Executive steel for strong worker conditions

Once again the Steel City put on a fabulous day for the second meeting of the full Executive on 21 May 2012. The meeting built on the success of last year’s meeting, addressing a number of the key issues for bus drivers.

A particular focus was the ongoing uniform allowance dispute which has seen STA deny drivers reimbursement for money spent on uniforms for over a year now. Despite STA’s stonewalling workers on this up until now the Division hopes to have a solution to put to members in the coming weeks.

The Executive also discussed the Transport Minister’s recent announcement to put metropolitan private bus contracts out to competitive tendering. Sydney Buses were not affected by the decision but it’s important that we stay on top of this issue and look at what it might mean for the future of the bus industry, particularly in outer metropolitan areas such as Newcastle.

STA is also looking to tie carers leave in with its sick leave policy. The union has expressed its strong opposition to this policy and the Executive is resolved to oppose any move to do this all the way to the Industrial Relations Commission.

All delegates who attended should be congratulated on their excellent input on the day.

The Division would also like to thank the Hamilton and Belmont institute committees for their wonderful hospitality on the day.

Newcastle bussies get on board the ‘pink’ bus

From Margaret Panell

When one of our female bus operators, Kylee Stewart, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2011 her friends and colleagues from Newcastle Buses were in shock.

Kylee is 41 years old and has 2 small children, the youngest was only 10 months old. Staff from both depots rallied to help Kylee and her partner Mick Jurd (also a bus operator) in whatever way they could. To help support them, they cooked meals, helped with the house work, baby sat the kids and raised money to purchase a clothes dryer. Read more »