JULY 2000
July 5, 2000
Volume 1, Issue 4
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.
Please forward a copy to other members or print off a copy for the notice board.
In This Issue
- The Campaign 2000 Agreement
- Campaign 2000 Shop Stewards Meeting
- Victorian Building & Construction Workers Rally
- Apprentice news
- EMAIL service contractors strike
- ETU Tee Shirt and Windcheater Sale!
- Tasmanian report
- ETU News radio and raffle result
- Progressive profiling and assessment of Apprenticeships
- Jakub and Jessica's Certified Agreement
- Wilson Transformers
- Victec - The Future
| 1. The Campaign 2000 Agreement |
An agreement has been hammered out with a breakaway group of employers in the Metal and Manufacturing Industry. About 50 companies representing over 150 workplaces have committed to the agreement so far.
The agreement contains these features:- An agreement till 31/07/2003
- Locking of Award conditions
- Locking in of your current agreement conditions
- Wage increases 5% on July 1 2000 or 4% where employer does not provide Income Protection Insurance
- Wage increases 5% on July 1 2001 or 4% where employer does not provide 13 weeks Long Service Leave after 10 years and pro-rata after 7 years
- Wage increases 5% on July 1 2002
- 13 Rostered Days Off including one before Melbourne or regional cup
- 5 Days Trade Union Training Leave
- Right of entry provision and shop stewards rights
- Consultation on change
- Redundancy provisions
- Increased apprenticeship opportunities
- Paid training
- Casuals limited to 12 weeks
- Use of contractors agreement
- Superannuation contributions locked in
- Facilities agreement
- Manufacturing Policy and use of Australian made products
Your shop steward should have a full copy of the Agreement. Call your organiser or the ETU office if you don't have one.
| 2. Campaign 2000 Shop Stewards Meeting |
Hundreds of Shop stewards from the Metal Trade Federation of Unions(MTFU) which includes the ETU, met on June 21 & 22 at metropolitan and regional locations. They endorsed a set of resolutions which will set the tone for negotiations in the Metal and Engineering Industries in coming years.
The meeting endorsed the following:- To endorse the Victorian MTFU negotiated proposal as the Campaign 2000 settlement.
- To now commence local negotiations at each enterprise to implement the settlement and negotiate our local issues to finality.
- To direct the respective union leaderships not sign any Metal Industry award Collective agreement that does not contain the proposed settlement document, ie 15% in total benefit and common expiry date March 31 2003.
- To seek further discussions with AIG and /or employers and governments to change Manufacturing Industry Policy to an Interventionist Policy to deliver manufacturing job security and opportunity.
- Authorise mass meetings and collective action - companies that sign on will be exempt from industrial action.
| 3. Victorian Building and Construction Workers Rally |
The rally is part of the fight for improved On-Site Health and Safety and Workcover protection. Promises were made to increase the number of inspectors out on jobs. Unions and members are still waiting to see them.
The state government still refuses to provide common law access to small group of injured workers who were lost the right to sue under common law between the period 12/11/97 and 19/10/99.
Date: Wednesday July 5, 2000
Time: 10:00 am
Where: Trades Hall
Lygon Street
Carlton South
Contact Mick Montebello on 0418 323 559 for further details.
| 4. Apprentice news |
Dave Kerin, the ETU's Welfare Officer- Apprentices has been with the union just over a year now and his work has been a great asset the union and apprentices.
Dave's role is vital in assisting apprentices who have found difficulties with TAFE, employers, housing, additive behaviour and other problems. Where necessary, Dave has referred apprentices on to more specialist agencies. However, most problems have been dealt with directly.
"It is not uncommon to find apprentices falling behind on their TAFE modules. Sometimes additional tutorial / night classes can be arranged with TAFE to cover the shortfall." Dave said.
Some apprentices have trouble resolving interpersonal problems with employers, workmates etc. Their worklife and general life can suffer as a result. This is where the Welfare Officer role can be critical.
Housing can be a critical problem for apprentices who work in metropolitan or regional cities. It can also be a difficulty for those experiencing interpersonal problems with their family.
Whilst most apprentices journey through their training is uneventful others have some difficulties. In dealing with many of the problems encountered by apprentices, Dave is able gain a very valuable insight into structural problems occurring in the training system.
Dave has a key role in advising the union and in turn government on systemic problems where they exist.
Dave can be contacted on 0417 607 011.
5.
EMAIL service contractors strike
Service Technicians contracted to EMAIL major appliances took industrial action over two days coinciding with the Oueen's birthday weekend.
Other technicians working in both Sydney and Adelaide who are also seeking better contract conditions from EMAIL joined them.
