LiveWire Autumn 2018

LIVEWIRE ETU NSW

AUTUMN 2018

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION

BARGAINING TO WIN Thousands of ETU members win higher pay & improved conditions with new union EBAs

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DAVE’S SAY...

locked in as WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE A solid majority of ETU members has secured improvements to pay and conditions over the past few months.

Members across several key sectors have locked in enterprise agreements that leave them better off.

At Transgrid and the three distributors, thousands of ETU members are now enjoying real wage rises. Those at Ausgrid and Endeavour won substantial cash bonuses on top.

These electricity EBAs have been a long time coming. They mark a turning point for our members across the sector. We’ve weathered the storms of privatisation with our members protected. We now look to the future.

In rail, members are voting on an EBA which smashes the government wages cap. The offer includes other positives won by the ETU including enhanced protections on contracting.

In construction and contracting, the lift industry and elsewhere numerous recent union EBAs are setting and, in some cases, raising, industry standards.

While we must aim higher in every campaign, it is beyond question that the value of ETU membership is illustrated in each of these agreements.

But it’s also vital to understand that workers and their unions today are severely and unfairly restricted in bargaining. The rules are broken – which is why we are asking all our members to join our Change the Rules campaign in 2018.

May Day is a key event for that campaign. Please bring your family and friends and join us on Sunday 6 May to celebrate our movement’s many achievements as we build to Change the Rules.

This month we launch ETU Youth. We aim to grow a network of young electrical workers and apprentices to build our union, drive campaigns and nurture the next generation of ETU leaders.

Tara Koot, who is leading that work, is one of three fresh recruits to our organising team. The others are Anthony O’Sullivan, who takes on rail and other shops, and Lawrie Duff, who adds weight to our construction and contracting team.

At the same time we bid farewell to Ron De La Cuadra, our legal officer, who will be sadly missed after years of valuable work for members.

See you at May Day DAVE MCKINLEY

SECRETARY ETU NSW

2018

CON TENT

PAY RISES

YEAR of the UNION EBA

08 09 11 12 18 22

ENDEAVOUR VOTE ON PAY RISE

& BONUS

AUSGRID MEMBERS WIN 7.5% & 1,600 SYDNEY TRAINS EBA VOTE AND RAIL NEWS

CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTING

ROUNDUP

ETU ACTION PROTECTS ELECTRICAL TRADE CANBERRA DEEP SPACE COMPLEX

EBA LATEST

UNION CONTACTS SYDNEY: 02 9267 4844 NEWCASTLE: 02 4968 2488

www.etunsw.asn.au AUTUMN 2018

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WE WANT TO SEE YOU ON

MAY DAY

Join us to celebrate working-class history and build a movement for change on May Day, Sunday 6 May. May Day is a family-friendly event with free food, entertainment, rides and much more.

In 2018, May Day is also a launching pad for the Change the Rules campaign.

Bring your family, friends and workmates – every person who joins the ETU contingent will receive a free t-shirt to mark the occasion.

MAY DAY 2018 11AM, SUNDAY 6 MAY MEET HYDE PARK NORTH

Stay social with your union

For the latest ETU news, views and pics – like and follow your union: @ETUnsw

@NSW_ETU

etunswact

DAVE’S

SHAVE FOR A CAUSE

ETU member Dave Brien will sacrifice his beloved ‘virgin hair’ to raise funds and create wigs for blood cancer patients. it’s never been treated with Inspired by Metallica, the lift ‘I’ve been thinking for chemicals. technician has proudly rocked 40-centimetre hair since his years about donating The Kone lift worker has played teens, even branching into guitar in a series of heavy my hair to make wigs deadlocks at one time. metal bands, most recently with a group of Bangladeshi But Dave recently turned 40 for cancer patients.’ and decided it was time for an image change. On Sunday 18 March he was booked for a complete cut and shave, joining the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

He’s hoping to raise more than $1,500 with the support of fellow ETU members and other friends.

The ETU has donated $200.

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‘On Sunday, I’ll finally take that step and raise a few dollars for a good cause in the process,’ said Dave.

‘My hair will go to the Variety Club where it will be fashioned into wigs for Australian cancer patients. It’s going to be a big day.’

Dave’s hair has been assessed as high-grade ‘virgin hair’ because

How to sponsor Dave Brien

university students in Pandemonic Incantation.

‘I will never give up on heavy metal but it’s time to lose the heavy hair,’ he said.

Go to www.worldsgreatestshave.com and search ‘Dave Brien’

/ AUTUMN 2018

Every member, every site

Get on board to Change the Rules The ETU calls on members in all industries to get behind Change the Rules, the union’s major campaign in 2018.

Change the Rules is a national campaign that seeks to rebalance industrial laws and address inequality.

Launched by ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, Change the Rules has already placed the fact that ‘the rules are broken’ on the agenda.

The campaign argues that major reform is needed in areas ranging from the right to strike to systematic corporate tax avoidance.

It’s now time for on-the-ground action from union members and communities.

ETU Secretary Dave McKinley said Change the Rules is directly relevant to ETU members who have been disadvantaged by broken rules supported by the Turnbull Government.

‘We face broken rules every day with labour hire, wage stagnation and bargaining rights,’ said Dave.

