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

A minute's silence was held for the passing of Driver Myles G Kaddatz of Mackay Depot.

HOURS OF SITTING

Welcome Councillors to the March DCM for 2006.

Today we have Warren Hinds representing the Number 3 District in his capacity as the Proxy District Councillor due to the transfer of Bob Stewart to Citytrain.

Due to the introduction of Workchoices Legislation yesterday 27 March and the recent release of the regulations, the President and I have dedicated the whole of Wednesday's agenda to presentation and discussion on the Workchoice Legislation. This will encompass attending a workshop in the afternoon being conducted by Carne, Reidy, Herd Lawyers.

Members who think the legislation will have no or minimal affect on themselves or their families should think again.

The regulations made it quite clear that fines of $33,000 can be placed on workers and Unions for even asking Employers that any "prohibited content" be placed in a workplace agreement.

"Prohibited Content" includes:

• Deduction of PRD for Union dues
• Leave to attend Trade Union Training
• Employees receiving paid leave to attend meetings conducted by or made up of Trade Union members
• The renegotiation of a workplace agreement
• Right of entry to workplaces
• Restriction on the engagement of contractors and their conditions
• Restriction on labour hire workers
• Terms allowing for Industrial Action

Workers can also be fined up to $66,000 per occasion or day for participating in unprotected Industrial Action.

TRAINCREW AGREEMENT
The year is only 3 months old and so far it has gone off with a bang.

Negotiations on the TCA which commenced late in 2005, continuing into January of this year.

Prior to the negotiations, the AFULE surveyed its members to gain an insight on what their expectations were on outcomes of the TCA.

High on the list were issues such as a 38 hour week to build in leisure periods in their diagram construction, 4 week cycles, superannuation based on the total aggregate rate and naturally increased remuneration.

The negotiations were doomed to failure from the onset when QR put up the non negotiable sign on those issues and flatly refused to discuss them.

At the same time, they wanted to progress their issues which included a Leisure Period formula which would decrease BLP's in most depots, coupled with non calendar days off, extension of self drive provisions to the Limitation Of Hours, DOO between Hughenden and Cloncurry, extension of DOO and TDO hours of duty, bought forwards and deferments on time slot working in the coal etc.

This culminated in QR putting an unsatisfactory, take it or leave it deal on the table.

Members, through their Branch's were calling for a stoppage to get QR back to the negotiating table for a fair deal.

To this end AFULE members ceased work from 0001 on Friday 3 February 2006.

After intervention and assistance from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, QR was directed back to the negotiation table.

Several more negotiation sessions were convened during the week of 13 February with Commissioner Brown's attendance in part. As the negotiation timeframe to gain an agreement was coming to a conclusion, negotiations continued over the weekend with Commissioner Brown and a Queensland Government Representative in attendance.

Late on Sunday, a deal was put on the table based on QR's costing of the workplace changes as well as the costing of conditions the AFULE was seeking on behalf of Traincrew.

On weighing up the negative effect the workplace changes would have on Traincrew, balanced against the remuneration package, the AFULE made a decision not to put the agreement to a vote and reject the package.

Although, QR Management, in particular QRN, attempted to gloss up the package and openly attempted to divide Traincrew, members saw through this and fully supported the AFULE's rejection of the package on their behalf.

Subsequent and separate discussions have now seen the AFULE gain a category allowance increase for Traincrew in all Depots. This separate agreement will encapulated in a deed. Therefore, there will be no changes to the current TCA and will be rolled over without alteration.

The Traincrew Agreement from Monday last, is now a Transitional Certified Agreement under the Workchoices legislation.

Welcome Councillors

Monday the 27th of March 2006 the AFULE entered into the federal arena once again making history, and it will go down in Australian Industrial Relation history as a dark day for Australian workers. It is not the end of the world, as we know it, but for the Federal and State Industrial Commissions. The system we have known and trusted since Federation, "will cease to exist".

John Howard will have reached the pinnacle of his career by introducing his Workplace choices, something he has been advocating for the past decade.

The new laws are far reaching and wrapped up in a mountain of legal red tape. In my opinion these laws were introduced to keep workers in their place, to work like robots with minimal wages and conditions. It was designed by an army of lawyers hired by the Liberal Government which cannot be any good for any worker in Australia, and at one glance you notice it is designed for the Employer leaving the worker with no rights, what so ever.

