LocoTV – 20 August

In this edition of LocoTV hear the latest on the Rail Entities EA, the Loco Division’s fight to allow drivers to continue to stand, the RTBU elections and the upcoming visit from our UK counterparts.

1.
Rail Entities has announced that it has presented its final offer, and the company has begun a tour of paid staff briefings to discuss the offer.
The Combined Rail Unions will hold union meetings immediately after the company briefings in order to ensure that members get a complete overview of the enterprise agreement on offer.
A full list of briefing times and dates can be found on the Loco Express website. These are your working conditions, so make sure you get along and find out about the offer before it goes to a vote.
2.
A couple of very special guests from the UK are coming to visit in October.
General Secretary Mick Whelan and Executive Committee member Dave Calfe from ASLEF, the UK train drivers union, have accepted an invitation to attend next month’s Loco Divisional Council meeting.
Loco Division secretary Bob Hayden said the visit will be an important opportunity to share ideas with our UK counterparts, and discuss best practice in the global union movement.
The UK representatives will also join two Loco Division reps at the New Zealand transport union’s conference.
3.
The Loco Division is fighting moves from Sydney Trains to change the windscreen rule – a move the union says would put drivers and the public at risk.
The company is proposing a change to the rule that would mean trains could enter and stay in service with a limited critical viewing radius of just 250mm.
Perhaps of most concern is the fact that the move would mean vision would only be possible from a seated position.
Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden said restricting drivers from standing is a major safety concern, given standing it is known to be key to reducing fatigue. He said the union will fight to ensure that no rule change ever jeopardises drivers’ ability to stand when needed.
4.
The RTBU general elections are coming up. If you think you’ve got what it takes to represent the interests of your fellow workers, then we want to hear from you.
Nominations for a range of representative positions within the union will open on the 1st of September and will close on the 22nd of September.
A full list of positions up for grabs is available on the Loco Express website and nomination forms can be collected from the Loco division head office.