‘Labour hire is being systematically exploited by employers to undermine pay and conditions, most notably in construction and contracting under the Liberal Government’s ABCC and Building Code. We need to change the rules to reverse this tide of casualisation and bring back job security.

bargain with one hand tied behind our back. The enterprise bargaining system has broken down. Employers have too much power and workers too little.

‘At Essential Energy we saw the company apply to cancel the EBA and force workers onto the basic award. Rail workers saw industrial action banned midway through an EBA campaign.

‘The bargaining rules and the Fair Work Act are clearly broken. The industrial laws need to be torn up and rewritten so that ETU members can bargain effectively to protect and improve our wages, conditions and job security,’ said Dave.

ETU members will be asked to support Change the Rules at site meetings and public meetings

across Sydney, News South Wales and the ACT.

SALLY MCMANUS ACTU SECRETARY

The campaign will pressure political parties to commit to changing the rules – including Labor which holds its policy-making National Conference in August.

‘This is the most important union campaign since Your Rights at Work dethroned the Howard Liberal Government in 2007, after the introduction of the hated WorkChoices,’ said Dave.

‘We must build powerful momentum for real change. That means building ETU power, political power and people power.

‘We will fight a federal election sometime between August 2018 and May 2019. Change the Rules must be the pivotal issue at the election. We must hold political parties to account before, during and after that election,’ said Dave.

‘Wage stagnation is hurting ETU members.

Profits soar, managers give themselves big bonuses, yet workers have to fight tooth and nail to win moderate pay rises.

‘A big part of the problem is that the Federal Government forces us to

DAVE MCKINLEY SECRETARY ETU NSW

AUTUMN 2018

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For a family fun day with free food, entertainment, free rides & more. facebook.com/unions.nsw

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To join your union text RIGHTS to 0488 838 805

| (02) 98815999 / AUTUMNunionsnsw.org.au/mayday 2018

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THINGS ABOUT TARA

Tara Koot is our new Apprentice & Youth Officer

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2 I come from a very close family.

My parents, brother, sister and I all live in the same Wollongong suburb that I was born in.

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I’m a licensed electrician just out of Ausgrid, where I worked in Customer Connections. They called me the ‘Bucket Lady’ because I was always in the bucket.

I became an ETU delegate because I believe in union values. We need to stand together, otherwise we’ll get walked over.

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I’ve tried many sports but rugby league is my passion.

I played six years for Port Kembla before injuring my back.

Second row is my dream position.

Most people don’t know that I was afraid of heights when I started the job. Sometimes you just have to suck that fear up. I spent five years working up poles all day.

I’m the first Apprentice & Youth Officer at ETU NSW. I’m here to build membership and support young workers.

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I’m a mad traveller.

I love meeting people. So far I’ve been to Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, Bali and Fiji. Next up, Europe!

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On weekends I like to renovate my house.

I’ve just dug a hole and laid the slab for a hot tub in the backyard. I’ll do the wiring and my brother will plumb it.

7 I was always the only female on the job.

I never talked about that, I just proved myself by working hard and getting it done. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.

In March we launched ETU Youth, our young members and activists network.

We’re going to bring the next generation of ETU leaders.

GET ON BOARD WITH ETU YOUTH

ETU Youth & Apprentice Officer Tara Koot

OUR NEW YOUNG MEMBERS & ACTIVISTS NETWORK. We’re on to all the big issues that matter to your career and the future of our trade.

Jobs and training. Your rights and safety at work.

Government policy and the ABCC. And much more.

More info Tara Koot 0488 931 108 OR tarak@etunsw.COM.au etuyouth

@NSW_ETU

ETU Electrical Trades Union

etuyouth

www.etunsw.com.au

AUTUMN 2018

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MEMBERS RISE, $1,750 BONUS VOTE ON 7.55% PAY

Our great team of delegates rose to the challenge.

BRAD CURREY

ETU ORGANISER As LIVEWIRE went to print, around 1,000 Endeavour Energy members were voting on a union-endorsed enterprise agreement.

The three-year EBA offers pay rises totalling 7.55 per cent, including annual instalments of 2.75 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.3 per cent, with the first pay rise backdated to December.

ETU members will receive a sign-on bonus of $1,750.

The EBA proposal was developed over months of interest-based bargaining between unions and the company, facilitated by Fair Work.

A meeting of combined union delegates endorsed the document. Two weeks of depot meetings across the network saw ETU members express clear majority support for the EBA, according to organiser Brad Currey and senior delegates.

Members voted between 15-20 March with the result to be declared at the end of that period.

Brad Currey said the proposed agreement ‘meets the key interests endorsed by all delegates at the start of this EBA campaign’.

discussions reach an agreed resolution, the status quo of no forced redundancies will apply.’

‘Our aims were job security, reasonable wage rises and maintenance of all existing conditions,’ said Brad. ‘We also wanted some recognition of our three-year wage freeze. The $1,750 bonus should be higher but it goes some way to addressing that.’

Brad said ‘our great team of delegates at Endeavour rose to the challenge. I particularly want to thank our senior delegates including Noel Mahon, Brad Rossiter and Nick McWhirter and our negotiating committee for the huge, sustained effort they put in.’

The EBA includes a written commitment from Endeavour Energy to employee protections that prohibit forced redundancies prior to July 2020.

Brad called for more younger members and delegates to step up as ETU leaders of the future.

‘The company committed to discussions with the ETU after July 2020 on what a subsequent redundancy and salary maintenance policy may look like,’ said Brad.

