Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW Branch in Sydney, Australia | Public service
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW Branch
Locality: Sydney, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9264 2511
Address: 4/321 Pitt St 2000 Sydney, NSW, Australia
Website: http://www.rtbuexpress.com.au
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25.01.2022 The union has written to Premier Berejiklian urging her to delay the NIF rollout until hazards outlined in the independent safety assessment are addressed. We cannot allow unsafe trains on our tracks. If the Government won't stand up for public safety, the workers will!
25.01.2022 Members are advised that after the Premiers Press Conference today we have had a meeting with TfNSW and they have advised us that all staff who are Customer facing will have to wear face masks. They are waiting on the Health Orders for specific instructions and TfNSW will then send out communications to the agencies. More information available here: https://rtbuexpress.com.au/mask-update/
25.01.2022 After Gladys Berejiklian's disgraceful comments this week, AMWU members are demanding an apology. Our incoming State Secretary, Cory Wright, wrote to the Premier today- read his letter here:
25.01.2022 Martin Stewart has a message for Andrew Constance. The dangerous NIF is a betrayal of all commuters who deserve a safe network to travel on!
24.01.2022 The union has advised an upper house inquiry automation of government work should not take place unless there is tangible benefit to the public and rejected the use of workplace surveillance without a legitimate safety purpose. In a submission to a NSW Legislative Council Select Committee, RTBU outlined the troubling developments in the use of technology, data and surveillance across the NSW transport network including the New InterCity Fleet, the Sydney Metro and automated bus trials in Homebush and Newcastle. Head to RTBU Express to read our full submission.
23.01.2022 The Federal Government’s plans to deregulate coastal shipping threatens thousands of Aussie jobs in the freight transport sector, including in many regional areas such as Albury, Parkes, Narrabri and Moree. We need to send Scomo and the Transport Minister a clear message that they mustn’t sell out local jobs to foreign shipping companies. Sign the petition today and keep freight on Aussie trains: https://ourtrainsnotforsale.good.do/keepfreightonaussiet//
23.01.2022 Today is R U OK? Day. This year has been devastating for so many Australians who have been impacted by economic crisis, social isolation or loss of loved ones. Struggling is nothing to be ashamed of. We must look out for one another and talk openly about our mental health. And when we ask "Are you okay?" we need to listen, empathise, and offer what support we can. Please check in with your friends and colleagues today, and if you're feeling down, reach out to your loved ones.... You are never alone. The number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.
22.01.2022 Did you catch David Babineau, our Tram and Bus Division Secretary, on Ch 10 News the other night?
21.01.2022 The New Intercity Fleet shifts safety responsibilities from guards to drivers in a stealthy move to Driver-Only Operations. After using the 'simulator', our members reported that the CCTV monitoring in the driver's cab is impossible - with so many screens to watch at once while actually driving the train, it is difficult to spot split-second incidents on the platform outside. That's exactly why we have train guards - and now the NSW Government and Transport for NSW are trying... to remove them at huge risk to the travelling public. If you've witnessed a close call on our train network where a guard was able to intervene, share your story here: https://ourtransport.org.au/close-call-story/
21.01.2022 The initial NIF safety report was conducted from the UK by someone who has never sighted the train or seen it in action. This farce makes a mockery of public safety. The independent report makes it very clear: the NIF places commuters at unacceptable risk of injury. Read the full Newcastle Herald article in the comments.
20.01.2022 Constance wants his cheese made on the South Coast but he won’t back local manufacturing for our trains! NSW RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens was in The Sydney Morning Herald again calling on the NSW Government to build trains in Australia. The design of The New InterCity Fleet, built in South Korea, has NOT been subject to Australian standards and contains a deliberate design flaw which will prevent Guards from monitoring the platform at arrival and departure. ... Design flaws on the New InterCity Fleet, imported from South Korea, pose an unacceptable risk to commuter safety due to built-in traction interlocking, which automates all doors and prevents guards from properly monitoring the platform during the crucial moments where children can fall in the gap and commuters can get caught in the doors. Train crew have voiced grave concerns about the new trains in fact more than 90% of drivers and guards refuse to operate the trains until its safety flaws were fixed.
20.01.2022 It's disappointing to hear reports of people ignoring the mandatory mask wearing on public transport in designated areas. Physical distancing isn't always possible on public transport and wearing a mask helps improve safety for commuters, their fellow travellers and our transport workers. The RTBU calls on the NSW government to introduce COVID marshalls on our trains, buses and trams to help enforce health regulations that keep us all safe.
