CFMEU Tasmania Worker Summer 2016

R O F E M I T IR AFAL! DEA

NEVER MORE WORK ON, NEVER BETTER OPPORTUNITY

$35 AN HOUR, $35 A DAY TRAVEL, $35 WEEK INCOLINK

SUMMER 2016

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

HIGHER KEV HARKINS WAGES PRESIDENT NOT A CRIME

EBA TIME $35 FOR KEV’S CALL

It is an undeniable fact that wages and conditions for construction workers in Tasmania are the worst in the country. While the reasons for this are many and varied, the situation is not beyond repair.

T

he industry in Tasmania isn’t poor, it’s just the way the way the pie has been divided over the years that has taken workers backwards as far as wages go.

What do I mean by that?

Many employers in both the commercial and civil construction sectors, some originally family based, have done very well from our work and fair play

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CFMEU WORKER

to them. Reward for risk is fair enough but not when it’s off the backs of construction workers sweat.

We want employers to be financially strong and viable, after all they employ CFMEU members.

But shouldn’t we also expect to be paid our fair whack for the work we do? To be honest, that hasn’t happened in Tassie for many years, decades maybe.

SUMMER 2016

KEV HARKINS PRESIDENT

 Hansen Yuncken Glenorchy job

This next round of agreements in 2017 gives us an opportunity to claw that back, even if only by a little.  There is more work planned in the next five years than anyone can remember.  A federal election, along with funding promises for roads and other infrastructure could be closer than we think.  The Royal Hobart Hospital Project, at $700m, will soak up a tonne of labour.  The civil and commercial construction industries have never been stronger or in a better position to be able to properly reward the workers that actually build our cities.

We shouldn’t be shy about our demands this time around; we have a benchmark to work from that has been established by the largest employer in our industry.

Other major employers that we have met with also agree that the pay rates are well below par, but as usual the excuses flow and no one wants to be first cab off the rank.

CFMEU members need to think about what you can do to help - the first step is to participate in what we are doing!

 Stephen Little blokes at Calvary Hospital job

All these activities and your involvement will help win us a decent increase. Don’t be satisfied with crumbs off the table.

For a 40 hour week (standard for an office worker), our current rates add up to just $70,000 a year. Even bosses admit that’s just not enough to live and support a family considering the work, risk and come-and-go nature of the industry. $35 an hour, $35 a day travel, $35 a week Incolink redundancy for between jobs. It

will still leave Tasmanians as the worst paid in the country, but it’s a good start towards a fairer share.

It’s time for Tasmanian construction workers to find their voice and demand a fair share.

 Left to Right: Dale “Doggie” Cracknell, Mark Dennie, Greg Stitz

 Talk to your mates: discuss it with others on your job and around the industry, in the pub or at a barbie. If they are not CFMEU members encourage them to join, there is strength in numbers and that’s never been any different.  Fly a flag, put some stickers on your hat and around the place, put a few posters up at your worksite - small things count.  When meetings are called make sure you are there. The first industry mass meeting at the Hobart Town Hall was a huge success, next time lets double the number of workers!

SUMMER 2016

CFMEU WORKER

03

RICHIES REV

TASSIE CHANGES Richie Hassett Secretary

and we welcome them in their new roles.

Both myself and Kevin look forward to working closely with them servicing our Membership.

Nyrstar EBA

There’s been some changes in the sub branch.

F

irstly I’d like to acknowledge and thank Noel ‘Washo’ Washington for the hard yards and years he’s put into getting the Tassie CFMEU back on its feet and fighting.

It’s been great working with him over the years and its a credit to him that we’re in the position we are today.

We would like to thank all the previous Tasmanian members who served on the sub-branch committee of management.

We thank them for their dedicated service to union members in Tasmania and wish them all the best in the future.

Through the recent union elections, a new sub branch committee was elected

The Union has a long history of representing workers at the smelter and looks forward to engaging with these Members through this round of EBA negotiations.

The company has indicated that the classification structure is outdated and the Union is willing to sit down and bargain in good faith to achieve an exceptional outcome for our Members at the smelter.

Safety Recent incidents have highlighted the need to be vigilant when dealing with safety on sites. We will never compromise on safety and it is our priority that each worker returns home in the same way they turned up.

Please be mindful and look after your workmates with what is commonly known as the Christmas push as history shows that along with this push, safety can go out the window.

