AFULE State Office
Suite 45 Level 8 'K' Tower
269 Wickham Street
Fortitude Valley

The Divisional Council Meeting meeting of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, Queensland, was held at the AFULE State Office situated at Suite 45 Level 8 'K' Tower 269 Wickham Street Fortitude Valley on 31 March and 1 - 2 April 2004, commencing at 09:00 hours.

The State President, Mr Shayne Ware declared the meeting open at 09:00 hours.

HOURS OF SITTING

The State Office has conducted two surveys over the last two months to assess the effectiveness of the communication systems of the Union and to analyse the workload of the State Office. This has been done to assist the State Secretary and Divisional Council to meet member needs as effectively as possible.

The first survey of all delegates looked at five areas; new delegate support, communication with State Office staff, communication with District Councillors, written and internet communication and, lastly, State Office functions.

The main findings of the survey were:

1. New Delegates
   New delegates reported different levels of understanding of the roles, responsibilities, policies and processes of the Union, and also of the TCA, EBA, and RCOP etc.
   
   Initial training and an information kit are two ways in which the Union can assist future new delegates to understand their responsibilities and to manage their positions as effectively as possible.
   
   These support services are already being developed.




2. Communication with State Office Staff
   Delegates reported being well supported by State Office Staff, but some levels of frustration with phone contact. Delegates would also appreciate the opportunity to meet with State Office Staff and Councillors on a regular basis.

   The second survey indicates a high incoming demand on the State Secretary and Industrial Officer. Improvements in overall access needs to be considered in conjunction with the range of communication strategies and with the budget priorities.



3. Communication with District Councillors
   Delegates indicated an interest in regular depot meetings between Councillors and members, but acknowledged the constraints of distance and rosters.



4. Communication - Written and Internet
   Circulars are received on a regular basis and generally are considered interesting and useful. Some delegates suggested the journal could provide a forum for an update on major issues and also on interstate Traincrewing issues.
   
   Council has previously considered the format and content of the journal, so that the next edition will incorporate delegates' suggestions.



5. State Office Functions
   Delegates reported high levels of confidence in the State Office's management of policy issues and the professional representation of members.

The second survey was of the State Office workload. It showed a very high number of incoming calls, as well as a significant number of meetings, per week.

The breakdown of incoming phone calls shows the demands from the following areas:

These figures show a high level of demand on the State Secretary and Industrial officer, especially as they do not include the calls out made by the State Office, emails in or out, or correspondence in or out. The information is useful in managing expectations of the various groups.

The 2004 year has begun with the re-election of the Beattie Labor Government and a new Transport Minister, Mr. Paul Lucas. The uncertain future still exists for QR's freight business with Pacific-National, Toll Holdings Queensland knocking at their door.

2004 will be a very important and historic year for the A.F.U.L.E and the other Rail Unions in Queensland. QR is still keeping us in the dark about Toll's planned operations in Queensland. I am quite sure QR know exactly what their competitors are up to and what impact this Private Operator will have on QR employees. It's time this Union put considerable amount of pressure on QR, or the Transport Minister, for information this Private Operator's proposed Operations.

Over time, I have fielded numerous phone calls from members in the Northwest and Coastal Depots wanting to know about their future in QR and Toll Holdings. Our members are becoming very frustrated. They do believe we are holding out on them, but believe me, we know as much as you. When information does come to hand, we certainly inform our members as soon as possible, unlike another rail union which floods the work place with news letters with possible maybes and BS.

The environment that has developed from all that above has led to a workforce that is disillusioned and frustrated and has put a low morale in the Freight Depots.

The threat of Third Party Operators is very real and this has brought "Knee Jerk" reactions from QR Management of wanting to steam roll and fast track more workplace reform, especially in the Northwest Freight operations, longer working hours. "A More Flexible Workforce" they say.

I have concerns about our members who are contemplating a career with Pac-Nat-Toll QLD. Be careful, very careful.

[1] This Company is private enterprise, which needs the stock market, shareholders and major profits to trade and survive.

[2] [Possible scenarios] Workplace contracts, which must be fulfilled to maintain employment.

