Keolis Downer Confident it Will Bring Newcastle World-Class Transport

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle's private transport operator Keolis Downer has responded to claims they are still underpaying drivers and cancelling services.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says there are still problems occurring two months after dozens of bus drivers were underpaid hundreds of dollars.

Keolis Downer admits there were problems with the payroll system, but the incidence of workers being underpaid are much less than they were three months ago when they first took over Newcastle's transport system.

"The pay roll that was run Wednesday last week for a total workforce of around 350 people we had only nine errors within that payroll run, some of those were overpayments, some of those were underpayments. Where we had underpayments the corrective payment has been made within days of the error being identified,"

"So this issue has certainly reduced down to a point where we have only a handful of errors on the most recent payroll run," said Keolis Downer Chief Executive Campbell Mason.

Several of the Hunter's Labor MPs met with the RTBU and workers yesterday, calling for action from Transport Minister Andrew Constance on the operator. The call for action comes after he promised Newcastle and the Hunter a world-class transport system, but MPs are all in agreeance that Keolis Downer is failing to provide it.

Another problem is services being cancelled, often without notice.

"The worst month that we had for cancelled services was August when the flu spike was at its worst and certainly the cancellations have stabilised since then. So its nothing like the problem that it was in August, and we have also recruited additional drivers into our workforce so that we are more resilient and more able to deal with those sorts of shocks should they happen again," said Campbell Mason.

Despite all of the criticism, Campbell Mason is confident Keolis Downer will be a world-class transport operator in Newcastle and bring the people what they want.

"I've used teething problems to describe the system issues that we've been addressing, there are some broader based issues within the business where we need to driver longer-term improvement and change so I don't see us putting a time frame on turning the business around as such. Some of the things can be readily fixed, other things will take time to fix."

Keolis Downer has Stuffed Up: RTBU on Newcastle's Private Transport Operator

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Keolis Downer was first accused of underpaying its workers in August, and it seems the problem hasn't gone away, instead it has gotten worse.

Workers have been reportedly getting underpaid, not getting their uniforms, there's numerous rostering issues, bus services have been cancelled without warning and children are being left on the side of the road when their buses don't turn up.

Local Labor MPs met with Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay, workers and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) this morning to discuss the problems plaguing the operator.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston said the first pay period problem was fixed and the company did apologise, but when the next pay period came it was the same problem again.

He says Transport Minister Andrew Constance came, signed it over, walked away, and doesn't care enough to do something to fix it.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston addressing media this morning.

"What I think has happened here is the Transport Minister has signed them on the dotted line, walked away and hasn't bothered to follow up to ensure that this would be smooth. It's been far from smooth,"

"You ask these workers over here if they like not being paid for what they've done if you ask the community who've been left on the side of the road if they're happy about that. I'm sure the answer Mr Constance will be no. We're not happy about what's happened up here," said Chris.

The union says the problem goes beyond just underpaying workers, drivers are fatigued because of their rosters. Bus drivers can't work more than 12 days straight and their shifts are heavily regulated, but Chris Preston said it doesn't appear to be being adhered to in Newcastle.

"We raise this time and time again with Andrew Constance. He doesn't care, quite frankly this has become about money and about a privatised system that is about efficiency, that is about the government pushing it onto someone else and saying you can make money out of this," said Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay.

The MP's have been fielding complaints from the public, and workers alike, because they aren't getting the answers they want or any answer from Keolis Downer.

"Now sure the company apologises, and they say they're going to get it right. Well, they've had three months and they haven't got it right and we are deeply concerned," said Jodi McKay.

"This is the Minister's baby. He came out and said this would be a world class system, it is not. Ultimatelytransport in this state rests with him whether its public or private it rests with him. He has to take accountability for this and he is not."

In addition, Swansea MP Yasmin Catley hasn't seen any of the consultation she says residents were promised from Keolis Downer. 

"They promised us consultation. We all met with them and they said we'll consult, trust us. Well, we've waited three months and we don't' trust them. They have not been transparent and they have not been honest with the people in this community," said Yasmin Catley.

"I believe the Transport Minister and the company have stuffed this up, it's the only way to say it," said RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston.

Both Keolis Downer and Transport Minister Andrew Constance have been approached for comment.

