With bargaining underway for a new Enterprise Agreement, V/Line has decided that now is the time to attempt to divide the workforce by introducing changes that breach the existing EA. The RTBU continues to hold V/Line accountable.
It is not clear if this is a strategy created by V/Line’s Director of Workplace Relations, Harry Hilliar, or just a series of unfortunate events. Members will make up their own minds on that question.
As a result of V/Line’s actions, the RTBU has been forced to initiate a number of disputes across the state. Here’s an update on Harry’s cavalcade of chaos:
1. North-East Roster Change
V/Line attempted to introduce a new roster for Albury based members, circumventing the agreed processes around consultation and representation. After the RTBU initiated a dispute in response to the employer’s action, V/Line withdrew the proposed roster and agreed to consult as per the EA and established protocols. The RTBU is keeping a close eye on the North-East region as it appears that some managers have not learnt the lessons from this dispute.
Outcome: RTBU win for members
2. Acting in higher dispute
V/Line attempted to introduce a ‘rule’ that a manager would decide if a person was to be paid at the higher rate when acting in a higher position. This clearly breached the clause in the EA that says if you’re asked to act in higher, you must be paid at the higher rate. The RTBU raised this concern through many avenues, but it was only after the RTBU initiated a formal dispute that V/Line accepted the RTBU’s position and issued a notice to all managers stating ‘V/Line confirms that any person performing a role above their substantive classification will be paid the higher rate as per the Agreement regardless of experience or knowledge base.’
Outcome: RTBU win for members
3. Service Manager classification – Bendigo
V/Line attempted to change the Service Manager classification from SM7 to SM6. The RTBU pushed back on this, arguing that the there is no mechanism to change this classification back to SM6 while also pointing out that a new classification structure was a key part of ongoing EA negotiations. If V/Line want to table a claim in negotiations, the RTBU will consider it on its merits. After lengthy discussions, it appears that V/Line management has accepted that the EA negotiation table is the correct place to discuss classification matters and have paused their claim.
Outcome: RTBU win for members
4. Underpayment of sick leave
V/Line attempted to deny part time workers access to paid sick leave. Most members will know there has been a strategic effort by V/Line to employ as many part time workers as possible, exploiting the provisions around part time workers taking on shifts in excess of their minimum contracted hours at the ordinary rate. If this exploitation wasn’t enough, V/Line then denied part time workers access to their own accrued sick leave entitlement if they fell ill prior to a rostered shift that was in excess of their minimum hours. The RTBU fought this injustice through a formal dispute which resulted in V/Line accepting the RTBU’s position and agreeing to back pay any worker denied their rightful sick leave entitlement.
Outcome: RTBU win for members
5. Relocation of sign on/off from Geelong to Waurn Ponds
V/Line has attempted to move sign on and off for certain shifts from Geelong to Waurn Ponds. This has created a number issues around safety and equity, to name just a couple. The RTBU has initiated a dispute around consultation for this major change, arguing that the broad based ‘direction’ for all conductors to sign on and off at Waurn Ponds didn’t take into account the impact of individuals nor consider alternatives. This matter is ongoing and the RTBU will continue to ensure that members’ views are heard as we attempt to resolve this matter.
Ongoing: RTBU continues to fight for members
6. Reclassification of Booking Office staff – Geelong
In the most baffling attempt of all, V/Line has attempted to activate a clause from the previous EA relating to Booking Office staff being integrated into a broader classification. V/Line had the opportunity to use this clause during the last Agreement that expired in 2019, but didn’t take the opportunity and left the roles as they were. The RTBU’s position is that V/Line had a ‘use it or lose it’ opportunity prior to 2019 and, subsequently, lost it with the clause being deleted from the current Agreement. The reality reflects this position, with the roles and classifications remaining substantially unchanged since 2015. As with the Service manager classification dispute, the RTBU is firmly of the view that the EA negotiation table is the correct place to discuss classification matters and have encouraged V/Line to raise this matter there.
Ongoing: RTBU continues to fight for members
While we can’t be certain that Harry Hilliar’s strategy is to create as much havoc as possible for RTBU members, it certainly brings into focus the need for RTBU members to be ready for the next stage of our campaign, including potential industrial action.
Make sure your contact details are up to date so you can play your part in sending V/Line a clear message: RTBU members will fight back against Harry Hilliar’s attack on our rights and entitlements.