20.01.2022 The independent safety evaluation commissioned by RTBU NSW has confirmed that the NIF is not safe. These faulty imported trains have been shrouded in secrecy for too long. The NSW Government must finally come clean about the potent risks to public safety and commit to retaining guards in their safety role and fixing the design before it opens its doors to commuters.
20.01.2022 Tonight Channel Nine will air an exclusive on the New InterCity Fleet, the NSW Government's latest transport bungle. With a $1 billion budget blowout, a massive list of safety hazards and a raft of Non-Disclosure Agreements gagging workers and advocates, this project is a disgrace from start to finish. Watch the full story tonight.
20.01.2022 Australia is doing an incredible job of containing the COVID-19 virus. But when outbreaks occur, not everyone can work from home during a lockdown - and this loss of income is disastrous for workers and their families. RTBU Australia is launching its campaign for a COVID-Vulnerable worker payment, allowing workers to continue receiving their full pay, while staying at home and out of harm’s way during a lockdown period. Help us keep Australia and its workers safe. Sign the petition, spread the word: https://www.covidvulnerableworker.com.au/
19.01.2022 Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members will refuse to work on New InterCity Fleet (NIF) trains due to serious safety concerns. The NIF will be tested on the Sydney Trains Network this Friday and Sunday. RTBU members will not perform any work associated with the NIF and its dangerous operating system during Mission Readiness, a two-day test of the unsafe train starting tomorrow.... More in the statement below
19.01.2022 The RTBU National Office is calling on the newly installed Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce to live up to his promises to regional workers and oppose moves to shift freight from Aussie trains onto foreign-flagged ships. Barnaby Joyce has been returned to leadership of the National Party with a mandate to stand up for jobs in regional Australia. As Minister for Transport, the jobs of regional rail workers are his responsibility, Secretary Mark Diamond said.
18.01.2022 The NSW Government has put in place new regulations for health on public transport, but hasn't bothered to enforce them. The RTBU has called for more staff across the entire network - buses, trains, and trams - to monitor our transport and encourage best practice among commuters to keep everyone safe.
18.01.2022 Community members on the North Shore, northern beaches and in any region currently out for tender, can expect a similar fate for their local buses if privatisation goes ahead." After nine Inner West bus routes were axed, the RTBU has warned that cuts to services are taken straight from the privatisation playbook as private operators scramble to increase their profits. The Government is not being upfront with local communities about how selling off their bus services will aff...ect the thousands of people who rely on them. Read the full article in the comments.
17.01.2022 The New InterCity Fleet is testing on Friday and Sunday, and our members will not staff unsafe trains. The union is urging commuters who use the intercity network to make alternative travel plans to avoid possible disruption.
16.01.2022 Today, on the Day of the Roses, we pause to remember the victims and their families of Australia's worst rail accident, the Granville train disaster of 1977. 83 lives were lost and another 213 were injured when the train derailed and collapsed the Bold Street Bridge. We admire the courage of the victims, survivors and those that rushed to their aid.... The lessons from that day should never be forgotten particularly when it comes to Rail Safety and the need to maintain a safe and reliable transport network for all.
16.01.2022 Last week our RTBU members brought our petition to the office of Rod Staples, Secretary of Transport for NSW, asking him to keep cleaning services on the New InterCity Fleet in the hands of Sydney Trains cleaners. We need to protect good public jobs in our regions and keep our services in public hands!
15.01.2022 8 bus routes in the Inner West have been axed. From 25th October, commuters will lose the 436, 439, 447, 508, L37, L38, L39, M10 and M50. Transport for NSW is claiming 1000 "extra" services will be added, but these will merely be torn from the lost routes. "I feel deeply for the commuters who happen to live on one of these less profitable routes, who rely on these buses to get by and will now be left behind because their services weren’t deemed profitable enough to run," sai...d Tram and Bus Secretary David Babineau. Read more in the Inner West Courier - please note this article is behind a paywall.
15.01.2022 2020 was a year like no other and transport workers have been essential in keeping people and goods moving through a challenging year In 2021 we will continue to keep our community connected and our cities and towns moving. Lets look ahead with hope for a better, and safer, 2021.
