I am taking this opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of this Saturday's Federal election for you, our members and working people in Australia.

If John Howard is elected again, Australian workers are in for even more of his Industrial Relations Agenda. Howard will use another term to force through more changes to workplace law that will restrict the rights of working people and make it impossible to achieve fair and just improvements to wages and conditions.

How quick Howard would like us to forget about Patricks, Rio Tinto, BHP and the Commonwealth Bank.

His system will deliver to working people:

• More individual contracts
• More contracting out
• More award stripping
• Less wages
• Less job security
• Less fairness

John Howard has deliberately avoided talking about the bread-and-butter issues that really affect people's lives. He has been silent on workplace relations, education, health, childcare, and aged care because his Government's record in these areas is appalling. Instead, he has focused solely on issues that while relevant should not be what this election is decided on.

Many people who have been hurt by the Howard Government have been distracted by the serious events overseas and by Howard's focus on those events.

No matter what incentives Howard can promise you in his campaign, they will be worthless if you have no job security or if you can't get wage increases under his policies.

The ALP has proven to the ETU that it has the leadership and vision to take Australia forward and that all Australians under Labor will get a fair go, not just the wealthy.

I most sincerely call on you to think about these issues which effect our every day lives and strongly urge you and your families to

DEAN J. MIGHELL
STATE SECRETARY

2.
Southern States Branch

Garry Laycock, President of the Tasmanian Branch of the ETU, reports that the formation of the Southern States Branch has taken a significant step forward with the recent endorsement of rule changes by the National Council of the CEPU.

The National Council consists of representatives of the ETU, the Plumbing and the Communications Divisions of our Union.

These rule changes will now be presented to the Industrial Registrar in Sydney for validation, which will be completed in a few months.

This will allow for the establishment of the Southern States Branch, with Dean Mighell as Secretary, and Gavin Marshall (Vic) and Kevin Harkins (Tas) filling the roles of Assistant Secretaries.

Tasmanian members are looking forward to the formation of the new branch, along with the benefits and new levels of support that will result. For more news from the Tasmanian Branch click here.

3.
Sustainable Living Fair

The Sustainable Living Fair will be held in the heart of Melbourne on November 16, 17 and 18 in the Alexandra Gardens. The Fair is expected to attract 40,000 people, with over 200 exhibitors and 70 seminars. The ETU Southern States Branch is a supporter this year.

In a great festive family atmosphere, the program features ongoing working demonstrations, entertainment, and extensive range of informative seminars covering everything from building solutions to ethical investment. A diary of events at the fair can be found at http://www.thefair2001.org/seminars.html

Building on the previous highly successful Fairs, sustainability criteria will be applied to all potential exhibitors to ensure credibility and relevance to the goals of sustainable living.

There will be a wide range of exhibitors with products or services including: Solar, Wind, Micro Hydro, Solar Hot Water, Heating and Cooling, Timber and Sustainable Building Technologies, Composting Toilets and Greywater Water Collection and Conservation, Permaculture, Organics and Bio-dynamics, Straw bale, Earth and Timber Building, Energy Efficient Housing, Home Improvements Household Products, Government Information and Advice Services Environmental Organizations, Ethical Investments and Business Advice, Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Transport Alternatives.

The Fair promises to be an informative event.

November 16, 17 and 18 in the Alexandra Gardens Melbourne.

Information and details about the location can be obtained from the SLF website. http://www.thefair2001.org/map.html

4.
eTU Online Shop

Members and supporters can purchase ETU merchandise online through our web-site. ETU tee-shirts, polos, flags, badges and pins, AS/NZ wiring rules, and more can be sourced through the site.

In the coming months, additional items will be added to the site. The Union welcomes suggestions. Go to www.etu.asn.au/shop to view the current selection.

Download an order form (PDF 55kb)and fax (03) 8341 5566 to the Melbourne office or phone (03) 8341 5555 and order directly. Have your VISA, BANKCARD or MASTERCARD ready.

5.
VICTEC Awards 2001

Maria Alibrando reports on the success of the fourth annual VICTEC Group Training Awards held at Melbourne's Albert by the Lake, in recognition of the achievements of apprentices in the Electrical Technology and Communication Industries.

