Results matter so let’s keep our eye on the prize.
At the commencement of this bargaining round the RTBU launched an ambitious campaign to address unparalleled change in our industry.
Major changes are due to affect all aspects of the network. From operations, infrastructure and rollingstock maintenance, manufacturing and projects, initiatives like the Metro Tunnel, Suburban Rail Loop, Airport Rail, Inland Rail, HCMT, X’Trapolis 2.0, the retirement of the classic fleet and Comeng, Next Generation Trams. New tram maintenance facilities and new franchises on the horizon for Metro and Yarra Trams means new skills, and old skills becoming obsolete.
We must be on the front foot to address challenges on our terms, not those of management and an industry wide approach is the only way to deliver these outcomes.
Our strategy must not only focus on the financial aspects of wages and conditions, but also the protections that our EAs offer to members. These come in the form of rostering provisions, disputation rights, redundancy rights and additional time off. These claims are absolutely critical to ensure members are thoroughly protected throughout periods of unprecedented change.
As we approach the halfway mark of the major bargaining round this unified approach is setting new standards for all industry EAs. Let’s take stock of the progress already achieved:
Metro Operations
Now in its final stages of drafting and on-track to go to a vote soon, the in-principle agreement delivers:
- 17% pay increase over 4 years
- No Forced Redundancies
- An additional 5 days off a year by the end of the agreement
- A secure classification structure to cater for future change
- Better wage security for part time members
- Grievance clause allowing fair treatment for all members
- Medical redeployment clause
- Many more general improvements with no loss of conditions
Metro Infrastructure
This agreement is also in the final stages of drafting and will soon be ready for the vote. It continues to build on the successes of the last two enterprise agreements with:
- Penalty payments for working in inclement weather
- Better penalties for working in public holidays
- Job security by ensuring all contractors engaged are no worse off than full-timers, now extended to projects and also provides wage security to all RTBU labour hire members
Metro Rolling Stock
At the time of writing Metro rolling stock is on a precipice of swift resolution or industrial action, Although the financial outcomes negotiated so far are solid:
- Once again achieving the 17% increase
- Improved all-purpose allowances
- Paid income protection
- Inclement weather
The company to date, have refused to provide quality skills to RTBU members, and are yet to agree to our claim of no forced redundancies. With Comeng retirement barrelling down the line, RTBU members will not settle without these issues being addressed.
V/Line Operations
With industrial action now endorsed by members, the intensity of bargaining is really heating up. While the RTBU expects V/Line to deliver industry standard protections and improvements won in Metro Operations, management claims to be having an “existential crisis” over our core claims.
V/Line who have repeatedly failed to deliver fair outcomes and have inconsistently applied their processes causing significant industrial disputation, are pushing back hardest on claims that would require the company to follow fair process.
Although progress is being made on some items, V/Line are pushing back on the items that matter most including the grievance clause, no forced redundancies and the 36 hour week.
V/Line Infrastructure
This agreement is unique this bargaining round with management entertaining some non-financial claims but are failing to keep wages in-line with other infrastructure companies. V/Line continues to blame the Government Wages Policy but fail to recognise the impact on their workforce and staff retention in a world of rampant inflation and cost of living pressures.
With infrastructure projects still booming, skilled RTBU members are highly skilled and sought after by other companies already paying higher wages – this leaves V/Line vulnerable.
As this would undermine our industry and network and is not an outcome anyone wants to see happen, V/Line and the government must get serious or face the impact of industrial action to force an outcome.
V/Line Maintenance (Alstom Rollingstock)
With Classic fleet retirement and a newly renovated South Dynon Depot on the horizon, the VLM agreement is critical for the future of Rolling Stock across the network. Initially hampered by delays due to the current tender process, progress is now rapidly being made with the company dropping off on its most aggressive claims. The last offer even acknowledged a competitive wage increase of 17%.
Despite progress, there remain outstanding many claims that would deliver job security and skills to our members. With Classic fleet retirement looming, these claims take precedence over the financial outcomes and members won’t hesitate to take industrial action to back in their job security and skills.
Other Agreements
There are many other agreements receiving significant attention to ensure there are no weak links across the industry. Laing O’Rourke’s new agreement is set to go to a vote, and McConnel Dowell is also about commence.
Many EAs across Labour Hire have recently been finalised or are currently under negotiation. These include Programmed Skilled Workforce, Galco Group, Corfad and TAG Hire, to name a few.
Bargaining across industry, with a long-term view that spanning multiple bargaining rounds is the best way to utilise our powers as the industry union.
Touch one, touch all.