‘We want to develop younger workplace leaders, including through our new ETU Youth group. I’m hoping to see those new faces on the team for our next EBA.’

‘Those discussions will consider the state of the industry and the operating environment at that time. Until those

‘TICKS THE BOXES’ Nick McWhirter is one of the veteran ETU delegates who helped steer Endeavour workers ship through some turbulent waters in recent years. He says the proposed EBA ‘ticks the boxes that our members identified’.

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‘A larger pay rise would have been good, but that’s the economic climate.

We do have a seat at the table when redundancy policy is discussed, that’s important,’ said Nick, a project supervisor at Huntingwood.

/ AUTUMN 2018

Overall, I think it’s a reasonable result that boosts wages and puts a bit of upfront money in the pocket.

NICK MCWHIRTER ETU DELEGATE

YES VOTE TRIGGERS PAY RISE, CASH BONUS

MARK BUTTIGIEG

ETU ORGANISER

AT AUSGRID

ETU members at Ausgrid received a $1,600 cash payment plus a 2.75 per cent pay rise on the day that a strong majority voted up a new enterprise agreement.

Almost 90 per cent of Ausgrid employees voted in the ballot, which was declared on 6 March. Of those, 73 per cent voted ‘yes’ and 27 per cent voted ‘no’.

The result ushers in a three-year EBA delivering 7.5 per cent higher pay on top of the one-off bonus. When job protections expire in July 2020, redundancies, whether voluntary or forced, will be capped at 250 annually.

Redeployees taking redundancy will receive a $75,000 payment on top of other redundancy entitlements.

The agreement was sealed after protracted negotiations, an overwhelmingly vote to authorise protected industrial action, depot meetings, several delegate meetings and two huge mass meetings.

ETU organiser Mark Buttigieg said the outcome delivers real pay rises and significantly limits redundancies.

‘This is a significant achievement.

We faced off against a hostile State Government and then privatisation.

The very clear majority of our members recognised that by voting yes,’ said Mark.

‘Our Ausgrid members retain the best pay and conditions in the distribution sector.

This package lays the platform for a powerful EBA campaign in three years.’

The redundancy cap sits in stark contrast to massive job losses experienced in other States where the distribution sector has been privatised.

ETU action has ensured Ausgrid employees will continue to enjoy 15 per cent superannuation. A 20-year-old who works their entire career at Ausgrid will retire around $300,000 better off compared to interstate distribution workers on 9.5 per cent super.

Discussions continue on the CCR, Ausgrid’s new classification and pay structure.

stay focused on ensuring that the final structure provides fair opportunity for future career progression.’

‘We’ve stuck together through tough times. But the company is now under stable ownership. Employees remain united and strong.

Throughout negotiations we ticked the most important boxes and built a platform for the future.’

Mark extended the ETU’s gratitude to the union’s delegates and activists.

‘Our people put months of blood, sweat and tears into this long, difficult campaign. On behalf of all our members and officials, thank you,’ he said.

‘Thanks to the hard work of our delegates, we’ve been able to substantially improve the CCR from the awful structure originally proposed by Ausgrid,’ said Mark.

‘But there’s still a way to go. We will

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PAY BOOSTED, CONDITIONS MAINTAINED

AT ESSENTIAL

More than 2,600 Essential Energy workers celebrated the New Year with a 2% pay rise -- the first of four in their new enterprise agreement.

‘This agreement delivers modest pay rises and job security without trading off the conditions we have,’ said Justin.

The 3.5 year EBA, approved by more than 96 per cent of employees who voted, includes total increases of between 7%-8.25% while maintaining all existing conditions.

ETU Assistant Secretary Justin Page welcomed the strong turnout and huge ‘yes’ vote.

A B E D I R G S N TRA CONDITIONS PROTECTS & IMPROVES

A four-year EBA will deliver total pay rises of 8 per cent, with two instalments of 2 per cent already in place.

The agreement includes better redundancy pay, superior remote working arrangements and a pacesetting 10 days domestic violence leave.

Col Waring, a substation advisor and ETU negotiator, said ‘it’s a reasonable outcome in a tough environment for the electricity sector. We’re 100 per cent privatised and our workforce is under pressure.’

‘We had to protect jobs and full-time employment, particularly in rural areas.

We need stability and security. This EBA delivers that along with improved conditions and a reasonable pay rise for the future,’ said Col. Transgrid workers are now entitled to up to 62 weeks redundancy pay.

Employees working away from home are now uniformly entitled to claim a day ‘sustenance rate’ instead of being paid ‘actuals’ (receipted expenses).

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‘That’s great news for our members at Essential Energy.’

‘This positive outcome is the result of our delegates’ hard work and dedication. At depots across NSW, ETU delegates are the heart and soul of the union.’

ETU members at Transgrid have maintained and improved conditions in the first enterprise agreement since the company was privatised two years ago.

A new flexible arrangement for remote work means employees working away for long periods will enjoy more leave when they get home.

The company was sold by the NSW Government in December 2015 to a consortium composed of Australian, Canadian and Middle Eastern investors.

ETU Secretary Dave McKinley, who led negotiations, said the maintenance of conditions met ‘our members’ biggest concern’.

The four-year EBA, which expires in December 2020, covers around 900 employees.

‘Our team protected all key conditions while enhancing others with an eye to the future.'

‘Transgrid is likely to take on more contestable work. This will require extended periods of remote work which will see our members benefit under clauses in this EBA,’ said Dave.

