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 25 and 26 November 2004, commencing at 09:00 hours.

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

A minutes silence was held for the passing of Life Member Mr K Westlake - Coppabella Depot, Mr R Popp - Maryborough Depot and Mr R Cunningham - Gladstone Depot.

HOURS OF SITTING

Welcome Councillors to the final Divisional Council Meeting for 2004 and as well the final Council Meeting for the current 3-year term.

I believe that over the last 3 years, the AFULE membership has benefited from the tireless efforts from the Councillors both at the Council table as well as in the field.

Two Councillors here today, those being, George Best and Byron Davidson have decided to take a well-earned break from Council and will not be contesting their positions in the forthcoming elections. Renny Eyears is being transferred from Fisherman Islands to Citytrain and as such will be vacating his Councillor's position.

To those Councillors who will not be here next year, I offer my thanks for your valuable input throughout the term.

AFULE ELECTIONS
As previously circularised, the ballot for the next 3-year term of office of the AFULE closes on 15 December 2004.

Some of the old hands have thrown their name into the ring again, as well as other members who are willing to pull on the AFULE gernsey and put themselves forward for Branch and State positions.

For those Officials who have decided to step down for the next term, on behalf of the membership and State Council I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks and admiration for a job well done. The AFULE's mission of "Traincrew representing Traincrew" is well and truly alive.

TILT TRAIN DERAILMENT
In the early hours of Wednesday 17 November 2004, the Cairns Tilt Train became derailed at Berajondo (North of Bundaberg).

A Joint Board of inquiry was set up by the Minister of Transport and Main Roads comprising of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland Transport to determine the cause or causes of the derailment and reasons why the derailment occurred.

The AFULE during the course of the initial investigations highlighted a number of concerns including the releasing of the speed of the train at the point of derailment and the inadequacies of the Transport Infrastructure Act 1999, under which the investigation was being conducted.

I am still of the belief that the speed of the train at the point of derailment was released to shift burden of guilt towards the Drivers and away from QR. I have heard all the explanations as to why this information was released but remain unconvinced as to their authenticity.

The AFULE during the outset of the investigation voiced concerns over the inadequacies of the Transport Infrastructure Act in that it didn't contain any protection for witnesses who came forward and provided evidence to the inquiry.

Any statements given to the enquiry could have been obtained by the police or other parties and used in other judicial proceedings.

To this end, the AFULE threatened strike action to have the legislation amended to provide protection not only to the Drivers concerned but to all witnesses who provided evidence in the enquiry.

After threatening strike action, the AFULE secured a commitment from the Transport Minister, Mr Paul Lucas, that the Queensland State Cabinet would consider urgent changes to the Transport Infrastructure Act 1995.

To the Government's credit, there was recognition that the legislation needed to be amended so that protections could be put in place as well as for this enquiry and a need for future enquiries be conducted on a no blame basis.

Some of the significant amendments achieved in the altered legislation are:

• All statements provided by witnesses to the inquiry are confidential; and
• The police or other like agencies will not be able to access the statements provided; and
• All names including the names of the drivers will be kept confidential; and
• The only information that will be made publicly available will be the interview findings and the final report into the accident; and
• No information provided to the investigations by the Drivers or other witnesses can be used against them in any other proceedings.

These significant improvements to the Legislation will benefit all Traincrew who become involved in serious incidents in the future.

Credit has also to be given to the Bundaberg traincrew for the support both moral and otherwise given to the two Drivers involved in the derailment.

Offers of support and help have also been coming in from a broad cross section of the community who are keen for everyone involved in the incident to receive a fair hearing and a fair go.

In closing, I would like to wish Executives, Office Staff and all members of the AFULE a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

As members are aware, our Elections are underway and by the time this goes to print, our new Executive and delicates will have been selected. I will take this opportunity to thank the State Secretary, Councillors, Office Staff and Members for their support over the past 3 years.