The introduction of the GST and other legislation will have a significant affect on these workers there is also a claim for clarification of their employee / employer relationship.
The company improved the contract terms and shortened the agreement as a result of union involvement.
6.
ETU Tee Shirt and Windcheater Sale!
Quality Tee Shirts and Windcheaters going cheap.
| Tee Shirts | Size | Cost | |
| 100% Union | M / L / XL | $5.00 | |
| Proud to be Union | M / L / XXL | $10.00 | |
| Power Possum | M / L / XL / XXL | $10.00 | |
| Do it with a Licensed Electrician | XXL | $10.00 | |
| Windcheaters | M / L | $10.00 | |
| Windcheaters (Old Style) | XL / XXL | $10.00 |
Contact Tanya on (03) 8341 5555 to place your order, stocks limited.
| 7. Tasmanian report |
As reported in the previous edition of e TU online Kevin Harkins is in Tasmania establishing pattern agreements in the contracting / construction industry there.
The industry does not have a record of pattern agreements and Kevin is changing that. Electricians in the industry are enthusiastic about the concept. They can see the sense in those agreements because it will mean a better, more stable income for every one in the industry if an industry standard is established rather than the current "dog eat dog" approach of enterprise bargaining.
Union membership is beginning to grow and the other unions in the sector are adopting similar approaches. Kevin will be in Tasmania for about 3 months.
| 8. ETU News radio and raffle result |
The winners of the ETU Radio / News Fire Up raffle will be announced on the Plumbers union radio show on Thursday July 6 @ 6:30 am.
The prizes are: Colour TV, Weekend for two at Airey's Inlet, ETU or Plumbers bomber jacket.
Proceeds go to the 3CR 2000 Radio-thon to assist the station which has produced uncensored and outspoken radio for 24 years.
It is a vital link between unions and the wider community in Melbourne and across Australia. It is pro-worker and provides excellent coverage of many industrial matters.
ETU Radio news can be heard every Wednesday morning @ 6:30 am on 3CR 855 am.
9.
Progressive profiling and assessment of Apprenticeships
In 2001 new apprentices in the electrical trade will be assessed progressively throughout the years of their apprenticeships. The current system with the final examination will replaced with a series of assessments that must be completed satisfactorily in order to proceed to the next level. Currently many apprentices put off serious study until the final licence examination. This leads to situation where they fail to complete the final examination and as a consequence do not gain their electrical licence.
The new system will also incorporate profiling of the "on-the-job" training to ensure that all apprentices receive a well rounded exposure to all areas of the electrical trade.
Further information on these changes can be obtained from Sean McCormack of the Industry Training Board (EPIC) on 03 9381 1366
| 10. Jakub and Jessica's Certified Agreement |
ETU organiser Jakub Zerger recently married Jessica Manton of Union Assist. The wedding was at the couple's favorite fishing hole, Apollo Bay.
Congratulations!
| 11. Wilson Transformers |
Workers at Wilson Transformers voted overwhelmingly to reject a company promoted enterprise agreement on June 30.
Management wanted to do a non-union agreement to keep the workers out of Campaign 2000. Workers were not intimidated by the browbeating campaign that was waged over a two-week period by the company.
The rejection of the company agreement is a blow to the high profile member of the Australian Industry group, Robert Wilson.
Congratulations to workers at Wilson Transformers who have won a significant victory for themselves and other workers in the manufacturing industry.
12.
VICTEC - The Future
Over the past 18 months, VICTEC staff and management have been working hard to achieve the following;
- Organisational Change (review of vision, strategies and job roles).
- The introduction of Case Management for all Apprentices (this means that all Apprentices are nominated a Human Resource Officer, who provides continuous support, mentoring and assistance).
- The introduction of a Sales Team to promote our services to Host Employers.
- A new Accounts and Payroll Package (to ensure that Apprentices get paid on time)
- The appointment of a Committee and a Manager for Occupational Health and Safety (to minimize workplace accidents).
Of course with the employment and training of over 350 young people in training, VICTEC has day to day issues that make life hectic and complex.
Recently, the economic downturn resulted in many Apprentices being on "downtime" awaiting employment. Today we can report that the number sitting on the board is 0.
The next stage will see VICTEC launch a new image, profile and logo. As VICTEC develops we will be looking for new positions in the following Traineeships;
- IT
- Business Administration
- Call Centres
- Multi Media
VICTEC is committed to the development and training of Apprentices for the future and seeks to meet the needs of both employers and Apprentices.
If you would like more information or you think that you could give a young person an excellent opportunity, contact our Sales Team on 9381 1922.
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