You might be aware that I recently sent a letter to members in marginal seats in relation to the federal election. As I said in the letter, it is unusual for me to write regarding federal or state elections. However, having been involved in the ETU as a full-time officer or shop steward since 1982 I see Saturday's election as the most important for workers and their families since 1975.

John Howard and the Liberal party's agenda are focused on breaking unions. If John Howard is successful in winning the election this will mean that we will not be able to organise as effectively to improve our working conditions and our lot in life. This will affect each of us and our families, our leisure time and income.

Longer hours and lower wages are good for business and company profits, and it is clear who John Howard and the Liberal party are supporting. It is the workers and unions who struggle to improve working conditions and wages, not the Liberal party.

Again, as I said in the letter, I don't want to tell members how to vote, but I am asking you to carefully consider how you vote on October 9. Policies you can consider are industrial relations issues such as your ability to maintain and improve your current working conditions which support you and your family, and health and education policies which will benefit all Australians.

I urge you to give great consideration as to how you vote in this election .

Yours in solidarity

Dean Mighell
Branch Secretary

Please click here to get more information on Howard's War on Workers ( 496 KB Pdf)

2. Fancy a bit of electioneering?

And if you do want to work against the Liberals in Victoria you might like to consider the following letter from Trades Hall.

The ALP campaigns in the marginal seats in Victoria all need some assistance during next week/ or on polling day. In particular the ALP absolutely must cover all polling booths in winnable marginal seats on the day.

Please make contact directly to offer assistance.

• Deakin - Contact - Hamish Park - 9878 5083. People to staff pre-polling booths next Thursday & Friday. Need more people for polling booths on Election Day.
• Latrobe - Contact - Lee Tarlamis - 0411 553 009. Leafletting early in the week. Work in office making up kits/packets of bunting etc for election day.
• McEwen - Contact - Steve Booth - 0417 578 427. General help. Possibly leafletting during the week.
• Gippsland - Contact - Kath Hamilton - 0407 221 649. Some remote polling booths - Bemm River (spot of fishing anyone?), Benambra, Bendoc!
• Corangamite - Contact - Cameron Granger - 0408 352 443. Help covering polling booths in country areas.
• McMillan - Contact - Chris Devers - 0419 526 437. Polling booths in Packenham & backup.

Thanks

Chris Clarke
0407 307 007
VTHC Election Campaign.

3. Now, that's a flag

A Eureka Flag will be unveiled by ETU branch secretary Dean Mighell at the Haymarket roundabout on Monday 29 November at 11 am . This marks the day and time in 1854 when the flag was first flown, on a makeshift sapling pole at Bakery Hill, Ballarat.

The history books record that the first reference to the Eureka Flag was in the Ballarat Times report on the 29 November mass meeting at Bakery Hill. In his 1992 book Massacre at Eureka , Bob O'Brien, writes, 'in recent times a fragment of cloth was forwarded to Ballarat by descendants of Frank Bradford of Alice Springs .' These descendants claimed that Bradford had fought at Eureka . The restored flag now lies in the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.

Raffaello Carboni in his book The Eureka Stockade described the appearance of the flag on Bakery Hill on 29 November as follows:

The work being completed around 11 o'clock , the Southern Cross was hoisted, and its maiden appearance was a fascinating object to behold. There is no flag in Europe , or the civilized world, half so beautiful and Bakery Hill, as being the first place where the Australian ensign was first hoisted, will be recorded in the deathless and indelible pages of history. The flag is silk, blue ground, with a large silver cross; no device or arms, but all exceedingly chaste and natural.

Let's hope the 2004 unfurling is as alluring as the one seen by Carboni and the miners at Bakery Hill. And remember that former Goanna band front man Shane Howard will be among a number of people entertaining us at the Eureka Centre in Ballarat on the evening of Thursday 2 December. For more information go to http://www.etu.asn.au/members/eureka.html

But wait, there's more.

The first ten members to email me phil@etu.asn.au will receive a double pass each to next Wednesday's (13 October) performance of EUREKA - The Musical, at Her Majesty's Theatre. Show starts at 8 pm.

4. Meters of exploitation

The ETU has thrown its support behind the campaign to ban the introduction of pre-payment meters. You might have noticed that the Victorian Government is reported to be reconsidering the introduction of pre-payment meters for domestic consumers. In the UK , low-income and vulnerable households who don't have bank accounts or use direct debit fall into the pre payment system and become the victims of more expensive power.

