LocoTV – 7 August 2014

In this edition of LocoTV, hear about the recent disputes at NSW Trains, the OSCAR safety make-over, the QUBE EBA negotiations, and see the pics from the recent Newcastle rail rally. 

1.

The Loco Division has been kept busy at NSW Trains regional operations recently, with a number of complaints about timesheets coming through from members.

In one case, a manager was requiring staff on annual leave fill in timesheets; and in another, workers were told to send un-certified timesheets to the time-keepers.

The clearly ridiculous requests had obviously not been through a consultation phase with staff and forced the union to lodge two disputes with NSW Trains.

Thanks to the workers who alerted the union to these issues, the reps have worked quickly to have the issue resolved.

2.

OSCAR trains are set to get a bit of a safety make-over, with plans to introduce internal emergency door release systems getting underway.

The safety system was one of the key recommendations to come out of the Waterfall tragedy enquiry, and has already ben installed in Waratah and Millennium trains.

It’s intended that the roll-out will begin in November, and RTBU representatives will be heavily involved in the consultation process.

3.

Loco Division members joined concerned residents in Maitland last week, calling on the NSW Premier to reverse its plans to rip up the rail line into Newcastle.

The Baird Government recently announced that from Boxing Day, trains will stop running into Newcastle station and work to truncate the line at Wickham will begin.

The Government’s plan is to introduce a new light rail system into the city, however the RTBU says its merely a case of putting developer interests ahead of the needs of the travelling public and a monumental waste of money.

You can see pictures from the rally on the Loco Express website.

4.

Negotiations are well underway for a new enterprise agreement at QUBE.

The company recently presented the union negotiating team with a proposal on wages, remuneration and overtime payments; however during a subsequent EBA tour, members made it very clear that the company offer was well below industry standards.

When the RTBU presented a counter offer, the company cried poor, saying that it was staring down the barrel of liquidation.

The call is a peculiar one given the managing director was just weeks ago boasting on radio about how profitable the multi-billion dollar company is.

The company has agreed to further talks with the company. Stay tuned for updates on their progress.

5.

And finally, a reminder that while Sydney and NSW Trains employees are now required to swipe on and off duty, it’s still important that you continue to use your timesheets.

There has been a few teething issues since the system was introduced, which in the most part can be put down to some managers not using the system correctly.

There have been reports of members not being allowed to sign off by phone, and also of workers being forced to sign a book explaining why they were late in duty or didn’t swipe off duty.

These procedures were never discussed as part of the system introduction, and the Loco Division is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

If you have any problems with the My Time system, please contact your local delegate.