If you are not aware these laws are modeled off the American system, but are a lot harsher. We will not see the affects of the laws until about six to twelve months down the track, when business and Multi-National company's will start their aggression on the workers, waving the big stick around.

But there maybe light at the end of the tunnel, with the State Governments challenging the Federal Government in the High Court. This will be a long tedious legal task that will take time, therefore, we will have to endure the new laws' and wait in anticipation.

Australians have always have had the fighting spirit, and it's time for the workers of Australia to unite to fight and repeal these Draconian Industrial laws. This is not America, we are not happy John Howard.

TCA NEGOTIATIONS
A quote from Gough Whitlam, "well may I say", what a farce, how could we negotiate with a Corporation who did not want to negotiate, a Corporation who treated us with contempt and a lack of respect, which in turn left the AFULE negotiation team and myself, angry and frustrated, which resulted in a 24 hour stoppage. Negotiations continued after that, but were stalemated once again and an agreement could not be reached.

I will not go into detail, but we could not accept the package that was offered. This offering would have setback Traincrew in QRN, back to the 1940's. There are more important things than money, and conditions are a main part of our working life. I for one, along with my colleagues in the Council was not going to endorse the QRN package.

Therefore, the original TCA has been rolled over for the next three years. Never the less, we will not be sitting on our hands or twiddling or thumbs over the next three years, we will be fighting for your rights in these trying times, like every other Trade Union throughout Australia.

Yours in Solidarity
State President
Shayne Ware

The year of 2006 should prove to be an interesting year for the union movement with the introduction of the new IR legislation and the impact it will have on Unions, its members, and employees across the country. At this stage, the full impact of this legislation is relatively unknown, but the future does not appear too rosy for employees although we must learn to adjust to these changes, as they are here to stay for at least the next 3 years.

After a lengthy period of negotiations in regards to developing a new TCA, the result was a roll over of the current agreement. The A.F.U.L.E. approached these negotiations fully expecting an outcome and a new TCA. Unfortunately, this was not achieved; and this Union believes that at the end of the day the work reforms far out weigh the remuneration that was offered. Gauging by the overwhelming response we received from our members these views were shared by all, yet the Union believes what was achieved on Friday 17th March 2006 in the way of a category increase was a reasonable result for what was traded.

A working party to develop an impairment testing framework within QR has resumed to attempt to finalise an outcome to ensure that employees attend work fit for duty. The testing procedure will be in the way of breath and or saliva testing, and will not involve a process that includes the involuntary taking of blood or urine samples, but employees may voluntarily submit to these types of sampling. QR has agreed to introduce an extensive education and awareness program, which may also include opportunities for the participation of and support for family members. A third party provider will be engaged to supply the expert advice and services required to ensure the implementation of a valid and effective product.

A standard for managing a positive result will also be developed with support and assistance on offer, the parties have agreed that this process will not be in the form of a catch and sack mentality.

A joint Union - QR Committee will be established to oversee ongoing implementation and evolution of this program.

GLEN

Welcome everyone to the first DCM of 2006.

What a start to the year we have had, both with the changes to the IR legislation and the negotiations for a new improved TCA.

I will not harp on about the wasted 34 days of "negotiations" that, fellow District reps, our IR Office, State Officials and myself endured. I believe the result on Friday the 17th March, made up to a degree for the hard times we were all willing to endure to maintain or improve conditions for our members. It again shows why this Union is so strong. We never quit.

To everyone who lives in Cairns, Innisfail and other areas of the north who were affected by cyclone Larry, our thoughts are with you, and this Union will be looking at ways to assist you. I was a fireman in Innisfail in 1987, and it holds some fond memories for me, as does the whole area.

I am now left wondering after the full story has been revealed to the CEO and the GGM's if certain levels of management within QRN will still try to implement changes that do not better the organization, only their possible chance at promotions, in my opinion!

As I said to everyone at the meeting in Brisbane on Friday the 17th March, we as AFULE Traincrew realize changes have to occur, and we have made major changes over the last 10 years, only do so with this Union's involvement.