12.01.2022 After Gladys Berejiklian's disgraceful comments this week, AMWU members are demanding an apology. Our incoming State Secretary, Cory Wright, wrote to the Premier today- read his letter here:
11.01.2022 A close call incident at Hornsby station last month was averted by the quick action and collaboration between the driver, guards and station staff. The commuter in danger was saved, but it leaves open the dangerous question of how such accidents can be prevented under the NIF operating model. How would I have been stopped if I was on a NIF train?
11.01.2022 Our drivers in Regions 7, 8 and 9 will stop work for 48 hours next week, unless the NSW Government urgently addresses their concerns about health regulations and privatisation.
11.01.2022 A damning independent safety review has confirmed our members' long held fears: the New InterCity Fleet is not safe. The union has urgently written to the Premier demanding the rollout of the trains be delayed until the safety issues are properly addressed. Particular concerns are raised with the CCTV view being obstructed by the open saloon door, shortcomings with the CCTV technology and the lack of monitoring of the platform gap," said Alex Claassens, RTBU NSW Secretary. This article is behind a paywall - full text in comments.
10.01.2022 Train guards protect the safety of commuters on our network every day. But the New Intercity Fleet operating model prevents guards from doing their job, transferring safety responsibilities to drivers. We are collecting stories from commuters that showcase the importance of train guards and the dangers of the NIF operating model. The close calls witnessed by Lynda in her story might have been fatal on the NIF, where the crew are locked in a soundproofed cabin, unable to hear... the shouting outside. Send an email to the Transport Minister and Transport for NSW now, and tell them guards must be able to perform their vital safety role on our trains: https://ourtransport.org.au/guarding-our-safety/
10.01.2022 IN THE NEWS - Rail, Tram and Bus Union members will refuse to work on the New InterCity Fleet (NIF) train due to serious safety concerns. RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said the New Intercity Fleet won’t be moving anywhere unless serious safety issues are fixed. Railway workers refuse to put themselves, their workmates, and passengers at risk by allowing these unsafe trains on the tracks. ... NSW Trains intends to test these dangerous trains on our network tomorrow. Our members are standing up for community safety and will not crew the New InterCity Fleet. We regret that it has reached this point where the Government continues to ignore community safety and we urge commuters who might be travelling on Friday to make alternative travel arrangements. Our members have basically said enough is enough, this ban will start effective tomorrow."
09.01.2022 Martin Stewart, a commuter who was severely injured when he was dragged by a guardless train, won a promise from Minister Constance that guards would always be retained on NSW trains. Now Minister Constance is reneging on that promise, and Martin has a message for him: "I am the consequence of getting it wrong." Labor is calling on the NSW Government to come clean about the NIF's dangerous operating model and be accountable to the safety risks that are being ignored.... Watch the full story Channel 9 story below.
09.01.2022 NSW Health has today updated its list of locations associated with confirmed Covid-19 cases, including additional bus and train routes at specific times. The Union has been advised that unless train staff were in a carriage on the listed train, they do not need to take any action. A link to the NSW Health list and specific health advice for each transport route here: ... https://www.health.nsw.gov.au//case-locations-and-alerts.a See more
09.01.2022 A TikTok video of a woman verbally abusing a bus driver and hammering on his safety screen went viral yesterday - all because he asked her to wear a mask. "It's the job of the police, not bus drivers, to enforce regulations on public transport. That means more boots on the ground are needed to make sure people are doing the right thing by the community. But we haven't seen a significantly increased police presence on the bus network," said Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineau.
09.01.2022 With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in NSW, yesterday the union met with Transport for NSW to discuss new restrictions that will impact all members, as well as the travelling public. We must all play our part to slow the spread of this new outbreak. Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and we will keep members updated with any new information.
07.01.2022 Members - today the NSW Government extended mandatory mask wearing on a public transport service or a public transport waiting area to cover the local government areas of Wollongong and Shellharbour in addition to Greater Sydney which includes the Blue Mountains. The updated advice is enforceable from 4pm today Sunday 20 June 2021 and is expected to be in place until 12:01am Thursday 24 June. More details on today’s relevant updates here:... https://rtbuexpress.com.au/mandatory-mask-wearing-extended/ See more
07.01.2022 Hundreds of buses were off the streets today while our members participated in a stop work meeting with the government. Together we won crucial concessions in the fight against privatising regions 7, 8 and 9. We protected our rights at work, won a review of health regulations and secured robust community consultations for the public, whose support has been invaluable and unwavering. The battle to bring the government meaningfully to the table on bus privatisation was long and hard-fought - but our members stood together in unity. This is the result.