Morale very low among Newcastle's bus drivers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Transport operator Keolis Downer has only been operating in Newcastle for six weeks and already they're being blamed for mistreating and underpaying their workers.

Morale is reportedly very, very low among Newcastle's bus drivers as they deal with the frustration of allegedly being given incorrect wages, shift penalties and superannuation payments which has left them out of pocket for over a month.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Kate Washington says the company is also blaming bus drivers for services being cancelled when in most situations it has been the company's fault alone.

"Six weeks in and we've seen 170 services cancelled and those cancellations have been blamed on the drivers. Drivers who aren't being paid for the hours they're working and that's just not on,"

Image showbus.com

"I've heard from at least three different drivers but I understand it is across the workforce and there are systemic problems in the system that Keolis Downer is trying to implement. Morale is very, very low amongst all the drivers, they don't feel like they're being given respect," said Kate Washington.

In a statement, Keolis Downer say there have been no cuts to services across Newcastle's public transport but they have had a lot of drivers unable to work due to the terrible flu season.

They say they are in the process of recruiting more drivers to make up for those unable to work and even though it's inconvenient for customers, they'd rather them be healthy and safe and not catch the flu from sick drivers.

Already they've welcomed eight new drivers to their Newcastle fleet in the past week.

But Kate Washington wants answers to the claims of mistreatment and she's written to the Transport Minister demanding support.

"It just feels like Newcastle has been the guinea pigs in all of this. And the government now needs to revise and review its plans to further privatise public transport elsewhere, there are plans afoot for Sydney and that needs to stop now."

Fed up with young workers being exploited: Hornery

BY JARROD MELMETH and JESSICA ROUSE

Exploitative business practices are being called out and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling for more protections for workers both young and old who are being exploited by them.

It comes after reports last week of the Fair Work ombudsman pursuing legal action against Tokyo Sushi outlets throughout NSW, including one in Fletcher.

The business allegedly underpaid seven workers more than $22,000 between January and September 2016.

Sonia Hornery is moving a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament calling on the government to do more to protect vulnerable young workers who are being exploited and cheated out of the wages they are legally obligated to receive.

"I'm not sure how the government will react to this, but hopefully they'll see the sense and fact that they know that there's an award and the award is important. I'm sure they'll see the sense in the fact that it's not appropriate to allow any business to underpay staff," said Sonia Hornery.

"I think the notice of motion will prompt other people to come forward about these reports. I guess its also making businesses aware and any companies aware that young workers or older workers, it's important and not just important but mandatory that you pay them the award rate."

Bus drivers underpaid under new transport boss

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Things haven't gone as smoothly for Newcastle bus drivers since the city's public transport was taken over by Keolis Downer last month.

Drivers say they're being underpaid hundreds of dollars, leaving them out of pocket with the prospect of more payment delays.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington quizzed the transport minister on the issue in parliament yesterday, asking if the underpayment was an example of what he meant by greater efficiencies under privatisation.

It sounds like everyone knows and are trying to rectify the problem - Transport Minister Andrew Constance says the company told him they're aware of the issue and are working to fix it as soon as possible.

Fair Work Ombudsman takes action against Fletcher sushi operator

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a number of Tokyo Sushi outlets, including the one at Fletcher, for allegedly underpaying seven workers more than $22,000 between January and September 2016.

Facing the Federal Circuit Court is Kiyoshi Hasegawa, who is involved in operating a number of Tokyo Sushi outlets in NSW and was allegedly involved in underpaying a total of 31 workers engaged across three outlets in the Newcastle and Central Coast regions. 

Inspectors allege during an audit of the Fletcher outlet as part of a routine proactive compliance activity, 15 workers were found to be underpaid a total of $22,567.

It is not the first time a Tokyo Sushi outlet in the Hunter has shortchanged staff, with one former employee telling 2NURFM they have allegedly been underpaid thousands of dollars.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James alleges that many of the underpaid employees were more vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace with seven employees at the Fletcher store were allegedly aged between 16 and 20.

“Employers should be aware that we treat the underpayment of young and overseas workers particularly seriously.

“Young workers and workers from migrant backgrounds can be more vulnerable to exploitation as they are often reluctant to complain or are less aware of their rights.

“My agency is committed to sending a message to all business operators that anyone who attempts to capitalise on these vulnerabilities can expect to face serious enforcement action,” Ms James said.

Image source: Tripadvisor