We have problems now occurring in Pring that I was supposed to attend to on the Friday I was called to Brisbane. This is the relief from Jilalan and the equalization of hours etc. If relief is used in another depot then the first call for overtime should be from the local depot. This Union has already made this quite clear. As to the payment that is above me and is being discussed by both Unions, so if an agreement occurs to payment, then it is from both Unions. I am happy to arrange a meeting in Pring with management in an open forum to work out the issues.

Master Roster issues continually raise their head, over the last 18 months, these master rosters have resulted in at least two Depots in my division disputing them. We now have problems with the Divisional Representatives attending these meetings.

This was agreed to 10 years ago as the best way to work through any problem. I do not see why this is now an issue, as we can fly two or three people up from Rockhampton and Brisbane. Surely, we have the people with the experience to handle this locally. Big saving myself in airfares and accommodation!

Western Depots are being hit hard with fuel prices ETC; we need to follow up on the idea of a Western incentive package that this Union started 8 years ago. We have got some benefits for our members in more rooms air conditioned per house; more accommodation but we need to go further.

When we do the Union, QRN tours to obtain feedback from members would be a good time for everyone to have their say as to what would make life easier for them and their families.

Townsville like many other depots is feeling the impact of faster trains and less shunts, this has a negative impact on shift lengths and, therefore days off, I again tried to explain at the Brisbane meeting that getting a train from A to B as quickly as possible shouldn't erode the number of days off you get. Why encourage slower running to maintain hours. A few people saw the reason in this, so maybe we have been discussing maintenance of our days off with the wrong level of management. We will continue to discuss it with whomever to get the best possible result for our members.

In closing, the new Federal Industrial Law came into force yesterday, Monday the 27th it will be a matter of wait and see for a while, but this Union will continue to work for you.

Help whenever you can, especially in the tough times we face over the next few years.

Workers United will never be defeated.

Yours in solidarity
Greg Hooper

Welcome Executive Officers and fellow Councilors to the first sitting of Divisional Council for 2006.

The period between the November 05 Council and this Council meeting has been an extremely busy time for the Union. The enthusiasm and resolve of all State and Branch Representatives throughout this period has been inspiring. We have seen the completion of the EA process, TCA negotiations and at the time of this going to print the Federal Government Workchoices legislation will be a reality.

EA7
The ballot for the acceptance of EA7 was successful and members have received the wage increase that is part of the package. There were no major workplace reforms for Traincrew in EA7, and I believe the wage increase was reasonable and in line with other Government owned corporations.

TCA
TCA negotiations commenced in late December and proved to be an eye-opener for me. I could best describe the process as disappointing. QRNational Management surprised me with their lack of knowledge of the day to day operation, the absence of any real vision for the future of the operation and Traincrew, a total disregard for what Traincrew have to do on a daily basis just to run trains and absolutely no recognition for the workplace change that has evolved since the original TCA in 1996. Management's solution was for Traincrew to come to work more often, for longer hours and work harder while they are at work. Members would be aware of the tone and progress of the negotiations through a series of updates put out by the State Office. The TCA was finally resolved on 17-03-06 with an agreed package that includes a pay increase of 1 category for all Traincrew ($3300) in exchange for what I believe are minor workplace changes. The most significant part of the deal was a requirement that QRNational withdraw their application to interpret various sections of the TCA and RCOP.

WORKCHOICES LEGISLATION
As of 27-03-06 Traincrew along with all Australian workers will be subject to Howard's Workchoices legislation. The term Workchoices is an ironic and misleading word, the reality for unionists is Howard is trying to remove choice along with free speech, the right to a safe workplace, award protection and the right to bargain collectively. This legislation is designed to attack what I see as the core value of being an Australian i.e. a fair days pay for a fair days work, an education and job for our children, and just as importantly the right to help a workmate. Howard likes to focus on the strength of Australia's current economic position while choosing to ignore the average workers contribution to the economy. We as unionists must maintain our anger and continue to campaign against this legislation until the next Federal Election. Labor Day is the next opportunity to show our solidarity and voice our strong disapproval of this legislation.