Transgrid operates almost 13,000 kilometres of high voltage transmission network in NSW and the ACT.

COL WARING

ETU NEGOTIATOR

Rail members LOCKED & LOADED FOR ACTION

As Livewire went to print, ETU rail members were keenly anticipating the declaration of the ballot on a proposed enterprise agreement.

More than 800 ETU members were among around 10,000 rail employees who voted on a draft EBA put out by management after weeks of depot meetings.

Should a majority of workers vote down the proposed agreement, ETU members are locked and loaded for an industrial campaign following a successful Protected Action Ballot in February.

More than 50 per cent of ETU rail workers voted in the PAB, giving overwhelming approval of up to 95 per cent to a range of potential industrial actions.

ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan said the next move hinged on the outcome of the EBA ballot.

‘Our members, along with other rail employees, will decide whether management’s offer is good enough,’ said Anthony. ‘If the draft EBA is rejected, we’ll join the Combined Rail Unions in an upgraded campaign to win an improved deal.’

The proposed agreement would deliver three annual 3 per cent wage increases, a one-off $1,000

FACES

of the

FUTURE

The ETU welcomed 40 new Sydney Trains electrical apprentices at an induction day in February.

‘This group of outstanding young workers is part of the future of the electrical trades in the rail sector,’ said ETU President Glen Potter. ‘The ETU is proud to represent them.’

‘It’s great to see Sydney Trains making a commitment to apprentice training over the past four years,’ added Glen.

bonus and an expanded travel pass.

ETU negotiators have also secured a new Consultative Committee which will allow the union to vet any proposal to contract out electrical work. The ETU team has protected wage relativities that recognise the skills and qualifications of electrical workers.

ANTHONY O'SULLIVAN ETU ORGANISER

The EBA vote came after the Fair Work Commission ordered the RTBU and Professionals Australia to stop protected industrial action in January including an overtime ban and a planned one-day strike.

‘That event demonstrates how our industrial rules are broken.

The right to strike is on life support. The ETU is committed to changing the rules so that workers are able to bargain fairly and protect what we have,’ said Anthony.

New rail organiser has big plans The ETU’s new rail organiser is a former Ausgrid lineworker who plans to strengthen the union’s delegate structure and crack down on contractors.

Anthony O’Sullivan was a leading ETU delegate at the electricity distributor before recently coming on board full-time with the union.

‘I’m aiming to push towards 100 per cent union membership among electrical workers in rail as a platform to defend our trade, our conditions and our job security.

‘Once we’ve settled our EBA campaign, I’ll be visiting depots to meet with members and build up our activist and delegate capacity,’ said Anthony.

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2018

YEAR of the UNION EBA

The ETU’s Sydney Construction and Contracting Team has declared 2018 The Year of the Union EBA.

Organiser Antony Stegic said recent agreements at Fredon and Grid have set the pace and talks are well advanced with several other contractors.

LAWRIE ON BOARD for UNION ACTION The ETU’s Construction and Contracting team has been bolstered by new recruit and former lift installer Lawrie Duff.

Lawrie is out and about across Sydney building union strength, monitoring site safety and talking to electrical workers about the difference a union EBA makes.

The 25-year-old started his apprenticeship at Western Sydney mid-size contractor Hix Electrical, then did his last year with Nuvo, through Electrogroup.

The contrast Lawrie experienced between the two companies galvanised his commitment to trade unionism.

‘I was amazed at the difference in quality, care and professionalism going from a non-union company to a union company. Working with strong ETU members really clicked with me. It ignited my passion as a unionist,’ he said.

After working as an installer with Kleemann Elevators, Lawrie brings solid industry experience to his ETU role.

The keen surfer, snowboarder and angler says safety must always be priority one for electrical workers.

‘Going home safe to your family at the end of each working day. That’s what matters most,’ he said.

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‘We’re seeing a real uptick in union action as electrical workers push to get their fair share of the Sydney construction boom,’ said Antony.

The Fredon and Grid EBAs will deliver rates of $44.36 plus a $2 per hour productivity allowance on a 36-hour week to more than 100 ETU members.

The union’s Construction and Contracting Team is pursuing similar outcomes across the sector with companies including NOS, John Ayres Electrical, G-Force, PRO Electrical, Goldline and UTech.

‘We are setting the standard with union EBAs that provide union pay and conditions.

A union EBA is the only way to beat the wage stagnation that is recognised as a major problem across industries,’ said Antony.

‘A quick look at the crane index tells you that Sydney is chock-a-block with construction, contracting and infrastructure projects.

Every project needs skilled electrical workers. We want every electrical worker in the ETU, on a union EBA and earning every dollar they deserve.’

CANBERRA: STOWE’S

$29 per hour NON-UNION EBA

ETU INTO BAT FOR

60 NORTHCONNEX SPARKIES

The ETU is negotiating with Lend Lease as the company prepares to employ up to 60 electricians at the $3 billion NorthConnex project.

The sparkies will be on board from July 2018 for an 18-month electrical and mechanical fitout.

Union organiser Antony Stegic said Lend Lease had committed to directly employing electrical workers, rather than taking the low road to labour hire.

‘We are in talks with Lend Lease about ensuring that our members get the pay and conditions they deserve on this pace-setting infrastructure dig,’ said Antony.

‘We have established that a $5.75 site allowance will be payable.

We also need to ensure that the right number of apprentices are employed.’

