eTU online

eTU online is a e-newsletter for members and supporters who have registered their e-mail address with the union. It aims to keep you informed of the latest developments within your Union.

Please forward a copy to other members or print off a copy for the notice board.

Newsletter Archives

In This Issue

1. ETU "Setting the Standard"
2. The Bargaining Agent's fee
3. The Tenix Dispute
4. Organisers' Conference
5. ETU polo shirts and windcheaters
6. Are your entitlements being banked?
7. Computer Sale
8. Tasmanian News
9. Next Edition

On March 1 rates of pay changed for members working under the Electrical Contracting enterprise agreement. The base rate for an "A" grade electrician is now $835.00 per week or $21.97 per hour.

The contracting EBA is now available in book form. A copy of the little red book can be obtained from your organiser or nearest ETU office.

The agreement contains all pay rates including allowances for those working under the EBA.

It also contains the famous "Bargaining Agents Fee" clause.

2. The Bargaining Agent's fee

Undoubtedly members will be aware that the ETU has had a significant victory over the so-called Employment Advocate concerning payment of a "Bargaining Agent's Fee". (BAF)

Our current agreement in the contracting industry contains clause that requires payment of the fee.

In March 2000 the so-called Employment Advocate (OEA) sought leave to appear before the AIRC at the hearing of the certification of a number of agreements containing a Bargaining Agents Fee clause.

The AIRC refused leave to intervene in the certification of the agreements.

In June 2000 the ACTU Congress adopted a policy to include service fees in enterprise agreements six months after the ETU included the clause in its enterprise agreements.

The Age in July 2000 reported that Peter Reith was unhappy about the proposal and would fight it.

"An affront to all principles of freedom of association" was how the OEA described it.

"It would be nothing more than a compulsory union tax on non-unionists, a penalty on the millions of Australians who are exercising their freedom of choice to not join a union," he said.

Mr Reith said a Beazley government would be likely to pass the ACTU proposal.

At the time Dean Mighell said, "Reith was out of touch and the bargaining fee was already a work practice that had been introduced more than six months ago."

In an industry-wide agreement with electrical subcontractors in Victoria, which covers thousands of electrical employees, clause 14 stipulates that all employees must pay a "bargaining agent's fee" to the union. The fee is 1 per cent of an employee's income or $500 a year, whichever is the greater.

"Membership with the ETU costs about $300 a year and includes family ambulance cover, funeral benefits, access to cheap home loans and legal advice and industrial representation," Dean said.

"It is cheaper for people to belong to the union than to pay the fee, but we are not forcing anyone to join the union, that is their choice."

"Our first point is to encourage people into the union. We are working in an industry where union levels are extremely high anyway. We didn't put the fee in there because we thought it looked good. People should not be able to accept a service and not pay for it," Dean said.

The Age reported that while the minimum $500 fee applied to all employees, the union chose to waive the fee for members. The union would not rule out legal action against an employee who breached the agreement and refused to pay the fee. The BAF is common practice throughout Europe, the US and even under NZ's ultra-conservative employment law.

In February 2001 the so-called Employment Advocate, Plain Cheeseburger, lost another case against the introduction of the BAF.

The latest Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, has been reported to be flexing his muscle about the issue. He is lobbying to get Democrat support for a bill to outlaw the BAF.

The Democrats in a press release say they support the Union position.

Meanwhile, NSW unions will develop a joint strategy to promote service fees in majority-unionised workplaces, including pooling resources to fight any legal battles that may emerge.

The NSW Labour Council has been called upon to adopt the user-pay fee as official policy and prepare to test the proposition under NSW legislation.

One affiliate, the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, has called on the Labor Council to consider funding any future legal action that ETU Victorian Branch may face on the issue.

AIMPEE Secretary, Andrew Williamson, says all ACTU affiliates should share the funding on a pro rata basis.

The latest news is that the Plain Cheeseburger will appeal to a full bench of the AIRC for removal of the BAF.

Obviously the ETU Victorian branch is "Setting the Standard" again.

3. The Tenix Dispute

Report by Howard Worthing

Members at Tenix Dockyard have returned to work after a three week lockout.

On February 21, members of the ETU, AMWU and AWU were locked out by their employer, Tenix Defence Systems, at the Williamstown Dockyard after the members rejected a proposed agreement.

Issues of greatest concern included employment security and severance payments, as well as an inadequate wages offer.

On February 27 Tenix initiated proceedings in the AIRC in relation to Section 166A.

Proceedings were heard by Justice Munro, who issued a certificate that named the Unions, Organisers and Shop Stewards. This enabled the company to go to the Supreme Court.

Tenix locked members out and then sued them for complaining about it.

The company also stood down three supervisors who are union members. Members voted that any return to work had to include these three members.

During previous agreements there was division amongst the unions on site. However, during these negotiations all unions were united and stuck together. The new Defence minister Peter Reith had opened the cheque book for Tenix to fund a long term dispute.

On March 1 a mass meeting of members of the AMWU, AWU and ETU accepted an offer from the company. The new offer included compounding wage increases of 4% x 4% x 5%, improved redundancy provisions and importantly shoring up employment security and other clauses.

