Union lists demands for new Transport Minister after Jo Haylen’s ‘scandalous’ resignation

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) has already laid down a to-do list for the incoming Transport Minister set to take over after the departure of Jo Haylen.

A recent chauffeur scandal has cost the job of NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen, forcing NSW Premier Chris Minns into searching for her replacement amid deadlock negotiations with the RTBU over wages.

As reported by The Guardian, Haylen resigned after revelations found that she was taking personal trips via taxpayer-funded services. It was reported that the now former transport minister indulged in a winery lunch on Australia Day with some friends, which included a 13-hour 446-kilometre round-trip for her ministerial driver – costing the taxpayer $750.

In a statement, Haylen admitted to making “mistakes”, claiming that “people aren’t perfect”.

“I did not break the rules, but I acknowledge that’s not the only test here. I’ve let the public down, and I’m very sorry for that. We were elected to be better than the last government,” she said.

Haylen’s resignation comes at a turbulent period as the NSW government is currently still embroiled in deadlock negotiations with the RTBU over pay disputes, which have seen the Sydney Trains network undergo delays and threats of week-long shutdowns.

Throughout the stand-off, Haylen held stiff resistance against the union’s demands, much to the dismay of union officials. With the announcement of her resignation, the union was quick to list what they have deemed as priorities for the incoming NSW Transport Minister.

In an authorised post to the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union Facebook page titled “What the new transport minister needs to do in their first 100 days”, the union listed the following:

• “Disband transport for NSW”
• “Commit to high-speed rail”
• “Improve regional rail services”
• “Put our buses back in public hands”
• “Opal cards for all transport workers”

Following this, HR Leader reached out to the union, which offered a statement regarding the former minister’s resignation.

“There’s no question that the role of Transport Minister in NSW is an incredibly challenging one,” said Toby Warnes, secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW.

“The former NSW Coalition government’s decision to spend more than a decade systemically destroying our transport system has left transport in this state in a precarious position.”

“The incoming Transport Minister will have a significant challenge on their hands. So far, the NSW Labor government is yet to show any vision or ambition in the public transport space. If it is serious about fixing transport in this state, it needs to start now.”

Warnes clarified the key goals that must be achieved by the incoming Transport Minister.

“In addition to the work that needs to be done to ensure that the state’s rail workers finally get the fair wages and conditions they deserve, there are also numerous other transport challenges that need to be taken up by a new Transport Minister, including sorting out the mess that bus privatisation has created, improving regional rail services, and committing to finally introducing high-speed rail in the state,” said Warnes.

“NSW deserves a world-class public transport system, and we will continue to work to help deliver that for the state’s commuters and transport workers.”