Darren Galea 
Organiser
For a number of years, the RTBU has been fighting for Shunters to be able to wear shorts while at work.
Many years ago, Shunters had the ability to wear shorts, however it was taken away. Through many years of negotiation and consultation, frustration continued to grow within the membership as this dragged on. V/Line continued to reject the claim for shorts under the pretence of trying to protect workers from skin cancer.
The Shunters along with Delegate Tim Ashcroft and I continued to fight and requested that a Risk Assessment occur. The results of the risk assessment showed that there was minimal risk of a Shunter being harmed by wearing shorts while at work.
There was an overwhelming positive response from the Shunters when this result was communicated, and after many years of fighting managenent, the shorts have now been reinstated.
I would like to thank Delegate Tim Ashcroft and Health and Safety Representative Tom Ruff for all their hard work in getting this done. Without the hard work of Tim, other Delegates and HSRs for the Shunters, this outcome would not have been achieved.
