May 2000
May 4, 2000
Volume 1, Issue 2
e-TU online is a e-newsletter for members and supporters who have registered their e-mail address with the union. It aims keep you informed of the latest developments within your Union. The newsletter is also available on the ETU home page @ www.etu.asn.au
Please forward a copy to other members or print off a copy for the notice board.
In This Issue
- Acting State Secretary's comments
- Campaign 2000
- Restoration of Common Law Rights
- Dallas Brooks Hall mass meeting
- SUPER MEMBERS home loans
- Union information and e-mail at the workplace
- Shop Stewards Training
- Protect Income Protection
- ETU Women's Committee
- Retirement Information Night
- Wealth Creation Information Night
- May Day @ the Comrades Bar
1. Acting State Secretary's comments
Welcome to the second edition of e-TU online. Dean is currently taking well-deserved leave and during that time I will be acting State Secretary.
The Union has had four action packed months commencing with the successful completion of the new pattern enterprise agreement covering 5000 members working in the Communications and Contracting industry. The three year agreement provides increases of 6% in each year including Income Protection insurance.
Labour hire companies also signed a similar agreement.
The Yallourn Energy dispute, which ended in a total win for our members, put considerable pressure on the union and our members but they kept their resolve and won.
The 36-hour week dispute in the construction industry also put pressure on our members on all site jobs with employers trying to lock members out, but strong will by all concerned stopped that and the campaign for 13 extra paid RDOs was successful. It was successful because of member participation, good preparation by organisers and stewards, clever use of industrial and legal tactics and careful presentation to the media.
Our next big campaign will commence in July with Campaign 2000 in the manufacturing industry. The aim there is to win our first industry agreement with no trade offs.
Gavin Marshall
Acting State Secretary
Shop Stewards meetings took place this week to discuss progress of negotiations with employers. The MFTU (Metal Federation of Trade Unions) has been negotiating with a breakaway group of 60 employers. Negotiations have so far been productive.
Mass meetings of members will take place in July to put recommendations on the outcome of negotiations.
The MFTU negotiators are confident that there will be a positive outcome. They are confident of reaching an industry-wide agreement without recourse to industrial action. However, if there is no agreement, employers are being warned that unions are not frightened to take significant industrial action to pursue claims
.3. Restoration of Common Law Rights
A Bill to restore common law rights is currently before the State Parliament. It is expected to be debated next week.
The restoration of common law rights will be backdated till 19/10/99, the date of election of the Labor government. Common law rights ceased to exist on the 12/11/97. Those people caught between those dates will be eligible for "intensive review" for losses incurred as a result of the removal of common law by the Liberal government in 1997.
A new aspect of the bill is the inclusion of regular overtime and shift allowances not previously included in loss of earning definition.
There will be a joint working party which will be able to monitor the implementation of the bill and suggest changes where necessary.
A full account of the changes will be provided if the bill passes through Parliament. Members are encouraged to attend Parliament to hear the debate.
Contact Colleen Polgar, Workcover officer on 0419 500 465 for further information.
4. 36-hour campaign Mass Meeting
A mass meeting of members in the electrical and communications contracting industry recently took place at the Dallas Brooks Hall. The Secretary, Dean Mighell reported to the meeting on the outcome of the 36-hour week campaign.
The ETU, along with other construction unions, has recently signed a "Compact Agreement" with a group of employers in the construction industry.
The list of signatories to the agreement has continued to grow with the inclusion of most state-based builders as well as employer associations including the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
The agreement contains two new important initiatives that will be introduced into the industry over the coming few years.
36-hour week
The staged introduction of the 36-hour week will take place over the next 3 and a half years.
2001 9 additional RDOs
2002 9 additional RDOs
2003 13 additional RDOs
These new RDOs are in addition to the existing RDO that you have each month. There will be a calendar developed over the next few months as to how these days will be implemented.
This also means that in 2003 there will be 26 RDOs, effectively giving us a 36-hour week/ 9-day fortnight.
Overtime will continue to be worked at the 38-hour rate.
Site Allowances
The compact commits the parties to a new site allowance formula, which will spread higher site allowances to more jobs - a fairer system for our members. A newly expanded CBD area will pay $2.70 per hour for new work up to $150M. It has now also been agreed that the key components of the compact will be included in the new VBIA. This effectively spreads the net to even more of our members in outer metropolitan and country areas.