ANTHONY STEGIC

ETU ORGANISER

NorthConnex is a ninekilometre tunnel in northern Sydney that will connect the M1 and M2 motorways. The completed two-lane tunnel will carry up to 100,000 vehicles per day.

BEN LISTER

ETU ORGANISER

BEN’S MISSION to clean up

LABOUR HIRE ETU organiser Ben Lister is on a mission to clean up the labour hire mess that is flooding through the Sydney construction and contracting sectors.

He said employers are ruthlessly exploiting labour hire workers to undermine established wages, conditions and job security.

‘We are getting constant reports from ETU members who are working side-by-side with labour hire workers. The exploitation is blatant: labour hire workers are getting paid less than those directly hired and can be removed from the job at the whim of the employer,’ said Ben.

‘We’re seeing the labour hire guys getting almost $10 per hour less than direct employees on an ETU enterprise agreement,’ said Ben. The ETU opposes the spread of labour hire which has resulted from Turnbull Government policies including the ABCC’s Building Code.

But the union also seeks to recruit, organise and represent electrical workers employed by labour hire agencies.

‘Our mission is to unite electrical workers so we can build maximum union strength for the benefit of all. When all workers on site are union, we have the foundation we need to protect and improve conditions for all through collective action and union EBAs.’

Do you have labour hire on your job or are you employed by a labour hire agency? Report to the ETU Construction and Contracting team 9267 4844

Canberra ETU organisers Matt McCann and Mick Koppie have uncovered a non-union EBA at Stowe that pays new electrical workers just $29 per hour.

The sub-standard EBA offers no wage increase for two years, with a boost of just 2.1 per cent in the third year.

‘This agreement will see workers go backwards fast.

In contrast, the union EBAs we are negotiating with several employers include solid pay rises and other substantial benefits,’ said Mick.

The etu's vision is clear: we want an industry where employers compete on a level playing field, not on driving down wages. If the current rules do not facilitate this, then the rules need to change.’

AUTUMN 2018

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HELLO D

ETU delegates are the heart and soul of our union.

Our workplace leaders are respected and supported across the ETU.

Think you might make a good delegate? Read on WHAT DOES AN ETU DELEGATE DO? ETU delegates have a range of duties, depending on their knowledge, experience and industry.

Delegates help organise and represent members. Delegates work in a team with other delegates, supported by an organiser. Delegates negotiate, communicate, support, advise, recruit --- and more.

HOW WE SUPPORT & TRAIN OUR DELEGATES Full support from your ETU organiser and fellow delegates Union delegate training to give you the skills and knowledge you need The right to paid time at work to perform your union role on the job.

INTERESTED? FIND OUT MORE Interested in finding out more about becoming an ETU delegate?

Contact your ETU organiser or the ETU office.

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Fab Four ETU

Delegates Doug Nurka

electrician, Programmed Electrical Technologies When and how did you become a delegate?

Around five years ago, we had a big job with around 30 electricians. We needed a delegate. I put my hand up and I’ve been doing it ever since.

What motivated you to become a delegate?

You’ve got to look after the boys.

Together we’ve got to fight to protect what we’ve won over the years.

What are the biggest issues you deal with?

Safety is our biggest challenge. Builders just want to get the job done quick.

We need to make sure that safety procedures are enforced so our people go home safe at the end of the day.

What’s your message to young electrical workers?

We’re only getting good pay and conditions because we fought for it. If you want to stay on a good wicket, you’ve got to stand up and fight for it.

Do we have enough young members stepping up as ETU delegates?

No, we need more to share the responsibility for our trade’s future.

In 10 years, a lot of us old blokes won’t be around.

DELOS Geoff Metzner electrician, Ausgrid

How and when did you become an ETU delegate?

I’ve been at Ausgrid 13 years but it was only a year ago that I got active in our union. There were so many major changes affecting me and my workmates, including our EBA.

Steve Argyros technician, Aristocrat Technologies How long have you been an ETU delegate?

I’ve been with Aristocrat for 23 years, following in my Dad’s footsteps, but I only became a delegate around four years ago.

How was your first year as a delegate?

What motivated you to take on the delegate’s role?

I jumped straight in the deep end.

Thankfully, we’ve got a brilliant team of delegates so I’ve been able to play my part as a cog in the ETU machine.

My workmates have been great – really intelligent, committed and supportive.

It was time to play my part. We’ve built some pretty decent pay and conditions at Aristocrat. It takes a team of delegates to maintain and improve that.

What issues have you taken on?

I got involved with the whole transformation process. I joined the negotiating committee for our EBA. Plus I’ve been helping work out a new classification and pay structure.

Are you enjoying it?

Yes, it’s been very interesting to see how all the processes work. I’ve been able to represent workers on a few occasions and had a couple of wins.

Any advice for other young ETU members thinking of taking on the delegate role?

It’s a great way to help your company become better for all our workers. You’ll be surprised at how much work the ETU does behind the scenes to improve things.

What are some highlights you’ve seen as delegate?

I’d have to say our EBAs. All our conditions we got together as unionists. Back in the day you had to ask the boss individually for a pay rise. Today we all get regular increases.

What do you talk to your workmates about?

I ask everyone to join the union.

We share the benefits, we need to share the effort. I educate people about the ETU.

Any personal reflection on being an ETU delegate?

I think you bring your own qualities to the role. Being a delegate teaches you skills that are useful in your life.