In a press release Branch Secretary, Dean Mighell had this to say: 'a community where many Victorians families are pre-paying their electricity is something you'd expect to read about in a Charles Dickens novel not a civilised Victoria . It means that just like in the industrial England of the 1800s, some families will be sitting in barren lounge rooms wrapped in blankets in the dead of winter because they're short of cash. It'll be a case of starve or be cold.'

The cost aside, experience tells us that fires are more common with pre payment customers, who use candles and bits of wood when the power's disconnected. In the UK , low income households have ended up on pre-payment meters while those who pay by direct debit are offered price discounts. It's totally unfair' he said.

It should come as no surprise that Aurora Energy supports the installation of pre-payment meters. They import them. In parts of the UK pre-payment meter customers are paying 20% more for their power than direct debit customers. This is yet another example of what happens when essential services are run by profit hungry private companies, many of them overseas owned.

The ETU has declared that it will ban the meters if the government proceeds. The ETU's position has been welcomed by VCOSS and a host of other charities.

Andrea Sharam , former president of the Energy Users Group and now completing a PHD at Swinburne University asks you to think about meters this way:

Imagine you are a casual worker and some weeks you simply don't get enough hours to make ends meet. You have three kids, one of whom as asthma and house you live in has a PPM. You run out of money, the power goes off, but the kid needs asthma medication, what do you do? You're going to be desperate for both medicine and electricity. After all we are not just talking about the lights. Everything in the fridge will go rotten, the house will be cold and there will be no hot water. PPMs mean no money, no power and no rights.

At the moment you should never face this situation. If you have "incapacity to pay" you cannot be cut off. The Minister for Energy has said that PPM will relieve the stress having a debt. Well having no electricity is much more stressful.

As part of our union's on going commitment to a better regulated electrical supply industry, branch secretary Dean Mighell will be participating in a forum organised by EPIC Wednesday 13 October. The topic for the evening is "Regulating for skill across the Electricity Supply Industry - a necessary good or an unnecessary evil?"

Jon Faine, from ABC 774's Morning Show, will facilitate debate and discussion involving invited guests and our presenters:

•  Dr John Tamblyn Chairman, Essential Services Commission

•  Ken Gardner Chief Electrical Inspector, OCEI

•  Bill Nagle CEO, Energy Networks Association

•  Dean Mighell Secretary, Southern States Branch, ETU.

Although the night is sold out the eTU online is always happy to hear members' views on such issues. We'll give you a report in the next eTU online.

5. Stick your tacky tool box

Every electrician should be hearing alarm bells at Liberal Education Minister Brendan Nelson's quip, 'it takes 4 years to train a doctor, so why does it take 4 years to train an electrician?' Nelson, who loves giving money to Australia 's richest schools and pricing ordinary people out of university has now turned his upper class eye to trades people. John Howard would like to flood our industry with semi skilled, low paid workers. That's the Liberal solution to the massive shortage of skilled tradespeople.

The government's tears about the lack of skilled workers are a smoke screen for an attack on our trade. Fancy offering young people a tool box to encourage them to take up a trade! They already get an allowance for a tool box.

This isn't the way to address the exodus - 134,900 apprentices between 2000 and 2003 - from apprenticeship courses. The real solution lies in treating apprentices as the highly skilled tradespeople they will become, and paying them accordingly. Instead of doing that, John Howard wants to throw money at private training colleges offering two year courses which will be used to smash our national training standards and offer competition from semi skilled casual workers. Did you notice that in his national party launch John Howard didn't once mention electricians or plumbers? That's why we and the plumbers have placed a joint an advertisement in Wednesday's Herald Sun.

You know what they say about statistics? Try this. Less than a third of the 400,000 apprenticeships the Howard Government claims it is currently supporting are actual trade apprenticeships. Official Government data shows there are only 133,376 traditional apprentices in training. The Liberal Party is dishonestly inflating its figures by including short-term trainees such as kitchen-hands in fast food outlets in apprentice numbers.'

If John Howard's claims about his love of Australia were fair dinkum he'd be telling the foreign owned power companies to follow the ETU's lead and embrace the employment of apprentices. The ETU's campaign for apprentices will go on. Hopefully Howard won't be in the Lodge to see it.

6. Not happy John banned from Brisbane sky

National journalist Margo Kingston is no lover of John Howard. Her thoughts were relayed to the eTU online.

