Union Selling Out Yet Again.

["Tezza" <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au>]

Despite previous promises, the Freemason led RTBU is now ready to sell out yet
again to the Freemason led Cityrail and agree to extend the air-conditioning
timetable for the S-sets to 4 or (probably many) more years.

There are 285 cabs to done, with Cityrail claiming it will be expensive to
upgrade the power supply to enable air-conditioning. $60M for $285 cabs,
that's $210,000 per cab. If they can air-con a truck cab for a few thousand, I
can't see why it should cost 7000% more for a train cab. FreightCorpse went
the same stupid route for the 48's and it cost a fortune and was absolutely
useless.

All Cityrail propose to do this financial year is to "finalise the scope of
work and subject to funding availability invite tenders.......... and if
possible prototype at least one four-car set."

If it costs $210,000 per cab, and there's only $50,000 set aside this
financial year, how are they going to pay for a prototype? They wouldn't be
telling porkies that they even intend to try this year?

"If the prototype is successful, air-conditioning the 285 crew compartments
will commence next financial year, subject to funding availability. This will
comprise a 2-3 year program to complete.

"The total cost ........ is substantial ($60M estimate).

"........it must be stressed that proposals .........do not at present have
full funding approval.............. SRA's 4-year Capital Works Program
includes, for this work, $50,000 this financial year and $4M, $7M and $11M
over the following three years.......... However, State Rail has agreed to
include an additional bid for $38M in it's Capital Works Program.........."

That works out to less than 5 trains next year, 8 the next and 13 the year
after that. That's not allowing for inflation and the inevitable massive cost
blowouts.

"testing is to occur in summer (agreed) Note: this may delay the overall
program if the prototype is completed in the cooler months of the year." Gee,
what are the odds of that happening?

"......State Rail cannot agree to the payment of a disability allowance in the
order originally sought by the RTBU..........."

"Based on the consultant's assessment that ambient temperatures of 29degreesC
[Where? In an air-conditioned Tangara?]and above are likely to result in
elevated heat stress levels ......... and that there are approximately 34 days
per annum when this occurs, [In Tasmania?] State Rail Maintains that this
should be used as the basis for determining the appropriateness and quantum of
a disability allowance."

"......Assuming the number of cabs not air conditioned comprises 50% of the
fleet [That's a generous assumption] and the average number of hours worked
per shift is 8, and we use a rate of $0.50 per hour, the quantum is calculated
as follows:

            34 x 0.5 x 8 x $0.50 = $68.00

Accordingly, State Rail is prepared to pay an annual allowance of
$68.00........ Such payment is to be paid as a single payment in October each
year until the air-conditioning program is completed, ie for each of the years
2000-2001 to 2003-2004 inclusive........"

That's $35 per annum to put up with non-airconditioned cabs in Sydney which
has stifling humidity at 25degrees. Good on ya RTBU, see you at election time.