V/Line members covered by the Operations EA will soon vote in a ballot to take industrial action.

As management fail to progress negotiations and tackle core claims including job security, safety and equality, and fair wages and conditions, members will now be asked to vote for stoppages to exercise the pressure required to achieve an industry standard outcome.

Just last month we saw Metro agree to no forced redundancies, a 17% wage increase, improved classification structures and other clauses including better work-life balance conditions. It is only natural to expect that V/Line meet these minimums before addressing the core issues relevant to support the future of our regional network.

Industrial action items will include stoppages, a ban on overtime, and a uniform ban. Members will be asked to vote electronically via SMS and email to endorse the action and send a strong message to both V/Line and the government.

While some progress has been made with a number of improvements locked in, we recognise that in the current climate of increased living pressures, chronic understaffing and a competitive skilled labour market in the rail industry, it is prudent that we aim high for regional member to secure the best possible EA that is fit for the future.

The RTBU will stop at nothing to hold both management and government accountable in the face of shallow and negative rhetoric that will otherwise drive V/Line into the ground.

Members are encouraged to contact the RTBU office to confirm their details are up to date and able to vote in the upcoming ballot.

Frank Lacey, former State President of the Victorian ARU, an official at the RTBU National Office, and a leader of the Melbourne Yard Shunters Section of the ARU, has died in Preston, aged 76.

Former ARU/RTBU National Secretary, Roger Jowett writes:

Vale Frank Lacey

Frank passed away peacefully at Preston on November 7 at the age of seventy-six, with his family by his side.

Frank was a prominent rail unionist for over twenty years at both job level as Shunters Section Secretary, ARU Victorian Branch President, Assistant National Secretary of the ARU and Assistant National Secretary Rail, Operations Division of the RTBU.

Frank was an activist in the Victorian Branch in the 1970s and 1980s, an era of great industrial and political change. Always a forward-looking unionist, he promoted and respected full membership involvement in the union’s activities. He was part of a younger generation of Victorian rail unionists who became prominent in the ARU.

Within the rail industry the rumblings of massive challenges to railway workers were beginning to emerge; railway deficits challenged state budgets, technological change was sweeping the industry and deep-seated cuts to rail services and jobs had begun in earnest. The Victorian Branch leadership fought for alternative industry plans which prioritised community over corporate needs.
Frank was highly competent in all aspects of union work, whether it was meeting with members on the job, strategising around campaigns, preparing, and presenting cases in the Industrial Commission or the incessant lobbying of politicians.

Frank brought to his union work a deep humanity, a wicked humour and an ability to talk issues through with all sides of the industrial and political spectrum. He earned the respect of those whom he encountered.

Frank was a fine example of practicing through his day-to-day union work the union values of respect for working people, forthrightness, a fighting spirit, democracy, and the timelessness of solidarity. Unionists of the calibre of Frank Lacey have made a mighty contribution to the Australian Labour Movement.

Frank’s funeral will take place at the Lonegran and Raven Chapel, 187 Queens Parade Clifton Hill on Saturday 18th November commencing at 11 am.

A virtual signature book has been established and can be accessed via ravensfunerals.com.au

9 February 1975 – 17 September 2023

Brett Jackson was a well-respected and deeply loved Conductor, based at Bendigo. He was a staunch and loyal RTBU member through his 14 years in the industry.

Brett passed away after a hard-fought battle with Cancer.

Brett was the dearly loved husband of Laura and exceptional father to Sheila (Dec.), Jett and Pippa.

Brett touched the lives of everyone who knew him. Close friends and fellow Members at V/Line have shared the following memories and tributes of Brett:

“Brett was a true gentleman…
Whilst working late one evening by myself, Brett returned from Melbourne to sign off. He’d left to go home but realised he hadn’t seen me before leaving, thinking I may have been in trouble Brett came back to check I was OK. I’ll always remember his kindness and genuine caring nature. He will be truly missed.”

“There is a saying at the Bendigo depot: WWJD – what would Jacko do?”

“Brett was a man of few words but was the kindest person, he never had a bad word to say. I will forever be grateful to have worked alongside such a great man.”

