The January 2024l edition of the RTBU's quarterly national member magazine, Transport NOW, is hot off the presses!
This special edition of our magazine covers all the highlights from our recent National Council meeting in Brisbane – including edited extracts of keynote speeches from Minister for Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP, ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, and my speech to the National Council dinner. It was an amazing few days: jam packed with serious discussions about the future of our union, and inspiring speeches from wide range of guests.
The magazine also covers the decision by National Council to establish an RTBU Enabled Committee to better represent workers with disabilities. If you’re wondering why this is so important, I recommend reading the powerful first-person article from a UK train driver who was diagnosed with autism. Our industries can be great places to work, but there’s a huge amount of work that can be done to make them more inclusive and welcoming.
Other articles include:
- The passage of key elements of the Federal Government’s ‘Closing Loopholes’ bill;
- The end of State Government wages caps in NSW and WA;
- Industrial action at GoldLinq on the Gold Coast, V/Line in Victoria, and Pacific National IPS in NSW;
- Securing a pay rise for workers at Metro Tasmania;
- Outgoing Tasmanian Branch Secretary Ric Bean’s next big challenge;
- The campaign for more support for Transit Officers with PTSD in Western Australia;
- Our new Industrial Advocate in WA, Ryan Sumner;
- A tribute to former Victorian Branch official and Assistant National Secretary (Rail Operations) Frank Lacey;
- The continuing campaign for better pay for British train drivers;
- A profile on one of our newest Life Members, Mick Kavanagh; and
- An essay by our new Tasmanian Branch Secretary Byron Cubit about the challenges facing the union movement.
On a sadder note, this edition also covers the tragic fatal collision between a freight train and a truck near Bindarrah in South Australia on New Year’s Eve. The RTBU family has been mourning the loss of two highly-respected and popular comrades – Kevin Baker and Mick Warren
The RTBU is supporting a fundraising account for the families of Kevin and Mick – please click here for more details.
Mark Diamond
NATIONAL SECRETARY
