Delegates came from all the major public service unions involved in the transport sector, including the RTBU, PSA, ASU, MUA, APESMA, AMWU, AMOU, AWU, CEPU, AIMPE, TWU and CFMEU.

A highlight of the day was a talk from the RTBU Vic Secretary Trevor Dobbyn, who explained how the Victorian union survived through a very difficult period when public transport services were privatised.

In the afternoon delegates broke into groups to discuss ideas for cross union campaigning on transport issues. This is the first step in making sure unions work together cooperatively on transport issues as we collectively face the challenges of possible privatisation, job losses and attacks on pay and conditions.

This includes the State Government’s plans to create a new integrated transport authority, privatise Sydney Ferries, cap public sector wages and castrate the Industrial Relations Commission.

We’ll keep members up to date on actions coming out of the forum.

Members from every depot joined around 35,000 public sector wokers from across the State to march under the RTBU banner.  Members listened to powerful speeches from Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon and a range of passionate rank and file workers.

The campaign continues to grow at a rapid rate as workers begin to realise what they stand to lose in the way of rights, conditions and also financially.

Addressing the media pack after the rally, Bus Division officials Gary Way and Chris Preston stood shoulder to shoulder with other Union Leaders and vowed to continue the fight for as long as it takes.

RTBU Officials wish to thank all of our members who were able to make it on the day – you certainly did your work mates proud.

They visited Willoughby depot recently and have the following dates set for future visits:

Port Botany Aug 25 from 10am – 11.30am.

Brookvale Aug 29 from 10.30am – 11.30am.

Ryde Aug 30 from 10.15am – 11.30am.

Kingsgrove Sept 5 from 11.30am – 12.30am.

Leichhardt Sept 6 from 9.30am – 11.30am.

Randwick Sept 7 from 11.00am – 12.00pm .

Further locations and times to be announced….

Make sure you come along to your depot’s session to hear about what the new laws mean for our future negotiations.

We want as many RTBU members to attend the rally as possible, and we want our protest to be strong and united. The RTBU will assemble at the Archibald Fountain at the Northern end of Hyde Park at 11am to join the march as a united RTBU presence behind the union banner, and with RTBU flags in hand.

Download the flyer here:

The RTBU Bus and Tram division had the biggest delegation at this rally and it was a proud day for the union members of Newcastle as they hammered home the message that workers will relentlessly continue to protest until this legislation, which holds rates of pay below inflation and gags the independent umpire, is abandoned.

Organised by Unions NSW, the key speaker Secretary Mark Lennon demanded that the member for Newcastle Tim Owen make his constituents concerns heard inside the government. A petition was later presented to Mr Owen’s office.

Divisional President, Gary Way also spoke, and Hamilton depot delegate Kelly Budden gave a stirring speech to the huge crowd.

The Newcastle rally was the last in a series of union rallies across regional NSW. Every regional centre in the state has now participated in these rallies and the message will be taken straight to the government’s doorstep at a massive public sector union rally in the Sydney Domain planned for September.

Check out more photos from the rally here.

Information about the rally in Sydney  is here.

Pay rises for State Government workers are now capped at 2.5 per cent – below the level of inflation – with any additonal wage rises are now tied to productivity (cost savings).

The legislation also requires the Industrial Relations Commission to consent to government policy. This means there is no longer an independent umpire in disputes over wages and conditions, and NSW workers no longer have legal recourse when dealing with employers.

The questions now are:

- Who or what body will define productivity?

- When and how will the effects be felt for bus drivers?

- How will it effect the current STA award negotiations?

The RTBU is currently gathering information about how the new laws will affect members and hope to offer some information sessions in the near future.

In the meantime, you can let your local MP know exactly how you feel about the IR laws via the Better State web site, which has an easy link that will find your local MP and send him or her an email.