[3] 90% of conditions you have experienced in QR are non-existent in the private sector.

The choice is yours, just be aware of what will be expected of you, from Private Enterprise.

2004 holds another hurdle, later on in the year. The new EBA is due around September. Some of our members are a little confused what EBA stands for. The Enterprise Bargaining Agreement does not just pertain to Traincrew, it covers QR's entire workforce. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the new EBA, please forward your ideas to your Local Branch, District Councilor who in turn, will forward it on to the State Office.

In closing this report I can only advise you, the rank and file, that 2004 year will be of great significance and I see many issues confronting this Union and it's members in the upcoming year.

For a long time now, there has been debate and general discussion among members of both Unions, A.F.U.L.E. and RTBU, in regards to one Union representing Traincrew. The general consensus is that one union would better service members and that fighting and bickering within the ranks in regard to Traincrew representation would cease to become an issue.

In the past, the RTBU has made a concerted effort for amalgamation and this has been pursued with great vigour by the RTBU with no results, which has been evident in the lack of support this amalgamation has received from Members and Officials of the A.F.U.L.E. This does not get away from the fact that the average member would still like to see one Union representing Traincrew, and that Union should be the leading Traincrew Union, the A.F.U.L.E. It is the only Union that specialise in Traincrew issues solely, and without divided loyalties, when issues arise that have the potential to effect members in different grades.

This obsession that the State Branch Secretary of the RTBU has with amalgamation has driven him to the depths of despair with his boasting to all who care to listen that he is out to destroy the A.F.U.L.E. as a working Union.

Mr Doogan, are you so threatened by the A.F.U.L.E. that you must stoop to these types of tactics? Is it your aim to take away the freedom of choice that Traincrew have in whom they wish to have represent them? You would do well to concentrate on holding on to your own members rather than pursue the demise of the A.F.U.L.E.

We believe that every Traincrew member should have a choice in which union he or she wishes to belong.

The A.F.U.L.E. has been around since 1861 and we're not going anywhere.

As a specialist Traincrew Union, our success in achieving results for our members cannot be surpassed. We strive for better working conditions and overall respect for each and every member. We believe, as a Union, all Traincrew should be united under the one banner. The A.F.U.L.E. at present represents the vast majority of Traincrew and numbers are increasing all the time.

By staying as a single identity, the A.F.U.L.E. has the knowledge and resources to best deal with issues pertaining to Traincrew and to channel all this into representing our members. Our existence is entirely for issues directly affecting Traincrew. So, I call on all Traincrew, current members to be strong and loyal and to non-members to join the A.F.U.L.E. and make this specialist Traincrew Union even stronger, for we have your best interests at heart.

We do not intend to take away your freedom of choice, we just believe that we can do a better job if our membership base continues to grow and possibly avoid any conflicting interests that may arise between the Unions. Our only concern is that Traincrew get the best possible representation. And we believe that we can provide it.

Welcome all fellow Councillors and State Representatives to the first DCM of 2004.

We have a torrid year we must face, both from changes within QR and those that will be forced upon us by 3rd party.

We, as the governing body of the strongest Traincrew Union in QLD, will have to protect our members' rights, and also ensure that the changes that occur have the least possible impact on our members.

All of the major decisions that will be made will only be done following consultation and agreement with the depots that will be affected.

Having said this, we need all of our Members to realize that the threat of 3rd party is real and will be here on the North Coast line by February 2005.

CHARTERS TOWERS, HUGHENDEN, CLONCURRY AND MT ISA
The Western line is also facing some real challenges and the meetings in February of this year, which I attended, show that this Union isn't allowing it to be used in the "agree to everything or lose you job campaign" by QR.

We are all walking a fine line, but must not let the conditions that this Union has fought for since 1861 be eroded.

We need all of our members to assist us in reaching a win-win situation. If changes are to be made, let's all assist our Local Delegates to ensure they are whatever will ensure the continued survival of all Depots on this Corridor.

This, at times, may mean ensuring that the work changes have the least amount of impact on the Traincrew in these Depots.

