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.

The RTBU is very concerned about violence experienced by drivers on the job and has made it clear to the government that more need to be done to protect them from angry and violent passengers.

Members are also concerned about the potential for privatisation of government bus services and the possibility of changes to the Award to achieve “efficiencies”.

The Award clearly states that it is valid for the next three years without changes. The union will stand firm and continue to argue that, in line with this, conditions will not change until the end of the Award.

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.

However, the problem was only fixed at Randwick, so buses from other depots may still have a similar problem.

Anybody noticing this problem should report the issue to the depot delegate and book the bus up immediately.

Randwick members would like to thank the member at the depot who had the foresight to capture this telling image.

Congratulations to Michael!

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.”

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Phil Cooksey

The union welcomes the announcement that Mick DeMeo has been elected as the caretaker delegate at Port Botany.

In a tight-run ballot on July 6 Mick received 74 votes and David Sousa73. The pair have agreed to work closely together until the AEC announces a date for the ballot for the permanent delegate.

Thanks to Mick and David for taking part in the vote and in particular to Phil Cooksey who stepped down from the delegate’s role to pursue his new job as a mechanic. The union wishes Phil all the best and congratulates him on his tireless work as a delegate.