Rail Tram & Bus Union

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) covers all employees in the rail, tram and bus industry.

The RTBU was created in 1993, but its history and roots go as far back as the 1860s. It is now one of Australia’s major industry based unions.

The amalgamation of the various unions and the creation of the RTBU was important because it gave rail, tram and bus members one unified strong voice in its dealings with Government and private operators, to defend and protect member’s rights.

The amalgamated RTBU was the workers response to massive change in public transport, motivated by an anti-union and privatisation ideology driven by conservative Governments.

The RTBU has provided support and representation for hundreds of thousands of members over its 150 year plus history and continues to protect the interests of the 35,000 members it currently services.

New Campaign Campaigns

  • Pacific National - Withdraw your EA changes and talk to the RTBU with the Delegates NOW
    Freight rail workers are keeping Australia moving during this challenging time. They are making sure necessities and raw materials continue to find their way to supermarkets, retail stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, flour mills, manufacturing plants and construction projects. Changes to working conditions affecting rostering can have significant effects on safety and fatigue levels. The other changes could drastically affect people's families with proposals for forced transfer. The Company's attacks on your conditions is creating an unhealthy and increasingly stressful working environment potentially causing employees to take the focus off COVID-19 issues! If Pacific National get away with this, it's a blank cheque for employers in the rail industry to use the current crisis as an excuse to avoid talking with workplace delegates and offcials about critical changes in the workplace.
    1,234 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by RTBU National Office Picture
  • Our trains and trams: NOT FOR SALE
    The South Australian Government has announced that it intends to privatise the Adelaide Metro train and tram service Privatising our rail and tram services means higher prices, fewer services and reduced safety. It puts private profit before the travelling public and their safety. South Australia’s rail and tram services belong to the people, not to Premier Steven Marshall or Transport Minister Stephan Knoll. In fact, Mr Steven Marshall went to the 2018 election claiming that he didn't have a privatisation agenda. Mass transit services should be run by the people, for the people – not for the profits of overseas companies and their shareholders. The solution to better public transport is investment in infrastructure and commitment to services. We need a real plan to grow public transport in South Australia, and to keep our services in public hands.
    942 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Rail, Tram and Bus Union Picture
  • Stop Invasive Testing in the Qld Rail Industry
    Shortly, the Qld Government is considering passing laws which would force urine testing on rail workers. Swab testing has worked fine for years. The Rail Tram and Bus union opposes these changes because: 1. Urine Testing isn't about impairment - it goes way beyond that. 2. It's embarrassing for women especially, who are asked to provide samples on track and at the side of the road. 3. It's being introduced to save some of the worst employers in Australia a few dollars, according to the Regulator. Drug and alcohol testing should be about safety first - not saving money. Failing a drug and alcohol test can mean steep fines and loss of employment to top it off. Urine testing means they can go weeks or even months back into your life in some cases. It's grossly unfair and the Qld Government must oppose it.
    754 of 800 Signatures
    Created by RTBU QLD
  • Aurizon – Stick to your word, Keep Rocky Workshops Open!
    The Rail Workshops in Rockhampton have provided life-long careers for generations, stimulating the regional economy and building a proud legacy in the community. When these jobs are taken out of the community and out sourced to contractors to save Aurizon a few dollars, entire families will be forced to relocate. In their OWN Community Engagement Charter, Aurizon state their “Commitment to the principal of ZEROHarm in the communities Aurizon operates within.” They also talk about how they strive to "Foster supportive long-term positive relationships with the communities in which we operate" and that they "respectfully consider community feedback". Aurizon have failed to meet their own standards & policy in how they have gone about closing these workshops. Stick by your word, don’t desert our community and take vital jobs with you - Keep the Rockhampton Railway Workshops open like you promised!
    107 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Owen Doogan Picture
  • Aurizon – Stand By Gladstone, Don’t Cut Our Jobs!
    These savage job cuts by Aurizon will damage our families, our local businesses, our clubs, our schools, and almost every part of the Gladstone community. Exploiting your workers' rights to fair pay and secure employment just to boost your profits is indefensible. Stand by Gladstone Aurizon - don't cut our jobs!
    66 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Owen Doogan Picture