Please, every member of the A.F.U.L.E. read the T.C.A and R.C.O.P. so you can all make a decision that is not from what we believe we should or shouldn't do, but is in the registered Industrial Agreements.

I have the utmost faith in all A.F.U.L.E. members, not only in my Division, but in the State, that they will do this.

As previously stated, this Union and QR attended meetings in all of the Western Depots where QR submitted the same list of proposed changes to all Depots.

This has now been circulated to all Depots and no decisions will be made without further meetings taking place with each Depot.

CAIRNS
As the District Representative of this Union, I attended meetings in Cairns on the 4th March as a result of a claim for an increase to their Aggregate Allowance.

This claim was met with a resounding NO from QR but they appreciate the work being done by the Drivers and are willing to look at some sort of recognition other than a pay rise. This has now been sent to our State Office.

Does everyone know that 3rd party ran the first steam train to Kuranda the same week?

Again, nothing will be done without further consultation with the members of this Depot.

PRING
Progress has also been made with Pring where, as the District Representative of this Union, I attend at least two (2) O.C.C. meetings a year.

This isn't a reflection on the quality of service given to the Depot by our Local Representatives, far from it, but the fact that at times QR Middle Management try to play too many games over what should be simple issues. Many of these were resolved at this meeting.

Having the District Representative there not only shows our members that we care greatly about the problems that occur, but also shows Management that this Depot can't be treated lightly with regards to the A.F.U.L.E.

What our Local Representatives decide has the full support, not only of the District Representative, but also the State body of this Union.

TOWNSVILLE
Again, the same applies here. The Branch Chairman attends regular O.C.C meetings with the Area Supervisor and if the issues can't be resolved they come to me, the District Representative.

There are many issues that are being discussed like more self sign on points for the sugar and the loss of local shunts.

If not resolved then, like every other Depot, they are taken to the R.C.C. meeting.

In closing, most Depots are under attack not only from 3rd party, but from QR who want to use stats to take away our right to have quality time off, not only by reducing our number of days off, but to reduce the number of weekends off we can have off.

This is the same State wide.

So, as not only a Union Representative, but also a full time Driver, we can't allow this to occur. We all have families or other commitments. Most of which occur on weekends. Aren't we entitled to a life outside of QR?

The thing our members have the biggest problem with is, currently, we have lay offs in excess of 18 hrs in a lot of Depots. With the loss of trains to 3rd party, these lay offs will increase (QR won't pay to get us home quicker because of lost money). We will accept this as pat of our job, but only if QR also allow us to have a life.

As the District Representative, I have seen too many suicides and separations to accept this is a part of our jobs as Drivers.

I will fight any loss to weekends or days off to the hilt, as most managers of QR enjoy every weekend off, (they are only paid to work 7 hrs 36 min - 5 days a week) no overtime paid (abide by Union rules).

Their cry is, "I am on call 24/7". They accepted this as part of their job and, most weekends, they don't get disturbed. Totally different to being rostered to work weekends. And besides the fact they do earn more money than a Driver on his base rate and aggregate.

In closing, remember that over 98% of the people who represent you in the A.F.U.L.E. are facing the same problems as Drivers we all face.

Welcome Councillors to this first Council meeting for 2004. There is a lot to discuss at this meeting.

1. Drug and Alcohol policy

Dysart views are:-

1. A breath testing machine to be installed at this depot as soon as possible.
2. Q.R. to define ownership of the area alongside the track in the mine area.
3. All Q.R. employees to be inducted into every mine-site that they work to, so as they are aware of their Drug and Alcohol Policy.
4. Whilst on the loco, Dysart are agreeable to a breath test provided it is conducted by a member of the QLD Police force and a definite "no" to a urine sample.
5. Whilst on the ground for any reason, they will abide by mine rules provided that they have been inducted into that particular mine-site. If they haven't been, they will refuse.
6. If driving into the mine-site to load out, as per mine rules.

