About us

The RTBU Western Australia Branch is a part of the National RTBU and as such represents the latest face of a history of advocacy and representation in the rail and public transport industries.

Though we are always looking forward and building for the future, we are proud of our history and present a short summary here of the legacy we hold.

For detailed information on the two Sections of the RTBU, operating in WA, click through on the right.

Overview

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union was created in 1993 through the amalgamation of four of Australia’s oldest unions:

  • the Australian Railways Union (ARU);
  • the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen (AFULE);
  • the National Union of Railway Workers (NURWA); and
  • the Amalgamated Tramways and Motor Omnibus Employees Association (ATMOEA).

Amalgamation brought together the great majority of railway workers for the first time in one united union. The new union was also a powerful working-class advocate for public transport, as it also unified rail workers with the government sector bus and tram employees across the country.

The new union was originally called the Public Transport Union, but the name was changed in 1998 to Rail Tram & Bus Union because of the impact of privatisation on the union’s identity.

The RTBU Western Australia Branch is organised into two (2) Sections, namely the Freight Section and the Passenger Section, and within those Sections, Sub-Branches. The Branch is registered in the Federal Industrial Relations system, as a branch of the National RTBU.

The Branch is aligned with the “State Branch” of the RTBU, which is a Registered Organisation with the WA Industrial Relations Commission, for the purpose of representing members in the State Industrial Relations system.

The structure is overseen by the Branch Council for high level decision making and accountability for direction and financial matters. The Branch Council is the highest deliberative body of the Branch. Day-to-day business is conducted by the Branch Secretary, as a full-time role.

The Officers of the Branch Council are:

  • President: Craig Svendsen
  • Vice-President (Passenger): Terence Joy
  • Vice-President (Freight): Peter Visentin
  • Secretary: Joshua Dekuyer
  • Sub-Branch Secretaries: Helen Martin, James Reed, Dean Harris, John Bray, Jayson Manners, David Berlovan, Brendon Stevenage & Gavin Rayner
  • Affirmative Action Councillor: Kelley Jenkins

The structure is headed by the Branch Executive for high level decision making and accountability for direction and financial matters between meetings of the Branch Council. The Branch Executive is the Committee of Management. Day-to-day business is conducted by the Branch Secretary, as a full-time role.

The Officers of the Branch Executive are:

  • President: Craig Svendsen
  • Vice-President (Passenger): Terence Joy
  • Vice-President (Freight): Peter Visentin
  • Secretary: Joshua Dekuyer
  • Affirmative Action Councillor: Kelley Jenkins

The RTBU Western Australia Branch is organised into two (2) Sections, namely the Freight Section and the Passenger Section.

“Freight Section” shall consist of all members of the Branch who work entirely or predominately in or in connection with freight transport.

“Passenger Section” shall consist of all members of the Branch who work entirely or predominately in or in connection with passenger transport.

The Sections shall be organised into Sub-Branches.

The Freight Section:

  1. Goldfields Sub-Branch
  2. Metro Sub-Branch
  3. Mid-West Sub-Branch
  4. South-West Sub-Branch
  5. Wheatbelt Sub-Branch
  6. Metropolitan Sub-Branch
  7. Regional Sub-Branch
  8. Freight Infrastructure Sub-Branch

The Passenger Section:

  1. Customer Relations Sub-Branch
  2. Urban Rail Sub-Branch
  3. Security Sub-Branch
  4. State Network and Infrastructure Sub-Branch
  5. Federal Network and Infrastructure Sub-Branch
  6. Miscellaneous Sub-Branch
  7. Trans WA Sub-Branch

Each member shall be allocated to that Sub-Branch which most closely accords with his/her work functions.

The principles of allocation shall be determined by the Branch Council and the allocation shall be undertaken by the Branch Secretary in accordance therewith.

The RTBU actively supports and encourages female participation in the Union and in the rail and public transport industries.

We advocate for issues relating to female workforce participation, for affirmative action, and for fairness in the workplace. Structural changes have been made in the Union Rules to advance women’s representation through Affirmative Action and will continue to be made in the future.

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