This year, our members accomplished a huge win at the Charles Street Bus Interchange!
CHARLES STREET BUS INTERCHANGE WIN!
Transport for NSW has committed to purchasing a dedicated space to be converted into a much-needed meal room and toilet facility, ensuring drivers have a place to rest and recharge during their shifts. This is part of a broader $18 million investment allocated for the upgrade and installation of meal rooms and toilets across the entire bus network.
This victory comes after a strong and persistent fight from the TWU, who have been tirelessly advocating for better facilities for bus drivers. Ensuring these essential services are prioritised and delivered is a critical step in improving working conditions and supporting the well-being of our members. We’re proud to see this progress, and we’ll continue pushing to ensure every driver has access to clean and adequate facilities.
LAST MILE:
When Australia Post lost a major contract, they failed to engage in proper consultation with the contractors affected by the change. This lack of communication caused uncertainty and frustration among workers who were left in the dark about their future. Similarly, the incoming principal, TGE, also failed to speak with these contractors, making the issue worse and raising concerns about job security and conditions.
In response, the TWU stepped in, working closely with the Industrial Relations Commission to make sure contractors were not left behind. Through coordinated efforts the TWU was able to negotiate a mostly smooth transition, allowing contractors to move from Australia Post to TGE without losing their existing rates and conditions. This intervention helped preserve stability for the workers during a challenging period, ensuring their livelihoods were protected despite the contract change.
DHL-Camerons Agreement:
After months of negotiations and a successful “Vote NO” campaign against DHL’s substandard proposal, the rank-and-file bargaining committee, with the support of the TWU, reached an in-principle agreement to take back to members, resulting in a successful “Yes” vote.
This two-year agreement, expiring in 2026, secures guaranteed back pay, higher pay grades for rigid drivers, and improvements to the redundancy clause. Congratulations to all the workers involved who stood up to DHL and made it clear that management’s poor offer wasn’t good enough!
Robert Rasmussen • Sydney Central West Sub-branch