Motion

That this meeting of members from stations across the Metropolitan network;

1. Condemns Metro’s latest attack on station staff jobs and whole heartedly supports the motion that has been passed unanimously by RTBU station staff members at the four control desk locations that are currently under threat (Reservoir, Clifton Hill, Heidelberg & Eltham). We condemn Metro for the proposal to shut control desks at these locations, affecting ongoing local jobs which will result in job cuts of over 40 people on this line alone, along with reduction in local safety in local areas. Further, this meeting supports our members in the Clifton Hill group under direct attack from management and authorises actions in support of our members should they be denied at any stage access to RTBU representation and support in line with the current EBA.
2. This meeting notes that Metro managements’ failure to respond to the Status quo provisions and to follow the EBA dispute settling provisions is indicative of their arrogance which directly contradicts their stated aims of equity, trust, partnership and service.
3. This meeting notes that this project is estimated to cost over $2.5 million dollars in the region, money which could be spent on addressing the chronic understaffing of stations, with 21 stations unstaffed in the Clifton Hill group alone.
4. The RTBU remains willing to discuss proposals to improve local control desks located at out stations, through initiatives such as the provision of more cameras, including movable cameras controlled by the operator and more emergency red buttons located at more points on the stations and at bus bays etc. The RTBU does not support the removal of any existing control desk functions and views managements tactics as a threat to all control desks in the Network.
5. Calls on the RTBU to ramp up a joint union and community campaign in each of the affected areas, so that the local community is made aware about the threat to jobs in their area and also the threat to safety for passengers at each location and along that line. The campaign is to be coordinated by an action committee consisting of RTBU officials, Delegates and interested members.
6. The campaign shall also involve holding rallies and community pickets at the affected control desk stations, commencing on Wednesday 31 January 2018. Local MP’s, members, Delegates, community activists and supporters are to be encouraged to attend.
7. Calls on the RTBU to form deputations of Delegates, officials and members to lobby the local State Members of Parliament at each location (MP Richard Wynne, MP Anthony Carbines, MP Vicki Ward & MP Robin Scott). This is to inform them of  these drastic changes that are being proposed and that were negotiated last year as part of the MR4 negotiations between Metro, PTV & the State Government, and remind each of these Members of Parliament about Labor’s commitment to safety in the area, along with the commitment of jobs. It should be made clear to each Member of Parliament that the RTBU is serious in ensuring our members jobs are protected and that passenger safety is not put at risk or in any way reduced and that our campaign will continue throughout the year in their electorate in the run up to the next state election.
8. Calls on the RTBU Branch Secretary Luba Grigorovitch to demand a meeting with the Minister of Public Transport as a matter of urgency around this matter. That the Branch Secretary also arrange meetings with PTV and VicTrack.
9. Instructs Joe Maisano, RTBU Organiser to raise this major issue at the Rail Divisions committee of management meeting and the RTBU executive meeting calling on other grades to help support the Station grades on the attack from Metro management.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Kath Larkin 

Women’s Officer

 

In an attempt to redress the under-representation of women in our union the RTBU, in listening to the requests of women members has established a new position “Women’s Workplace Advocate”.

The position of RTBU Women’s Workplace Advocate is to be an additional point of contact, based in the workplace or work group, between women members and the union. This position will be elected by women members of the workplace or work group and is intended to compliment, not replace or counter pose the position of workplace Delegate. Elected Women’s Advocates will receive tailored training to support them in their role.

The role of an RTBU Women’s Workplace Advocate is:

• To work with RTBU delegates and officials to advocate for the rights of women at work.
• Attend monthly delegates meetings where they exist.
• To attend and promote events of RTBUWomen.
• To facilitate the involvement of women members in union campaigns and events.
• To strengthen and support the union as a whole.
• A point of contact for women who have an issue they feel they can only raise with a woman.

Over the last three months the union has been running elections at various workplaces to elect the Women’s Advocates. If there is yet to be an election in your area, don’t panic, there will be one in the coming weeks/months. Please contact the Union office on 8630 9100 to enquire when this election will take place.

We would like to congratulate the following women who stuck their hands up to give it a go and have been officially elected by their work groups:

Stations

Carol Hurlston – Werribee to Newport
Deliala Bangeira – Newport to Williamstown
Sharon Chaile – Foostcray to Sunbury

Authorised Officers

Julie Hall – Transport House B Roster
Mandy Formenton – Transport House A Roster
Lyn Malonzo – North Melbourne A Roster
Amanda Irving – North Melbourne B Roster
Leonie Poole – Hawthorn B Roster

Multi Modal Authorised Officers

Kellie Grayson – Southern Cross A Roster
Stacey Osborne – Southern Cross C Roster

Conductors

Heather Sulivan – Ballarat
Belinda Tcaciuc – Ballarat

If you would like to know more about this exciting new position, or wish to have an election for a Women’s Advocate in your workplace please contact Hannah Scott on 8630 9100 to organise.

All welcome to the next meeting of RTBUWomen on;

Thursday 11 August 2016
11:00am -12:30pm
Box Hill Station meeting room
RSVP: women@rtbuvic.com.au

The RTBU sent out a letter to all members last month asking them to update their membership details with the union. It was great to see that a huge amount of members took the time to update their details, thank you. Those who updated details went in the draw to win a prize.

Having drawn the names, we can announce the following winners:

1st Prize (2 nights stay @ RTBU Holiday Apartments in Rosebud): Robert Lawson – Leading Shunter, Rail Operations
2nd Prize winner ($150 Bunnings voucher): Lucy Sala – Admin Officer, Administration Division
3rd Prize winner ($100 Myer voucher): Trevor Rae – Terminal Operator, Rail Operations

Congratulations to these lucky prize winners and thank you to all RTBU members who updated their membership details.

Luba Grigorovitch, RTBU Branch Secretary
Phil Altieri, RTBU Assistant Branch Secretary

 

Bryan Evans
Organiser

 

The RTBU has been working closely with Incolink over the last 6 months to deliver an Income Protection Program catered specifically for modern day railway workers.

Income protection Insurance is designed to help members and their families in the unfortunate circumstance that you become ill, or have an accident that prevents you from working.

As well as providing personal accident insurance and Illness insurance, which pays out a value of $1450 per week for a period of up to two years, the RTBU program also delivers, TAC top ups, Workcover Top ups, Workplace Death and trauma insurance, Funeral cover for you and your family, Emergency Transport cover and accidental dental. It also covers members who suffer from mental illness or depression for the full period of 2 years.

Covering members up to the age of 70, the RTBU is proud to deliver such a high quality program for members and their families. The program will initially be available to all members covered by the Metro 2016 Infrastructure Agreement and remains a live claim in Metro Rolling stock, Bombardier West Melbourne and regional agreements.