To all of you who are standing for positions and to those of you, who have been re-elected unopposed, to all of you, best wishes and good luck for the next three years. Over the past three years, our Divisional Council has had a very good rapport, and I am very proud of what our Union has achieved through the efforts of our Councillors, Delegates and Industrial Officer, over this period.

FEDERAL ELECTIONS
As we enter into three years of Liberal Government rule again, it seems the people of Australia were very reluctant to trust Mark Latham, and his Cabinet. Opting to re-elect the Howard Government who misled the punters with, promises, lies and deceit, and by giving control of the senate to them. Honestly, as a Unionist, I am very concerned, because, if you have not already read or heard, the Liberals Industrial Relations policies are the first items on their agenda in the new senate. We should be concerned; the Liberal Government detests Unions and the union movement, and what we stand for. It seems that conditions that we have fought long and hard for, will be eroded away within the next three years and into the future. Therefore, it is up to the Unions, and the union movement, to fight hard, and show that the union movement is very strong and alive - in the Australian workplace.

TILT TRAIN DERAILMENT
I am appalled at the way QR's CEO handled his media release to the Courier Mail blaming speed for the major cause of the accident, in which the media had a field day, blaming the driver's of the tilt train and making them escape goats. This is very irresponsible by a CEO of a large corporation, to speculate before a full investigation is carried out. It seems to me it has taken heat off QR for any shortcomings, it might have had with safety, maintenance or track maintenance. I cannot and will not speculate on the accident, and my heart-felt concerns go out to our two drivers and all those passengers injured in the accident and I wish them a swift recovery.

There are major issue's that have to be addressed in the New Year, and into the future, such as: Changed work practices in the northwest, diagram issues, job security, and of course, the introduction of PNQ onto Queensland Rails tracks.

The future in QR is going to be very tough and eventful for us, and the A.F.U.L.E will have to lay down a solid platform for the future of train crew in QR.

In summing up for 2004:

To our Executive, Office Staff, and all our members and families, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, a prosperous, and a brighter 2005.

We near the end of another 3 year term for Delegates, State and Local of the AFULE. I would first like to thank those Delegates who have held positions for this term on the outstanding level of representation that has been afforded to our members. Good luck to those who are seeking re election and to those who are not, thank you for your tireless and sometimes thankless contribution to this great organization, it has been appreciated.

Looking back over the last 3 years a great many changes have occurred within QR as well as the union movement. We reflect and remember the members who have passed away and embrace and welcome the new members who for one reason or another have decided to join the only true traincrew Union, the AFULE. The arrival of a third party operator in the way of Pacific National consuming almost half of our North Coast freight trains, this operator will be in full swing by the early part of next year. The fall out from this is being dealt with at conferences known as North Coast Freight 2004 where attempts are being made by Unions and QR to minimise the overall effect this operator will have on job numbers and future business.

We also have Coal 2004, which is similar to Freight 2004, dealing with job reforms to enable QR to remain and acquire new coal contracts in the future and to keep third party operators at bay. We have had our fair share of disciplinary issues with Show Cause letters at a record high for reasons that in the past have not required this type of action, in saying this I believe QR has changed in the way disciplinary action is now dealt with. The Roster Improvement Project team that was formed to revive the whole Rostering System and to make our lives so much better seems to be on a CBO, the Fatigue Reference Group is moving along slowly with a lot of confusion on what fatigue scores should be when constructing a diagram.

Enough of the negatives I would take this opportunity to wish all our members and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and if you are travelling away be safe on the roads and if re elected I look forward to representing you the members for another 3 years. God Bless and stay safe.

Welcome to the last DCM of 2004.

As we are all aware, election of Officers has been called and for other than a few positions everyone knows who will be representing this great Union, either as re-elected Reps for another term, or other members of this Union who will do the job to the same high standard.

I wish to thank Dave Antrobus and Jody Byrne for their help and wish them all the best in their new Depots.