There are a few problems though:-

1. Are we going to be informed about what the tests are looking for before we proceed with testing?
2. How accurate is the test to exclude legal drugs i.e. codeine, cold tablets, several sinus medications etc? Will all return a positive test?
3. How are employees going to be managed if they test positive?
4. How are employees going to be managed if they refuse to participate in a test and they climb back on the loco? Does the train stop loading, pulls out light, or does it get shut down until management intervenes.
2. LOP'S
   Management still hasn't reported back about our LOPs. It appears that Dysart's claim for an increase in their BLPs from 18 to 19 (when in fact they have been owed 20 BLPs for 14 cycles now) has hit a stone wall. Apparently, they were all fired up, keen to proceed with what they tabled, without discussion from a majority of the members from the depot .The WDO even went as far as telling a member that this is what we had to comply with and it was non-negotiable.

   The excuse for not granting Dysart's extra BLP was that the SDM didn't want to see Traincrew use it as an excuse to work another overtime shift. He didn't mind if they were going to use it as an extra leisure day off though. Makes you wonder what management really have in mind.

3. COAL 2005

At a recent meeting, I was asked to write to Senior Q.R. management complaining about the way middle management in the Goonyella System is issuing material into the workplace which is having the effect of causing disharmony, dissent and a great deal of animosity amongst Traincrew in this system. It could be bordering on workplace harassment on a large scale. We believe it is a very well conceived plan to try to get all Depots fighting against one another over the threat of closure so QR can get each depot to submit outcomes that will save their depot at the expense of others.

I think there should be a specially convened meeting amongst the Union Officials in this system chaired by the State Executive to try to work out a strategy that is going to save depots and also show management that they are not trying to address the problem with expenditure from their side.

I have read the WIT report and some of these ideas are short of scandalous, and should never have been ever considered by any union member let alone a team of members, some of them whom have had very little experience in the Traincrew grade.

I believe we should draw back from the project and reject outright some of the proposals put forward to give us time to regroup.

1. SPAD Management
   SPAD management is still an issue and it appears that a quiet outcome is impossible as they are still harassing certain members with unwarranted assessments or surveys as they call them (that have to be signed)



2. Safety
   Our safety reps seem to keep coming up against a brick wall and this time it is not the Jilalan manager but the managers for maintenance that are stalling when safety issues are brought to attention such as long grass, walkways, shunting areas, lighting and change points to name a few



3. WIT Team
   I agree with Dysart that this should be tamed down and not used as a tool to close depots. I would assume that all members are by now aware of the REPORT that was tabled at the last WIT meeting. The full idea of the WIT team has been abandoned and, in our eyes, is only a tool to be used to bypass what the unions have been fighting against for years, like D.O.O. to the range, self drive way outside the T.C.A, increased work hours etc.

JILALAN
The Jilalan branch wishes 4.4 TCA to be ruled upon as requested by its members at the meeting which Greg Smith attended.

All branches should be aware of current management policy that they don't think trials should be signed off. This was highlighted by the Provisioning trial that management believed to be signed off even though there were outstanding issues.

Management is still booking people for medicals after BLPs, saying it is the only way they can do it and the rest of the State does it that way. This issue needs to be resolved once and for all.

The three depots in the Goonyella System are now working as one and making life hard for management as we are united.

Congratulations to Steve (Sir Banjo) Pattison on his election to the position of Branch Secretary Dysart.

ROCKHAMPTON
The problems in this depot are still ongoing.
Congratulations to Lindsay Hall on his election to the position of Branch Secretary Rockhampton.

It should be noted the Union is working hard to assist an amputee Driver return to work after Easter. It is hoped he will be able to resume driving duties later this year.

ROSTER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The Roster Improvement Project (R.I.P) team is currently at the stage of applying the information and recommendations that have been collected and tabled at the steering committee level. Those details have been circulated to every one.

This whole project originally set out to identify, and to attempt to rectify, problems within the Traincrew rostering world for QR, the Roster Officers and Traincrew. Currently, the whole project is at a point where it can flow onto being a very beneficial tool for all players, or get lost in history as has happened with most of the previous good intentioned projects.