DIVISIONAL DEPOTS
FREIGHT
Rockhampton and Mackay depots are now feeling the fallout of Freight 2004; the daily roster is unable to be filled on a regular basis. Traincrew are once again expected to cover poor management decisions. The same problems with diagrams and LOP's are still in existence and no one from our extensive management ranks is willing or able to tackle the problems. QRNational has a duty of care to all employees and for Traincrew that has to include a workable diagram with consideration given to quality of life issues.

COAL
Dysart, Coppabella and Jilalan depots are facing an increasing haulage task which will mean new diagrams with the same old arguments about hours, shift length and our BLP entitlement. Increased tonnages from new and existing mines will create or exacerbate problems that have not been dealt with previously. Maintenance of route knowledge is an area of concern with the current system unable to serve the operation any longer. The shortage of trade staff to maintain and service locomotives will be an ever increasing problem for Drivers. QRNational has been aware of decreasing numbers in the trade staff ranks for several years but has not moved to retain this staff. This issue is a major safety concern for Traincrew.

Once again, I would encourage all members to be active in their branch. Concerns raised in the crib room or locomotive cab can not be dealt with there. Branch Representatives need the feedback and support of all members.

Welcome to fellow Councillors and Officials to the March sitting of the State Council.

This is my first Divisional Council as Proxy for the No 3 Division.

Firstly, I would like to thank Bob Stewart the out going No. 3 Divisional Councillor for his past representation of this Division. Bob made a decision to transfer to Citytrain.

Bob has a wide range of experience and knowledge in the workings of the AFULE; he has been at the forefront of negotiations to better the balance between work and family life for Traincrew. Let us hope his wide range of experience is not lost and Bob stay's active and vocal in State Union matters.

Best wishes to you and your family on your transfer to Brisbane.

WORK CHOICES LEGISLATION
As from Monday the 27th March with the introduction of this legislation, Australian workers will feel the full brunt of the Federal Governments radical workplace laws. This legislation is a direct and calculated assault on the rights of all working families. The primary driving force of this legislation is to make the Award System and the Industrial Relation Commission irrelevant, and to encourage unscrupulous employers to exploit workers by secret individual contacts and under cutting awards. An example of this is the report on page 9 of the Courier Mail on the 27-03-06 were retail giant Woolworths has been accused of delaying negotiations for a new enterprise agreement so they can exploit the new laws. A Queensland State Industrial Commissioner said it was "stating the obvious that the changes to the Industrial Relations Act occurring this Sunday will put Woolworths in a better position that would have been the case had they started negotiations at the agreed time, which was the 1st January 2006".

You can be confident that more of these unscrupulous employers will come out of the woodwork after the 27th March 2006.

In addition, as of the above date, Traincrew will come under the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005. This ACT attacks the rights of Traincrew and their families in many ways. The full reading of this document can be found on the Government's web site listed below.

TCA ROLLOVER AND NEGOTIATIONS
I would like to thank all members of our Union who had input into the negotiations of the new Traincrew Agreement.

As you know this Union explored all possible avenues to try and reach an agreement for a new TCA. However, QR's eccentric demands and work practices were not acceptable to Traincrew. Since the roll over of the TCA there has been managers in QR putting out memos that say they understand, that Traincrew were disappointed and disillusioned with the outcome. I can only speak for my division and the majority of Traincrew that have reported to me that the only people they are disillusioned with is the QR's representatives on the TCA negotiating team. Members have indicated that they are chasing a better work - family life, super on the full aggregate and other benefits that will enhance their quality of life not just pay increases.

As for the strike, it ceases to amaze me that we have to go down the line of Industrial Action just to get QR to the negotiation table in this day and age. Their arrogant stance of "not negotiable" by some of QR's managers is not acceptable by this Union and their members.

I am also very disappointed with some of the coverage and reporting of the strike from some media outlets. These outlets wanted to portray us as the bad guys without having the full story. One southern newspaper reported that the action of the AFULE forced other unions into compliance. I am sure the other union does not have to hang on to the AFULE's shirttails and can make up their own mind.

However, due to the hard work of State Officials and traincrew members across the State a category increase was obtained for all traincrew employees without much pain to members.

LONGREACH
I have been in touch with Noel Hart, and he reports there has not been much happening industrially. There has been a steady flow of work with QR utilizing the Longreach crews and the sole trainman from Alpha for the sleeper-laying project from Emerald to Longreach.

