ARGE EBA Campaign Newsletter No 2

DEPOT MEETINGS. As a follow-up to the TUTA Workshop of July 10-11, 2002, workplace meetings have been held at almost all ARGE locations to bring information first-hand to the members, to involve them in the campaign, and to assist the local delegates to implement the campaign strategy.

The meetings took place between July 12 - 18, and Brian Curran and available local representatives addressed members.

Mark Sheargold (Loco.Driver - Hunter Valley) and George Panigiris (Salaried) from the NSW Branch also attended. They were keen to share experiences with ARGE workers and see the likely problems with the recent privatisation of FreightCorp and National Rail into Pacific National.

The information meetings focused on:

1. Minimum Rates Awards as a safety net for workers - purpose, need and limits.
2. Arbitrated ARGE Award - current state of progress, and explanation for the slowness of the process, partly due to consolidation of three Awards, but mainly because of strong opposition from ARGE.
3. EBA - necessary to bargain above minimum conditions, and for conditions not covered by "allowable matters" in the Award.
4. EBA - the only way for workers to have a say in their conditions, eg. rosters, DOO, home depot status, rates of pay
5. AWAs - the employer's method of reducing pay rates and conditions in line with the employer's expressed intent to reduce labour costs
6. Comparison between our collective ability to negotiate a new EBA on expiry, and the "take it or leave it, no negotiation " option of an AWA with individual workers.
7. Big picture of Australian rail freight scene - role of ARG and ARGE employees
8. Opportunity for ARGE employees to pressurise the employer - by those currently on expired AWAs to collectively serve notice to terminate their AWAs, and all workers supporting each other through the RTBU campaign strategy for an EBA.

The meetings were well attended, given the days and times of the meetings (Sunday morning and up till 8.30 pm in some cases).

The interest shown at the meetings gauged through questions asked and general acceptance of the need for action in line with the RTBU strategy was encouraging. However the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

• Now is the time to send a message to the employer.
• Now is the time to support your local representatives.
• Now is the time act collectively.
• Now is the time to notify termination of your expired AWA.
• Now is the time to commit to push for the EBA.

UNITED WE BARGAIN - DIVIDED WE BEG