OUR CONDITIONS ARE NOT FOR SALE! by Vik Sharma

STOP PRESS

As a result of the RTBU’s strong campaigning, we’ve successfully secured a State Government representative to join bargaining meetings and a commitment from V/Line to provide all costings and other financial information required to reach a deal. As a result, under the commitment of a 4-week intensive bargaining period, RTBU has withdrawn the notified industrial action.

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After rejecting V/Line’s sub-par enterprise agreement offer, RTBU Members from V/Line came together with support from the union movement to make their stance clear: “Our conditions are not for sale!”

We’re getting their attention and you are making your mark. Congratulations and thank you for the Solidarity of all RTBU Members who have participated in the campaign so far.

Our Rally outside V/Line head office was a huge success with support from unions across the state. Speakers included Victorian Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilikari, Maritime Union Of Australia Victorian Secretary Robert Lumsden, and Transport Workers Union Victorian Secretary, Mem Suleyman.

We thank all of the unions who have continued to support our fight. It is clear we’re not alone in the struggle for decent wages and conditions against the state government!

Further industrial action announced at the rally has continued to build pressure on the government.

At the Fair Work Commission last week, V/Line finally provided the RTBU bargaining team with detailed information required regarding the costings and savings measures which V/Line maintain are necessary to comply with Victorian Government’s Wages policy.

The RTBU has continued to meet with V/Line to bargain twice a week with a strong message: all industrial action is avoidable if they take the bargaining seriously.

If V/Line and the Government got serious and put key decision makers in the room, a genuine and sensible solution should not be far from reach.

With more actions notified leading into major events and public holidays, we are now getting the attention we need, and it is time for V/Line and the government to resolve this dispute.

Your fight is making history for regional workers fighting for a fair go as we continue to get incredible media attention showing public sympathy for the hard work you all do day-to-day.

During this fight, I have continued to work in building the support of other unions across the state who are all backing V/Line RTBU members in for this key clash. We thank all who have passed motions of support, sent letters, and attended rallies for their Solidarity.

Although this fight may feel testing, we know that the strength of our Unity will lead us to a strong outcome for all of our Members.

Stand strong, stand united!