EMERALD
Danny Murphy and Wally Melgert have reported Emerald has had a few industrial problems over the last couple of months. Limitation of Hour breaches have steadily increased, and with the local officials sending letters to the relevant managers to address the issue and some suggestions on how to fix the problem. The management did not take on the branches concerns and a notice of dispute was filed. A meeting that was held in Rockhampton, where QR implemented several of the Emerald crew's suggestions and a rearrangement of some train scheduling. All this could have been done without having to issue a notice of dispute and wasting everyone's time and resources. Sometimes you cannot comprehend a number of QR's Manager's actions.

Members in Emerald also have expressed their dissatisfaction in the way that QRNational, in particular, Coal Service Delivery have used the Emerald Depot as a short-term solution to their inability to recognize the need to increase other depot strengths to accommodate the increased workings being experienced by Coal Service Delivery.

BLUFF
Tim Cumming and Eddy Slatter have reported that the Quarters are still not up to standard.

Other issues of concern such as the allocation of housing, short-term leave, diagrams etc., are being suitably dealt with locally. Bluff has approximately 18 new traincrew coming into the depot in 2006 and 10 traincrew have transfers out of the depot. Bluff will also have 14 Trainee Drivers in the first half of the year. The major concern here is that there will not be enough suitable accommodation in Bluff.

GLADSTONE
Gladstone has seen some major changes since the start of 2006. The Gladstone Train Crewing proposal kicked off on the 23rd January. QR has not been able to implement all their reforms up to this time because they do not have the infrastructure in place.

The extension of DOO in the agreed local area has been suspended indefinitely until a risk assessment can be done by an independent organization.

The QCL DOO is still worked by a TDO crew, as there are not enough traincrew in the depot qualified in ATP. Biloela Sea Freighter is still worked by Gladstone crews.

Gladstone has also seen an introduction of a new diagram. Three diagrams were put together by the Diagram Committee for traincrew to vote on. A five-day long weekend diagram was successful in the ballot. I would like to thank the Diagram Committee for their hard work in compiling the three diagrams, which all came under QR's fatigue and availability guidelines. I know that many hours of their own time was taken up making these diagrams work. Thanks Stewie and Glen.

Gladstone has had an abundant amount of Limitation Of Hour breaches. Since June 2005, there has been in the order of 75 breaches. A F U L E Representatives have had no alternative but to give QR 7 days notice. Since the notice was given QR management has set up an action group with Union involvement to address this Unions concerns. The writing of a new B.I. and an awareness package to all stakeholders and other constraints will hopefully eliminate all controllable breaches. The Gladstone AFULE Committee would also like to congratulate Eddie Joyce on his election as a Gladstone committee member.

Peter Cowan has been appointed the new manager for the Blackwater - Moura Coal supply chain. It has been expressed through other forums that Unions and Management need a better working relationship and we need to leave behind personal differences and old conflicts. Let us hope with the new blood in Local Management that an amicable working relationship can be created for the better of Traincrew in the Gladstone, Bluff Depots and Local Management.

In closing, I would like to remind you, as a Union we need to redouble our efforts to build our Unions' strength and our strength depends on the number of members who are active in this union and in union campaigns.

Remember we are Traincrew Representing Traincrew.

Regards
Warren Hinds

Welcome all Councillors to our first meeting for 2006. Well, what has not happened since our last meeting in November 2005? The EA7 agreement has finally been signed off, and at last the Train Crew Agreement negotiations have been completed.

You are all now aware of the meeting that took place on Friday the 17th March, between the Unions and QR Management. After months of negotiations an agreement was reached, for a wage category increase for all Traincrew across the State, and for less work practice changes that QR was seeking through the TCA negotiations.

While members were disgusted by QR Managements' newsletters to Traincrew telling us of the opportunity to enhance our pay packet, we stood firm, delivered our members a package that did not sell our hard won conditions. Still moral in our industry is at an all time low under the current management.

The new Federal Government Workchoices Legislation will start on Monday the 27th, March 2006. This new Federal System brings big changes to our Union organisation. Harsher penalties, individual fines and takes away the right to stand united in your chosen union. However, the AFULE is committed to representing all our members through the transition into the Federal System and beyond.