"Over 400 guests were in attendance representing a mix of industry, apprentices, sponsors and stakeholder members. The evening's celebrations included awards for:

• The Skills Centre Student of the Year - 1st to 3rd years
• VICTEC Apprentice of the Year - from 1st to 4th years
• Lineworker Apprentice of the Year
• Trainee of the Year
• VICTEC Hager B & R Apprentice of the Year

All candidates undergo an extensive examination and interview process in the hope of achieving success and recognition for their chosen field.

This year's Winner of the VICTEC Apprentice of the Year was Derek Spargo from Berwick. Derek has successfully passed the LEM examination and other post trade certificates, including Certificate IV in Electrical Motor Control Strand, Safe Working in Confined Spaces; Confined Space Entry; Roadworks Signing; Fire Safety Level 1 & 2, and Worksite Traffic Management.

Additionally he is an active community member, being awarded a Queen's Scout in 1997. Derek's skills and abilities are supported by a strong positive attitude and an underlying belief in his chosen career.

Courtesy of the major sponsor Hager B & R, Derek's award includes a trip to Germany, where he will gain insights into overseas industry and broaden his work experience.

The night could not have been possible without the generous support and assistance of our sponsors including ETU Southern States Branch."

6.
Billy Bragg Bags the Queen's Commission

Billy Bragg bagged the Royal Commission at an impromptu concert at Federation Square recently.

Workers were treated to a number of Bragg songs, including "There is Power in the Union".

The Age newspaper reported Bragg as saying "Clearly this Royal Commission has been timed to get in a bit of union bashing before the election here in Australia and I'm sad to say that's the story around the world.

"Political parties tend to change and their policies change but unions and the fight that they are fighting for is always the same. They are fighting for their members, they are fighting for their jobs and they are fighting for the communities they are a part of."

Obviously Billy is part of the union and the global struggle for workers' rights.

7.
Royal Commission

The Coles Royal Commission into the construction industry has commenced and members have attended a rally and a mass meeting to vent their anger about what is viewed as nothing more than a political stunt by the Federal Liberal Government.

Thousands of members attended the first Melbourne hearing of the Commission and over 5000 attended the Rod Laver Arena to hear progress reports by union officials.

Workers see the Commission as an attack on their wages and conditions including the security of their entitlements, which are secured in industry trust funds.

Members at the meeting put and adopted a resolution to levy members to pay Union legal and other costs associated with the Commission in order to defend hard won entitlements.

8.
ETU Bargaining Agent's Fee Upheld Again

On October 13 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) again upheld the Bargaining Agent's Fee incorporated within ETU Contracting EBAs.

The Federal Government had attempted again through the Office of the so-called Employment Advocate boss, Jonathon Hamburger, to stifle the clause that puts an end to free-riders bludging on Union members.

The full bench of the Commission upheld an earlier decision by Vice President McIntyre, which gave the ETU the right to impose the charge on non-union workers benefiting from their workplace negotiations.

The bench cited four reasons for rejecting the submission by Jonathon Hamburger:

1. The clause doesn't require employers to discriminate between members and non- members when offering terms of employment.
2. The discriminatory action alleged wouldn't arise until the union waived the bargaining fee for members. But such an action wouldn't be a breach of s298K(1), which only covers conduct by an employer.
3. The bargaining fee clause binds employees via the contract of employment and the agreement and can't be waived by the CEPU. The likelihood that the fee obligations will only be enforced against non-members doesn't alter the legal character of the obligations.
4. A term in an agreement can't constitute adverse conduct under s298K(1), so no question of a proscribed reason under s298L(1) arises.

Obviously unhappy with the decision, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbot said that if the Liberal Government was re-elected he would attempt to introduce a bill to outlaw the Bargaining Agent's Fee in the ETU agreements. He has had one attempt to do this already and that was thrown out by the current parliament.

Judging by the amount of feedback from members of our Union and others, this is a very popular clause of the EBA and should be incorporated into other agreements wherever possible. (See here for more discussion and information)

9.
Family & Race Day

The annual Victorian Trade Unions Family and Race Day is on Sunday November 11 at the Cranbourne Race course. There will be races, fashion, family fun, free food, music, loads of children's entertainment, picnic on the lawns, a jumping castle, story tellers, pony rides and more.

Trades Hall President Dean Mighell says "This is a great opportunity for union members from all unions to get together with their families and celebrate the great successes of unionism".

