| Yesterday, myself, National Secretary Michael Kaine, NSW Assistant Secretary Nick Mcintosh and Sydney and Central West Sub-branch Secretary Rob Rasmussen joined dozens of Bus delegates at the Parliament of NSW, where we hosted our Bus Industry Roundtable, sharing the reality of the industry to the Premier, Treasurer, Transport Minister and Industrial Relations Minister. Many of our Delegates at the Roundtable spoke directly to Ministers in power, sharing their passion for the industry, but also the very real challenges of poor pay, abhorrent safety standards, and a lack of facilities. |
| With our 2026 Campaign right around the corner, employers and clients alike are aware that we will fight relentlessly to achieve better conditions on the Road to Respect. At the roundtable, operators were confirming to the Government what drivers already know all too well: That this is an industry in crisis, and the TWU are leaders in seeking reform. It was good to have the Premier, Treasurer and Transport Minister say loud and clear that they want to work with us on a solution to this crisis. The Roundtable was a successful event, and we plan to hold them to account. |
PREMIER AND SOPHIE COTSIS THANKED FOR WORKING WITH THE TWU ON CHAPTER 6 REFORM
This week, the TWU were joined at the Bus Industry Roundtable by Premier Chris Minns and Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis, who both played an integral role in working with the union to ensure that our reforms to Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act passed Parliament earlier this year.
The historic changes to Chapter 6 finally brought the Act into the 21st century, removing archaic exclusions, recognising gig workers in NSW IR law, and giving more protections to Owner Drivers. It also gives the IRC more powers to resolve disputes, including issuing interim determinations.
The TWU fought relentlessly for over a decade to ensure these changes happened, and in honour of the Premier keeping his election promise, NSW Secretary Richard Olsen and Assistant Secretary Nick Mcintosh presented himself and Minister Cotsis with frames that show them standing with Transport Workers that historic day.
TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen says,
“Chris Minns and Sophie Cotsis were on the right side of history when they backed Transport Workers and helped enact Chapter 6 reform earlier this year. Over the last two years, they have proven to be reliable in passing Transport Reform, and I’m glad to have seen them take the crisis in the bus industry seriously today, too.
“The TWU will continue to hold the Government to account and work productively with them where we can get real outcomes for Transport Workers.”
