2009 EA Back Pay:

After many months of correspondence, the RTBU Locomotive division has finally been able to achieve back pay for two members who transferred from PN Coal to PN Bulk during the 12 months between the expiry of the 2009 Enterprise Agreement and the signing of the 2010 EA.

PN agreed to reimburse the back pay from June 2009 to September 2010 but PN Coal did not honour the arrangement.

From April 2011 the RTBU sent a number of letters to the PN Coal Division and finally, on October 11, GM Coal operations advised that the back pay would occur, with the money finally being paid on November 25.

Freightliner Thanks Workers:

It’s pleasing to finally see a company that values its employees. Freightliner Australia placed the following advertisement in local papers in the Newcastle, Singleton and Mudgee areas at the end of October thanking their employees for the last 12 months of operations.

“A thank you to our employees

Freightliner Australia is now approaching the first anniversary of our commencement of Hunter Valley coal operations. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees, both Coal and Intermodal, and their families who have made these years such a success.

We appreciate the efforts, focus and diligence that you have given to make the last few years great, and the support that your families have also provided.

As we expand our operations and grow from strength to strength we again thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.

From the team at Freightliner Australia.”

Freightliner Newcastle Depot Opening:

Freightliner Australia opened it new Newcastle Depot on Wednesday November 23 in Sandgate. The general manager John McArthur, and general manager of Xstrata Coal opened the facility. Freight Organiser, Steve Wright attended the opening and was given a guided tour of the facility.

Driver Only Operations:

Finally, after many months of meetings and risk assessments, Pacific National have finally deferred the exploration of Driver Only Operations on the main south line from Junee to Melbourne. They will be concentrating instead on their efforts on Driver Only Operations in the Melbourne Freight Terminal and the Melbourne Steel terminal. However, Pacific National will also continue to look for efficiencies on the main south line to keep the Junee Depot viable.

ICE Radio introduction:

The ICE radio console has been subject to a dispute in Melbourne since its inception because the RTBU and its delegates have been excluded from consultation by PN Coal.

After many requests to allow RTBU and its delegates to have some input into the placement, size and operation of the ICE radio on PN locomotives they were finally invited to a briefing session.

Despite this small step forward the RTBU delegates are once again being excluded from PN Coal meetings or inspections.

Pacific National Enterprise Agreement:

The Pacific National Enterprise Agreements are due to expire on June 30, 2012, and we are preparing to start negotiations this month. Key delegates from across the company will be asked to endorse Part A (common clauses and expiry dates) to allow part B, C and D negotiations to commence.

The following meetings are planned for December.

December 6 and 7 – RTBU Combined Delegates meeting

December 8 – PN Coal meet with RTBU Negotiating Team

December 12 – PN Bulk meet with RTBU Negotiating Team

December 16 – PN Intermodal meet with RTBU Negotiating Team

Freightliner Australia Enterprise Agreement:

The company and RTBU officials and delegates will be sitting down in mid January to commence talks on replacing the Freightliner Australia (excluding Coal) EA due to expire in June 2012.

Pacific National veteran and long-time RTBU delegate Brian Glover has farewelled his colleagues and accepted a job with rival operator Freightliner.

Brian resigned from PN after being stood down in controversial circumstances six weeks ago.

Far from having ‘let the bastards won’, Brian said he was very happy to leave PN after 32 years and gain another good job in the industry.

“To all of my colleagues at Pacific National I wish to thank one and all for your kind sentiments which I received during my stand-down and since I tendered my resignation,” said Brian.

“It has been a wonderful 32 years on the foot-plate and I have many fond memories of working with many of you.

“Heartfelt thanks to you all for the support given to me over the years as both an engineman and as a delegate.”

Brian also thanked the RTBU for all the support during his career at PN, particularly during the recent dispute.

“The Union provided all the assistance that one could hope for,” he said.

RTBU Freight Organiser Steve Wright said Brian’s move from PN’s biggest depot, Hunter Valley Coal, was a loss to the union as he has been an active delegate and held many positions in the loco division, including Depot Organiser, OHS Rep and Divisional President.

“Progressively over the last ten years, it has been a hard slog to be a union official and constantly under attack from hostile employers and managers. Brian has had more than his share,” said Steve.

“I am sorry that we have lost a passionate delegate but I know Brian will assist and mentor other drivers in whatever company he works for, in the belief that they need to stick up for themselves and protect their conditions.”

The EA, which will make Freightliner employees the highest paid employees with some of the best conditions, will come into effect today.

The agreement will see workers receive a 12% pay rise over 3 years and a substantial performance allowance, amongst other things.

This EA will set a new industry standard for future negotiations.

Well done to all the members and delegates who worked hard to achieve this outcome.

Freightliner Coal Haulage employees have unanimously voted in favour of an Enterprise Agreement that will make them the highest-paid freight drivers in the state for a 38-hour week.

The vote was held on Friday 8 April, the agreement was signed by both parties and has been submitted to Fair Work Australia for approval.

This agreement should be in force before 1 May and is likely to see employment in the Rail Industry become competitive.

Freightliner drivers are set to become some of the highest-paid freight drivers in the state for a 38-hour week under a new agreement negotiated by the RTBU to be voted on next week.

The agreement includes a substantial performance allowance and a pay rise increase of 12% over 3 years, plus another 2% at the end of those three years as an advance payment for the next agreement, which is a sign of the good faith which has been developed between the Company and RTBU Loco Division.

Company plans to expand their operations contributed to the strength of the agreement. Many drivers considering signing up with Freightliner, who are coming from unionised workplaces, would not sign until they had seen the details of the employment agreement negotiated by the union; and the company wished to negotiate an industry-leading agreement to attract drivers to work for them.

The new Freightliner agreement sets a new industry standard that all RTBU Loco members can aspire to in their next enterprise agreement negotiations.

Negotiations have continued with Freightliner Coal, for their first EA, with another day of negotiations occurring yesterday.

Further progress was made with significant changes being agreed and the parties have now allocated Friday 25 March to hopefully finalise the Agreement.

The Company arranged to have the majority of Train Crew employees at the meeting location for the Division to meet with them and discuss the current status of negotiations for two hours prior to negotiations commencing.

All those members present were happy with the progress of the negotiations and made further suggestions on changes which the Division negotiators raised with the Company.

The members elected their first Divisional Depot Organiser and a further two members indicated their willingness to assist, which was a great outcome for the Division and a positive sign that members what to be involved in their Union.

Both the Company and the Division have developed a healthy professional relationship and we certainly look forward to working with the Company into the future.

Members are advised the RTBU has arranged to hold an initial meeting with Freightliner Coal on Monday 14 February to discuss the proposed Freightliner Coal EBA. This will be the first EBA specific to Freightliner coal drivers.