There are free buses operating between the Cranbourne railway station and the racetrack. Outbound trains run from Flinders Street at 10:48am, 11:28am, 12:08pm and 12:48pm. Trains will return from Cranbourne to Flinders Street at 4:02pm, 4:42pm, 5:22pm, 6:02pm.

Tickets cost $6.00 for a family or $3.00 for a single. Tickets can be purchased from your organiser, the Union office or at the track.

10.
Superannuation - Now is not the time to panic!

Superannuation funds across Australia have suffered a drastic down turn in returns for the financial year just gone (2000/2001). The average returns, for all funds - retail and industry - were just 5.2%. After years of returns well above 10%, the current returns have come as a bit of a shock to a lot of members.

This year - since July 1 - returns have fallen further. The two months of July and August saw share markets around the world continue to fall and thus the average super fund returns fell by a further 3.4%. The terrorist attack of September 11 on New York resulted in world markets dropping further, giving a further average super fund loss of 4.8%. However, by the end of October the markets had recovered pre- September 11 levels (still a loss for the year to date).

The effect of the falling Australian dollar has cushioned our world share market investment losses.

The average amount of super money invested in the worlds share markets is 55%. If you have chosen a growth option then the percentage will be higher - usually between 85 to 100% -, a balanced option is usually between 50 to 85% and a capital stable option is usually between 0 to 30%. What we have come to expect as the norm of continued growth every year has been turned on its head since the start of 2001.

We have just gone through a loss of value cycle. Having suffered a loss, now may not the time to be bailing out. We need to give history the chance to exert its influence. The minimum length of time we should be looking at is 5 years.

If you are contemplating changing your investment option or fund where your super contributions are being paid then you need to consider whether now is the time.

Prepared by Ken Mayes Connect Superannuation Field Officer
0418 561 727

11.
New Telephone Numbers for ETU Melbourne Office

Due to a necessary upgrade of our telephone system, we have had to change our Melbourne office telephone numbers. The new Melbourne switchboard number is (03) 8341 5555.

The ETU Melbourne Office fax line number is (03) 8341 5566.

These numbers will be phased in over a period of time. Please update your address book now.

12.
Colombian Unionism

In Colombia joining a union doesn't mean you may lose your job, it means you could lose your life! In recent months the ETU has assisted Colombian union representatives in Australia to publicise the fate of unionists in Colombia.

The international union movement has commenced a campaign to assist Colombian unionists. In Atlanta USA, unionists have launched a legal case against the Coca Cola company whose Colombian subsidiary has been accused of using "paramilitaries" against workers who have organised their workplaces. Court cases using American labour law are also being contemplated against other multinationals.

The Secretary of the Colombian Electrical Workers Union was recently murdered for organising workplaces. Between June and September this year "death squads" have murdered 44 workers. Last year 161 workers were murdered by these criminals just for asking for a fair deal or speaking out against the violence taking place.

Many of the workers have been blacklisted and have to go into "internal exile" within their own country.

The American Steel Workers Union recently sent a fact-finding mission to Colombia to show solidarity with the struggling labour movement there. They were shocked to find murder and violence commonplace in the lives of union activists. Their report can be seen at www.uswa.org/steelabor/2001MayJun/columbian.htm

Jesus Antonio Gonzalez who is the Secretary of Workers Central of Colombia (CUT, a peak union council), recently addressed 5000 construction and contracting workers in Melbourne at the Royal Commission report-back mass meeting. Although he spoke through an interpreter, the 5000 workers sat and listened in silence as he recounted the horrors of daily life on the job in Colombia.

A copy of the report on human rights abuses in Colombia can be obtained from the ETU Melbourne office.

If you want to help in the campaign to assist Colombian workers e-mail the ETU at etu@etu.asn.au.

13.
Accommodation Service

The Southern States Branch of the ETU has recently set up a new facility on its website, in association with Flairview Travel, where members can search for and book holiday accommodation.

The ETU website will eventually be a hub through which members and supporters can have access to a range of services including phones, loans, car hire and real estate.

This particular service gives members an opportunity to compare what is available and at what price. Members are urged to look around to see what suits their needs.

Check out the service here.

14.
Comrades Bar

The Comrades Bar Social Club has morphed into a training and meeting bar facility. During the day, members will be using the Comrades for meetings and training. The ETU has an expanding training program and this has necessitated the expansion and refurbishment of Comrades.

