| As always, this has been a very active time for the union. Coming off major safety successes last week, and following Australia’s Biggest Bus Strike, officials and delegates are continuing to spend time with members in yards, in our Sub-branches, and at Minchinbury to fight for a fairer industry. This week, I welcomed many members from across the industry to the Safe Rates House, including national retail delegates, more for delegate 3 training and for aviation delegate 1 training. I took the time to talk to all about 2026. |
To ensure that our roads, our skies, and our future see better pay and conditions, I told members that it’s important to take a stand in the present. The fight for 2026 will come into full-view soon, and through our strength we will win.
This week, we also saw a major victory for one of our waste delegates, being reinstated by his employer with backpay. We have more to say on this below.
In the meantime, I wish you all a safe week ahead. Our movement belongs to the members. Should you need anything, don’t hesitate to get in contact with our office.
TWU WIN – Member Reinstated by a Full FWC Bench
TWU Member Roland Barber was recently reinstated at his job at Veolia with backpay by a FWC full bench.
The decision, which finds that Barber was unfairly terminated for conduct on the morning after attending a TWU function, is a vindication for the delegate, who now looks forward to going back to work and getting on with the job.
“I’d like to thank Richard, Nick, Sophia, Ho and more for all of the work they put in over the last year,” Barber says.
“We got the right result in the end thanks to the relentless work of the TWU. I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
State Secretary Richard Olsen praised the team and the delegate for their tenacity, and commented on the fairness of the final outcome.
“This decision shows that Roland’s employer acted rashly and that it was wrong to dismiss him. A decision by a full FWC bench is not only rare, it’s a vindication,” Mr Olsen said.