I also wish to thank Tony Devery and Russell Young for the important work they have both done over the years as the elected representatives for the Cab Committee of this Union. I wish they were both still in these positions as they have irreplaceable knowledge and have gained much for all Drivers in the State. I hope they reapply for the old positions they previously held, as they still have my full support.

To those who were not re elected I wish to thank you all for the support and input you have given this Union over the last 3 years.

I have been privileged enough to be re elected for another term.

I believe that this Union is now more important to Traincrew than ever before due to all of the changes we must face.

Some of the reasons are listed below:

Other Unions have already signed agreements with Interail and PN. (FOR WHATEVER REASONS)

QR are already trying to get these same conditions for QR Traincrew, some of which are already in our current TCA but QR are picking and choosing which bits they want. We are currently in the IRC over several issues and will keep our members informed.

Remember as is often pointed out by your representatives, that this Union will work out what we have to do to ensure not only our future, but also the best result for our members. We will possibly have to make some big changes, but this will only be done through consultation with our members.

We are being put into a position that we don't enjoy, but through the guidance of our members we will prevail as we have for over 100 years. Remember that the AFULE is the only Union that fights solely for Traincrew rights.

This was again shown at a meeting in Brisbane on the 25th and 26th of October, where our Local Representatives from the whole North Coast Corridor attended the first meeting in Brisbane for the proposed changes to this corridor.

State Executives attended this meeting from both Unions; it was not the AFULE who said that other people could, and as far as, they were concerned, would be doing some Traincrew roles in the future.

This has also become a sticking point in the Coal 2005 talks.

While this Union will fight to maintain jobs for everyone within QR, we will not allow Traincrew positions to be lost.

This is because this Unions motto is "Traincrew representing Traincrew".

Does this Union currently do the job of the RO's or take work off any other grade within QR? NO

There have been plenty of proposals to do this over the last 12 years that I have been involved in the Union, but the AFULE has always respected the roles of other QR members and opposed these changes where possible.

Everyone within QR has had a chance over the last 7 or 8 years to apply to be a Driver.

While we understand that this would have often meant transferring out of their home town to do this, many other Traincrew have done this to secure there future within QR.

This has always been a fact of life for Traincrew to gain promotion.

Will this Union now allow those people to be left in limbo for who knows how long, I think not?

We now need everyone to realize that now more than ever, there is only one Traincrew Union who cares about you as Drivers in the Northern Division and the whole State.

Many people who have become a Driver from other grades within QR do not realize that there is a difference between the two Unions.

This is because at the information nights, everyone is told there are two Unions who both represent Traincrew.

Belonging to a Union is great, the difference is in the hard times ahead do you want to belong to a Union, who only looks after Qld Traincrew or join a Union that has already signed agreements with our competitors?

We are the only Union who will fight solely for your survival as Traincrew within QR.

Another thing is that other than for our State Secretary (who is still classed as Driver Ipswich) all of our State Officials are still driving trains, including myself, and we work under the same conditions as you. This gives us more motivation to ensure that we hold on to the hard fought for conditions this Union has achieved over the last 143 years.

We are the oldest Railway Union in the world.

I know this will continue way after most of us retire from QR.

This is because this Union will always listen to its membership and not be overcome by Super Unions who lose sight of the problems we as Traincrew face.

These problems are unique to our grade and only a Union whose members and representatives come from, and still work in this grade can understand those problems we encounter every day of our life as Traincrew.

I hate to sound like a broken record but remember the AFULE is the only Union that is all about "Traincrew Representing Traincrew" in QLD.

Look at the letters that were sent out by the RTBU when we went to talk to our fellow Drivers in Sydney, some of them, as they pointed out ex AFULE wishing they could still be with this Traincrew only Union.

We were invited there to see what impact third party, and everyone only being covered by one Union had on them. This was only after being asked to do this by over 80 Drivers in the last 6 months who felt they were not being treated as equals. Why did the RTBU react so strongly?

If they had a problem with this why didn't they ask, as we would have done for a meeting with those who attended this meeting, before sending out degrading and untrue circulars.

