Promisingly, already this year we’re making progress and ensuring our voices are heard.
Bus drivers have brought their stories of the abuse and abhorrent treatment they’ve been subjected to straight to Transport for New South Wales, in an urgent meeting called by delegates and the TWU.
Together, we made it loud and clear that Transport for New South Wales must commit to improving the conditions of bus drivers in the industry – and we’ve been keeping up the pressure since.
Safety and dignity at work are not negotiable – these are the bare minimums that we demand of employers. By sharing their stories, some very confronting, delegates forced Transport for New South Wales to consider the human impact that increased antisocial behaviour has on both drivers and passengers.
Wherever I go across the industry, I’ve been hearing from members about the challenges they’re facing. We have a big year ahead, and an even bigger 2026. Throughout the first few months of this year, we’ve been working with delegates from across the industry to make sure we’re in good stead for the current fights, the next fight, and the fight after that.
I’ve also been able to share some of our recent wins, and what they mean for the industry.
One of our big wins of 2025 so far were the hard-fought reforms to Chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act becoming law in NSW. It was a privilege to join TWU leadership, delegates, gig workers and owner drivers as the law was finally brought into the 21st century – ending archaic exclusions, adding protections for drivers and finally recognising gig workers in NSW law. This, paired with the waste reform and transport reform passed in Canberra last year, represent big strides in transport protections in the last 18 months that are only possible because of the relentless work of our members.
As we go to the polls this Saturday, I’m thinking about how much progress we’ve made and how much is at stake. To make sure we don’t lose everything we’ve fought for, to me the choice is clear – the current Labor government needs to be re-elected.
Congratulations to all of the workers’ that have made your voices heard so far this year – I look forward to standing beside you as we continue fighting.
Robert Rasmussen • Sydney Central West Sub-branch