Your Tas Management Committee: President Kevin Harkins Secretary Richie Hassett Plastering Andrew Wise Cranes Mark Dennie Carpentry Gary Brown & Peter Rolands Labourers Dale ‘Doggie’ Cracknell Nyrstar Marshall Reese

It’s been a long year for the workforce, we hope that everyone enjoys their well earned time at home over the Christmas break with their family and friends.

May I also suggest, when back at work, make the most of the wonderful Tassie summer and let’s take our RDOs together!

 Safety mass meeting at

Macquarie St

ie’s jobs Here to help on Hutch Fragrance the During a recent visit to St, a number arie cqu Ma Group Hotel job in While it’s ed. ntifi ide e wer of safety issues py to help hap ays alw re we’ ng, disappointi s. improve safety for worker

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CFMEU WORKER

SUMMER 2016

SAFETY ONSITE

STAND UP FOR SAFETY Myer site crane safety

There’s been issues around the country with crane safety recently. Hutchies should know better than to have a crane commissioned with a man box operating above workers without proper access and exit points. Workers killed by falling panels in Queensland just a few weeks ago had no escape.

 Workers should never be under a load and must always have safe access/exit

Hazell Bros civil safety

FAIL

This recent example on the Brooker Highway junction civil construction job shows that all the policies and paperwork in the world still doesn’t help workers on Hazell Bros civil sites.

No solid protective barriers with workers exposed to vehicles seen by CFMEU Officials doing 60-70km at an intersection within 2 feet of workers. Bunting was the only thing between them and a car or truck that only has to lose control or concentration for a short moment to kill a worker.

This is clearly not good enough from a company that has been given the contract to demolish numerous buildings on the Royal Hobart Hospital.

 An accident waiting to happen

SUMMER 2016

After parading the Glenorchy City Council brass through the job, they seem more worried about looking after council politicians than their own workers.

CFMEU WORKER

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ON SITE

Perth-Breadalbane Bypass stage 1 - part of the Midland Highway Upgrade project

ONSITE

VEC have formworkers, carpenters, boilermakers, steel fixers and more. Getting in subbies like Cemento Rapido to help with all the work, along with MC for extra labour.

VEC - Main e Bridge on tsh Devon Hill Underpass

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CFMEU WORKER

SUMMER 2016

ON SITE

why not us?

EBA PROGRESS

The VEC EBA expired in 2014 and they haven’t had an agreement for a number of years.

We have started a process of merging two agreements into one to cover civil and structural. The Union doesn’t see why workers in civil and structure should be treated differently.

CFMEU Organisers have met with the majority of employees asking for input and will be back to discuss progress soon. In some circumstances, the company hasn’t been properly applying their agreement and we have successfully pursued these issues with pay and conditions.

We expect VEC will be a part of the industry agreement with $35, $35, $35 - hourly rate, weekly travel and weekly Incolink redundancy.

Discussions with the company have been positive. Given VEC rates are closer to the $35 than others, the outstanding issues are more around the classification structure when merging agreements.

BAD BOSS GONE!

Hollands off to a great start at RHH, sacking their 2IC! First they blame the workers, second the subbies, and last but not least is to eat there own.

No real surprise there, we look forward to seeing how many more they go through for incompetence.

From Adelaide Hospital to Hobart, jobs are better off without Matt Launer.

See ya Matt!

VEC employees currently have redundancy paid into Acirt. The new agreement will allow employees to invest in Incolink and enjoy all the benefits such as insurances they provide.

SUMMER 2016

CFMEU WORKER

07

NEW EBA Some people in the construction industry in Tassie believe that low rates of pay are the way to go. We say enough is enough – it’s time to treat construction workers with respect!

S job UTAS NRA

OTHER STATES RATES

CARPENTER

e Macquari St Hotel

VIC $41+ ALLOWNCES QLD $41+ ALLOWNCES SA $36+ ALLOWNCES NSW $35+ ALLOWNCES

why not us?

Glenorchy t a A B E g Talkin

Your skills are going to be to be in demand. It’s time to stop accepting rubbish rates and ask yourself – why not us???

EBA= RDOs

 Boys on Hutchinson Macquarie St Hotel job taking a break

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33A New Town Road New Town TAS 7008 Ph 03 6228 9595 Email tasoffice@cfmeu.org

cfmeu.org.au/tas

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CFMEU Tasmania

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