RTBU Western Australia

02/06/2026

Yesterday, we outlined the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review decision and who it applies to.

Today, we welcome the outcome.

From 1 July 2026, workers covered by the National Minimum Wage and Modern Awards will receive a 4.75% wage increase.

In addition, the Fair Work Commission has accepted the ACTU's claim for a 6% increase to the lowest-paid classifications within the award system, benefiting around 100,000 workers across Australia.

This lifts the lowest rate of pay for ongoing work from $24.95 per hour to $26.44 per hour, an increase of approximately $56 per week for a full-time worker.

The decision affects almost 3 million workers whose wages are determined by Modern Awards and helps strengthen the minimum wage floor across Australia's wage system.

As we noted yesterday, this decision applies to workers covered by the National Workplace Relations System and Modern Awards. Many RTBU WA members are covered by Enterprise Agreements that provide rates and conditions above award minimums, meaning the increase may not apply directly to their current rates of pay.

Nevertheless, lifting minimum and award wages is an important step in ensuring Australia's lowest-paid workers receive a fairer share of economic growth and rising productivity.

A strong union movement delivers better outcomes for working people. Every improvement to wages and conditions starts with workers standing together.

01/06/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗔 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

Today we celebrate everything that makes Western Australia great, including the hardworking people who keep our State moving and our economy running every day.

While many Western Australians enjoy a well-earned public holiday, thousands of RTBU WA members will be on the job across the State. From passenger rail services and regional transport to freight operations, security, cleaning and support roles, our members help keep communities connected, supply chains moving and essential services running.

Whether you're driving a train, operating a road coach, moving freight across the network, assisting passengers, protecting the travelling public, maintaining our stations and trains, or supporting operations behind the scenes, your contribution matters.

To all RTBU WA members working today, thank you for your dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving the people of Western Australia.

Enjoy the day, stay safe, and if you're on shift, know that your work is appreciated.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱. 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗨𝗽. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱.

31/05/2026

📢 𝙏𝙊𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙒: 𝙁𝙒𝘾 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙐𝘼𝙇 𝙒𝘼𝙂𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙄𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉 💰

At 8:00AM WA time (10:00AM AEST) tomorrow, the Fair Work Commission will hand down its Annual Wage Review decision — and it matters a lot for our members.

🧹 Cleaners
🛡 MSS Revenue Protection Officers
🚓 Wilson Security Transperth Officers
🛠 And many others across WA’s transport network

Hundreds of our members rely on this review to lift their wage rates each year.

Importantly, a number of RTBU-negotiated enterprise agreements also contain wage increase clauses linked to the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. In some cases, members receive the Annual Wage Review increase or a guaranteed minimum increase, whichever is greater. Tomorrow's decision therefore will impact members well beyond those working directly under modern awards or who are paid the minimum wage.

Through our affiliation with the ACTU and UnionsWA, the RTBU has strongly backed calls for a 6% wage increase — because every transport worker deserves a wage that keeps up with the cost of living.

📺 The decision will be livestreamed at 8:00AM WA time via the FWC website:
👉 [https://www.fwc.gov.au]

We'll be watching closely and keeping members updated on what the ruling means for your pay and conditions.

Union wins start with union voices.

29/05/2026

A reminder to members that the RTBU WA Branch Office will be closed on Monday 1 June for the WA Day Public Holiday.

The office will reopen at 9:00am on Tuesday 2 June.

We hope all members, their families and loved ones enjoy a safe and relaxing long weekend.

To those members who will be working across the public holiday, including rail, coach, security, customer service, maintenance, freight and support staff, thank you for the important work you do keeping Western Australia moving.

Your commitment to keeping essential transport services operating does not go unnoticed.

Happy WA Day from the RTBU Western Australia Branch.

29/05/2026

𝗥𝗧𝗕𝗨 𝗪𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 - 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻 & 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

RTBU WA Industrial Officer Cody Jensen will be travelling through the Goldfields region next week to meet with members, visit workplaces, discuss local issues, and provide industrial support and advice.

Members are encouraged to drop in, have a chat, raise any concerns, or simply catch up with the Union while Cody is in the area.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 Arc Infrastructure Depot, Kalgoorlie - 6:30am

📍 Pacific National, Dugan Street Depot - 10:00am to 11:00am

📍 Pacific National Terminal Operators - lunchtime (time to be confirmed)

🍻 RTBU Members Catch-Up Recreation Hotel Beer Garden, Kalgoorlie From 5:30pm onwards Food provided | Families welcome

𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 Aurizon West Kalgoorlie Depot - 10:00am to 12:00pm

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 Transwa Prospector Crew Catch-Up Kalgoorlie Station - 5:50am to 7:00am

📍 RTBU Catch-Up with Arc Infrastructure Members Norseman - From 5:30pm

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱
Subject to final arrangements, Cody is also hoping to spend time in Esperance the following week to meet with members working for Aurizon and Pacific National.

