was packed with members keen to discuss the latest information from the RTBU solicitors about the legal implications of the workers’ comp changes.

An update of the discussions from last week’s meeting with the STA CEO Peter Rowley was also given and members advised that the union was waiting for written conformation from the STA before the proposed reforms could be analysed properly.

Another pressing issue is the fact that drivers at Wynyard are not getting enough time to rest between trips. Members have advised that, in the best interests of public safety, drivers take their turn-around break and run the next trip late.

The current changes to workers comp and the proposed STA reforms mean its more important than ever that delegates keep communication lines open with members. Thanks to Depot Union Rep Alan Burke whose planning and capable Chairmanship ensured the Willoughby meetings were informative and successful.