To also report this Union to the QCU was degrading to all Unions. especially to those who supported the motion, again only knowing one side of the story.

How do you as fellow Unionists allow the allegation we were trying to help form a SCAB Union to go unchallenged? You needed answers from both parties not just the ones making false claims.

If the term scab is used and my name is in the same letter. I will react as our forefathers did, take this however you like.

I have and always will fight for the rights of my members and myself whatever the price is.

With the trying times ahead every Union should be supporting each other.

When there are problems between Unions, the QCU should be there as a mediator, after listening to both sides of the story.

Sometimes full time Union representatives lose sight of the workers problems, when they themselves aren't encountering the same problem daily, or reading the cries for help from fellow Unionists from the same grade, despite it being in another State.

This is why I was so upset by the QCU response to our trip South.

What has happened to "workers united"?

"Will never be defeated".

To all AFULE members, stay positive as this Union listens to you and will continue the fight to ensure your future.

AFULE workers united will never be defeated.

Welcome Councillors to the last and my last Council meeting for 2004. There is a lot to discuss at this meeting. Firstly, I would like to thank Greg and Siobhan for all the help that they have given me, while I have been a Councillor of the A.F.U.L.E. I am very proud to be a member of the only Train Drivers Union, the A.F.U.L.E

MACKAY
This depot is not very happy about the Tilt Train drama, the way QR released the speed of the train at such an early part of the investigation without having all of the details of the derailment.

There seems to be more EMS's. Is it because QR want to get rid of more personnel, and this is an under handed way to do it.

Mackay want all other depots to stand united with the coming of more job losses.

DYSART
There are only 10 drivers left in Dysart and everything is going well. Some of these Drivers will transfer early next year. Dysart now have a diagram with 19 BLP's and a 6-day long weekend.

COPPABELLA
Every thing in Coppabella is going well at this time. Their diagram is up and running, and Tutor Drivers jobs are being called in the notice.

JILALAN
At long last they have agreed on a diagram, and it's now being developed, hopefully if everyone votes for it, the diagram will commence on 13th of December 2004.

They have succeeded to have a dust trial done on a 3300 class loco, but QR delayed the trial for so long that it RAINED, and there was no loose coal dust in the air.

A big thanks goes to Mick Cubit for all the work he has put into the holiday roster, and got it back to normal.

In addition, this election is the first time for a long time that the JILALAN Branch had a nominee for every position on the Union.

Thanks Neville for all the hard work that you have done to get this depot working together again.

ROCKHAMPTON
QR want to take 13 SLP's off their Sundays, and move them to Tuesdays.

As far as Rockhampton crews are concerned that is not negotiable, as they only get two Sundays off every four weeks.

QR also want Traincrew to move from the Station building, down to the Marshalling yard building, which has insufficient room, and does not have proper amenities for all staff concerned.

They do not want to move until proper amenities are in place, which include a covered car park.

On closing, I would like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Welcome Executives and Councillors.

Within this report, I would like to record another viewpoint on our future within QR with other operators in the state. I will also give a quick up date on the ongoing projects that affect not only the No 3 Division but also the others areas.

As everyone in QR would have heard a thousand times we need to change our ways to compete against the nasties out there in the form of other operators. We continually hear that the employees need to work more efficiently, smarter and co-operatively to succeed in the future. The only thing we do not hear is how management are going to change their style to lead and encourage a co-operative workforce.

We hear endless Executive statements about the value of a teamwork environment, but we do not see it on the ground floor. We do not see how management are going to build workforce packages and agreements that reflect the positives that are needed for encouraging employees to want to participate in those team environments.

We regularly hear from QR, that if we object to their latest interpretations on our agreements then we will be in the courts before we know it.

We regularly hear from QR that wages will be docked if traincrew act on decisions like, reporting of fatigue or advising of prior family commitments, which may make someone temporarily unavailable.

This is not the process to have everyone a team player.