If you are based in Kalgoorlie, Norseman, Esperance or the surrounding region and would like to arrange a meeting while Cody is in town, please contact the RTBU WA Branch.

We look forward to catching up with members across the Goldfields and hearing directly about the issues that matter most in your workplace.

28/05/2026

Today, a number of RTBU Western Australia Branch representatives, delegates, and members had the privilege of attending the retirement celebration of long-time Transperth Customer Service Assistant, Peter Dittmer, as he officially wrapped up an incredible 56 years of service on the railways.

Peter’s contribution to the industry, his workmates, and the travelling public over more than five decades is nothing short of remarkable. Generations of railway workers and passengers alike would know Peter as a friendly face, a mentor, and someone who genuinely cared about people and the job.

It was also special to reflect on Peter’s long-standing involvement with our Union itself. Peter joined the RTBU back in December 1997, standing alongside his fellow workers of Westrail and contributing to the collective strength that has helped improve conditions and protections across the industry over many years. Prior to that, in the late 1960s, Peter was a member of the ARU, which later amalgamated to form the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union.

Careers like Peter’s are becoming increasingly rare. Fifty-six years of dedicated service deserves enormous respect and recognition.

On behalf of the RTBU WA Branch, we thank Peter for his contribution to the railways, the Union, and the many people he has worked with throughout his career.

Enjoy the well-earned retirement, Peter. 🚆💚

26/05/2026

Today, the RTBU WA Branch Secretary had the privilege of formally presenting former WA Branch President Craig Svendsen with RTBU Honorary Life Membership, recognising his many years of dedicated service to the Union and its members.

Craig joined both the railways and the Union in the early 2000s and built a long career in the rail industry as a Locomotive Driver, working across ARG, QR, Watco and Aurizon before retiring earlier this year.

Throughout his time in the industry, Craig held a number of Union positions and was a passionate advocate for rail workers and Union members alike. Most recently, Craig served as WA Branch President, becoming the inaugural President of the Amalgamated WA Branch on 1 January 2023.

Today’s presentation recognised not only Craig’s contribution as an office bearer, but also the countless hours spent representing, supporting and standing up for members over many years.

On behalf of the RTBU WA Branch, thank you Craig for your commitment, loyalty and service to the Union movement and the rail industry.

Congratulations on your Honorary Life Membership. A very well deserved recognition.

25/05/2026

RTBU WA Transit Officer members have access to the Transit Officer Member Benefit Fund.

Originally proposed in 2011, the Fund was established to provide additional legal support to Transit Officers who found themselves facing criminal charges arising from incidents occurring in the course of their duties.

Over time, the Fund expanded to provide other financial assistance and support to eligible members in certain circumstances, including:

⚖️ Legal defence assistance relating to duty incidents & Civil action assistance in certain matters

🚗 Reimbursement of insurance excess (or damage) costs where a member’s vehicle is deliberately or maliciously damaged while parked on PTA property during duty

📋 Assistance for members facing unfair discipline, dismissal or demotion processes

⬆️ Professional development and retraining assistance in some circumstances

Unfortunately, malicious damage to members’ vehicles while at work is one of the more common reasons members access assistance through the Fund, reflecting the stark reality that Transit Officer vehicles are often among the few vehicles left in station car parks late at night, with offenders at times seizing the opportunity to deliberately target them.

Importantly, the Fund was originally built by Transit Officer members themselves through an additional contribution of $5 per fortnight, later reduced to $3 per fortnight.

As the Fund grew and became financially established, the decision was made in June 2017 to remove the additional contribution altogether, with the Fund continuing to operate for the benefit of Transit Officer members.

Today, it remains a strong example of Transit Officer members supporting one another: funded and maintained by Transit Officer members, for Transit Officer members.

Too often members are unaware support mechanisms like this even exist until they need them.

To all Transit Officers, if you are ever involved in a serious workplace incident, disciplinary matter, have your vehicle damaged, or believe you may qualify for assistance under the Fund, contact your Delegate or the RTBU WA Branch as early as possible.

22/05/2026

Another day. Another level crossing incident.

WA rail workers are once again left dealing with the consequences of reckless behaviour around the rail network.

Police have now charged a driver after allegedly ignoring flashing lights and driving around boom gates into the path of an oncoming freight train in Midvale late Thursday night.

Thankfully, no one was killed. But these incidents are never “minor”.

Every near miss impacts Traincrew, passengers, controllers, signallers, emergency services and the wider network. The psychological toll on rail workers after these incidents can last far longer than the headlines.

Flashing lights and boom gates are there for a reason. Trains cannot swerve and they cannot stop quickly.

No appointment, shortcut or moment of impatience is worth a life.

21/05/2026