It’s great for self-confidence.

Dave Colusso signal electrician, Sydney Trains

What motivated you to become a union delegate?

I’ve been with Sydney Trains 37 years and an ETU member all that time. Around 20 years ago, I had a run-in with an unscrupulous manager and the ETU supported me. That’s when I volunteered.

What achievements stand out over 20 years as a delegate?

We’ve kept management bullying at bay. We’ve also successfully defended our working conditions from numerous attacks. On the positive side, we’ve achieved improvements through cooperating with management, such as the right for apprentices to work paid overtime.

How are the local ETU members supporting you?

They’re not afraid to raise issues, which is great. But what we need are more activists to share the union work, and we need some to sign on as delegates. It’s a satisfying role and one that is essential to the future of our trade and our career.

AUTUMN 2018

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INDUSTRIAL ROUNDUP

JASON COWBURN ETU DELEGATE

Pay rises in, asbestos out at Sunshine Sugar Around 20 electricians employed by Sunshine Sugar have secured a 7.5 per cent pay rise over three years, while maintaining all current conditions.

The ETU members are among hundreds covered by a new agreement at the company’s three sugar mills in northern NSW. The deal is ‘not too bad’, said ETU delegate Bruce Quinn. ‘We got as far as we thought we could go without taking industrial action. It’s an OK outcome considering the uncertainty in the sugar sector.’

The first payrise of 2.5 per cent is backpaid to August 2017.

Sunshine Sugar is jointly-owned by a sugar farmers co-operative and agribusiness giant Manildra. The company is the sole Australian sugar producer with mills at Broadwater, Harwood and Condong.

‘A profit share payment with a lower percentage increase was rejected by the combined union members and employees. We declined that offer in favour of a straight percentage increase with more long-term certainty,’ said Bruce.

‘The vote was close. I think the company’s offer to backpay the increase to August probably clinched the yes vote."

Mine workers rejected by 192-93 an enterprise agreement that would have paid half of each annual pay rise as a flat dollar amount, with half being paid as a percentage.

This would have seen non-trades workers earning a higher hourly rate compared to trade-qualified workers by the end of the threeyear agreement.

The hybrid pay system was developed by CFMEU Mining and Energy Division regional leaders but voted down by rank-andfile CFMEU Mining members combined with ETU, AMWU and Professionals Australia members.

‘The hybrid pay idea failed to take into account basic facts such as the different number of hours worked by groups of workers here at Mandalong,’ said Jason.

‘Any system that results in non-trades workers being paid more than tradespeople is unfair and contrary to long-established relativities.’

Soil and other materials were removed from the site and workers received asbestos training. During the Christmas shutdown, buildings including the mechanical workshop, meal room, store and IT building were renovated.

Jason said that rank-and-file CFMEU Mining and Energy members had rejected the proposal because it discriminated against trade and professional workers.

BRUCE QUINN

ETU DELEGATE

/ AUTUMN 2018

ETU and other union members have combined to vote down a misguided hybrid wages proposal at Centennial Coal’s Mandalong Mine, near Morisset.

ETU delegate Jason Cowburn said the CFMEU Mining and Energy wages proposal was ‘a severe miscalculation’ that has been rightly binned.

When samples taken by Safework NSW confirmed the presence of asbestos, the company was forced into action.

16

TO BIN MISGUIDED HYBRID WAGES PLAN

Unions will now return to the negotiating table. The ETU expects that the next draft of the EBA will revert to percentage-based annual pay rises, in line with trade union values.

The EBA closes a tumultuous year for Sunshine Sugar after an ETU investigation detected asbestos in soil and buildings at the Broadwater mill.

‘We’re glad that the company and the workers now have a safe working environment without the daily threat of asbestos,’ said Bruce.

MINERS COMBINE

‘It’s a victory for solidarity. Hopefully all concerned have learned from this episode and we can move on to an improved agreement,’ said Jason.

Coke workers

Around 160 ETU members at two divisions of Coca-Cola Amatil are receiving pay rises and other improvements under agreements finalised in late-2017.

go better with two EBAs A four-year EBA for production and maintenance workers at the company’s Northmead plant delivers a $1 per hour increase in the first year followed by 5.5 per cent in total over the next three years.

ETU organiser Steve Robinson said the outcomes bring real benefits in the context of Coca-Cola’s closure of its Adelaide plant in 2018 and a three-year wage freeze imposed at the company’s main Queensland operation.

‘Our production members at Northmead are some of the best paid in Australia and our maintenance members are in front with these above-inflation increases,’ said Steve.

A second agreement covering more than 100 workers at Coca-Cola’s St Leonards call centre includes pay rises of 6 per cent over three years.

The EBA also delivers job security for around 50 workers who were employed on fixed-term contracts, making them permanent.

‘That’s a great return on union membership: more money and greater peace of mind,’ said Steve.

s r e b m e m n e s l i N , e s i r y a p % 9 t ge T S O O B R E E R A

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e Bankes organiser Stev U ET to so al ‘Thanks .’ us all the way who was with ral started seve stalled and re s. er ag Negotiations man en changed times as Nils e top of the Grade 7 at th w ne a s tify te e crea used to iden The outcom ‘This can be e. e ur ct th ru ith st w n n classificatio r electricia e of a regula . os an th ri e B ov id ab sa skills y rises,’ associated pa the potential for ns working at ice electricia rv . se SW rs N ve d co The EBA ss Sydney an t of vans acro airport or ou

AUTUMN 2018

/

17

ETU action protects

the electrical trade, boosts apprentice rights Electrical trades standards in NSW have been protected and strengthened, thanks to a sustained ETU campaign.