The ETU and its members at Tenix would particularly like to thank our new shop steward of 4 weeks, Garry Glachan, for his efforts during the dispute. Garry was threatened with legal action by the company, merely for sticking up for his workmates.

Members returned to work on Monday March 5.

4. Organisers' Conference

ETU officers and organisers met in Ballarat in late February to discuss, amongst other things, organiser areas. Members may notice some change in who is responsible for their area or workshop.

Kevin Harkins and Kerry Becker from the Tasmanian Branch also attended.

Metal trade organisers discussed the results and outcomes of Campaign 2000. One ongoing issue where the Union is keen to make is reclassification under the "Metal" award.

The importance of the severance schemes operating in the industry was another topic that generated a great deal of discussion. The PROTECT scheme for "Severance" and "Income Protection Insurance" continues to enhance benefits.

This scheme will reinforce the value of union membership (which incidentally is the best income protection insurance you can get).

Creating an awareness of the historical importance of the Eureka Stockade and the Ballarat Reform League was also a theme of the conference.

The organisers had the opportunity to look at the original Eureka Flag, which was illicitly obtained by and currently housed in the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery (built on the site of the troopers' camp).

The flag was first flown at Bakery Hill when a mass meeting of ten thousand goldfields workers adopted a charter and formed the Ballarat Reform League. The flag was sewn by the wives of workers who fought and died to gain the first democratic freedoms in the fledgling state of Victoria.

The workers' grievances were recorded in a document together with the political changes contemplated by the League, and their immediate objects. They contemplated full and fair representation, manhood suffrage, no property qualification of Members for the Legislative Council, payment of members and short duration of Parliament.

Their immediate objects included the change in the management of the goldfields by disbanding the commissioners, and the total abolition of the diggers' and storekeepers' licence tax.

These rights were won in the aftermath of the battle fought at the Eureka Stockade on December 3, 1854. The exact number of workers killed in the battle goes unrecorded but it is known to be in excess of thirty, many of whom were buried in a mass grave after having their bodies paraded in carts through Ballarat.

The ETU looks forward to seeing the liberation of the flag from its present location and its permanent display at the site of the Stockade.

In the meantime, the Union recommends a visit to the stockade site and the flag.

5. ETU polo shirts and windcheaters

New stocks of ETU polo shirts have arrived in the Melbourne office. They are available in a range of sizes and cost members $25.00 each, postage paid for small quantities. The cost for non-members is $30.00 each plus postage.

There are also zip-necked windcheaters They are available in a range of sizes and cost members $30.00 each. The cost for non-members is $35.00 each plus postage.

Call Tanya on 03 8341 5555 and have your credit card ready or e-mail etu@etu.asn.au to place your order.

6. Are your entitlements being banked?

Members are advised to regularly check employer contributions to their Superannuation, LSL, Severance and Income Protection funds.

In recent months employers have been failing to make contributions to funds.

In one case the employer had outstanding contributions that were $300.000.00. The employer in this case was not even forwarding the employees "salary sacrifice" contributions. Members had lost their right to "death and disability" insurance cover as a result.

Members who have membership of C-BUS and CONNECT have the ability to have a "compliance check" done on-the-job by their shop steward or organiser.

Don't be without contributions to your financial security or insurance cover. Check your contributions today.

7. Computer Sale

The ACTU has negotiated with Virtual Communities (VC) for union members to get access, prior to the general public, to VC's cheapest price on the existing IBM Aptiva and IBM Laptop stock.

• IBM Aptiva desktop computers - $999 (hardware only)
• IBM 'i series' Laptop computers - $1,999 (hardware only)

These computers are being offered as a "cash and carry" hardware only package without the finance option, Internet access, help desk support and delivery that comes with the regular VC packages.

The offer will be via a Union Warehouse Sale which will be in Melbourne on March 15, 16 and 17, at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

Union Warehouse Sale prices will be available for union members, family and friends on the days of the sale for cash and credit card purchases only.

The hardware being offered is the same as is offered in VCs packages and comes with the standard IBM warranty 3 year parts (1 year labour) on the desktop and 1 year limited parts and labour warranty on the laptop. IBM has informed VC that they are not aware of their Aptiva hardware being offered for less than $1,299 anywhere in Australia. The recommended retail price for the IBM's Aptiva hardware is currently $1,499. The fall in the Australian dollar since mid-2000, means that new stock purchased by VC will be ordered at higher costs. The ACTU / VC steering committee has acknowledged that prices on new stock will have to increase so now is a good time for members to buy.

If you have any require any further information about the Warehouse Sale please contact Ian Marett from Virtual Communities on (03) 9862-7888 or George Wright of the ACTU on (03) 9664 7322.

Click here for visual tour of Aptiva

Click here for a visual tour of iPAD

New IBM Computers starting from $999

Background Information

The ACTU has negotiated with Virtual Communities for Victorian union members to get access, prior to the general public, to VC's cheapest price on the existing IBM Aptiva and IBM Laptop computer stock.

Union Warehouse Sale prices will be available for union members, family and friends on the days of the sale for cash, EFTPOS and credit card purchases only.

