Down Load November 2006 Edition of Rail and Road

*Rail and Road Nov 06 16/11/06 6:32 PM Page 59TRAM & BUS DIVISIONPosition: Sub-Divisional Representative on Branch DivisionalCommittee (Kingsgrove)Candidates for the Position of Sub-Divisional Representative on Branch Divisional Committee (Kingsgrove):• Aldridge, Darryl • Santiago, Santiago • Sharma, Vijay KumarDARRYL ALDRIDGE FOR SUB-DIVISIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ONBRANCH DIVISIONAL COMMITTEE (KINGSGROVE)This Election is important as this is the first time Branch and National delegates will beelected for a 4 year term.Darryl AldridgeIt is a time of great concern in the workplace with the Howard Government pushing toreduce every Australian’s wage, allowing managers and employers to cut current workconditions with no avenue for workers to call for unfair work practices or have access tounfair dismissal rights.They have changed the rules so we can’t show solidarity for fellow workers without theGovernment taking action against those sticking up for fellow workmates, affectivelydividing and conquering the workforce.When we stand as one in the workforce against draconian employers, managers andgovernment, this membership can achieve a positive outcome for our industry byorganizing ourselves, being activists in our own way, we can maintain pressure onemployers, create a strong Union presence get consultation so they don’t change andreduce our work conditions or our ability to earn a fare wage.If the Howard Government returns to power in the upcoming Federal Election we will seechanges in this industry we have never seen before. It may not start straight away, but itwill filter down to the public sector. By keeping our wages stagnant and removing workconditions millions of dollars could be saved at our expense and our communities.We have seen this in the past and know this is a way they try to keep us in line and I’msure it will raise its ugly head again. Managers get paid on cost cutting and productivityat the expense of the average worker, so we need to stand and think as one collective, oneunion, as this is not the future we want for ourselves our children, grandchildren, brothersand sisters.By being a proactive delegate at Depot, Branch and National levels, I will continue to helpdrive RTBU members grass roots issues, suggestions and feelings about real issuesaffecting every day life in a shift worker’s environment bringing this body of the unioncloser to the membership.VOTE 1 Aldridge, Darryl for Sub-Divisional Representativeon Branch Divisional Committee (Kingsgrove)59Rail and Road - October 2006