07.01.2022 "The attractiveness of privatisation for a Government is that they can spend the proceeds of the sale immediately. However, the cost to taxpayer in higher charges and lost revenue are not felt until much later. But eventually the music stops and taxpayers get handed the bill. "You would hope that flogging off public assets would at least help NSW keep its debt down. But NSW is set to have its highest net debt ever - a whopping $39 billion in just three years' time. And that was the forecast before COVID - 19." A brilliant piece from Shadow Transport Minister Chris Minns on how privatisation leaves the public worse off, every time.
06.01.2022 The NSW Liberals spent $2.7 billion on trains from South Korea that don't fit the tracks and tunnels. They spent $1.5 billion on ferries that don't fit under b...ridges. They've bought trams from Spain and France, and buses from Malaysia. Gladys Berejiklian and her colleagues have spent 9 years offshoring jobs and sending taxpayers' money overseas. And now she has the gall to blame our workers?
06.01.2022 The Mayor of Ryde is demanding the Transport Minister halt changes to the bus network set to come into effect this Sunday. There are already 600 petition signatures against the new bus schedule, which will see commuters lose routes and stops that go close to their homes and take them directly to the city. While the Government claimed "the changes have been made following community consultation and engagement with stakeholders", we know the public is still fighting to make its...elf heard over changes to public transport. All changes should be delayed until open and honest consultations have taken place. Full article in comments.
05.01.2022 The removal of the Liverpool Garrison last month, right when frontline transport workers are at greatest risk, is a disgrace. What's more, Sydney Trains promised they would not remove the Garrison until the pandemic was over. Now they have gone back on their word, and wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars to make their workplace less safe!
05.01.2022 The latest edition of Transport NOW is out! Read all about the union’s fight to save 10,000 regional freight jobs, protecting transport workers from COVID-19, our branch’s successful NIF strike action, and so much more! Head to RTBU Express to download your copy.
05.01.2022 On Christmas Day RTBU members will as always keep our cities and essential goods moving. A massive thanks to those that are working today, and to the community that have stood with transport workers throughout 2020. Stay connected, stay safe and have a fantastic day.
04.01.2022 SAFETY WIN - this (early) morning members stood up to the NSW Government for safety and had a win. At around 4.30am, we received confirmation from Transport for NSW that the Mission Readiness Exercise would be cancelled! Thankfully the dangerous NIF operating model will now not be tested on the Intercity network this weekend.... Further, Transport agreed that it would immediately enter into a series of meetings with the Union to discuss and resolve the issues that members have been raising about the New Intercity Fleet for years. NSW Trains members are now returning to work having shown that standing together as a Union can, and does, produce results!
04.01.2022 On the New Intercity Fleet, once the train doors are closed, the guards can't hear you shout. That means incidents like Maria's could be fatal. Hers is one of many stories where commuters were able to get the attention of a train guard, who then quickly intervened to stop the train in the nick of time. The NSW Government and TfNSW are shifting our train network to Driver-Only Operations by stealth. But preventing guards from performing their role and forcing safety responsibi...lity onto drivers is a disaster waiting to happen. All trains on our network must be safe in design and staffed by qualified guards.
04.01.2022 RTBU NSW thanks South Coast Labour Council and all the good folk out showing union solidarity for rail workers in the Gong today
04.01.2022 Already a year late coming into service, shrouded in secrecy even from Members of Parliament and unsafe to operate - the New Intercity Fleet has been a debacle from start to finish. The union spoke to the Newcastle Herald about the shockingly managed rollout of the new trains and the absence of communication with the workers expected to operate them. The ongoing dispute over glaring design flaws and an operating model that places additional and unwarranted workload and stress... on already overloaded drivers and prevents guards performing their duties has also 'hampered the rollout' of the trains. Now the NSW Government has conceded the fleet will not take passengers until 2021 - and that's if it can get its shambolic simulator training program in order.
01.01.2022 The NSW Government has disrespected public sector workers who have helped our communities through the pandemic, by announcing a 0.3% wage rise. With national inflation at about 1.43%, this means the state's more than 400,000 public sector employees, including RTBU members, will be forced into what is effectively a pay cut. We recognise these are challenging economic times - but taking money out of the pockets of workers in the name of reducing a long term deficit just doesn’t make sense