The fall in the Australian dollar since mid-2000, means that new stock purchased by VC will be ordered at higher costs. The ACTU VC steering committee has acknowledged that prices on new stock will have to increase.

For members who prefer VC's regular computer and Internet packages, these are still available and until March 31, 2001 are being offered with a 'Cash Back' bonus of $200 on the IBM Aptiva computer and $400 on the IBM laptop. Information on this offer is also attached in PDF format for the information of members.

For inquiries about the Union Warehouse Sale or to obtain further supplies of the promotional material please contact Ian Marett, Kathy Hill or Peter Antonius from Virtual Communities on (03) 9862-7888.

"The Union Warehouse Sale is another way that you can continue to ensure that union members and their families are able to access quality computers at the lowest possible price," Sharan Burrow, President ACTU.

Union Warehouse Sale - Product Specifications

IBM APTIVA COMPUTER ---- $999

• AMD 6-2/500MHz processor with 3D NOW! Technology
• 64MB RAM
• 5GB hard drive
• 15" IBM monitor with 13.7" viewing area
• 40x CD ROM
• IBM 2 button mouse
• IBM Rapid Access 2 keyboard
• Inbuilt 56K modem PCI card
• 1.44MB 3.5 floppy drive
• 3D AGP 2x graphics hardware integrated in SIS 530 chip
• Pair of external Passive Jazz Speakers
• Integrated Audio ESS Solo 1
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 2nd Edition
• Lotus Smart Suite (without voice)
• PC Doctor
• Norton AntiVirus
• Config Safe
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Warranty: 3 years Parts, 1 year Labour customer carry-in repair warranty

LAPTOP STANDARD PACKAGE --- $1,999

• 500MHz Mobile Intel Celeron Processor
• 6GB Hard Drive
• 64MB RAM expandable to 192 MB
• Internal 24x (10 x min) CD-ROM with 4MB integrated video memory
• 3.5" external floppy disk drive
• Inbuilt 56K V.90 Modem
• 12.1" 800 x 600 Screen HPA (High Performance Addressing)
• Sound blaster compatible sound system 16 bit stereo sound, 2 inbuilt speakers
• NiMH Battery - life about 2.8 hrs
• Approximate weight 2.7 kgs
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98 2nd Edition
• Lotus SmartSuite without voice
• Quicken 98
• PC Doctor
• Norton AntiVirus
• Config Safe
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Warranty: 1 year limited warranty (Parts and Labour) Express Repair basis

LAPTOP MICROSOFT OFFICE 2000 PACKAGE --- $2,299

All of the above PLUS

• Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition - includes
• Word 2000
• Excel 2000
• Outlook 2000
• Publisher 2000
• Small Business Tools

Union Warehouse Sale - Other Product Options

EDUCATION SOFTWARE PACKAGE --- $150

- only available with computer purchase

• World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia
• Edmark 'KidDesk' Internet safe Web Browser Software
• Crayola 'Make a Masterpiece' creative software
• Edmark 'Zap' Science Software
• Intuit Quicken Personal Edition

BUSINESS SOFTWARE PACKAGE --- $250

- only available with computer purchase

• The Education software bundle PLUS
• Intuit Quickbooks (with free GST package)
• Via Voice Millenium Web editions
• Lotus Notes Desktop for Internet Mail
• Symantec Norton Winfax Pro Edition

MICROSOFT OFFICE 2000 --- $300

- only available with computer purchase

• Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition - includes
• Word 2000
• Excel 2000
• Outlook 2000
• Publisher 2000
• Small Business Tools

IBM 17" monitor ---$199

- only available as an upgrade on an Aptiva computer purchase

Lexmark Colour Printer Z11 --- $150

• Resolution 1200 x 1200 DPI resolution
• Prints up to 4 page per minute black and 2.5 ppm colour
• One click printer driver software installation

Union Warehouse Sale - Price Sheet

Product Price

Other peripherals will be available on the days of the sale.

8. Tasmanian News

State Secretary of the Tasmanian Branch, Kevin Harkins, reports that the branch has re-affiliated with the Tasmanian Trades and Labor Council (TTLC). Kevin, no stranger to controversy, got in involved in a spirited debate on his first night at the Council, over the BAF.

Re-affiliation with the TTLC has led to the re-formation of the local Building Industry Group.

The current Union office will relocate to premises housing the CEPU Postal and Communication Divisions.

The Union has been reinvigorated as a result of Kevin's arrival and the members are loving it. For the first time in many years, depot meetings are being held in the Hydro (generation) areas. Shop stewards meetings are being conducted in Aurora (power distribution).

Members are under the threat of redundancy in these areas and the recharged Union is welcomed. The workers are very supportive of the position of "no forced redundancies".

In the construction industry, progress a little slower, but the largest builder in the state has given a commitment that all contractors will have agreements. About sixty percent of those working in the contracting industry are Union members.

Organiser, Kerry Becker has also had meetings in major manufacturing plants and will begin the push for contractors to have agreements from that end.

There is a potential growth of 400 members in the state. That growth will ensure a strong Union that is able to deliver excellent benefits and services to the members.

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online. You'll receive your next issue on April 5.

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