3801 drivers missing out on EA rises

The 3801 steam locomotive, built in Sydney by Clyde Engineering in 1943, has been painstakingly repaired and maintained by full-time, casual and volunteer employees since the 1980s.

It’s a labour of love but for a number of years the employees who work for the company have not received the same pay increases from the EA as other employees. This is despite the understanding / gentlemen’s agreement that any increases from the RailCorp EA would flow on to these workers.

3801 workers have missed out on the last two aligned increases and the subsequent back pay of 3.5 per cent given to other drivers.

Now that the 3801 Ltd is operating a small commercial operation to offset the cost of running the historical steam train operation, the RTBU is calling for a certified EA for this arm of the company.

The Division met with representatives from 3801 Ltd on February 23 and the company agreed to provide a detailed response to these issues before Divisional Committee met on March 7 and 8.

The company did provide the response as agreed and, after discussion by Council, a formal decision will be made at the next Council in June.

In the meantime, a decision was made to approve the creation of a 3801 Sub-Division, with this going to Branch Council in mid-March for ratification. This will mean that in the elections to be called later this year 3801 Ltd members will be entitled to a Workplace Organiser consistent with other Workplace Organiser Elections.

3801 Photo from The New South Wales Transport Museum : www.nswrtm.org