RAIL EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE TRYING TO UNDERMINE RAIL WORKERS' SKILLS.
They're pushing for bogus new "qualifications" that would tie workers to the rail industry, prevent them from skilling up and leave them at the mercy of companies trying to “micro-credential” their workers into job insecurity.
Instead of teaching workers generic skills that they can use throughout their working lives in a variety of industries, industry groups are lobbying behind the scenes to introduce certifications that teach task-specific skills without any prospect of further learning or career progression. These new certifications, like the Cert II in Rolling Stock Maintenance, also sit outside the Manufacturing Award, which gives workers strong protections on wages, conditions and union participation in EBAs. Instead, a lot of the new certifications sit under the Rail Award, which has much weaker industrial protections.
If the Rail Award becomes the industry standard, rail manufacturing workers all over the country will lose bargaining power.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE FIGHTING BACK TO SAVE OUR SKILLS.
We're demanding that rail companies don't:
- Participate in any industry committees that undermine the skills of workers through creating new so-called “qualifications”
- Recognise qualifications outside legitimate Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package standards
- Undermine trade qualifications by classifying workers incorrectly.
We're also organising rail workers to make sure these conditions are written into all upcoming bargaining agreements.
Download the Save Our Skills workplace resolution.
Download speaking notes for your next workplace meeting.
