TWU E-News

TWU State
Secretary
Wayne Forno

It's been a big year for our members at the TWU. As the year draws to a close, this is the perfect opportunity to look back and thank all those who have made this year a great success. In 2011 the TWU has overcome some big hurdles, fought the good fight and come out on top. The last year has shown us is what a strong and united union voice can achieve, and this unity and strength has helped us bring about our most courageous achievement of all: Safe Rates. We can now proudly wave our flag and say that Safe Rates is here to stay!

While many of you will be wrapping up for the year, the TWU has been working all the way up to Christmas. Just last week, TWU Delegate Ray Childs, TWU Legal Officer Oshie Fagir, and I gave evidence at a parliamentary inquiry into the State Government's plan to merge some of the NSW tribunals. Alarm bells went off for us when the State Government made the recommendation to develop a super tribunal in NSW, that would limit or completely remove the powers of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). This would directly affect our members and in particular the owner-drivers the TWU represents. As a result the TWU stepped up and made our concerns known to the parliamentary inquiry last Friday.

On a lighter note, if you have been on the road this holiday period you have probably come across one or two of the Westbus Christmas buses doing the rounds in the Hills area. The Christmas bus is an initiative started by drivers at Westbus depots who decorate their vehicles to raise money for the Children's Hospital at Westmead. So next time you jump on a Westbus make a donation to the Westmead Children’s Hospital and help out the kids!.

Finally I would like to mention that the TWU has recently lost a member of its family, a former TNT driver and 40 year member, Joseph Bursle. I want to express my deepest condolences to the Bursle family on behalf of the TWU during this difficult time and say that they have the full support of the TWU.

I would like to thank you all again for your ongoing support this year. We have had some great wins and I look forward to the challenges ahead. I would like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and hope to see you all ready to fight on in 2012.

Until next time,

Wayne Forno
State Secretary
Transport Workers' Union of New South Wales

Spread some holiday cheer this Christmas with our TWU bus drivers

The bus drivers at Westbus have decked the halls to raise funds for the Westmead Children's Hospital.

Click here to found out how you can get involved

TWU members speak out to protect Chapter Six

Talk to the thousands of owner-drivers operating in NSW and they will tell you the important role that Chapter Six and the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) plays in ensuring that their rights are protected while on the road. But what would happen if the IRC was removed and what impact would this have on the ability for owner-drivers to access Chapter Six? Last Friday Wayne Forno, Oshie Fagir, and owner-driver Ray Childs, gave evidence to a parliamentary inquiry and urged the State Government to keep the IRC and the powers it has in NSW.

Find out more here

Saying goodbye to an old friend at the TWU

After hearing the news that Joseph Bursle, a former TNT driver and 40 year TWU member, recently passed away, the TWU wanted to do what it could to help his family during this difficult time. The delegates at TNT Enfield will be holding a raffle to raise money for the Bursle family.

Click here to find out how you can help out

Tell us your big-bank horror story for a chance to WIN! $500 weekly prizes up for grabs!

It seems like everyone has a big-bank horror story.

Tell us yours and you could win $500 paid into an ME Bank EveryDay Transaction Account. Help us highlight the need for a fairer banking alternative by entering the competition today at fairerbanking.com.au

Prize of $500 deposited into an EverydayTransaction Account by ME Bank will be awarded weekly for a period of 16 weeks commencing 4 November 2011 through to week ending 24 February 2012. Prize winners are determined based on the testimonial identified to be the most compelling of those submitted each week. Testimonials must be submitted via fairerbanking.com.au to be eligible. It is a condition of entry that prize winners agree to complete an ETA application form to collect the prize.

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