MARYBOROUGH
The depot is still having problems with the Daily Roster. Drivers are being doubled up on all night sitters, and not keeping traincrew to their diagram working.

These issues were addressed at a meeting with management, which resulted in some diagram changes being implemented. I hope that this will ease the situation.

The standard of Locomotives on the North Coast is slowly deteriorating. We are now working more 2300 class locos, which are noisier and nearly shake you out of your seat. The number of ATP failures that are occurring lately must be causing headaches for QRNational. When are they going to get a version that is reliable?

We are still the poor cousins or second tier to the Coal Division, when you see the cab modifications that are being done to our 3900 class locos to bring them up to their standard.

BUNDABERG
Bundaberg depot has at last formulated and implemented a fairer Master Diagram. Gary Williams was elected several months ago as our local diagram representative. It is expected that time and resources will be made available to Gary to ensure rostering issues are kept to a minimum, and he will be given full support from the Bundaberg Branch in the maintenance of their diagram.

Serviceability with locomotives seems to be a never ending issue. Drivers are still reporting rogue locomotives hauling long distance passenger trains over the NCL.

The ATSB's report on the CTT derailment in November 2004, from recommendation 3 on the co driver leaving the cab on the Electric Tilt Train and Diesel Tilt Train. This risk assessment has been completed and along with QR's other safety controls such as commissioning the ATP, identifying critical locations as well as changing some of our rostering practices will ensure we are working in a much safer environment. Testing and commissioning of the ATP system on the CTT should commence in April 2006. The lesson to be learnt from this incident is that safety in our work environment is an area that must never be neglected.

Barry Kirby has been elected as the local AFULE branch Work Place Health and Safety representative. Barry is also on the local committee and does a great job in ensuring our files and the local history of this branch of the AFULE is maintained.

The Bundaberg branch had the pleasure of our Divisional Councillor at our recent meeting. It is good having Keryn at these meetings for expert advice and guidance on all issues that arise. Keryn is in the best division as he is able to keep an interest with both QRN and PSG groups.

The depot would like to see Tutor Drivers qualified so they could instruct Drivers in courses like Basic Electric Awareness, compliance and reaccredidation.

GAYNDAH
Work in this depot is fairly slow at this time. Timber and hay moving off the branch, with the odd molasses tanker going to Monto.

In closing, I would like to wish all AFULE members and their families a happy and safe Eater holiday.

Hello and welcome to Councillors and State Officers to the first DCM for 2006.

Well this year has certainly started off with a bang; it has been an emotional rollercoaster. The year started off with what I now refer to as the Traincrew disagreement negotiations, offering hope and reward. It was soon apparent that those initial feelings were turning to frustration and culminating into anger and loss of respect for QR senior management and the State Government. We are all aware of the chain of events that have occurred this year, and Citytrain Traincrew finally said no more to the one sided media coverage and total untruths emanating from QR spokespeople. The anger and disillusionment still simmer at this point in time.

NEW UNITS
It is projected that Citytrain are to receive new rollingstock early next year. These units are based on the IMU form of traction. Two major concerns have come to light. The first, is the train protection system, that being AWS - VCS, the VCS is to be speed and brake controlled. This means that the faster the train travels the shorter the timing process between visual, audible and penalty brake application and a longer time process occurs at slower speeds. The application of the brake controller resets the timing process. This system coupled with the fact that the A.F.U.L.E. Cab Committee representative has had no consultation, nor testing, is unacceptable to this Union. These issues were tabled at the recent LCC meeting, and unless the Cab Committee are involved in real life testing and the correct consultation process, AFULE members will not operate these units.

WASH TRAINS
In Citytrain we have workings that entail the washing of travel trains. We travel light engine to Roma Street, and couple to the rear of these trains and proceed to Normanby car wash. On arrival, the first run is the steam cleaning, on completion the train has to reverse back through the complex for a bogie wash. The reversing of the train is the issue, whilst the train is setting back the DA is to protect the rear, and he or she has no safe walking access. This issue has been raised at numerous Safety meetings, and various options have been tabled, they include a second diesel and crew, a block and a pathway. The first option has been rejected, due to the shortage of crew and paying QRN for the use of a second loco. Control will not give a block because of the length of time and the time of day. The geography of the area means a pathway is cost prohibitive. Due to safety reasons this issue needs resolution, and we believe someone has to bite the bullet and spend the money on a pathway.

