The Notional Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) together with the Abbott and Costello government are currently attacking the structure of electrical apprenticeships. NECA, which has received funding for a research project from the Abbott and Costello government, obviously wants to introduce cheap labour rates based on partly-qualified people working in the industry.

NECA is attempting to create "part-electricians" by splitting the trade into short-term traineeships that only cover areas like the installation of conduit, draw wires and cable tray.

This would not only cripple the livelihood of some ETU members and many who are members of NECA but also undermine and compromise electrical safety.

These short-term traineeships are designed to skew unemployment figures and do not lead to a fully portable licensed trade qualification. Electrical licensing ensures that skilled work is carried out safely. This protects the public and electricians working on wiring.

You can take part in the campaign to stop NECA destroying our trade by visiting the ETU's national website campaign page.
http://cepu-electrical.asn.au/industrial_update/20011206_protest.html

NECA's attack on the trade has taken its first mortal blow with a split from within NECA's own ranks. The South Australian Chapter of NECA has come out in support of the ETU position and distanced itself from NECA National.
See http://cepu-electrical.asn.au/newswire/23.html

2.
TasTec Group Training

A new Group Training apprenticeship scheme has been established in Tasmania that is dedicated to the electrical industry.

The scheme's aim is to enhance and develop the opportunities for apprenticeships in Tasmania.TASTEC has been established with the assistance of VICTEC group training and is seeking to employ approximately 20 apprentices in its first year of operation.

The scheme will operate across a range of employers in the Contracting, Power Generation and Distribution businesses.

The TASTEC office is located in Derwent Park and the contact is Andrew Harris. More information can be obtained from Kevin Harkins in the ETU Hobart office on 0419 376 362.

3.
Contracting Mass Meeting Resolution

On December 13, 1300 members employed under the Contracting Award met at Dallas Brooks Hall to hear reports on significant issues affecting the industry.

Members discussed the cap on overtime, the Notional Electrical Contractors attack on apprenticeships and Abbott's Royal Commission.

Two resolutions were voted on and adopted by the mass meeting.

One resolution reinforced the previous positions adopted in the industry regarding the 10-hour cap on overtime and no working of overtime on 38-hour RDO weekends. This will further the employment of our fellow members, including apprentices. The meeting also demanded that the 36-hour week be pursued across the entire contracting industry.

The other resolution stated the Union's vigorous opposition to any breakdown of the current four-year apprenticeship. The meeting called on all contractors who are members of NECA to support the interests of our trade and industry.

4.
Free Will Service

The Union's solicitors Maurice Blackburn Cashman remind members that their company has a free will service available.

Members who wish to use this service should obtain a copy of the "will kit" from Union Services' Officer, Colleen Polgar, at the office by phone 03 8341 5555 or by emailing colleen@etu.asn.au and asking for information to be posted to you.

5.
Yallourn Dispute Outcome

Peter Mooney, Latrobe Valley organiser, reports that members working for power generator Yallourn Energy have endorsed an enterprise agreement following the dispute that brought the state to the brink of power blackouts in December.

Members had bans on maintenance of plant and equipment that shut down the generator for three weeks. They spent 3 weeks weeks on strike.

In 1999 the State Government introduced Essential Services Legislation to force the maintenance workers back to work in the initial stages of this dispute. When the company unilaterally changed conditions of the agreement reached to resolve the 1999 impasse the same state government refused to back the workers despite forcing them back to work in 1999 and accepting conditions the company no longer honoured.

The State government finally saw the light of day and backed out of the dispute. This led to the parties being able to negotiate on an equal basis.

Throughout the dispute the great concern to members was job security. Members won improvements to job security, including access to a private arbitrator, former Commissioner Merriman. There is also a "no forced redundancy" provision and an enhanced the redundancy package.

The agreement was certified in the Commission on Christmas Eve.

Readers can follow the development of the dispute in the media through the ETU website at www.etu.asn.au/etuinthenews

6.
Apprentice Profiling System

In 2002, the work of apprentice electricians will begin to be profiled and matched against the industry standard training package.

Apprentices will be asked to complete a Profiling Registration Form that maps the experience the apprentice is getting on the job against the agreed industry standards.

Apprentices will complete the form and have it signed off by the tradesperson supervising the work on the day. It is important to note that your signature means that you are simply checking that the work listed has been done.

Tradespersons are not assessing competency. There is no greater responsibility / obligation placed on the tradesperson signing this card than there is currently under the Apprenticeship Act. The tradesperson's signature verifies that the work was performed to an acceptable standard within an acceptable timeframe given the experience of the apprentice.

Apprentices will be required to fax their completed from their TAFE college each week and the information entered in a data base. The developing profile of each apprentice can then be analysed to determine any areas that the apprentice is not being experienced in.

At the end of the apprenticeship term (four years), each apprentice will be required to undertake a "Capstone" or licensing test.

Every apprentice electrician in every state in Australia will eventually be required to complete the profiles. Currently the system is underway in Queensland and Tasmania, with NSW and Victoria about to commence.

Profiling forms will start appearing in workplaces in February / March this year. Tradespeople are encouraged to assist in the development of this system which will lead to a well-rounded apprenticeship which is good for everybody in the industry.

Note that both the tradesperson's signature and Licence Number on the bottom of the card are mandatory.

A sample draft copy of the Profiling Registration Form can be viewed or downloaded here

7.
Cinema Nova

The ETU Southern States Branch is putting together a Member Benefits programme which will give members discounted rates on products and services. These rates are based on our membership strength. A number of these are listed in this newsletter; others will be added to the Member Benefits page in coming months.

