Rail, Tram, and Bus Union
Transport union in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rail, Tram, and Bus Industry Union (RTBU) is an Australian trade union representing rail, tram and bus workers. The RTBU is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Labor Party.
Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees
Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees' Association
National Union of Rail Workers of Australia
Australian Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union | |
| |
| Predecessor | Australian Railways Union Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees' Association National Union of Rail Workers of Australia |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 March 1993 |
| Headquarters | Trades Hall, 4 Goulburn Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Members | 35,178 (December 2025) |
National President | Victor Moore[1] |
National Secretary | Alex Claassens[1] |
| Affiliations | ACTU, ITF, ALP |
| Website | www |
Internationally, the RTBU is affiliated with the International Transport Workers' Federation. It has a membership of 35,178 as at December 2025.[2]
History
The union's history goes back to 1861, with the formation of the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association in Victoria. The Public Transport Union was formed on 1 March 1993 through the amalgamation of four long-standing transport unions: the Australian Railways Union, the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, the Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees' Association and the National Union of Rail Workers of Australia. The amalgamation created one union for public transport workers for the first time in Australia.[3] It adopted its current name in 1998.[4]
Structure
The RTBU is organised into National Divisions, covering Infrastructure; Rail Operations; Tram and Bus; Locomotive; Workshops and Salaried and Professional. There are seven state branches, with the National Office located in Sydney:
Gallery
RTBU Queensland rally against the Newman government, Brisbane 2015
RTBU New South Wales members protesting WorkChoices, 2005
Rail, tram and public service unions protesting against the Public Service Reduction Act, 1934
Union members outside Brisbane Trades Hall during the 1912 tram strike
Railway Workers' strike, Brisbane, 1948
Crowds and police in Edward Street in front of the Trades Hall during the Railways Strike, Brisbane, 1948
RTBU supporters carrying a banner in the Brisbane Labour Day March, 2012