The current charter given to this team is to totally work within the confines of the current TCA/RCP. As such, any changes that are suggested should not cause any great heartache to the daily lives of Traincrew. At this stage, I personally believe the work being done will be of benefit to both QR and the Traincrew. The R.I.P. hopefully will deliver more ownership of rostering processes to Traincrew and also offer an avenue for ideas and suggestions above the local level management.

A number of Traincrew reps around the state have been nominated to assist me in representing Drivers for the different areas of the project. Let's hope that this project develops into the beneficial tool that it has the potential to become.

There have been 2 sittings of the team since the last Steering Committee presentation. The State Vice President Glen McGaw sat in on the first session.

Traincrew Transfers
The first meeting interviewed staffs that were both involved in Traincrew transfers and the problems associated with that, as well as the scheduling and reliability of the freight traffic.

The problems with transfers for the rostering areas basically are;

1. The releasing of large numbers of Traincrew at one time and the problem of supplying enough Tutors to carry out tuition.
2. The time it takes to have a driver vacancy in a depot filled. About 18 months was identified from, identifying the vacancy, calling and training a Trainee Driver, then releasing the next driver, then training that person in their new depot.

Most of the problems are a result of the current Transfer Policy as it stands.

Train Scheduling Freight
This session was interesting in the sense that the schedulers at this level were quite pleased with the high percentage of reliability that they achieve with the running of freight trains. This is not what we heard when touring the State interviewing the crews. Their main gripe was the level of unreliability in their lives. This will need more research to identify the missing link.

The second sitting for the year was to run through the quick fixes that were recommended earlier. Gary Brickwood from Jilalan assisted me here. His experience was invaluable.

These were:
Item 1. Desktop review to look at the effects of the reducing cycle lengths down to 4 weeks/160 Hrs

Item 2. Desk top review of staggering starts and finishes of the Traincrew Cycle.

Item 3. Review the relevance and benefits of the figures stated in the Traincrew Cycle Statistics

Item 4. What is involved in developing rosters around major disruptions?

The positives, negatives and recommendations for each item were listed in a draft document. All finding will be published for the State when they are finalised.

The third sitting for the year will be to look at QR's proposal for a new rostering program. I have requested that Traincrew have the opportunity to review the specifications that QR is looking at. This gives us the chance to identify any benefits for Traincrew that could be included as part of the computer program. George Best from Maryborough and Warren Cole from Coppabella are on this team. Both can add experience from their totally different working systems.

As has been stated previously, this is an ongoing project. If any one has comments or suggestions on what they would like to see in this review, please forward them to any of the Union reps (Local, Divisional or State).

A great deal has been happening at the Emerald Depot in the past several months.

We have undertaken a trial shipment of coal ex the 7/k ballast siding to Gladstone. I would like to thank you for participating in the negotiations on remuneration for this project. And would also thank the Bluff and Gladstone members for their support

All (Emerald) members I have spoken with were impressed that we had a bonus payment per fortnight. However, you cannot please all.

At the present, there is going to be another sample pit ex /Emerald. The date is around June, to the sum of 500,000 tonnes. Fortunately, I have been called down to Rockhampton for discussion on the matter of logistics / remuneration etc.

The meeting with management is set down for the 31-03-04. The date coincides with Divisional Council Meeting. It will be very helpful to have the State Secretary and Council all together in one place at this time.

We have had a steady growth of membership over the last (2) years with no loss to other Unions. I am also glad to advise that we have elected James (Wally) Melgert to the position of Vice Chair. Wally will be a great spokesperson.

Welcome Councillors to another year of sittings of State Council. Hopefully we learn a lot more about Toll working on the North Coast. The amount of rumours getting around is growing every week. Most of these are started by people who have got no idea of what is actually going to happen.

I recently attended a Union delegates training on equity. It was a real eye opener. The many different aspects of sex discrimination, work place bullying, harassment and who does it to whom was quite unbelievable. I believe every worker and management should attend one of these training sessions. The big brother approach by some people might become less frequent.

HR Organisation
I have recently read through the new H.R. Organisation charts. There seems to be over a dozen new jobs in senior management levels alone. I am amazed that one group continues to expand and the grass roots workplace is becoming less and less. Clever cost management and affective organisation structure are used in their charts. I can't see how making the already upside down pyramid wider at the top can achieve these standards.