Another area I would like to touch on is employee's service recognition and what it means to be part of a large organisation. Coming from an industrial town like Gladstone, I do have an insight into how other large corporations build working relationships. I see rewards and recognition for service and a job well done. I see commendations for entire families when employees reach milestones like 5, 10, 15, 20 years service etc. I see the wage packages afforded to other workers in the area like;

• Company bulk billing doctors.
• Subsidised medical cover.
• Broad range of Salary Sacrificing Schemes. (Mobile ph etc.)
• The pay out of sick leave

QR is always asking the workers, what do you need to do to be competitive. QR needs to also ask what do they need to do to retain their skilled staff for the long term.

QR has a long way to go to match the big players of the world. To be ultimately successful in meeting the challenges from the outside world QR may need to start the change process a bit higher up the ladder before expecting rapid change and demands from the workforce which are the ones that are actually earning the revenue.

The rail bosses need to look at the style of management within and ask themselves, have we created a work environment that makes the skilled labour not only want to stay with QR but be proud to be a part of building a secure future.

My opinion is that we are at the crossroads both for QR's reform wish list, and the workers job satisfaction wish list. One will not be achieved without the other. Time will tell.

COAL 2005
This project is still going through the processes of negotiations and implementation within my division. QR has tabled reforms for Gladstone that have not previously been tabled for any other Coal Depots. Issues like 12 hr shifts and extension of DOO in dark territory will not be easily accepted by crews in that depot. A lot of genuine commitments from QR will have to be in place to move forward.

Bluff and Gladstone are still waiting for sample diagrams so that Drivers can evaluate the effects of the different shift length scenarios. We will have to wait and see what happens from here. We are fast approaching the festive season and if history is anything to go on, not a lot will happen during that period.

COAL 2005 YARD AND TERMINAL REVIEW
This project has reached a stage where the AFULE representatives had to advise QR that from all the reforms tabled for the yards and terminals (station staff operating locomotives etc.) none have been shown to be of any benefit to traincrew what so ever. On the contrary, the proposed traincrew tasks that will be carried out by Station Staff will amount to a net loss of preferable working for Drivers everywhere.

By preferable workings I mean local shifts etc.

It was due to the fact; that the employees that would benefit most from these reforms would be all employees other than Drivers, so consequently QR was advised that at this stage the AFULE could not support the proposed reforms. QR will now explore other avenues and processes to pursue those reforms.

By the time this goes to print more information on the next round of negotiations will be made available.

ROSTER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Not a lot to report here except, at this stage, do not hold your breath on any benefits to flow onto Drivers.

QR has appeared to have lost interest in the project when the findings that were submitted were not exactly what QR were looking for. It may be time for the project to have a change of name. Instead of Roster Improvement Project, (R.I.P), it possibly should read, Rest In Peace.

DIVISIONAL DEPOTS
I have contacted the Secretaries in my Division prior to this sitting and as usual for this time of the year things are pretty quite.

Tim Cummings in Bluff is going through some diagram adjustments to improve the balance of hours in the Permanent Mates and Single Driver's Diagram.

Noel Hart from Longreach has told me the stock season has finished for the year and other than an enquiry on replacement Trainee Driver's take up dates, every thing is ok.

Emeralds Jim Melgert has also seen the end of this year's stock and grain season. Next year Jim will be helped out by a couple of other Drivers that have put their hand up for positions.

Merv Zahl and the crews in Alpha have been kept busy enough with their regular services.

As this is the final sitting of Council for 2004 and the final for the term, I would like to wish everyone success for those that have nominated again for the next three years and all the best for those that will not be joining us in 2005. Finally I would like to wish all Executives, Councillors and our members around the State a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Welcome Councillors to the final sittings of State Council for 2004. As this is the last sitting of the present Council, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best for the future. I will not be standing for State Council this time. I would like to welcome Kerryn Staib back to the table. For those that are in a ballot for positions, may the best person win? There will certainly be some tough decisions to be made in the coming three years.