“Brett was a gentle and giving soul.”

“We are privileged to know and love a man like Brett Jackson.”

“Brett was a highly esteemed teammate whose quiet, calm, and laid-back nature was simply a pleasure to be around. Brett’s demeanour was a perfect fit for his role at V/Line. Nothing bothered him, nothing ruffled him, and he did his job in an effortlessly professional way.”

“He was always looking out for everyone regardless of where they worked or the role they did. He always thought about the other person, it was never about him.”

“He was an exceptional man.”

 

 

A Win For Unity –
Disamalgamation Update

The Fair Work Commission has now handed down its decision on the application for de-merger filed by the Locomotive Division of the RTBU.

Acknowledging that the RTBU has no record of non-compliance, the full bench of the Fair Work Commission decided there were no grounds to approve the application to split our union.

The full bench of the Commission has now handed down a well-considered decision and as a result, we will remain as one union.

This is a significant triumph for our union, reasserting the power of our collective across the entire industry in the face of attacks from officials who have been associated with other efforts to undermine the RTBU.

I strongly urge the officials of the Locomotive Division to work honestly, genuinely and collectively with the rest of our great national union so we can deliver the best outcomes for all members.

Now is time for these officials to refocus efforts towards supporting members constructively as one industry, one union.

 

V/Line Delegates Endorse Industrial Action

RTBU Delegates have voted to endorse a Protected Action Ballot Order should it be necessary to progress bargaining.

Having recently met with V/Line management, the RTBU Rail Divisions negotiating has continued to press members claims for a new V/Line Operations EA. With the Metro Operations EA now locked away, it is time for V/Line to get serious about delivering the improvements members deserve.

Having reiterated the RTBU’s core claims, your bargaining team has ensured that management understands what is required to achieve industry standard conditions and provide future security for V/Line members.

These claims, further to the wider log of claims, include job certainty through the classification structure, improved provisions for part timers, no forced redundancies, grievance clause and the 36 hour week.

On Monday 23 October we convened a meeting for all V/Line Delegates where I addressed key developments across the state relating to bargaining before a motion was unanimously passed to endorse a Protected Action Ballot Order (PABO) as required to progress these claims.

Protected Action Ballots can now be conducted via SMS and so it is critical that you update your details with the RTBU.

Click here to update your details to ensure you can vote and take action.

Australians have made their voices heard on the proposal put forward by our indigenous brothers and sisters to establish an advisory body to the federal parliament.

While the question was defeated, discussion and debate has pushed the national discourse to recognise from all sides that more should be done to support our indigenous community. What this looks like won’t be through a voice enshrined in the constitution, but rather now a subject of further discussion as we work towards a new national consensus.

Politicians must take heed of the trends demonstrated through the ballot, drawn along the lines of cities and rural areas, educational completion rates and what percentage of the community identify as indigenous.

Had the constitutional proposal been accepted, it would have forced further debate and deliberation within the parliament to determine the format of any advisory body.

Australia has had a total of 45 nation-wide referendums since 1901, some of which have been held at the same time with a number of different questions being asked.

Eight of these have been successful and none have been successful without bipartisan support.

While the RTBU does not profess to be experts on the matter of indigenous affairs, we hold a long rich history of supporting the calls of members, especially where disadvantage exists. As unionists, we have a responsibility to stand with those who need most support.

Examining the closing the gap metrics, we know that our indigenous brothers and sisters are more likely to be incarcerated, die younger, leave school earlier and are less likely to gain and hold employment. As a union dedicated to imping outcomes for all, this is an area deserving of attention within our ranks.

When our RTBU brothers and sisters called for our support they had it. With no opposing views or representations from our RTBU indigenous members, we pressed on in the campaign, united with Australian unions nation wide as the next iteration of the multi-generational struggle in support of improved outcomes that the Australian workers movement has long supported.

While the recent vote has rejected the constitutional voice proposal, it does not spell the end of the long road to reconciliation. It does not draw a line under our efforts to address key indicators, and it certainly does not mark the end of the road on campaigning for social change targeted at improving outcomes.

With work to be done, the RTBU will continue to listen to members in determining the next chapter for positive, united and collective change.