RTBU Members Second Opportunity to Voice Concerns about

MEMBERS’ BULLETIN
N.S.W
RAIL TRAM AND BUS UNION
15th April 2015
Bulletin No: 20/2015
To: Customer Service Attendants and Guards members,
RTBU MEMBERS SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY VEST REMOVAL
“The removal of the safety vest will put pressure on the train guards to look for the Right of Way on
crowded platforms which in turn will cause delays to train departing the platform.”
- Quote from RTBU Member
The RTBU had major concerns in relation to Sydney Trains making the determination of removing
safety vests from CSAs. A large portion of guards shared the concerns and responded to the
survey the RTBU distributed.
Out of the survey the RTBU met with Sydney Trains and deliver the results in the form of a
presentation which contained the charts and commentary as to what the results meant. The
breakdowns of these figures were:





96% of the participants would prefer to wear a high visibility vest when performing Right of
Way.
84% of the participants felt that high visibility vests make a positive impact on safety for
staff.
76% of the participants do not feel safe performing right of way procedures without a high
visibility vest.
73% of the participants do not believe they were properly consulted with about changes to
safety procedures.
78% of the participants do not feel happy about the new uniform.
As a consequence of the strong survey results and the advocacy put forward by the RTBU
representatives Sydney Trains made the determination to extend the testing period. It must be
noted that this is not a preferred position by the RTBU but Sydney Trains are admitting that there
are concerns.
Due to the determination to extend the testing period the RTBU are distributing two fresh surveys
for members to fill in. There will be a CSA specific survey and a guard specific survey. It would be
appreciated if people who fill in the survey could please return them by 4pm on the 1st of May
2015. Surveys can be returned to your local delegate, fax to the RTBU office or via email to the
RTBU office.
If members have any questions or comments please contact your local delegate or the RTBU
office.
Issued by:
Mick Cartwright
Organiser
Authorised by:
Alex Claassens
Branch Secretary
RAIL, TRAM & BUS UNION (NSW BRANCH) ABN 55 090 785 801
Level 4, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 - Tel (02) 92642511 Fax (02) 9261 1342 – Email nswho@rtbu-nsw.asn.au - WEBSITE: www.rtbu-nsw.asn.au
"Organising Workers in the Transport Industry to Protect and Build their Rights at Work"