1.Smorgon Steel – 200 days and Still Going Strong

The Smorgon Steel disputes continues: members have now been “out the gate” approaching 200 days.

Discussions between the Union and the companies involved have been continuing in the AIRC this week. There will be a solidarity Breakfast on Friday September 12 at the picket in North Laverton from 7:00 am. Details on http://www.etu.asn.au/members/solidarity_breakfast.html

You can show your support for the workers by attending the picket line, emailing a protest to Smorgon management (go to www.etu.asn.au) or buying a limited edition “200 Days” supporters T-shirt from the ETU Melbourne office.

2. Workers Day at the Footy

The annual “Workers Day at the Footy” is on again at Port Melbourne on Saturday week. Come and watch the great action at the VFL Preliminary Final.

The event is sponsored by the ETU, ASU, ANF, AMWU, CEPU (ETU/CUW/Plumbers), CFMEU (FFTS), NUW, TWU, VTHC and Members Equity.

Admission is free to Union members and their families on presentation of financial Union membership card.

Date: September 13

Time: From 11:00 am

Location: Ingles Street Entrance
Port Melbourne Footy Ground
Melways Reference Map 2E E12

3. Labour Hire Breakthrough

Members employed by labour hire companies have been involved in a protracted dispute since January this year. These companies include Skilled Engineering, Chelgrave, Alton and Integrated Maintenance Services.

The members have finally broken through and secured an enterprise agreement that includes significant wage rises, a 36-hour week and new arrangements for accessing long service leave accruals.

Employees now have the shorter hours arrangement in their own agreement and do not have to rely on a “jump-up” clause. This is significant in that it takes the 36-hour campaign outside the construction industry.

Members have shown great resolve and stamina in securing the agreement that is in place until October 2005. The agreement sets benchmarks in hours in the labour hire industry.

Pictured is Ray Fitzgerald of Skilled Engineering and Dean Mighell sealing the deal with the “labour hire helmet”.

4. Metal, Engineering and Associated Industry Award

A new version of the Metal, Engineering and Associated Industry Award is now in print.

This award applies to members working a range of manufacturing maintenance and production companies throughout Australia.

It is available for members from your organiser or through local Union office.

5. Campaign 2003 Agreements

Campaign 2003 in the manufacturing and associated industries rolls on, with agreements being reached at numerous companies across Victoria. These include ACL Pistons, Amcor, BTR-ACI Spotswood, Cabot, Dow Chemicals, GUD Hunt, Engineering, Lockwood, NEC, Orica, PBR Richardson Pacific, Robert Bosch, Sigma, Unidrive, Varian, Westfield Properties and Westinghouse.

Wage outcomes have typically been in excess of 14% over the life of the agreement. A number of sites which have not achieved shorter working hours in previous agreements have been successful in this round.

The electrical licensing allowance has been a hot issue with members. Most agreements now reflect the unique responsibilities and role of the licensed electrician in the workplace. Payments of up to $70.00 (all-purpose) per week have been achieved during negotiations.

Members at CUB picked up increases of 15% over the period to March 31, 2003. The (CUB) “Product Allowance” remains the same!

6. “Once Upon a Time in the Midlands”

Coming soon to the Nova Cinema in Carlton is a new comedy / drama from director Shane Meadows (A Room for Romeo Brass, Twentyfourseven), and starring Robert Carlyle.

Decent-but-dull Dek loves Shirley so much that he humiliates her by proposing without warning on national television. Like everyone else Shirley has ever met, her ex-husband is watching when she turns Dek down.

Meadows calls this his ‘tinned-spaghetti’ western, in which the ex, played by Robert Carlyle, rides back into town determined to get his gal back. But while the references are to Sergio Leone, the heart of the film is Meadows’ ability to unearth so much emotion, humour and beauty in his working-class milieu.

The Nova is offering 30 ETU Southern States members the opportunity to win a double pass to “Once Upon a Time in the Midlands”.

The first thirty members who can name another film currently screening at Cinema Nova will win a double pass to this new film.

The tickets can be used at any time except Saturdays after 5pm and public holidays.

Send your entry to alex@etu.asn.au

www.cinemanova.com.au

See the trailer –

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/onceuponatime.html

7. Heinemann Electric Victory

After 17 days on strike, members employed by Heinemann Electric have had a resounding victory for their latest EBA.

Confronted by an employer who was determined to take away rights related to job security, redundancy, whilst offering pitiful pay rises, the members have accepted a package that significantly improves all their conditions.

In terms of wages, the lowest paid members classified between C13 and C11 receive pay increases averaging close to 8% per annum over 3 years, whilst higher paid workers will receive 4.5% per annum over 3 years.

Most of the tradespeople will undergo reclassification, which is expected to lift their classification. Redundancy pay has been improved to two and half weeks pay per year of service, whilst issues such as transmission of business and outsourcing have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Union.

State Organiser Wes Hayes says after 17 days on the picket the members were jubilant about the outcome.

“These members were faced with the threats of job loss and to their basic redundancy entitlements. On top of this the lowest paid workers were offered only a pittance in pay increases”.

“The structure of the wage increases addresses the lowest paid workers first, with the tradesman undergoing reclassification on top of their pay increases”.

It was the first time Heinemann Electric workers have ever gone on strike; it was only unionised in 1998. Some members have worked at the company for 15 years and are now realising the full benefit of collective union power in negotiating enterprise agreements.

On behalf of all the members at Heinemann, thanks to the many unions and comrades who helped support the campaign during this period.

8. Elected OH&S Reps Conference

“Speak Up Together” is the theme and title of the fifth annual OH&S Representatives Conference to be held next month. It is held during OH&S Safety Week.

This year there will be two international speakers:

Ross Wilson, Secretary of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. New Zealand unions have recently launched a campaign to elect 10,000 OHS Reps.

Nancy Lessin, internationally-recognised union expert from the US who will explain why just telling workers to work more safely doesn't work.

Victoria's Attorney General and Minister for WorkCover, Rob Hulls, will also be addressing the conference. In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity for reps to workshop ideas and develop strategies in industry groups.

Date: Wednesday October 29

Time: From 8:00 am

Venue: Moonee Valley Racecourse (Melways Ref 28 K7)
Free parking available at the McPherson Street entry

Cost: Nothing ($0.00)

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Buses will available from Ballarat, Bendigo, Kyneton, Geelong, Morwell, Portland, Warrnambool and Shepparton. Pick up times will be advised after registration or check the website on www.ohsrep.org.au

The registration form is available from the website or from the ETU website at http://www.etu.asn.au/pdfs/conference.pdf

Further information can be obtained from VTHC OH&S unit on 03 9662 3511 or by contacting ETU OH&S Officer

Allan Mulvena on 0419 132 833.

9. Rally to Defend and Extend Medicare

There will be a mass rally on Friday September 5 at the State Library of Victoria to defend and extend Medicare.

Healthcare is a right and not a charity or a luxury. The ETU encourages members to attend the rally to defend Australia's universal health care system.

Starting time: 5:30pm

Finishing time: 6:30pm

Location: State Library of Victoria
Swanston Street
Melbourne

For more information contact “Defend and Extend Medicare”

Website www.defendandextendmedicare.org

Email defendmedicare@yahoo.com.au

Phone 0439 395 489, 03 59821 170

10. Next edition eTU online

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