SPADS
Raymond L. Popp, a Driver from Maryborough passed away on the 20th October 2004. He had 40 years service with QR. In those 40 years, Ray had 4 Spads. After his fourth Spad, QR in their wisdom gave him a final warning on the 13th October. I make the point from the start that I do not blame QR. for causing his death, but it certainly did not help the situation. I was sitting at Ray's home on Saturday with Ray's wife Pat. She told me that Ray was very stressed about having a SPAD and he was oven worse when he came home with a final warning notice. What QR have to understand is that Drivers do not go past red signals on purpose. The feeling that you get in your stomach after having a SPAD is unbelievable. Ray's wife, Pat, even understands that everyone is only human and we do make mistakes. She said that Doctors, Sisters and Nurses make mistakes. If Pat realizes this, why can't our perfect Management do the same?

I told her about the Senior Manager in QR who told our State Secretary that if he had his way a locomotive would be fitted with explosives and detonated if it went past a red signal (SPAD). With this sort of mentality going around in management ranks, I think it is about time that these people are replaced or offered VER's.

DIAGRAMS
The Diagram Committee have sat down with QR three times since the last corridor meeting to sort out problems associated with the allocated workings. Each time Roster Officers have gone home happy with the outcome. We print out new diagrams each time, then low and behold the Driver In Charge (DIC) thinks he can do better. Union Officials advised him that due to new workings coming in February 2005 and the natural fall off of work around Christmas, why not wait until February. No way! Up comes two Roster Officers, TMIO and DIC QR must have plenty of money!

Anyway, these experts did a new diagram without any Union involvement. The Diagram Committee had a look at the finished project and rejected it for a number of reasons. A bit of commonsense and consultation should have prevailed.

ROCKHAMPTON QUARTERS
These outdated quarters are still causing problems. Maryborough's main concern is the noisy Air Conditioner in the kitchen. They can live with the other concerns of the quarters due to their flexibility with QR Management. I thought that QR and Unions had reached an agreement to replace it, but then QR got facilities to give them a price on replacing the system, they came back with a price of something like $21,000. I know for a fact you can air condition your whole house for less then $7,000. All we want is one split system for the kitchen. If QR put these sort of things out for public tender, QR. would not win one. I would like to invite Craig Kelly and his family to sit down in the kitchen with me for lunch one day with the a/c going and try to have a conversation with me without shouting. My shout!

NORTH COAST LINE
I attended an information session with the DIC Maryborough over ways to reduce expenditure in this Depot after PNQ starts its operations. It was pointed out that with the number of services cut, the number of as required shifts would have to be cut. This is a logical outcome but it is no good going to QR and saying we can work with this certain number until we find out for sure how much work the depot will have after PNQ commences. There is also such things as the Woodchip, Stock Trains and Work Trains. No depot can work out the exact number of traincrew needed until everyone has a look at the big picture.

GAYNDAH
Ted and the lads have got no immediate problems to report. Ted wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

BUNDABERG
Chris Pianta has been looking after Bundaberg well, and has reported the following ongoing issues:

PSG Management has agreed to place a Bundaberg Driver on the rough ride committee to handle rough ride issues. This work to the back door of the Driver's crib room has finally been carried out and the men are pleased with the completed result. There has been no progress to date on outstanding issues with the Rockhampton Quarters. PSG Management is liaising with Coal and Freight Services to progress issues that were agreed to by Coal and Freight Services at a recent meeting on this issue. At last, our rostering issues are being addressed. Reformatting of the Bundaberg Traincrew Diagram to enhance overall efficiencies by the Bundaberg Traincrew has been agreed to in principle by PSG Management.

The Bundaberg Traincrew would like to thank all traincrew throughout Queensland for their tremendous support throughout the recent events that have taken place at this traincrew depot.

Special thanks to Greg Smith for coming to Bundaberg and giving his advice and assistance In closing, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Now Year.

Hello and welcome Councillors and State Officers to the last DCM for this term and 2004.

