Keep Transits on Trains - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

More documents

Recommendations

Info

O’Farrell Increases penalties, introduces competitive unionism Unions that defy tribunal dispute orders will face significantly higher penalties, employees will be able to choose which union they join and it will be easier to sack excess public servants, under industrial relations ‘reforms’ announced by the NSW Government. Premier Barry O’Farrell said the measures were designed to “get rid of inefficiencies in the public service and give the State’s industrial relations laws more teeth”. Under the proposed amendments to the NSW IR Act, contravening dispute orders will cost unions $110,000 for the first day of a first offence. Currently, s139(4) of the IR legislation provides a maximum $10,000 penalty for the first day of a contravention and $5000 for each additional day. The change would capture one-day strikes such as that staged by public school teachers last year in defiance of NSW IRC orders. O’Farrell said that the penalties hadn’t changed since 1996 and “it is time to make them relevant again so the unions think twice before taking wildcat industrial action”. “We are not going to sit by and watch people be needlessly inconvenienced or even have their safety put at risk by a union thumbing its nose at the Industrial Commission.” On the move to introduce competitive unionism, O’Farrell said the Government’s proposed amendments would “allow employees a choice of which union they join” and bring NSW laws into line with the federal system. On making it easier for the Government to terminate excess public servants who do not have permanent jobs, O’Farrell said the government’s proposal would “plug” an existing loophole. He said the NSW Industrial Court recently ruled that public servants could only be terminated where there was no “useful work” available rather than the previous practice of checking for vacant permanent positions. “We want to ensure that we have the right number of people, in the right jobs, to provide the best services for the community. Our changes will make it easier to shed excess employees when they no longer have a permanent job,” he said. Unions and the Greens, however, are highly critical of the proposed changes. Unions NSW secretary, Mark Lennon, said the O’Farrell Government was seeking to “nobble” unions and their capacity to advocate and campaign for members. “The laws are designed to impose unreasonably harsh penalties when workers take industrial action and divide unions, through the false pretext of ‘competition’,” he said. He said the Government had introduced the changes with no consultation and only a day after the Commission of Audit (the interim Schott report) recommended considering new IR laws. “This Government has made an art form of springing contentious and major legislation on the parliament late in the day with no consultation,” he said. “The Premier and his team insist on attacking public services and the people who deliver them. It has to stop.” Greens NSW MP and IR spokesperson David Shoebridge said “This legislation effectively removes the rights of unions to strike, makes it easy for the government to sack workers out of hand and is designed to get unions fighting amongst themselves for individual members.” Loco Division online www.locoexpress.com.au RAIL TRAM AND BUS U N I O N
New delegate for Port Botany Recently Philip Cooksey was elected with an overwhelming majority as the union delegate for the Port Botany depot. He had been a caretaker in that role since last October and has been actively involved in the union for the last couple of years. “Phil will make a great delegate. He is incredibly committed, calm on the job and always cool headed. Congratulations Phil,” said President of the Tram and Bus Division, Gary Way. Thanks also goes to Frank Farkus who nominated for the delegate’s position in the election. You can check out Phil’s delegate profile on the Delegate‘s page on the RTBU website. RTBU Supports Chifley’s Legacy The former Prime Minister and Train Driver, Ben Chifley was again honoured recently by the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to his work as a railway man and nation builder at the Australian Railway Monument in Werris Creek. Rail, Tram and Bus Union (NSW) Secretary Alex Claassens said Ben Chifley understood the need for investing in big infrastructure project to underpin national prosperity. “Sadly, the second half of the 20th Century saw the end of that Golden Age of rail in Australia and it has never been given the priority it deserves since. “Efficient, reliable and cost-effective transport infrastructure and services are the backbone of a prosperous economy and thriving communities. “We need to see a renewed commitment to investment in rail from our leaders. In particular, upgrades to the rail corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane and a commitment to fast rail connections between major cities are desperately needed. “With increasing public transport needs and demand on freight transport likely to triple by 2050, we need to take inspiration from Ben Chifley’s vision for nation building and get rail infrastructure back on track.” Mr Claassens said that honouring Ben Chifley should not just be a reminder that rail infrastructure is important, but also that the people working on our railways are important. “The hard work Ben Chifley did as a shop boy in a steam shed making his way up the ranks to an engine driver and then a leader of his union gave him a unique understanding of the transport network. “It is transport workers that know the true importance of a thriving rail network and can offer the insight that will see Australia rise to the challenge of meeting its transport needs now and into the future.” RAIL & ROAD March 2012 Page 21
Page 1 and 2: RAILROAD THE MAGAZINE OF THE NSW BR
Page 3: From the Branch Secretary In the la
Page 6 and 7: Maintenance Centre Reform Proposal
Page 8 and 9: Where is the Award for Transport fo
Page 10 and 11: Safety Concerns on Stations Safewor
Page 12 and 13: Industrial Notes ARTC 2012 EA Negot
Page 14 and 15: General News John Holland Takes Con
Page 16 and 17: RTBU Wins Drug and Alcohol Case Goo
Page 18 and 19: know your rights Determining Work G
Page 22 and 23: Branch Secretary Visits Sydenham Si
Page 24 and 25: On the Campaign Trail Sydney Allian
Page 26 and 27: Talking Union Equal pay Case - SACs
Page 28 and 29: Safety Matters Work-hour and rest-b
Page 30 and 31: Moments in Time Driver in C38 Cab,
Page 32 and 33: Dear Union My name is Grant Keuenho
Page 34 and 35: APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Australi
Page 36: What you can’t control is the tim

Keep Transits on Trains - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?