The RTBU has secured a victory for AOs across the V/Line network.
In October, V/Line abruptly announced that the allowance for Minibus actions would cease immediately.
RTBU disputed the lack of consultation around this change and the impact it would have in a time of increasing cost of living pressures.
Through the hard work of Delegates and Officials, we were able to secure the following for Authorised Officers at V/Line:
- The On The Job Trainer (OJT) allowance will be paid as it was previously, back paid until 22 November. This represents four weeks additional OJT allowance pay that we have secured for members.
- Minibus initiative remains a voluntary addition to normal duties.
- All staff who attend a disruption that is classed as a “minibus call out” are to be paid the minibus allowance from the time they are called out to the time they return to their respective home bases.
- Minibus call out is as per disruption, not as per location. For example: for fatality, detraining may be one site with the actual replacement buses etc at a different site. If the minibus is called out for that disruption, AOs receive the allowance regardless of which location they attend.
- If staff are recalled for a “Minibus callout”, minibus payments will also occur for that call out.
- All previous safety related matters regarding minibus remain the same, with driver fatigue checks and, 2 AOs in the minibus whenever passengers are being transported with 1 V/Line Incident Response Vehicle (VIRV) or other suitable work vehicle shadowing for safety (shadowing car must only have AOs).
If you have any questions, please speak with your local RTBU Delegate or contact me.
