Following a long fought campaign that showed V/Line and Government the resolve of RTBU members, an in-principle agreement has been reached for the V/Line Rail Operations Enterprise Agreement (EA).
This comes following 7 statewide stoppages including a rally outside V/Line head office where members showed their strength and had their voices heard.
A meeting of RTBU delegates from across the network voted overwhelmingly in support of the proposed deal which will now undergo intensive drafting before members will vote to implement the agreement.
The agreement delivers:
- Industry standard pay increase – 17% over 4 years
- Additional 2% Cash Payment
- Job Security including commitments booking offices will not close and a conductor must be on every revenue service
- Improved Leave Entitlements
- Bonus Days – 5 extra days off in addition to the current leave entitlements
- Improved Parental Leave
- Improved Trauma Leave – now will be paid as per roster including any agreed overtime
- NEW Natural Disaster Leave
- Increased Night Shift Allowance
- Novated Leases
- Improved Roster Change Process allows members to design their own roster
- Introduction of first Classification Structure that protects jobs by detailing duties, competencies and prerequisites.
- Internal Recruitment and Transfers
- Guaranteed minimum hours for part-time employees
- Public Holiday Availability Payment regardless of availability. Required standby staff reduced to 20% from 100% to be rostered equally
- Retirement Travel Pass Reinstated
- Redeployment due to medical incapacity
Job security through training opportunities and tighter requirements for redeployment - NEW Grievance Procedure
- Improvements to Flexible Working Arrangements
- Ability to cash out annual leave in 1 day increments
Other changes include protections for current staff and formalisation of multi sign on locations for new staff currently possible under the EA and frameworks defined for managing new V/Line and Government initiatives.
Online and on-the-job meetings are being organised to provide members with more detail and answer any queries you may have.
This outcome was made possible through your actions and determination to stand up and demand what is fair. Congratulations to all members who have taken an active role and supported this campaign to secure a fair and solid EA.
