Rail Tram & Bus Union

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) covers all employees in the rail, tram and bus industry.

The RTBU was created in 1993, but its history and roots go as far back as the 1860s. It is now one of Australia’s major industry based unions.

The amalgamation of the various unions and the creation of the RTBU was important because it gave rail, tram and bus members one unified strong voice in its dealings with Government and private operators, to defend and protect member’s rights.

The amalgamated RTBU was the workers response to massive change in public transport, motivated by an anti-union and privatisation ideology driven by conservative Governments.

The RTBU has provided support and representation for hundreds of thousands of members over its 150 year plus history and continues to protect the interests of the 35,000 members it currently services.