LABOUR DAY
Labour Day celebrations this year are expected to be the biggest in the history of this traditional event. This year the event will be held at the exhibition grounds, and the theme will be focussed on a show of people power against the Howard Governments insidious anti worker and anti union laws. This will be an opportunity for members to protest against this jackboot legislation. I, therefore, encourage as many members and their families as possible to attend the march and celebrations, there will be plenty of food, drinks and giveaways for the kids. I wish to give a special mention and thanks to the Labour Day Committee for all their unpaid work in making this event for A.F.U.L.E. members and our families possible.

RETIREMENTS
On 26-3-2006 I attended the retirement function for Shorncliffe Drivers Pat Hitchens and Col Greensill. Collectively these two gentlemen accrued 86 years service between them. This function, I felt was marred by the fact that not one management representative had the decency to attend, and wish these gentlemen all the best for the future, and thank them for their commendable and faithful service. Whenever I hear QR Manager's state that they support and appreciate their employees, I shall always reflect back to Sunday the 26th and relive that moment of managements no show.

MOOLOOLAH PLATFORM
An issue with this platform occurred whereby some passengers decided that they would take a short cut after exiting trains, therefore putting themselves in danger and causing concerns to traincrew. Until QR rectified this problem, we had no other option but to delay the train at the platform until all passengers were clear. Through the efforts of Gary Smith (Nambour) and Ray Nothdurft (Caboolture) and A.F.U.L.E. members from these depots, QR have now agreed to put resources into this issue, by redesigning the platform and entry and exiting to and from the station.

Welcome fellow Councillors to the first sitting of this Divisional Council under the new Federal IR laws.

FEDERAL IR
The realities of these new laws are here for at least the next three years more likely six or longer if the Federal ALP can't get their act together.

It will take some time for Branch Officials and members to get their head around the totally new way things will have to be done.

For example, the dispute settling procedure as we know it with the status quo provision until the issue is sorted is gone, as is the Railway Award State for traincrew.

Therefore, I urge all members to show some patience as your Branch Officials learn the new rules, and the State Office devise strategies to keep this Union's issues to the forefront.

TCA 2
What a fiasco, yes we eventually got the entire State a pay rise for relativity little work place change.

However, QR missed their chance to get some serious productivity improvements for the future security of QR, and more importantly traincrew by continually focusing on issues from the past that annoyed them rather than ruling a line in the sand and moving forward.

I'm sure a much better pay - productivity deal could have been struck with a forward looking management team that was prepared to negotiate, rather than a team that was so fixated with their own little pet peeves from the past that they lost sight of the big picture.

ACACIA RIDGE
Just when you think QRN has finally got something right and an issue can finally be put to bed, the issue of the Interail shunt loco is back on the agenda.

The 422 class a dual cab air-conditioned loco with good visibility either end and generally liked by the crews asked to work it was replaced with a 421 class with only one end being air-conditioned and you guessed it, it is the end the crew least prefer due to visibility restrictions, will QR ever take the concerns of the local work force seriously, or does the branch have to escalate this issue to the State level every time a loco change is required on this shunt.

As all members in Brisbane and depots that work into Brisbane are aware Network Access has gone and put up over 20 new stop boards in this yard.

They are due to be unveiled in the near future and QRN have agreed that all Brisbane based crews will be walked through the yard to familiarise them with the changes.

This depot has recently drawn up a long overdue master diagram.

Barely is the ink dry and there is already a problem with other depots being allocated this depots mainline jobs for returns change jobs etc.

As the diagram is only a couple of weeks old, it makes you wonder about QRN's commitment to the master diagram process as this document is what traincrew plan their life around.

FISHERMAN ISLANDS
The issue of missing timesheets is probably the biggest issue of concern in this depot, as well as Acacia Ridge and Ipswich along with various other depots on the North Coast serviced by the Brisbane payroll services. Discussions between myself and QRN, had I thought, fixed this issue after one member in Fisherman Islands was short payed through the non arrival of a time sheet and no advice was received from the payroll office that the sheet was missing and was required to enable payment to be made.

