August 2001
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eTU online |
| August 6th, 2001 | Volume 2, Issue 8 |
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.
In This Issue
- Tenix and the Nine-Day Fortnight
- Nestles Echuca Lockout
- Severance Rates (Victoria) Contracting 2000/2001 EBAs
- Hilton on the Park
- Protect Income Protection Insurance Rates (Victoria)
- Tax advice for members
- Support the Skilled Six
- Southern Cross Newsletter
- Construction Induction Training commences
- Compliance Card Wallets
- Four and Twenty Pies
- Amcor - Scoresby, Box Hill, Brooklyn and in NSW QLD, WA
- Award Rate Change
- VTHC Website
- Next edition of eTU online
At the end of last year, our friendly shipbuilder, Tenix, reduced their workforce by about a third.
The current agreement was reached after Tenix locked out its workforce earlier this year. (See Current disputes)
The members have enjoyed a nine-day fortnight for at least 10 years.
The current agreement provides for a nine-day fortnight which is included in a calendar attached to the agreement. The calendar stipulates each day that is a rostered day off with a cross marking the spot.
Tenix now want to bring on more employees and they claim they only way they can do that is to take away the rostered day off.
The unions have put forward a number of proposals that will give them the "efficiencies" they need but without the members losing the 9-day fortnight. Tenix are not prepared to negotiate.
When is an agreement not an agreement? The answer may well be when it's an agreement with Tenix.
Watch this space to keep informed of developments.
| 2. Nestles Echuca Lockout |
Following 13 weeks of disputation at Nestles Echuca, which involved 6 weeks of bans by ETU and AMWU members prior to being locked out on 19 June, agreement has finally been reached between the company and the unions on the latest enterprise agreement. The has provided a significant breakthrough for the members in the region in what has been the longest dispute since the Simplot lock-out 4 years ago.
The wages and conditions component of the agreement provides for a 14% package of wages and entitlements including the introduction of Long Service Leave as per Campaign 2000, an improved method of calculating overtime, shift penalties and rates, based on a 36-hour week.
The agreement includes wage increases on 1 August 2001, April 2002, August 2002, April 2003 and August 2003.
The rostering issues, which were at the heart of the dispute, were settled on the basis that no member can be forced to work any newly introduced. Employees that experience hardship in working shiftwork are entitled to remove themselves if they wish, minimum numbers must be maintained which allow for overtime, and most importantly Sunday work is voluntary and paid at overtime rates.
This issue was very important to the members as weekends are increasingly being eroded by employers across all sectors of industry. All members were of the belief that weekend work should be regarded as second in priority to family, community, social and recreational activities. This was particularly important in a town and region such as Echuca.
Specific gains for electricians were payment an all-purpose Licensed Electrician Allowance of $25.00 per week (this was none before this agreement). When acting as the Responsible Person an all-purpose rate of $20.00 per day. All costs and training associated with maintaining the licence and the requirements for complying with the Electrical Safety Certificates will be paid for by the employer, as well as all electricians being fully trained in High Voltage operations.
There will also be the employment of 1 new apprentice in the next 2 years as well as the employment of another 4 electricians to increase numbers in line with the new roster that will be implemented.
In terms of an overall package, the agreement has clearly led to increases in all aspects of the members' wages and conditions as well as preserving basic entitlements of choice and collective rights to negotiate on matters of significant change.
To all those members that gave moral and financial support during the campaign, on behalf of all ETU members at Nestles Echuca we thank you sincerely. Without your support we would not have achieved half of what we set to out to win. Thanks again.
Wes Hayes
Proud To Be Union.
| 3. Severance Rates (Victoria) Contracting 2000/2001 EBAs |
As from 1st July 2000 = $50.00 per week (EBA Rate)
As from 1st October 2000 = $49.00 per week (VBIA Rate)
These rates cannot be paid pro rata - payments can only be made for a full week.
Apprentices do not receive severance pay unless included in a site agreement.
Each month's payment is due on the 1st of the following month and payable by the 14th of that month.
Mike Symon
Protect Compliance Officer
Information current as at 05/07/2001
| 4. Hilton on the Park |
Members working in the notoriously low-paid hospitality sector at the Hilton Hotel have secured a new enterprise agreement that increases wages up to 19%, depending on classification, in the first year and then 5% in subsequent years.
Payment of licence costs and agreement on Income Protection Insurance also form part of the agreement.
Hotel management asked "what is intended by the 72-hour Notice of Industrial Action". Members replied, "that it meant the dirty old caravan was coming". After some further discussion with the Union, agreement was reached.
Discussions are underway at other hotels to secure enterprise agreements. Members working in that industry should call the Union office to check whether their particular employer has an agreement.
| 5. Protect Income Protection Insurance Rates (Victoria) |
The amount payable is $13.75 per week for workers.
The amount payable is $7.70 per week for apprentices.
Employers not operating in the Communications and Electrical Contracting industry (i.e. not paying into severance) but who are signed up to PROTECT are reminded of the contributions required.
The amount of $15.95 is payable per week for Workers.
The amount of $9.90 is payable per week for Apprentices.
Income protection insurance premiums are payable for all periods of "authorised absence" (i.e. annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, etc)
Each month's payment is due on the 1st of the following month and payable by the 14th of that month.
