Freight Rail Workers Meet On EA

Date: 25 September 2003

Pacific National workers in rail towns across NSW will attend union meetings over the coming week to be briefed on the progress of negotiations to secure decent wages and conditions under a new enterprise agreement.

Members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will be briefed on the progress of the talks to date and be given the opportunity to discuss the key outstanding issues. (Timetable of meetings on second page)

"These are important negotiations because it is the first formal enterprise agreement since the freight rail operation was purchased by Pacific National," RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki said.

"The union negotiating team has been able to secure some significant improvements from Pacific National's initial offer, but key issues remain to be resolved."

These include:
- Proper agreed consultative processes
- Remuneration and payment of overtime
- Security of rosters - Pacific National wants to be able to vary start times by up to two hours daily before a shift commences.
- Starting points - Pacific National want too be able to change start and finish locations which will require some workers to travel up to 200km per just to start work
- Yearly cycle of work hours that do not have set start and finishing times
- Work rosters that allow four hours and up to 12 hours working which may vary daily.

Mr Lewocki said the Pacific National proposals would effect rural communities by making rail workers' lives captives to the whim of management.

"When workers do not have secure rosters they can not plan their lives. They can not allocate time to friends, family or their community. At the end of the day, it is regional communities who will suffer if some of these proposals go ahead."

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

Friday, September 26
Hunter Valley, Morandoo Lambton Bowling Club 0900 *
Moss Vale RSL Club 1000 **
Goulburn Railway Club 1400 **

Saturday, September 27
Cootamundra Ex Services Club 1030 **

Sunday, September 28
Junee Ex Services Club 1000 **
Parkes Royal Hotel 1600 **

Monday, September 29
Enfield Greyhound Club 1000 *
Dubbo Railway Club 1000 **
Narrabri Conference Centre 1830 **
Taree Taree Station 0830 ***
Grafton Depot Meal room 1530 ***

Tuesday, September 30
Werris Creek Training room 1000 **
Brisbane Acacia Ridge Terminal 1030 ***

Wednesday October 1
Newdell Newdell Junction 1500 ***
Mudgee SES Building 1000 ***

Thursday October 2
Port Kembla Port Kembla Leagues 1000 *
Lithgow tba 1200 ***

Tuesday October 7
Morandoo Lambton Bowling Club 1000 *
Temora Temora Station 1200 **
Griffith Griffith Mealroom 1600 **

Contacts:

Nick Lewocki on 9264 2511 or 0415 661881 for general comment and meetings marked *
Phil Kessey - 0418 671532 for meetings marked **
Bob Hayden - 0418 471088 for meetings marked ***

For further information

Contact:	Nick Lewocki
Union:	RTBU
Phone:	(02) 9264 2511

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