It makes you wonder how this can occur when both drivers' time sheets where submitted together and the other driver's time sheet made it through the system.

Despite a certain manager's fixation with getting traincrew to fax time sheets to address this issue, this has been, and continues to be done with the fax often not arriving either, this suggests that the problem is in payroll services.

Is QR interested in addressing this issue locally or does it have to be escalated up to State level as well.

This depot is shortly to sit down with the roster to draw up a new master diagram.

It is interesting to see that QRN is doing each depot's diagrams separately, I would have thought a smarter way would be to have all depots sit down together and if the depots could see a better way of working various jobs the changes could be made before master diagrams are finalised.

IPSWICH
Ipswich recently sat down with rosters to draw up a long overdue diagram.

Even with the depot reducing through transfers etc. QRN still wanted extra weekend availability than is in the current diagram, something they were going to get anyway with just keeping the current number of weekend jobs with fewer men in the depot.

If this is not double dipping I do not know what is.

The depot rejected this un-reimbursed grab for the traincrew's lifestyle and is currently working under the completely out-of-date current diagram.

On a more positive note this depot along with Fisherman Islands have managed to get some self drive jobs to and from Toowoomba to eliminate tucker box jobs. These jobs are working well in both depots and are appreciated by the men in these depots the next step is to get them formalised into a new diagram.

The local branch has being successful in finally getting QRN to commit to bringing the unloading pit at Swanbank up to a safe operating standard.

REDBANK WORKSHOPS
This branch has nothing to report to Council at this time as the members are looking after things on a local level due to the Workshops management structure, he has to deal with being more interested in addressing the concerns of it's workers than QRN's.

In conclusion, I would like to stress to members it will be business as normal for the AFULE in the brave new world of the Federal IR system, but cut your representatives some slack as they have a lot of information to digest in a short time, as well as living and working in the real world.

Hello and welcome to all to the first Divisional Council for 2006.

Well we finally have the TCA package up and running, with a few grumbles from some, but the majority are happy with the outcome, the main thing, is we hold onto the conditions that we have, and I consider conditions very precious, especially in the political climate we now have in this country.

Well, the rot that went on during the TCA negotiations was unbelievable, though not being directly involved, it amazes me that management can, and continue to treat traincrew with contempt.

Traincrew are one of QRNational's best assets. The training required, and the ongoing training to be a Driver, plus the experience they acquire during their service, and the willingness of most of the traincrew to put in to meet the challenges is commendable, but in QR's eyes, this amounts to nothing. They are still trying to rip something off of traincrew, as in conditions, wages and lifestyle. If cost cutting and savings are needed, maybe they should look inwards instead of looking to traincrew.

After all of this it puts us in good training for the next TCA, or whatever we end up with, now that we know what to expect from management and the state government.

Howard's new IR anti union laws are now in place and probably with more to come. It is a pity that these grubs that come up with these communist style laws, never actually had a job where they had to struggle to make ends meet in supporting their families. They are anti worker, anti family and a disgrace to the workers of Australia. Australia cannot now be considered the lucky country anymore with these laws in place.

On the local front, new Trainee Drivers have started in Toowoomba, and they will be using the new - refurbished training room and facilities. Good luck to these Trainees, and I hope they will want to be represented by a great Traincrew Union, the A.F.U.L.E.

The roster still rates as the most complained about item (is this ever going to change?). While the roster continues to cater for the favoured few, there is never going to be any harmony in any depot.

The coal traffic continues to dominate in Toowoomba, with the extra trains coming from grain, livestock and molasses. The outer depots have been taking up the slack, with Goondiwindi crews learning the road to Toowoomba and Roma working into Toowoomba from the west. With Road Tutors now getting paid a bit extra to do road tuition, things might improve for new drivers coming into the depot, as it has sometimes taken years to get a driver that is new to Toowoomba, taught the relevant roads.

Late last year we had one of our members, Andy Watkins, take early retirement and early this year one of our senior and well-respected Drivers, Kevin Collins retire. The popularity of these members was evident by the numbers that turned up at their farewell function. Their comrade and wit around the workplace will be missed, so I would like to take this opportunity wish them and their families all the best in their retirement.

A.F.U.L.E
Traincrew Representing Traincrew

Kevin Voll