The ETU swung into action after the NSW Government sought to water down legislation and weaken licensing standards and security for apprentices.

The union won the policy argument and the political chess game to ensure there is a rigorous assessment process to obtain a NSW electrical license.

‘The outcome is a significant win for all current and future electrical tradespeople, especially our apprentices.’

The result was crucial ETU-backed amendments to the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Amendment Bill 2017, which applies from January 2018.

The Department of Industry had sought to abolish Vocational Training Review Panels which assessed all applications for trade recognition in NSW.

These amendments mean a panel including an ETU representative will decide on every application for trade recognition to gain an electrical license.

The Panels – which included members from the Department, ETU, bosses’ union NECA and TAFE – were to be replaced with a single Commissioner.

Union action also succeeded in abolishing ‘trainee apprenticeships’ which allowed employers to employ apprentices as casuals.

‘This proposal was a joke and the punchline was that the Commissioner had zero trade or electrical experience.

He was a well-meaning bureaucrat who wouldn’t know a circuit from a circus,’ said Justin.

‘How could he possibly assess who is or is not qualified in the electrical trade?’

The responsibilities of employers to deliver full training to apprentices are more clearly defined in the amended legislation.

Apprentices will come out of their time with a ‘Certificate of Proficiency’ – a full qualification from Training Services NSW which the Department of Fair Trading recognises to award Electrical Licenses.

All this and more was achieved after ETU Assistant Secretary Justin Page and ETU organisers attended every public consultation across NSW regarding the Government’s proposed changes.

ETU lobbying also lined up a majority, including crossbenchers, in the NSW Upper House – so the Government faced embarrassing defeat in Parliament if it forged ahead with plans to loosen standards.

‘We won the policy argument but we had a political solution as backup,’ said Justin Page.

18

/ AUTUMN 2018

application for electrical trade recognition.

‘This structure ensures that standards will be maintained and apprentices protected. It ensures individuals and skilled migrants who apply for electrical trade recognition in NSW, using trade skills obtained outside of the formal NSW apprenticeship pathway, go through a rigorous process equivalent to what our electrical apprentices need to go through,’ said Justin.

It ensures these people applying for Electrical Licenses have the appropriate skills and competencies to carry out electrical work.

It’s a great win for our members and all those who will enter our trade in years to come.

The Review Panels were abolished for every other trade in NSW. The electrical trade Panel has been renamed the ‘Industry Expert Group’ comprising representatives from the Department, the ETU and NECA. TAFE will submit a report regarding each

JUSTIN PAGE

ETU ASSISTANT SECRETARY

KONE SITE ALLOWANCE BOOSTED BY UP TO $5 PER HOUR Most Sydney Kone lift workers will enjoy pay rises of up to $5 per hour thanks to a new site allowance matrix.

The boost comes on top of the 16 per cent wage increase won by Kone employees in a hard-fought EBA campaign last year.

Around 170 lift technicians and fitters working in the company’s installation and modernisation sections will receive the higher rates from February.

The new site allowance varies between $2 per hour, for projects valued under $10 million, to $7 per hour, for contracts over $700 million. This replaces current rates of $1.76 per hour.

Union members won the higher rates after the Federal Government’s building watchdog rejected a site allowance clause in Kone’s recently-negotiated EBA. ETU organiser Steve Bankes said the new matrix ‘is a first for the industry’ because site allowance now sits within the Kone enterprise agreement.

‘This sets the standard not just for lift companies but for other electrical employers across NSW,’ said Steve.

‘In future negotiations, we will push to extend similar standards throughout the industry.’

Steve said the outcome reflects the strength of union members at Kone.

STEVE BANKES

‘When you join your union and stick together, you get results.

Congratulations to our members at Kone,’ he said.

ETU ORGANISER

12% MORE PAY, 2% MORE SUPER

FOR THYSSENKRUP LIFT WORKERS

Around 90 lift workers employed by Thyssenkrupp will enjoy a 12 per cent pay rise, 2 per cent more super and other benefits over the next three years.

These big gains are included in a new enterprise agreement voted up by an overwhelming majority at a mass meeting.

The EBA covers ETU lift technicians and AMWU fitters working across installation and service.

The German conglomerate will pay workers three annual 4 per cent wage increases. Employer superannuation contributions will jump from 10 per cent, currently, to 12 per cent over the life of the agreement.

‘It’s a good outcome that our members achieved without taking industrial action,’ said ETU organiser Steve Bankes.

Copy that

‘Demand for skilled labour is high in the lift industry. It is a sector in which we are highly organised.

‘These factors and the recent successful six-week industrial campaign by our Kone members are making employers keen to find agreement.

‘Congratulations to all our members at Thyssenkrup. To those without a union card, we say enjoy the benefits of this collective EBA but it’s time to get on board and share the load with your workmates.’

The ETU has launched a bold campaign to recruit and organise hundreds of workers across the business equipment industry.

Launched at a meeting of Fuji Xerox employees, the campaign seeks to improve pay, conditions and job security across the sector.

AUTUMN 2018

/

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ASK AARON...

ARE YOU BEING BULLIED AT WORK?