Mike Symon
Protect Compliance Officer
Information current as at 05/07/2001
| 6. Tax advice for members |
A six-page document is available from the Union office providing advice on income tax returns.
As in previous years copies will be forwarded to shop stewards for notice boards, and copies will be available from Union offices in Melbourne, Geelong, Morwell and Hobart.
Copies can also be downloaded from here or from your organiser.
| 7. Support the Skilled Six |
Six AMWU members are facing police charges arising from an industrial dispute with Skilled Engineering. After years of fighting difficult campaigns against company outsourcing and closure, often confronted by company thugs, our friends need help.
They've been there for us. Come and hear the finest solidarity music in town.
Friday August 17, 7:30 pm
Collingwood Town Hall
Hoddle Street, Collingwood.
Light food will be provided.
$50.00 solidarity price or $20.00 concession
For tickets or a speaker contact 0419 747 757 or 0425 734 319
| 8. Southern Cross Newsletter |
The newsletter can be downloaded here.
The newsletter includes news on the membership campaign at INCAT the Tasmanian shipbuilder, workers compensation changes, New EBA rates in contracting and the campaign in the mining industry to maintain proper shift work arrangements, (which incidentally is what the Nestles Echuca dispute was about).
Kevin is always happy to see Victorian members on holiday. The office is located at 105 New Town Road, New Town, Hobart. Phone 62 280 098.
| 9. Construction Induction Training commences |
Shop Stewards from the construction industry were amongst the first electrical workers to participate in a pilot of the mandatory "Foundations for Safety" Construction Induction course at the ETU on August 1.
The one-day induction course has been developed by Workcover to be a basic induction to the construction industry. The course content includes Legislative framework (Occupational Health and Safety Act, Electrical Safety Act), Accident and incident reporting, Hazards and Job safety analysis.
An accreditation card will be issued to each participant who successfully undertakes the course.
Electrical and Electronic Industry Training (EEIT) are delivering the training. Members should encourage their employers to book them into the course.
In the light of recent deaths in the industry, members should take every opportunity to refresh their knowledge on how to eliminate risks in the workplace.
Contact Graeme Watson at EEIT on 0418 076 679 for further details or check the training page of the ETU website at www.etu.asn.au
| 10. Compliance Card Wallets |
Compliance and Union card wallets are available from the Union office or your Organiser.
The new wallets include Officials' phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
| 11. Four and Twenty Pies |
Currently a dispute exists at Simplot's Four and Twenty pie factory in Kensington. The dispute centres on the reclassification of electricians employed at the plant.
The claim on re-classification has been on the table since 1995 and because the company delayed the process so long that if a member went failed to be re-classified through the 1998 classification standards then the 1996 standards would be utilised.
Members would be aware the ETU has opposed the introduction of either standard in the Award.
The skills matrix has been agreed but the company reneged on the offer to utilise the 1996 standards. This led to a dispute at the site. At this time members are not doing work in higher classifications.
The dispute has gone to the AIRC and has been subject to a Section 99 hearing. At this time the Commission has brought in the Metal Award Industry Training Board MERSITAB to try to resolve the matter. The dispute is ongoing at this time and the pies aren't going well.
| 12. Amcor - Scoresby, Box Hill, Brooklyn and in NSW QLD, WA |
A dispute involving the AMWU printing division is currently being fought throughout Victoria and across Australia. The dispute is in its third week but really it commenced 6 weeks ago when a worker had his foot cut off in a machine.
The management of the Brooklyn factory wanted the machine where the injury took place started up again before a proper investigation could take place. It was the second dismemberment on the machine within a year.
The union's understanding is that one manager has been placed on other duties as a result of that incident.
The members at the site, including employees of the electrical contractor maintaining the plant walked off the job as a result of the management's attitude. That strike lasted two weeks.
After being back at work one week, the Brooklyn workers joined other Amcor employees and went out again this time in dispute with company over an Enterprise Agreement. Part of the claim is an improvement in Occupational Health and Safety Conditions.
The AMWU set up a picket line and our members have refused to cross that picket. The ETU members have been tremendous in their support of the AMWU Amcor members.
The strike is in its third week at this time. Members can show their support by dropping in at picket lines at Brooklyn, Scoresby and Box Hill.
| 13. Award Rate Change |
Members not working under enterprise agreements in the Metal or Contracting industries are entitled to wage rises under the safety net award increases.
The current Award rate for an Electrician in the metal industry is $507.20 or $13.35 per hour.
The current (June 30 2001) Award (Victorian) rate for a Licensed Electrician in the contracting industry is $618.10 per week.
Obviously these rates are a long way below what is being paid to members on EBA rates. The Victorian EBA rate in contracting is $840.00 per week.
Members not under EBA rates should contact the Union or their organiser to start talks with their employer about an EBA.
| 14. VTHC Website |
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has recently upgraded its website to improve the look and feel of the site.
The site is a valuable resource for union members, students and others interested in current campaigns, issues and the history of the broader union movement. It fills the void left by the ACTU website which has become a "vtown" product.
The Trades Hall is also working on a site for young people which will be another valuable resource and information tool into the future.
Take a look @ www.vthc.org.au
| 15. Next edition eTU online |
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