Comrades is now a non-smoking venue: an undercover area for those who choose to smoke will be built at the back of the Bar.

The Bar still retains its liquor licence and is available for members' functions on most weeknights and any time on weekends. Some days are also available for bookings (when not used for training). If you are thinking about a Christmas function, you'll have to act quickly as Comrades is already filling fast.

Comrades Bar hire is available to you as an ETU member, at a greatly reduced rate. Comrades is a unique venue and well worth your consideration.

For bookings, enquiries or inspection please contact Mike Symon at the ETU office on (03) 8341 5555.

15.
Protect News

VBIA Severance

If you are working on a VBIA site, the severance rate increased from $49.00 to $51.90 per week as from the 1st October 2001.

If you are not currently on a VBIA site your severance rate remains the same.

Protect Income Protection & Trauma Insurance.

If you need to make a claim under the Protect IPT scheme please call Mike Symon or Colleen Polgar at the ETU office and a claim form will be sent to you.

Protect Member Statements

The member statements for the September quarter are due to be sent out in the next few weeks.

If you receive more than one statement, are missing payments or do not understand the statement please contact Mike Symon on 8341 5555 or email your query to mike@etu.asn.au.

Compliance

If your employer is not paying into Protect, or pays contributions late, then you are not covered by Income Protection Insurance.

This payment is due on the 1st of the following month and payable by the 14th of that month.

Compliance check sheets are available from Mike Symon and should be completed by all Contracting Shop Stewards every month. When returned, the compliance sheet will show you the date, amount, rate and number of members paid for in the employer's last payment.

16.
IXL - Money for Jam

Organiser Shaun Leane reports that members at Henry Jones IXL manufacturing plant in Kyabram have had a significant win in their new enterprise agreement.

Normally the company waited until all EBAs in the district had been done and then made a "take it or leave it offer" that was always below the local standard by a percentage or so.

This situation meant that over time employees' wages had a considerable gap between these and the district rate on the same classification.

Members had often threatened industrial action but never acted. This time members had had enough. They took decisive action to obtain what everybody else in the district had.

The company was stunned by the approach and immediately matched the district wage increase of 5% per year of the agreement.

The EBA now includes a redundancy agreement, clauses relating to the Electrical Compliance Certificate, and a 5% per year wage increase.

Congratulations to our members and those of the CFMEU-FEDFA and the AMWU Food Division.

17.
Bi-Lo Supermarket Dispute

Western suburbs Organiser Paul Coffey was recently involved in an Electrical Safety dispute at the Bi-Lo supermarket in Sunshine.

Members on the demolition and refurbishment site were concerned that safety was being compromised because Bi-Lo wanted to continue to trade normally whilst work was going on.

The Union asked for an independent audit of the health and safety processes utilised on site. After a meeting of all parties concerned, including WorkSafe, ETU Health and Safety Officer and Darebin Council food handling inspectors, Bi-Lo agreed to reduce trading hours while the refurbishment was completed.

The work in question has been completed and things are getting back to normal at the site.

Paul says that "members should contact the Union immediately if they have concerns about safety on site, and safety should not be compromised just because owners want to minimise losses or trading hours."

If you have a concern about health and safety, contact Allan Mulvena on 0419 132 833

18.
National Foods EBA

Negotiations have just started at National Foods - Dairy Division in Chelsea Heights. There are 5 electricians on site who cover all the maintenance at the plant. This site is where all the milk from Pura, Light Start and any other associated dairy products are bottled and transported down to the supermarkets.

The electricians on site have previously been on individual common law contracts and not all guys have been in the union. As a result of the union now entering into EBA negotiations, the company and the members now have to understand how the process of working under a union shop operates.

State Organiser Wes Hayes says "The members, who are now all unionised, are about to embark upon a process which involves the company not making any changes without union consultation, not enforcing any workplace changes until the union and members are aware and have agreed to them.

"We also will not be allowing anymore of this individual contract stuff that employers love to see.

"We will be negotiating a collective union agreement on behalf of our members, and that agreement will include increases in all areas of wages and conditions. Previously these guys had poor long service leave, no income protection, no wage increases for the last few years, no right to a collective voice and now they will have that.

"The meetings have just started and we seek to have an agreement wrapped up very soon so the guys are very keen to be involved in these meetings".

Stay tuned.