I’ve lost count of the number of cases of bullying that have come across my desk. We always try to help but, sadly, in many instances my hands are tied.

IF YOU FACE BULLYING AT WORK, THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND GIVE THE UNION THE BEST CHANCE OF REPRESENTING YOU. IF YOU WANT TO ASK ETU LEGAL OFFICER AARON MCKINNON A QUESTION

Please email askaaron@etunsw.asn.au

1 Stay in the job, even if you have to take leave.

The powers of the ETU are limited once you quit

2 Keep a detailed diary of all incidents, so we have a record to support any complaint

3 Do not allow yourself to be provoked into retaliation that may give someone an excuse to discipline you

4 Report the problem to your ETU delegate, organiser or the ETU office.

If you follow these steps, we can advise you on how to deal with the issue at work. This may involve initiating processes under health and safety or Fair Work regulations. We can also represent you if you are subject to any disciplinary processes.

We understand the stress and misery bullying can cause. As a union member you do not have to face this pressure alone.

BLUESCOPE TALKS ANGER as workers

REJECT PAY OFFER

Industrial action is on the agenda at Bluescope after 99 per cent of workers rejected a company offer that included pay rises of just 2 per cent per year.

The lousy pay offer is an insult to employees who accepted a three-year wage freeze and hundreds of job losses in 2015 to help balance the company’s books.

Those sacrifices resurrected Bluescope’s financial fortunes with the steel producer now making well over $1 billion profit per annum.

While management has gorged itself on bonuses, employees are being offered scraps.

Bluescope’s unacceptable offer comes after months of interest-based discussions.

The company walked away from that process once bargaining commenced.

‘This offer is a slap in the face after so many meetings and all we’ve given up to secure a future for Bluescope,’ said ETU delegate Matt Daly.

"We bent over backwards to help the company continue steel making in Port Kembla. Now people are asking the question: “Were they really going to shut the steelworks or was it a shock strategy to make us accept wage cuts and job loses?”’

The heat is rising on EBA talks covering around 1,200 workers Port Kembla and the Spring Hill plant which manufactures Colorbond.

Shares spiked 5 per cent to an eight-year high in February on the back of a profit forecast of $1.16 billion in 2017/18. This follows a similar profit in the previous year.

‘Workers have been doing it tough for three years. Our numbers were cut to the bone. We see these profits and we deserve our fair share, said Matt Daly, an electrician in bulk berth, Port Kembla.

ETU organiser Brad Currey said the company’s offer which ‘ignored our claims’ included a 1 per cent bonus if sick leave was reduced below 4 per cent.

MATT

‘We will never DALEY agree to link ETU DELEGATE bonuses to health and safety issues.

Management needs to tear up this offer and come back with something far improved,’ said Brad.

AUTUMN 2018

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21

SLOPPY CSIRO DRAGS CHAIN ON DEEP SPACE COMPLEX EBA Union members employed at Canberra’s Deep Space Communications Complex have written directly to NASA, which fully funds the Complex, after months of frustrating delays in EBA talks.

The letter explains how CSIRO, which manages the Complex, delayed an agreement by starting negotiations late and failing to complete basic paperwork on time.

Members of the ETU and other unions took action including an indefinite overtime ban and short stoppages. This produced an improved pay offer, but vital clauses of the agreement remain unresolved.

The Complex at Tidbinbilla, near Canberra, is one of three global facilities that together support NASA’s interplanetary spacecraft missions.

ETU organiser Mick Koppie said around 80 workers are likely to escalate industrial action if management fails to make an acceptable offer soon.

‘We’re pretty close in two main aspects,’ said the veteran union official.

‘We’ve got the outline of a wages offer and we’ve locked in most current conditions without trade-offs. That’s after CSIRO initially tabled more than 30 proposed clause changes.’

Management has offered a 6 per cent pay rise over three years – the maximum allowed under Federal Government guidelines for public servants. The CSIRO insisted on the wages cap despite the Complex not receiving any Australian Government funding.

Commission is taking up to three months to process agreements.

By the time we get there, it’s likely to be July 2018. That is due to management delays so why should our members lose a year’s worth of increases?’

Also unresolved are several employeefriendly clauses that unions say must be added to the EBA. ‘The Fair Work Commission is taking three months to ratify EBAs, so we need the pay rise to start on the day our members vote yes,’ said Mick.

‘Regarding new clauses, we had a close look at federal public sector EBAs including a big one at the ATO. We found these agreements included several clauses that CSIRO management had claimed were not allowed under the guidelines. We’ve now insisted that the agreement be amended to include these clauses.

‘If these outstanding issues are resolved, our members ‘We’ve got agreement that the increases are likely will be 3 per cent in year one, 2 per cent in year two and 1 per cent in year 3. The to vote the argument now is over the starting date EBA up. of the first pay rise,’ said Mick.

If not, we’re ‘The current EBA expired on 30 June 2017. Had talks started on the agreed going to date, we would have wrapped up a new see further deal on time and members would have received an increase from July. conflict which ‘Management want to pay the first the potential increase from the date an EBA to disrupt NASA is ratified by Fair Work. But the operations.’

22

AUTUMN /2018 LIVEWIRE / ETU NSW/ MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014

MICK KOPPIE

ETU ORGANISER

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Visit www.etunsw.com.au or call the ETU office on (02) 9267 4844 for an application form.

AUTUMN 2018

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