Loco TV – 27 Feb 2014

In this edition of Loco TV, hear about Aurizon workers’ struggles for a fair agreement, concerns about drivers being blinded by oncoming lights, new rosters for rosterers, and the latest on the Rail Entities EA.

1. Members at Aurizon’s two Hunter depots have been forced to take protected industrial action, following the company’s refusal to listen to workers’ concerns during enterprise agreement negotiations.
Loco Division secretary Bob Hayden said that with workers embarking on 24 hours stoppages and overtime bans, it is disappointing the company have let it get to this point.
Management has refused to budge since May last year, even despite the fact that the company recently announced recent profits recently.
Stay tuned for further information on the issue.

2. Drivers are concerned that the new ‘visibility lights’ now required to be fitted to trains, are temporarily blinding oncoming drivers.
A recent amendment to the network rules means that all trains fitted with visibility lights must have them switched on, however the Loco Division has since received a number of complaints from drivers saying it makes approaching platforms and cautionary signals unsafe.
If you have any concerns about the lighting, please report it immediately and compile a hazard report. The Loco Division is investigating this matter, and will ensure operators are acting on any reported safety risks immediately.

3. Sydney Trains has put forward a proposal to have roster clerks work 24hrs a day, 7 days a week in order provide a better ‘customer service’ to train crew.
The proposal will mean that drivers will be able to contact rostering staff 24/7; however the rostering staff will now have to rotate through their shifts which means drivers will no longer have a dedicated roster clerk.
The Loco Division is keeping a close eye on this proposal to make sure the changes are in the interests of members.

4. Combined Rail Unions representatives in the midst of negotiations with Rail Entities over the new enterprise agreement.
The union representatives are currently meeting with the Government’s company representatives twice weekly to progress the discussions.
Negotiations are currently centred on a clause Rail Entities is trying to push into the agreement, which would effectively strip workers of their rostering arrangement rights and allow the government to change working conditions at any time, without having to consult the union.
The Combined Rail Unions representatives will do whatever it takes to ensure no such clause makes it into the agreement.
The new OurTransport.org.au website, which you can link through to from Loco Express, has the latest information on the negations.