RTBU State secretary Luba Grigorovitch re-elected by union

VICTORIA’S influential public transport union has overwhelmingly backed state secretary Luba Grigorovitch, re-electing its first female boss in a landslide ahead of a mammoth period of enterprise bargaining in 2019.

VICTORIA’S influential public transport union has re-­elected state secretary Luba Grigorovitch in a landslide.

Ms Grigorovitch will lead the Rail, Tram and Bus Union ahead of a mammoth period of enterprise bargaining in 2019.

Agreements for workers with Metro Trains, Yarra Trams and V/Line are all due to expire on June 30 next year and have not been negotiated since a gruelling campaign that saw train drivers walk off the job in 2016.

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Ms Grigorovitch became the first female leader of the 8000-member union in 2013 and was also the youngest state secretary at age 28.

This week, she was re-­elected after beating opponent John Morotta with 68 per cent of the vote.

“I am so proud and honoured to be re-elected as the branch secretary of the RTBU and I am grateful to the members who again supported me and put their trust in me to lead our union,” Ms Grigorovitch said.

“Mr Morotta ran a good campaign and gave me a good run for my money.”

RBTU branch secretary Luba Grigorovitch ties the knot with John Moroney at NGV. Picture Jay Town

Ms Grigorovitch said her pitch had been keeping the union strong and united.

“I’m proud our union is a strong and militant union and I want to continue to provide good work conditions,” she said.

“The biggest challenge will be next year when all our major EBAs expire.

“Our No. 1 priority is retaining conditions and ensuring members get a good wage ­increase.”

It comes just months after the RTBU joined a group of powerful Left-wing unions to form the new and influential Industrial Left faction.

Rail Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch speaking at rally outside Trades Hall. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Grigorovitch has made no secret of her political ­ambitions within the Labor Party but said she was first and foremost committed to the union.

“At the moment, I’m at the union — full stop,” she said.

“This election was quite gruelling and I’ve got no plans of moving on from the role I fought for.”

Ms Grigorovitch said she wanted to see the RTBU’s membership top 10,000 on the back of record investment in public transport.

“We are one of the only ­unions in which growth is definitely going to happen so I am in an enviable position,” she said.

“When I spoke to drivers, their main concern was the automation of trains; station staff were concerned about being provided with the right amount of support; and tram members want to know their union is going to stick up for them and their rights.”

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