Maryborough
This union had to put in a Dispute Notice to Q.R. over the on-going rostering abilities of the Brisbane Roster Officers. Steve Kim and Alan and Jason Walters had a meeting with us in Maryborough to try and sort out our issues. It was agreed to trial on certain jobs until we do our next diagram in May. It was agreed that this Depot is under staffed and, because of the threat of Toll taking some of our workings, Q.R. was not going to put any more Traincrew in. This is causing Traincrew being doubled up excessively.

Toll Holdings
We must get something in black and white from Q.R. as soon as possible concerning what Toll are planning because we, as a Union, are being accused of not letting our members know what is going on. It could also stop some of the rumours doing the rounds.

Quarters
Most quarters are on the agenda again, for different reasons. The old Acacia Ridge Quarters have been closed for going on a month now. Termites had eaten out some of the roof trusses. Q.R. haven't been able to finish the roof tiles, termite spraying or having trees over hanging the quarters cut down. The thing that really annoys me is that when Q.R. wants us to implement something, it has to be done yesterday. But when we need something done, even if the health and safety of our members is involved, Q.R. stuffs us around with all different excuses and reasons why it can't get things done.

Maryborough will be backing other depots that use Rockhampton Quarters in trying to get these quarters up to a safe standard. They are not being maintained and management doesn't appear to care about fixing them.

There are speculations that the Gladstone Quarters are to be saved and Q.R. is looking at building a smaller set near by. This Union will be looking at these new Quarters very closely so we don't end up in the same stupid situation as we have with the Fish Island Quarters.

Gayndah
Management and this Union had a meeting with all the Gayndah Traincrews over their rostering problems, mainly Station duties. A L.O.P. was written concerning those problems and both parties have agreed on the outcome. D.T.C. is supposed to be introduced on the Gayndah Branch lines in the near future. The lack of radio communications on this corridor makes it hard to believe that D.T.C. can ever work satisfactorily.

Bundaberg
On the 8th March 2004, Bundaberg Traincrew Depot transferred to Passenger Service Group. This was celebrated by way of a meat sizzle.

To complete this transfer process to PSG all that is required is for the upgrade to the Drivers Car Park, back door fitted to Driver Crib Room and for the Rockhampton Traincrew's quarters to be upgraded to a suitable standard.

It is hoped that in the coming few weeks, work should commence on these three matters so as to finalise and complete the move to Passenger Service Group.

Training of the six new Drivers is a massive task, but it is progressing extremely well and all training should be completed without too much disruption to existing Driver's diagrams.

Medicals and the policy for drivers being rostered to attend appointments in their own time is causing concern. The Health nurse and management know when Drivers are due for medicals, but still do not exercise common courtesy in consulting with drivers to arrange a suitable time to attend medical appointments that fit in with diagram jobs and personal life styles.

QR's promises that Traincrew were to have access to toilet facilities along the North Coast Corridor seems to have taken a back seat, or has this matter been forgotten completely?

It is really pleasing to see just how committed AFULEQ members are, as this sub branch received five nominations for AFULEQ Depot Holiday Committee Representative. The five nominations are Barry Kirby, Don Tait, Keith Dickinson, Malcolm McCarthy and Denis Spry.

Safety of the Trains on the North Coast Corridor

For years our electric fleet have been running north of Caboolture without adequate train protection. Station protection and the vigilance of the Driver have protected our EMUs/SMUs/IMUs only. We only receive an audible and visible alarm at the magnets either side of the distant signals, and nothing in between. The A.F.U.L.E. has continually harangued management over this unsafe issue. QR has always taken the head in the sand approach and quoted Standard 76 (Safe Working Principles) as a cop out. We have finally got them to conduct a risk analysis and, low and behold, it had been determined that our trains are a high risk north of Caboolture and freight trains are a high risk from Caboolture in.

Some proposed remedies include:
AWS magnets at all signals (most favoured)

Guard riding in the Cab with Driver. Problem here is who works the rest of the train and passengers etc? Maybe worked by two guards?

