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RTBU Celebrates 150 Years of In attendance at the dinner were RTBU Branch Councillors, former RTBU officials including, Jim Walshe OAM, Harold Dwyer, Bernie Willingale, Bob Plain and Ken Sullivan. There were also representatives from the other unions including the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Australian Services Union (ASU), Australian Workers Union (AWU), the Electrical Trade Unions (ETU), the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (APESMA) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). The event included the official launch of the book On Wooden Rails: Celebrating 150 Years of Work on the NSW Railways by Peter O’Connor, as well as the unveiling of the poster series Moving The Future (also developed by Peter O’Connor) as part of the RTBU’s acknowledgment of rail work since the first rail journey from Sydney to Parramatta in 1855. On Wooden Rails was launched by Bob Carr, while the poster series was unveiled by John Watkins. The master of ceremonies for the evening was television personality and actor, Scott Mcgregor. Former Premier Bob Carr launching On Wooden Rails The Rail, Tram & Bus Union has again demonstrated its interest in valuing and paying credit to the thousands of rail workers who have built and continue to maintain our railways. The Union initiated a number of major projects to ensure that the 150 Year celebrations did not ignore the massive contributions of the railways workforce, past and present. On September 21, a formal dinner was organised at the old Mortuary Station to publicly celebrate these achievements. The dinner, which was attended by former NSW Premier, Bob Carr, the Minister for Transport Services, the Hon. John Watkins, as well as a range of dignitaries from the rail industry, union movement and business, as well as a good spread of union officers and members, was used to launch two of the union projects. The book and poster series were praised by the guest speakers and those attending the function as powerful and valuable contributions to the history of rail work. Former Premier Bob Carr, whose father and grandfather were train drivers, gave high commendation for the coverage of the book, and the emphasis on the lives and cultures of those on the railways. He highlighted important, and little known aspects of rail work that had been captured in the book, and stressed how important it was to tell these stories and to record the histories of working people and their struggles. Minister John Watkins added his praise for the book and poster series commissioned by the RTBU as an invaluable contribution to the history and culture of the railways and those who have worked them. He took the opportunity to stress that as Minister he would honour this level of respect for the railway workforce, and would never blame rail workers for the any failings of shortcomings in the
Work on the NSW Railways rail system or management of the railways. The guest speakers spoke positively of the RTBU’s role in ensuring that the rail workforce and the railway culture and heritage are preserved and maintained in ways that respect rail workers and their contributions to our important industry. The book’s author, Peter O’Connor, who has been involved with the RTBU over many years, described work on the book as a privilege to be able share the many wonderful stories of past and present rail workers. He thanked those who had allowed him to interview them, and others who generously supplied photos and other valuable historical material for the book. He also thanked the RTBU for having the foresight and will to produce these types of permanent gestures and records to the working people of the railways, and in providing the funds and support to allow him to work on the projects. With a marquis under lights on the platform of Mortuary Station and old loco complete with dining cars as the backdrop and place for a relaxing drink, rail songs being Minister for Transport Services John Watkins performed by the night was a fitting celebration for the 150 years of rail work, with guests enjoying the festivities and fine food and drink provided. The event went smoothly and made enjoyable by the co-ordination efforts and hard work of Helen Byron and other union staff involved in the organisation of the dinner and launch. The launching of the book ‘On Wooden Rails’ and the ‘Moving the Future’ poster series were the culmination of a number of projects that the RTBU either initiated or were heavily involved in to ensure that rail work and rail workers were at the centre of the 150 Year commemorations. The union also sponsored the ‘Rattling Navvies’ to compile and perform a collection of rail songs around the state during the year, and assisted the refinement and public displays of the ‘Trains of Treasure’ project, Peter O’Connor featuring historical panels and stories over the past 150 years. The RTBU would like to thank the following sponsors of the 150 years of rail Dinner, McClellands Lawyers, Australian Injury management, RailCorp, The Rail Infrastructure Corporation, R&T Health Fund, Mangraviti Partners: Chartered Accountants, Wage Cover, First State Super, White Barnes Solicitors and the Transport and Logistics Centre. A special thanks also to Helen Byron for coordinating the event and making it a stunning success. Copies of On Wooden Rails and copies of the poster series are available for purchase from the union office. Order forms for both are in this issue of Rail & Road, or contact the union office for more details.
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Page 3 and 4: VOLUME 97 No 5&6 August/October 200
Page 5 and 6: This issue of Rail & Road follows o
Page 7 and 8: STATION FUNCTIONAL AGREEMENT NEGOTI
Page 9 and 10: Transit News The Transit Sub-Divisi
Page 11 and 12: 5. Older people and people with a d
Page 13 and 14: There are a number of problems with
Page 19 and 20: Your Rights At Work: Worth Cycling
Page 21 and 22: Good afternoon Nick and Staff, I am
Page 23 and 24: Nightmare in Australian Workplaces
Page 25 and 26: RTBU Receive OH&S Grant to Reduce W
Page 27: Celebrating 150 Years All 6 of he p
Page 30: APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Australi

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