Cinema Nova is offering a 20% discount on ticket prices at the cinema at 380 Lygon Street Carlton. Simply present your ETU membership card at the box office when purchasing tickets.

The discount applies to all regular-priced tickets with the exception of Saturday nights.

A copy of the programme is available from the ETU Melbourne office or can be viewed on the web at www.cinemanova.com.au

On Mondays the Nova has the cheapest tickets in town: $4.50 to 4:00 pm, and $7.00 for sessions after 4:00 pm.

There is free 2-hour parking at Lygon Court Shopping Centre (except Saturday after 5pm, Sunday and Public Holidays) - enter via Drummond Street. Other parking is available at the council carpark on the corner of Lygon and Elgin streets.

8.
Cable Provider Rules

Members need to be aware of the changes in the communications cabling industry made by the

Australian Communications Authority (ACA) with the introduction of the Cable Provider Rules (CPRs).

http://www.aca.gov.au/standards/cabling/info_centre.htm
http://www.aca.gov.au/legal/telecom/cprs2000.rtf

The changes also affect the fire, computer and security industries, with cabling for these industries now requiring registration of workers carrying out the work, unless work is carried out under the Supervision Rule.

This means that unregistered cablers can work under "direct" supervision of a registered cabler, who must accept full responsibility for all the work done, ensure that it fully complies with the Wiring rules and completes and signs a TCA1.

One of the other major changes is that at the completion of each job, the cabler must provide the client or their employer with a completed form, known as the "TCA1" (Telecommunications Cabling Advice form 1). http://www.aca.gov.au/standards/cabling/tca1.pdf

If work is not carried out in accordance with the CPRs you are committing a criminal offence that is punishable on conviction by a fine.

Cabling work done without a current registration is a criminal offence punishable on conviction by a fine of up to $13,200. You can register at the ETU office.

9.
Flag Choice Hotels Discounts

Flag Choice Hotels, the largest accommodation group in Australia & New Zealand, are offering members of the Electrical Trades Union a minimum 10% discount and other great specials and package deals through the Flag Choice Associations membership.

With over 430 locations across Australia & New Zealand, Flag Choice Hotels give you a vast range of accommodation options to suit your needs, budget and lifestyle. So plan your next break today and take advantage of discounted rates through the Flag Choice Associations membership.

To receive a minimum 10% discount call 13 2400 and quote "Associations& .

Please note: This offer is subject to availability and is only available for members of the Electrical Trades Union. You will be required to show your ETU card for identification purposes upon check-in at the property.

Flags website is www.flagchoice.com The "Associations" rate can not be booked on-line, however the site is a fantastic source of information on Flag Choice properties.

Members can also check details of some of the current specials on offer here

10.
Protect and Fringe Benefits Tax

ElecNet, the Trustee of the Protect severence fund, wishes to advise that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has changed its position in respect to the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) treatment of employer severance contributions.

ElecNet previously understood the ATO position to be that severance contributions provided by employer members were not subject to FBT. It also understood that severance claims paid to employee members were not subject to FBT.

A private binding ruling provided by the ATO set out these arrangements.

At a recent national meeting of severance funds, it was announced the ATO has decided to not renew or extend the private binding ruling.

The effect of the ATO decision is that severance contributions provided by employers could be subject to FBT.

The ATO have the view that severance contributions provided by employers should not be subject to FBT and is currently reviewing legislation to determine how best to implement this view.

As the Trustee of Protect, ElecNet has combined with other major severance funds in a joint effort to ensure the ATO understands employer severance contributions should not be subject to FBT.

Members will be advised of any developments in relation to this issue.

11.
Australia Day Holiday

The Kennett Government in 1993 introduced legislation (Public Holidays Act 1993) that declared that if Australia Day fell on a Saturday or Sunday then there would be no in-lieu holiday.

However, many Federal awards such as the Metal Engineering and Associated Industries Award, the National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Industry Award were varied as a result of union action to provide for the following Monday to be a paid day off.

This year Monday has been declared a Public Holiday. This is another case of union members winning rights for the public. The case for next year remains unclear for non-award covered employees.

Have a great long weekend!

12.
Delta Europcar Delivers Great Rates

Delta Europcar is proud to offer ETU members fantastic rates for all of your vehicle rental needs. Delta Europcar are able to provide a vehicle for every occasion, whether for work or leisure, and all at a reduced rate for union members.

Delta Europcar have commercial vehicles to suit almost any application. Choose from utes, vans and light trucks that can all be driven on a standard licence, or for those extra large jobs we have 8 tonne vans, trays and tautliners. And at Delta Europcar, all the vehicles are air-conditioned.

Planning a holiday? Delta Europcar have a vehicle to match your needs - from the sporty TT Roadster and the luxurious Audi A6, to the popular Falcon and the smaller more economical vehicles.

Adventure and the outdoors are easily done in our great range of 4 wheel drives and if you have a crowd to carry we have a variety of people movers and mini buses.

To make renting a vehicle with Delta Europcar as simple and convenient as possible, branches are located throughout Australia including all major airports.

To access the ETU members corporate rate, simply call 1300 131 390 quote the ID number below when making a booking.

CCC01924

Bookings can be made by:

1. Phone central reservations on - 1300 131 390
2. Book on-line @ www.deltaeuropcar.com.au
3. Your licensed travel agent

(Please note that this facility is for credit card payments only, and you will need to ensure that payment arrangements are made at the time of rental collection.)

Delta Europcar are happy to service all ETU members vehicle rental needs.