Traction and route competent Driver's to help bring Freight Trains in from Caboolture. (Maybe a good job for our Fish Is/Acacia Ridge brothers, pending the impact by Toll.)

ATP

Two Driver

Increased Productivity Payments
Unions and Management convened the first fair dinkum meeting on 2-3-04 to discuss this issue. Our submission was outside the Traincrew Agreement. QR tabled their offer, that being paid the equivalent of the public holiday penalty, 2.2 of the T.C.A. (Xmas, New Year's Day). We argued for the Labour Day penalty, and were rejected.

After lengthy discussions, QR agreed to pay the penalty for the full shift length to all Traincrew who sign on between 0001 and 2359 on the day of the nominated event. QR and Unions to review and nominate event payment days at the beginning of every 12 months. Payments to be backdated from the 2nd March 2004. Payment days are, State of Origin games, Riverfire, New Year's Eve, all Suncorp Stadium events, and all special events held at Southbank.

Cab Heaters
Citytrain are on the verge of a winter with heaters fitted to our fleet. These heaters have been fitted at the rate of one unit per day since the beginning of this year. The fleet is to be completely sealed, insulated and smoke tested as part of this program. The latter has not been done up until the time of writing. A Rollingstock manager is claiming the sealing and insulation is going to cost $630,000. It has been minuted and documented that the sealing and insulation is part of the deal since May last year.

Cab Cleaning
This is still not being done to the agreed standard. We have had to go back to the Level 2 Management. There are now random weekly audits being conducted throughout the network. The problem is lack of cleaning staff at Mayne and the lack of cleaning facilities at the out depots. All evidence will be tabled at the next Cab Committee meeting on 5th April 2004. Time has come for Traincrew to supplement the cleaning staff in the cleaning of cabs.

Job Cards
QR management has agreed to allow a revision of job card structure. This includes where possible, the breaking up of corridor running, long running and mirrored running and generally attempting to structure workings to include more variety.

Uniforms
All Citytrain Traincrew have now been measured for the new uniform. Change over date is supposed to be the 14th of May. As yet there is no official work of a one off extra issue, i.e. 7 tops and 5 bottoms.

Out Depot Relief
This issue seems to be working well. Everybody who works overtime in their respective depot seems to be getting their share. There have been a few squabbles, and there have been rostering errors, but, in general, out depot Traincrew have been getting their first option within their own depot.

Allocation Drivers
We have been successful in giving extra duties and qualifications to the allocation drivers so as to keep this a driver's job. The allocation driver and the relief (about 30) must be qualified in diesels, Cairns tilt train (shunt and prep) ICE/ATC, EMU, SMU, IMU. The relief is to be shared equally. A record is being kept for monitoring.

Nambour
This depot is having problems with local issues and crowding due to sharing amenities with station staff. Management are aware of the problems, but seem reluctant to do anything about the issues. The A.F.U.L.E. embarked late last year on a campaign to relocate Traincrew to separate amenities. The campaign will continue until a satisfactory outcome has been achieved.

Caboolture
Caboolture now has its computers and work is about to begin on their learning centre and extension to the car park. This depot seems encounter a lot of rostering problems due to some Roster Officer's catering for their mates. Greg Lugge and Mick Hobbs are doing a fine job handling their local issues.

Ipswich
Ipswich has major issues with its yard and drainage. Money is allocated to rectify these problems. There issues are a high priority and work is to be done during a road closure in April.

Robina
It is heartening to see Les Wells being eased back into the work force after his unfortunate accident. Les was involved in that accident at Sunnybank last April. Dale Langley has taken Les under his wing and has provided a lot of support to Les and his family. Thanks, Dale.

Shorncliffe
Dues to some thieving of personal corrie, and their computers being tampered with, Shorncliffe is to obtain a locked partitioned area within the platform amenities.

In closing, I would like to wish all A.F.U.L.E. members, staff and their families a happy and safe Easter.

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to all to the first Council for 2004. This is also the last term for this Council so I hope we have a good 12 months. We are going to have to be on our toes because there are some issues coming that are going to be very hard to handle.