G'day. A sad little yarn to end a sad little week. Genevieve Siddle is a 21 year old student in Brisbane who also works for the Australian Services Union. She read my book, and struck upon the idea of contracting Brisbane's only aerial signwriter to write "Not happy, John!" in the sky over the Coalition's campaign launch on Sunday. She spent weeks begging for the $2,800 required through her email networks. The contractor, Rob Vance, agreed to do the job. But crikey got a hold of an email, and then Brisbane ABC radio ran the yarn. Just before midday today, Rob rang Genevieve and pulled out. Why? "I can't really tell you," he told me. Free speech takes yet another dive. If you can help Genevieve save the day, email her on genevieve@asuqld.asn.au or call 0418 715 536.

I feel like giving you Rob's phone number, but won't. He's a bloke who wants to keep his business, that's all.

7. On your bike Johnny

It' seems only appropriate that Bicycle Victoria is calling on regular commuters and first-time riders to join the Ride to Work Day tomorrow - Wednesday 6 October. Coming three days before the federal election, might it be an omen? Maybe our crumbling Prime Minister will get the message and get on his bike.

With the ETU at the forefront of the push for better health among workers, jumping on the bike is the way to go. This year there will be loads of prizes and a huge free breakfast at Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne . There'll also be eight regional breakfasts and hundreds of workplace events throughout Victoria .

For more information click on

8. A depression tale

Ask any ETU shop steward and you'll been told that depression does exist in the work place and is something many officials find very difficult to deal with.

The finding that 'most management practices currently implemented to deal with depression only make the situation worse,' would hardly surprise a number of stewards whose opinions were sought by the eTU online. As one shop steward told the eTU online, 'employers invariably put productivity above the health of the work and induce the worker to return to work too soon. I saw a case like this where a bloke became suicidal.'

In this vein, the ETU has commissioned Incolink to provide a range of worker support services, including personal counselling. These will be outlined in a leaflet to be circulated in the coming months.

The Incolink Chaplain or Counsellor can be contacted on 9639 3000.

9. Maurice Blackburn Cashman to the rescue

Financial and family pressures can be some of the biggest obstacles to good health. At a recent mass meeting at the Trades Hall Council a number of ETU member expressed concern about child maintenance and related issues.

Maurice Blackburn Cashman is offering ETU member assistance in these matters. Lisa Bradley (03 9605 2840 or at lbradley@mbc.aus.net .) recommends that in the advent of separation, you seek on the obligations you may have or the financial support you can expect to receive from your former partner. Those who've been through the situation would know that financial support for children is usually payable to the parent that the children live with. The amount payable is calculated by the Child Support Agency, depending on the number of children and the income of both parents.

If children are enrolled in private schools or have special needs or talents, more child support may have to be paid, depending on all the circumstances of your family unit. Child Support is payable regardless of whether you were ever legally married.

Some people are surprised to learn that if you have been married, you may also have a responsibility to financially support a former spouse after separation. Under the Family Law Act, a person has a responsibility to financially assist their spouse if the spouse's personal income or assets are insufficient to meet their expenses or maintain a reasonable lifestyle. Every family is unique so it is important to get the right advice about your rights and responsibilities. Lisa Bradley - from Maurice Blackburn Cashman's Family Law team - will provide a free first consultation to ETU members.

And don't forget your superannuation.

Recent changes to the Family Law Act and superannuation legislation allow the Family Court to treat your superannuation as an asset, even if you do not currently have access to it. These changes allow the Family Court to divide superannuation immediately or set aside an amount for future payment to your spouse. The division of superannuation as an asset is a very difficult process; there are rules that apply to dividing up your superannuation that don't apply to other assets. Just deciding the total amount of superannuation available can be a difficult and time consuming task, calculations can vary from one fund to another.

If you would like further information regarding this area, Maurice Blackburn Cashman lawyers have a family law team that will ensure you receive the right advice and negotiate a fair deal. Contact Rob Cornelius at rcornelius@mbc.aus.net to make an appointment.

Gary Clarke was a union member for 22 years. Sadly, on 3 August 2004 he passed away. He is survived by wife Barb and two daughters aged 10 and 14 years. Organiser Troy Gray had this to say about Gary Clarke:

'He was a union member all his life, and everyone who met him had the upmost respect for him. That's reflected in the number of people, including the local surf club that have put their hand up to help his family.'

It goes without saying that Gary 's family is in need of our support. To help raise money for the ETU is running a raffle, to be drawn on Wednesday 10 November 2004 at 4.30 pm at the Gordon McKay Workshop.

