On 10 February 2025, union officials attended a meeting on AV’s rostering reform efforts, aimed at reducing fatigue and increasing flexibility for on-road staff.
Workforce Engagement
The metro and regional workforce engagement is nearly complete, with the survey on rostering preferences closing on 3 February. The results indicate a continued preference for a 40-hour workweek with accrued ADO, with 12-hour shifts also being favored. These results are being compared to data from the 2020 survey. AV is taking a risk-focused approach to rostering reform and is prioritising areas for engagement with Area Managers.
Planning and Coordination
The reform process involves careful coordination, including branch upgrades, accommodation planning, and improvements to rest areas and parking facilities. Additionally, AV is reviewing fleet needs in relation to roster changes and future capacity requirements. A ten-year plan is being developed, which will consider workload, demand, and risk analysis.
Union Access to Survey Results
AV has committed to providing the union with the survey questions and responses by late February.
Funding and Business Case
AV must provide evidence of how the current budget is being used to justify the need for additional funding. A business case will be developed to address the reorganisation of existing resources, annual funding, and any potential need for additional funding.
Roadmap and Timeline
By the end of March, there will be a clearer roadmap regarding workload and demand. The business case is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.
Follow-Up Survey
A follow-up survey will assess the effectiveness of the changes post-implementation.
Union Advocacy
The union discussed past funding issues, emphasising the importance of focusing not just on work hours but also the intensity of work. Many branches are currently overcapacity, which affects staff rest and recovery. The union continued to advocate for improved flexibility by hiring staff who can work on alternate rosters, and stressed the importance of early engagement in the planning process.