SPAD Committee
At the last SPAD meeting the item of dangerous SPADs was of great concern. The overall number of SPADs has decreased but the SPADs we are having are of a more serious nature. A group has been formed by NAG to investigate why we are having more of these types of SPADs. I also attended a speed, SPAD and Driver Alertness conference, which was a reaction by QR from the Waterfall report. There are 19 summarised QR issues that QR is going to address.

One of these issues is to Review standards for fitness for duty and a system to monitor fitness. I think this is an over kill from QR. The medicals and procedures QR has in place are working fine and I don't think there is need to change them. Another issue is reviewing the deadman's systems. This was identified in the Waterfall report as a main factor for the accident. All these issues will be discussed at a follow up meeting.

QR is going to trial CD/Radios on some locos. From all reports, the regional SPAD committees had their first meetings and all went fine so far.

Uniforms
At last there is some movement on a uniform. I am sick of looking at Drivers in worn out shirts and pants because QR has been so slow in doing something about the uniforms. To date, there was a vote between the two tone and the orange. The grey was not included. When this is sorted out QR is going to have to issue a complete new uniform of which ever uniform wins the vote.

Traincrew Agreement
While I support any depot going for a pay increase, I think its time that we sat down with QR and started talks on getting all depots an increase. Because it's getting out of hand with the way QR are offering depots increases. It's alright if the depot has something QR wants, but what about depots that have nothing to give? They are missing out and are going to be on same aggregate, with no hope of an increase, only though EBAs. The AFULE is a Union and we need to look after all our members, no matter where they are.

Acacia Ridge Depot (ACR)
At last report, Acacia Ridge had 13 members attend their last branch meeting. The main concern was what effect Toll will have on the depot when it starts up in 2005. This is a question every depot on the north coast is asking. Acacia Ridge will get some new work with a bit of shunting when QR starts operating a train to Melbourne.

Interesting story arose about how the DIC tried to tell the Moolabin Shunt Driver he was going to be taken off the shunt and put on the main line.

Fisherman's Island Depot (FMI)
This depot will be doing a new diagram in a couple of weeks. Has finally got a working for the coal trains, when they run. A trial was conducted with a different sign on time for LF04. While I thought the trial was a success, QR didn't like it, so the time will stay the same. The running of the train to Melbourne, starting in April, will be worked by inter rail crews, which is fair enough. If they need more Drivers they should be from QR. Not paying Drivers $50 an hour from NSW. This train is a QR train and should be worked by QR crews. FMI and ACR depots have drivers that know the road interstate and they should be used to teach all drivers this route, it's got to cheaper.

Ipswich Depot
Not much to report from this depot. They have new coal workings, mainly Swanbank coal trains. Still working on coming back from Toowoomba by car, so they don't have to stay for long hours in motels.

Hello to all and welcome to Divisional Council, not much to report this time around.

Toowoomba
Toowoomba Traincrew have now taken over the old shunter's amenities building, and this now gives us a reasonable sized as required/amenities rooms. A lot of work has been done to this building, with a few small jobs yet to do. I feel we now have better amenities than what was offered before.

Coal Train runnings are still a contentious issue. I find it hard to believe that someone else makes up the programme/running times for coal trains, and then expects roster committees to try to work a diagram around it. We need to have input from the onset to help create more sensible running times and achieve better use of Traincrew.

It appears that once you leave the Brisbane Area, Traincrew are forgotten about, and this shows up in the uniform saga.

It appears a vote has already decided the choice we are to have. The Toowoomba Depot is still waiting for a demonstration model of the uniform choices. So much for the "all caring, sharing QR". It has become an absolute joke the way Traincrew are treated and ignored.

S.D.S is still doing the usual "stand over" approach to Traincrew requests when working trains. This has been the cause of many complaints from Traincrew.

Charleville
Not much to report, very quiet and waiting on stock to start again.

Goondiwindi
Virtually at a standstill, except for a couple of timetable trains a week. I hope the weather allows for a record wheat planting.

Roma
The grain has practically come to a standstill, but a few work trains have kept them in work. They also await the stock movement. Sorghum may create some work.