NSW Trains uniform consultation collapses

A trial of the new NSW Trains uniforms has just been completed, following several months of consultation over the issue.  

Unfortunately, at a meeting held on 7 November, NSW Trains management informed the consultation committee that the executive had decided on what items of the uniform members will be forced to wear based on the simple premise that “it looked smart”.

This includes a shirt that was unanimously rejected by the committee and members, trousers that have been deemed to be too hot to wear in even moderate temperatures, and a suit style jacket that was only ever supposed to be an option for crew to wear.

A survey was conducted as a part of the trial process – which unfortunately the RTBU was not able to have input into – which determined that the uniform was ‘safe to wear’.

It’s the Loco Division’s belief that a more appropriate line of questioning would have been: is the uniform fit for the role being undertaken as per the EA? However, management has chosen to ignore the justifiable concerns raised by the committee members who suggested that the uniforms are not suitable for the line of work. Another concern of the survey is that it was also partly undertaken by employees who will not even wear the driver’s uniform.

After it became obvious that NSW Trains management were no longer consulting in good faith and were determined to push the uniforms through based on their appearance rather than practical application, the committee was forced to take the unprecedented action of walking out of the meeting and a decision was made to take no further part in discussions from here on in.

The Loco Division would like to let members know that the NSW Trains uniform to be supplied is not agreed or endorsed in any way by the RTBU Locomotive Division and dispute proceedings will be commenced.