DIAGRAMS
Citytrain have just compiled new diagrams due to Airtrain reducing services. QR was not officially notified by the government until mid September of the change. This change was proposed for the beginning of October, which due the complexity of the task was impossible. The Diagram Committee and Management met to agree on guidelines to give to the optimizer, so as we had something to work with for an implementation date of October 18. After agreement with Management of the guidelines, a number of drafts were rejected; therefore, the diagram had to be manually constructed by the Diagram Committee in a very short space of time. During the process management and the optimized continued to apportion blame on each other for the mistakes. Drafts came back with changed BLP patterns, working into leisure times, incorrect arrival and departure times, proposed AFD's in outer depots without increasing the depot strength to suit, incorrect meal breaks, corridor running, and continuous weeks of afternoon or morning work in a row. By the commencement date we got a fair diagram / job card. Management have in the meantime given Traincrew a guarantee, in writing that workings and the diagram can be subject to change, which is currently underway and hopefully sorted out by early in the New Year.

ATC DECOMMISSIONING
QR has indicated that they intend to decommission ATC within the next couple of years. I attended a workshop to discuss what ifs and what can happen, if there is no train protection on the North Coast corridor. This workshop was conducted by an outside consultancy firm, and we sat around for four hours and discussed the bleeding obvious and more or less didn't accomplish anything. QR, with government backing are compelled to provide Driver Only trains and all Citytrain rollingstock that work on this corridor with protection. For many years Citytrain have been travelling this corridor with station protection only, there have been Spads, but it is only through the sheer professionalism of Drivers there has not been a serious incident. Some alternatives we have considered are Two Driver, AWS, Train Stop (as the per the British System), ATP, Guard working train from drivers cab, all these solutions pose their various problems. Whatever is proposed, the AFULE must ensure a system is in place for the safety of members and public alike, despite cost.

ELP SHED MEAL FACILITY
For a good part of this year Citytrain Management have been dropping hints that they intend to close this facility for traincrew to partake in meals. We continued to inquire as why? They continued to give feeble reasons, like health and safety, paying someone to maintain, we are to meal where the job card states etc. We eventually become tired of the threats of closure and lack of valid reasons, so we approached Senior Management with this issue. Other facilities are at times overcrowded, too noisy, and uncomfortable.

EQUALIZATION OF TIME
At a recent LCC meeting, this issue was raised due to the discrepancies in cycle hours throughout the network. The agreement is for the first person off duty, to be the first person to be approached for the first available vacancy that occurs in his or her depot. So long as they have the lowest accumulated cycle hours. I wait with baited breath.

IPSWICH YARD
Ipswich stabling yard has always had drainage and safety problems. There has been some work done to rectify these issues, but due to management not willing to spend money to do the job properly the first time, every time it rains the work is washed away. The Ipswich members are getting sick and tired of the continual band-aid repairs. Citytrain Management typically blames everyone but themselves including Ipswich City Council, ISG and anyone else. Ipswich Traincrew is at the stage where they are willing to consider further action, which will be discussed at their next Branch meeting in December.

In closing I would like to take the opportunity to wish all nominees all the best in the upcoming elections and thank all those that chose not to stand again, for all their work for this great and proud Union.

In addition, I wish all Office Staff, members and their families and Happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Welcome to all Councillors and others to the last Council for 2004. This is also the last Council for this term. It has been a long three years but I think we have done all right in most areas. There are some interesting elections going on in most depots. I hope everybody does the right thing and users their right to vote.

UNIFORMS
I do not know what all the fuss is about when someone has their shirts made into short sleeves. The shirts are hot when in the sun and can be cold at night. The reflective strips make the shirts this way. With the concern about heat stress, maybe they should look at the shirts. An issue of polo or short sleeve shirts would properly solve this problem. When you roll up the sleeves of the shirt, it seems to keep the heat in and can cover up the reflective strip on the sleeve. Therefore, it makes sense to me to have the shirts made into short sleeves, as long as it is done properly. This makes the shirts cooler and it would not cost anything to QR. However, in the wisdom of QR Managers they do not see it this way.