5. SUPER MEMBERS Home loans drops fixed term rates
SUPERMEMBERS Home loans which provides home loans to members of participating Industry superannuation funds such as CONNECT, C-BUS or STA this month announced a drop in fixed rates over 3 & 5 years.
Rates are currently 7.8% fixed over 3 years and 7.9% fixed over 5 years. The variable rate is 6.7%.
Contact Ken Mayes CONNECT superannuation officer 0418 561 727 for further information or Jim Giannalopoulos of SUPER MEMBERS directly on 03 9617 2258 or 0418 122 595.
6. Union information and e-mail at the workplace
A union delegate employed by Ansett was dismissed in December 1999 after she distributed a union newsletter using email. Ansett claimed that the delegate breached the company's email policy, which allowed email to be used for authorised, lawful business activity. The Federal Court found that the delegate's action was legitimate as she was conducting authorised business activity under Ansett's policy.
This was found to be the case as the e-mail was used to provide information to Ansett employees and union members in relation to the ongoing enterprise bargaining negotiations. In the circumstances it was determined that a union communication may be regarded as authorised by the employer if the communication relates to a process established by the employer as an integral part of negotiating and implementing workplace change.
The decision cannot be taken to mean that all union activity conducted using the employer's e-mail system will be sanctioned by the court. As the above case demonstrates, certain activities which are sanctioned by the employer - for example, enterprise bargaining negotiations or information relating to this process - can be conducted in the workplace.
Jesse Maddison ETU Legal officer 03 8341 5555
If you are a shop steward or delegate you should be fully aware of changes in legislation regarding agreements and other matters. This training course is designed to assist shop stewards with their work as workplace representatives.
Encourage your steward to attend the course. Leave is generally available under your enterprise agreement.
Course dates:
Level 1
May 16 - 19
August 15 -18
October 17 -20
Level 2
June 27 - 30
Contact Mary on 03 8341 5555 to confirm a place.
The successor of INCOLINK #3 fund and ELECNET, Protect is now fully operational. Members of either INCOLINK #3 or ELECNET will have their current contributions automatically rolled over to the new fund.
Protect offers eligible members sidelined by sickness or injury income protection to a maximum of $1,000.00 per week for two years. It also provides dental / counselling / training benefits.
Protect is an ETU designed, ETU controlled severance and income protection fund providing the very best outcomes for ETU members.
Contact Pat Power for further details 0429 365 671
ALL ETU WOMEN MEMBERS
Meet other ETU women members from different workplaces and industries. Meets last Thursday of each month.
5.00 pm - 7.00 pm
ETU Building
516 Swanston Street (cnr. Queensberry St)
CARLTON SOUTH
(Melways 2B E10)
Contact Colleen Polgar 0419 500 465
10. Retirement Information Night
Making The Most of Your Retirement
If you are intending to retire in the next few years or have already retired, you could benefit from attending this free retirement seminar.
Learn how you can:- Maximise your pension entitlement;
- Build an income stream;
- Maintain growth to beat inflation.
Date:
16th May & 19th June - 7pm
Location:
ETU Geelong Office
67 Gheringhap Street,
Geelong
Date:
10th May & 5th June - 7pm
Location:
ETU Melbourne Office
Cnr Swanston & Queensberry Streets
Melbourne
Bookings:
Joan Harwood
(03) 9879 5066
Bookings are essential
11. Wealth Creation Information Night
Making The Most of Your Money
If you think you've missed the opportunity to create real long term wealth, think again!
Learn how you can:- Create long term wealth;
- Invest in a diversified portfolio, to reduce risk;
- Build up your retirement assets regardless of your age.
Date:
24th May - 7:00pm
Location:
ETU Melbourne Office
Cnr Swanston & Queensberry Streets
Melbourne
OR
Date:
31st May - 7:00pm
Location:
ETU Geelong Office
67 Gheringhap Street,
Geelong
Bookings:
Joan Harwood
(03) 9879 5066
Bookings are essential
12. May Day March @ the Comrades Bar
Come, Have a Jar at the Comrades Bar:
We are open as a meeting point for Melbourne May Day March (7/5/00) from 11am - 2pm.
Stage Strike on Tuesday nights from 7pm - Open Talent event. The stage at the bar is yours - BYO talent & instruments & have fun.
The last Wednesday of every month is politics in the pub - come along from 7pm to discuss politics on any topic - guest presenters each month.
Open Tuesday from 3pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from noon 1pm available for bookings.
514 Swanston Street,
Carlton Vic
Phone 03 9347 9024
1. Event dates are subject to change. Check with your organiser or local office.
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