A.R.G. (ASR SA&NT) EBA RTBU NEWS BULLETIN NO. 5

IT'S DECISION TIME FOR ARG MANAGEMENT

The RTBU EBA negotiating team consisting of National and Branch Officers and delegates Sandy Walker (Thevenard) Peter Coffey (Port Augusta) and Reg Harris (Whyalla), met with ARG/ASR representatives in Adelaide on 24, 25 November, 2004.

In previous Bulletins the RTBU negotiating team was able to report progress as it was agreed 'in principle' on many wages and conditions issues that ASR SA&NT railworkers would end their second class status within ARG and be brought up to WA standards.

Improvements Include:

• Reduction in fortnightly hours from 84 to 80. This means an immediate hourly increase of 5.5%.
• The payment of weekend penalties on a stand alone basis.
• Introduction of held away from home allowance.
• Expenses: Increases in meal allowance for train crew booked off away from home including relay van working.
• Long Service Leave: Apply to employees recently made permanent.

The important issues which members have been very strong about are relay van working and proper reward for the unique train operations at Whyalla steelworks. Both operations are unique in the Australian railway industry.

Relay Van Working between Port Augusta and Darwin is the longest railway journey in the world by the same crew. It covers 5,500 kilometres in a round trip which takes on average, 93 hours. This working is the staple of work at Port Augusta, week in week out. The accumulated fatigue and pressures on family and social life are enormous.

After many hours of arguing and debating this is the final RTBU position which management will have to consider and respond to when negotiations reconvene on 6,7 December. Their response will determine the future of negotiations. Its decision day for management.

1. Three person crew: (one driving / two resting). RTBU position NO for the duration of the 3 year agreement.
2. Work shift per rotation: (PA-Darwin-Return) continue with proven current practice of 8 hours with crews making decisions to address operational problems as they arise. RTBU acknowledges some operations may by agreement be suited to a different rotation.
3. Break at home after a relay job: RTBU says minimum break of 60 hours with no shift on the second morning to commence before 0700. This will ensure two full normal nights rest at home. These minimum breaks would apply to all employees.
4. Crew Van Rates:
   i)From commencement of the agreement the current 60% of the employee ordinary rate of pay be increased to 70%.
   ii)From the first anniversary of the agreement increase 70% to 80%.
   iii)From the second anniversary of the agreement increase 80% to 90%.

Whyalla Train Crew:

ARG's operations at the steel works are unique. ARG are currently renegotiating the total transport contract with One Steel. No where in Australia do RTBU locomotive drivers undertake the range of work under the production demands and severe working conditions experienced in the steelworks.

The RTBU negotiating teams position was practical and reasonable. Increase the 'remote DOO' allowance by 3%. The current 3% allowance does not adequately reflect the extra skill set involved when performing this type of work.

The other aspect of the unions claim for Whyalla train crew is for an additional payment of 3% when performing in the 'hot metal' operations.

Train crew are part of the steel making process, involved in production decisions which are vital to ensuring maximum steel output. These additional responsibilities must be recognised by ARG.

Make or Break Time:

The RTBU negotiating team have made progress in dragging up by the bootstraps the poor wages and conditions of ARG/ASR employees in South Australia. The members views have driven and steered the negotiating teams directions.

The RTBU claims for relay van working and payments for train crew at Whyalla are based on the members claims.

For the future of these negotiations ARG's response has the ability to 'make or break' these negotiations.

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