Prizes include (1) a 59 centimetre Colour TV, (2) Fishing Rod and Reel, (3) DVD player and (4) Dinner for Two at the Sheraton. For more information ring the Geelong office on 5229 3344.

The ETU will be carrying a more extensive tribute to Gary in the December edition of the ETU News.

11. Petition to release Craig Johnston

The ETU is currently supporting defence counsel Rob Stary 's attempts to have Craig Johnston released from gaol. To that end we're seeking signatures for a petition to be sent to the state government.

The reasons offered are as follows:

Craig Johnston is the only person involved in the Johnson Tiles dispute who is serving a custodial sentence for his involvement.

1. The 17 co-accused all received small fines and good behaviour bonds or had their charges dismissed.
2. The role played Craig Johnston was no different than the role played by the 17 co-accused.
3. Craig Johnston has been treated differently because of his prominent role as a leading trade union official.

The petition is known as a Formal Petition of Mercy, which can be addressed by the Governor in Council and result in a pardon. It was launched at the public meeting of around 250 people last week. Obviously, such is the nature of politics that more signatures the greater the chances of a pardon. The petition will be presented at the end of October or early November, accompanied by a mass stopwork protest.

Campaign T-Shirts and banners saying ``Free Craig Johnston: Not a criminal, A political prisoner'' have started appearing on a few sites around town. In Sydney , a protest was held outside the Victorian Tourist Bureau last Friday, and leaflets calling for the release of Craig Johnston were handed out at the James Hardie rally in Sydney and the state-wide school cleaners' protest.

In Perth , banners supporting the campaign are going to be hung on the CFMEU and MUA offices, and the petition will be circulated. A public meeting is being planned in Perth - Friday 5 November - as well with Craig Johnston's lawyer Rob Stary speaking. The CFMEU in WA has also produced ``Justice for Johnston '' T-Shirts.

To sign the petition, just call in at the ETU office or ring for information.

12. Let the Frankland into the Senate

Indigenous leader, film maker and raconteur Richard Frankland was at his theatrical and passionate best at Federation Square on Thursday 28 September for the launch of his campaign for a seat in the senate. The charismatic Frankland was surrounded on stage by friends and patrons including former Democrats senator Sid Spindler, TV cop Peter Phelps, musician Peter Hester and Olympian Kyle Vander-Kyup. Beginning with the catch cry 'we need to fight hate with love,' Richard didn't miss a beat. Although his strongest criticisms were directed at the major parties refusal to address what he called 'third world rates of death' in indigenous communities, the ABC received a gentle slap. The national broadcaster it seems had offered Paul ine Hanson an interview but overlooked the indigenous candidate for Victoria . Nothing's changed really. Didn't Andrew Denton have Hanson on Enough Rope?

As much as politics needs the likes of Richard Frankland it's no easy feat to win a seat in the senate. If the media becomes as hypnotised by Frankland as it has with Hanson who knows what might happen.

13. Young unionists meeting

The Young Unionist Network is having a strategy planning weekend, on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th October 2004 . This is your chance to set the agenda for young people in the Victorian union movement for the next twelve months.

Young people represent the future of trade unions. We are the next generation of workers who need to become the next generation of union members and activist. The aim of 'A New Direction: The Way Forward' the Young Unionists Networks planning session is to critically evaluate the work of the YUN over the past 18 months and to strategically plan a way forward. In order to be truly representative of young workers/students/union members/community activists we need you to contribute to these discussions!

The planning session will include evaluation, focus sessions as well as time to plan campaigns, working groups and the direction of the Network. We encourage all young workers and students to participate as well as encouraging unions and community groups to send representatives along. Please return attached registration form by 11 October 2004 .

The Victorian Young Unionists Network (YUN) is a network of young workers who are union members as well as student, community and unemployed activists. It's funded by the Victorian Trades Hall Council and the VTHC's affiliate unions.

The YUN is based at Victorian Trades Hall in Carlton . The network was established to bring together young unionists from different industries to organise collectively to fight for our rights as well as working closely with unions to ensure that youth committees are established and supported. The network is run by young people and is co-ordinated by two staff. The network is open to anyone who is interested in getting active, sharing skills, information and organising for better wages and working conditions. The YUN meets the second Tuesday of every month at Trades Hall. Contact Melanie Roberts or James McComb on 9662 3511 or mroberts@vthc.org.au or jmccomb@vthc.org.au

To subscribe to the YUN e-list, send a blank email to

Young_Unionists_Network-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au

14. Next edition eTU Online

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online. You'll receive your next issue in November 5, 2004.