<strong>NSW</strong> BranchHead OfficeLevel4, 321 Pitt Street,Sydney <strong>NSW</strong> 2000Tel (02) 92642511Fax (02)92611342Email nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.auWebsite www.rtbu-nsw.asn.auRTBU Holiday ParkVacancies for School Holiday PeriodThe RTBU Holiday Park is situated in Jervis Bay on the South Coast.Modern self-contained units with colour TV, microwave ovens <strong>and</strong>accomodate families <strong>of</strong> up to 6 persons. The Holiday Park is situated in aNational Park <strong>and</strong> Members can enjoy a holiday by the sea <strong>and</strong> relax withfishing, tennis, boating, swimming or bushwalking.For booking enquiries please telephone Ingrid at Head Office onRAILROADADVERTISINGRATESSelective advertising is available in <strong>Rail</strong> & Road at competitive individual issuerates or a discounted annual rate. A design service is also available to have youradvertisement pr<strong>of</strong>essionally designed to your specifications.AND(02) 9264 2511 or Dept: 34432Keep your career rollingAll job applications pr<strong>of</strong>essionally preparedExpertly Written Selection CriteriaContact source@iprimus.com.au or Telephone 02 9319 0926RAIL & ROAD is the <strong>of</strong>ficial journal <strong>of</strong> the <strong>NSW</strong> Branch <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Rail</strong>, <strong>Tram</strong> <strong>and</strong><strong>Bus</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>and</strong> is produced as part <strong>of</strong> the union’s communication strategyto inform <strong>and</strong> report on matters <strong>of</strong> interest to members.All editorial <strong>and</strong> advertising inquiries should be addressed to PeterO’Connor Telephone: (02) 9264 2511 e-mail: poconnor@rtbu-nsw.asn.auPrinting - Brightset, Banksmeadow, (02) 9316 4800Art & Design - P Design - paul@pdesign.com.au - Phone 0402 032 949<strong>Bus</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tram</strong> Division83-89 Renwick StreetRedfern <strong>NSW</strong> 2016Tel (02) 93197277Fax (02) 93194341nswbus4@bigpond.comLocomotive DivisionLevel 4, 321 Pitt StreetSydney <strong>NSW</strong> 2000Tel (02) 92643400Fax (02) 92647679Email nswloco@rtbu-nsw.asn.auFrieght Organiser Steve WrightPassenger Organiser Allan BardenNewcastle Office33 Gordon AvenueHamilton <strong>NSW</strong> 2303Tel (02) 4961 4311Fax (02) 4961 4779Wollongong OfficeLevel 1, 306a Crown Street, Wollongong, 2500Tel (02) 4227 5798Email wollongong@rtbu-nsw.asn.auBranch ExecutiveSecretaryPresidentAssistant SecretaryOrganisersNewcastle<strong>Nick</strong> <strong>Lewocki</strong>Alex ClaassensMick SchmitzerMick SchmitzerWollongong John CurleyLead OrganisersPhillip KesseyDoug KlinebergLizanne BennettIndustrial OfficerPeter O’Connor
From the Branch SecretaryAs another year draws to a close, we findourselves facing all sorts <strong>of</strong> industrial <strong>and</strong>political challenges. In <strong>NSW</strong> we have aLabor Government that has been in selfdestructmode. However, with our firstfemale Premier in <strong>NSW</strong> I hope Labor canreconnect with working men <strong>and</strong> women.Now is a good opportunity to review publictransport planning.This, <strong>and</strong> the remnants<strong>of</strong> the WorkChoices legacy, have manyrail operators <strong>and</strong> the main public busauthorities, scrambling for new reforms<strong>and</strong> management systems. Within our unionthere have been some tensions, as wellas the destabilizing effects <strong>of</strong> the tragicdeath <strong>of</strong> our past National Secretary <strong>and</strong>comrade, Greg Harvey. At the <strong>NSW</strong> Branchlevel we are also approaching a significantcrossroad, with a number <strong>of</strong> key leaderslooking seriously at retirement.We have been able to, even under thedark cloud <strong>of</strong> the global financial crisis, tocontinue to do good work for our members,<strong>and</strong> continue to build a strong <strong>and</strong> vibrantunion. There have been some very positiveindustrial outcomes <strong>and</strong> improvementsin the infrastructure, locomotive <strong>and</strong> busareas in particular. We are currently alsowell into negotiations for new agreementswith a number <strong>of</strong> major rail operators,such as Pacific National, Interail, <strong>and</strong>have commenced negotiations for the next<strong>Rail</strong>Corp collective agreement. Likewise, the<strong>Bus</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tram</strong> Division have been involvedin negotiations for new agreements for <strong>Bus</strong>Operators, as well as in the Maintenancearea. We have also successfully negotiatednew agreements with, a range <strong>of</strong> privateoperators, , <strong>and</strong> labour hire companies, <strong>and</strong>commenced negotiations with others.We have been active in following the goals<strong>of</strong> our Branch Plan, in building a number <strong>of</strong>partnerships <strong>and</strong> alliances to address a range<strong>of</strong> industry <strong>and</strong> community concerns. Thesehave included a range <strong>of</strong> activities <strong>and</strong>project with the Transport <strong>Union</strong> Federation(TUF), as well as community alliancesthrough forums such as the Rapid, ActiveAffordable Transport Alliance (RAATA), under the auspice <strong>of</strong> the AustralianConservation Foundation, <strong>and</strong> workwithin the Sydney Alliance, a developingcoalition <strong>of</strong> unions, faith <strong>and</strong> communityorganisations. Our Womens CampaignCommittee (WCC) continues to play a vitalrole around industry <strong>and</strong> community issues.The WCC played a lead role in the successfulParental Leave Campaign, <strong>and</strong> continues towork on a range <strong>of</strong> issues affecting workingwomen.These changes, developments <strong>and</strong>challenges reflect the usual cycles in the life<strong>of</strong> the union movement.It is in this context <strong>of</strong> change that I seekyour indulgence for a more personalannouncement. As many members wouldknow, my personal health has not been greatin recent months, there have been a fewissues with the heart, <strong>and</strong> as more doctorspoke <strong>and</strong> prod, <strong>and</strong> more running repairsare carried out, I have had to sensiblyreflect on what is best personally <strong>and</strong> for theunion. I have come to the conclusions thatit would be best for me to step down fromthe position effective at the end <strong>of</strong> this year,allowing sufficient time for a new freshleadership team under the stewardship <strong>of</strong>Alex Claassens <strong>and</strong> Phil Kessey to establishitself.I have many reflections <strong>of</strong> my dozen or soyears in the role <strong>of</strong> the Branch Secretary,<strong>and</strong> 30 years as a full-time union <strong>of</strong>ficial,with so many good memories. I started inthe job as a wet-behind- the –ears kid almost50 years ago as a junior on the stations.The rail industry <strong>and</strong> the union movementhas been good to me, <strong>and</strong> provided mewith a good <strong>and</strong> satisfying working life.Not least <strong>of</strong> which, it has introduced me tosome <strong>of</strong> the finest people I would ever hopeto meet.So, as with any healthy organisation, changeis inevitable <strong>and</strong> should be welcomed, <strong>and</strong>the old guard must give way to new leaders,with their own identities <strong>and</strong> personalities,ideas <strong>and</strong> strengths. Hopefully I have assistedin, <strong>and</strong> in some ways influenced theirdevelopment <strong>and</strong> transition to leadership.I feel confident that the new team in the<strong>NSW</strong> Branch, under Alex Claassens <strong>and</strong>Phil Kessey, will continue to build our union<strong>and</strong> maintain its role at the fore <strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong>the major developments in our industry.The opportunity exists at these times <strong>of</strong>renewal, for our new leaders to re-opendialogue <strong>and</strong> communication, re-definetheir respective roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities,<strong>and</strong> move the union forward in fresh <strong>and</strong>innovative directions.I would like to take this opportunity tothank all members who have supported meover the years. When its all said <strong>and</strong> done,I could not do my work without the support<strong>and</strong> confidence <strong>of</strong> members. I have alsohad the privilege <strong>of</strong> working with a range<strong>of</strong> different union <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>and</strong> employees,with various talents <strong>and</strong> skills, that haveenabled the union to effectively carry out itsfunctions. I am honoured <strong>and</strong> endebted tohave had this ongoing support. I wish thosemembers <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers (past <strong>and</strong> present) <strong>and</strong>their loved ones the very best for the festiveseason <strong>and</strong> in the year ahead.Thank you <strong>and</strong> goodbye.In this IssueIndustrial NewsProblems Continue on Stations ......................5RTBU Secures Improved Conditions for <strong>Bus</strong> Cleaners .....6Pacific National Negotiations ........................7General NewsElection <strong>of</strong> RTBU National Secretary ..................9<strong>Nick</strong> <strong>Lewocki</strong> Announces Retirement .................10Victory on <strong>Rail</strong> Corridors ...........................14<strong>Bus</strong> Driver Takes Gold .............................15Infrastructure Members Improve Qualifications ........15On the Campaign TrailPublic Sector Workers Unite for Better Services ........17RTBU Wins on <strong>Rail</strong> Infrastructure ....................18Womens Campaign Committee ......................19Talking <strong>Union</strong>TUF Works to Protect Transport Services ..............20Workmates Honour Greg Harvey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21International Solidarity Conference ..................22Whats Happening in Fair Work Australia? .............23Whistlestop .....................................24Year in Review ...................................24
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