Meeting 1 Kicks off - update on who, what and next steps
Today was an important day as we kicked off our first NSW TrainLink Enterprise Agreement 2021 bargaining meeting as planned. We needed to adapt to the COVID situation to ensure as many people could participate as possible and safely held the meeting on TEAMS with a core group gathered in person in a COVID safe environment in our Newcastle offices.
Who attended?
The meeting was attended in person and online with representatives from across the state, including the Combined Rail Union, our bargaining team led by Jasmin Streimer, and our independent Employee Bargaining Representatives who are people from within our business who have chosen to represent themselves during the negotiations.
For this negotiation we have had more independent Employee Bargaining Reps than ever before put their hands up and we are so happy and proud to welcome them to the process because it shows how passionate our people feel about creating an enterprise agreement for our people, by our people.
What was discussed?
There was robust discussion with the Combined Rail Union again expressing their position for us to bargain jointly with Sydney Trains, for a single enterprise agreement covering both rail agencies. They also demanded that all meetings be held in Sydney, in person and without the involvement of independent Employee Bargaining Reps. The Combined Rail Union also claimed that bargaining meetings could not be held effectively online.
As all of us at NSW TrainLink know we are a regional business and we don’t operate solely in Sydney. Because of this we feel strongly that it’s suitable and appropriate to be in the places where our people live and work. Our preference is always to hold meetings in person however with the current COVID situation we need to be able to adapt. Since the outbreak of the pandemic holding meetings online has become a normal way of doing business and organisations around the world have successfully held important meetings and made decisions effectively. This includes meetings between Prime Ministers, parliaments and major global organisations public and private.
We heard from the independent Employee Bargaining Reps about why they want to be involved and what’s important for them to achieve in the negotiations. It was great to hear them have their say. What was clear is that they want to represent themselves so they can contribute to getting the best result not just for themselves but more generally for NSW TrainLink and fellow employees. Unfortunately the Combined Rail Union decided to leave the meeting before hearing from the independent Employee Bargaining Reps.
Why a separate agreement, bargained independently is so important for NSW TrainLink?
Our team reinforced why it’s so important for our people of NSW TrainLink to have a separate agreement and how previous joint bargaining with Sydney Trains didn’t always give our people the loudest voice.
Most importantly this is what you, our people have said you want. You’ve said you want an agreement that is tailored to working in regional NSW.
Our aim has always been and will continue to be to deliver an agreement that delivers the best outcomes for our people and our business.
Next steps
Our next meeting is planned to be held in Sydney on 8th July and via TEAMS for those that are unable to attend in person.
We will continue to monitor the health situation as we approach each meeting and when we need to, put in place the measures to make sure everyone stays COVIDSafe.
