14th May 2013
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
LRC Dispute Settlement Proposals
Members are advised that a proposal emanated from the Labour Relations Commission in the early hours of this morning which has led to a cancellation of our planned five days of strike action.
The Interlocked agenda agreed between all parties on January 14th formed the basis of the discussions at the LRC and enabled us to get a number of commitments and assurances towards the future job security of all Bus Workers. The proposals include verifiable assurances on the following NBRU agenda items:
vThe protection of existing terms and conditions
vNo staff will compulsorily transfer to a private operator
vNo legacy costs will be sought from Bus Workers
The foregoing to be legally protected by a Registered Employment Agreement (REA)
v Approved funding for market/Companies growth.
vA process which will address our concerns on legislation around the awarding of contracts post 2019
vA Social Clause type agreement which will ensure that a regime will be in place to penalise rogue employers who breach the employment standards, this will be supported by a legally enforceable Sectorial Employment order
vA commitment from the Minister that Government policy is not to move towards privatisation of public bus services
The document has been circulated separately and should be read in conjunction with this and previous Notice’s to Members.
Immediate discussions between the trade unions and the companies, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission are to take place, to address the unprecedented and unique circumstances associated with effectively swapping existing routes with those identified as being part of the government supported market growth.
Members are further advised that an intensive consultation process will commence immediately and will include a meeting of our National Executive Council on Monday next the 18th May.
The NBRU would like to thank all its members, representative and supporters for their effort during the campaign against privatisation, we must remain vigilant in the face of the neo-liberal agenda.
Issued by the National Bus and Rail Union
The Union for Transport Workers