PNQ and RTBU
A lot of rumours going around about what PNQ are doing and how they are going to do things. I do not wish to add fuel to them by passing them on. After reading the letter from Bundaberg Driver Ryan Mort and his comments about the Greenfield agreement with the RTBU, I whole heartily agree with him. I find it hard to see how the RTBU can represent one company with one agreement and then have a completely different agreement with another company. Particularly when the companies are against each other. There needs to be one Traincrew Union and it's got to be the AFULE. A good example is the way we handled the resent Bundaberg Tilt Train trouble. There is no way the RTBU could have got the same result the way Greg & Siobhan handled the situation in Bundaberg. When are the RTBU going to wake up to the fact that their lies and propaganda against the AFULE is not working. Attacking the AFULE in the workplace and in political circles, the way they do is only making them look bad. Maybe it is about time they had a change of leadership. PNQ has taken away the rights of Drivers to join whatever Union they feel fit to be in by agreeing to a Greenfield agreement with the RTBU. I think more traincrew should write to the RTBU and show their disapproval in the way they are handling things.

NORTH COAST REVIEW
I had taken the time to sit through one of the sessions at Fisherman Islands(FMI) recently and I was not impressed with what I saw. Some QR people are using this as away to put their ideas forward and they have nothing to do with the North Coast. I cannot believe some of the suggestions I have seen would have came from Traincrew. I hope the review team will see that many of the suggestions are someone's wish list.

ACACIA RIDGE and FISHERMAN ISLANDS
I will combine the two depots for this report as they have the same issue, the North Coast review. There have been sessions held in both depots on what is going to happen when PNQ starts running trains on the North Coast. QR is also asking traincrew for ideas on how to cut costs in their depots. I think QR would like to put depot against depot and see what the outcome would be. I can see that they are going to do away with locals in the depots and maybe even run through depots. Their facts and figures don't add up in a lot of cases and for what I could see they are going to be a lot worse off than what they are letting on.

IPSWICH
Nothing to report from Ipswich only that an election is on for the chairperson's position.

I have nominated for the State President position and it is being decided at the moment, so I may not be here next tern. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the past and present Union Officials that I have dealt with over the years. I have always tried to get the best for AFULE.

Wayne Robeck will be the next No; 6 Councillor for next term I know he will perform and excel over the coming term. I wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Hello and welcome to all to the final Council for 2004.

Not much to report this time around.

ROMA and CHARLEVILLE
These depots are going along OK. A bit of grain around to help Roma Depot. Happy for a while.

GOONDIWINDI
Now has a bit of work with the current harvest tipped to be exceptionally good? This will bring the problems back with crew shortages. The extra crews taken out of Toowoomba Depot which in turn leaves them short.

TOOWOOMBA
Not much has changed here with the coal, grain and stock trains keeping everyone busy.

The main problems here and elsewhere are with some parts of management trying to force more and more trains into weekend rosters. This becomes a problem when Traincrew try to fit normal social/sporting activities into weekends like normal people do, and the roster is trying to run more trains at the same time. Management goes home at the end of each day and at weekends, Traincrew continue on through the night and through the weekends and are still referred to a shirkers and bludgers, when a Driver does not get 320 hours in a cycle. This is generally not a fault of Traincrew.

We are then told we will have BLP's taken off us if 320 hours are not worked.

How much does management want out of Traincrew?

Any future TCA discussions need a minimum number of BLP's per cycle and a minimum number of these included in weekends so Traincrew may keep some sort of normal home life.

I was a bit disappointed with the lack of nominations for Union positions. This can only mean that everyone is happy with the status quo or they just do not care. Remember without members support there is no Union, so step up and be a part of it, it does not hurt, it just takes a bit of your time.

To all those that have nominated for positions I wish you all good luck.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all and their families a Merry Xmas and all the Best for the New Year.