Eureka - Fancy a night at the opera

Despite Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt being offended by Eureka the Musical and saying some very unpleasant things about it, Omar Merhi doesn't share his point of view. 'It was a brilliant musical mixed with debate, celebration, commemorations, exhibitions and stunning performances. Eureka was a critical moment in Australia 's history that left a legacy of freedom and democracy and there was no better way to express this than by a musical. A musical about the bloody rebellion in 1854 of Ballarat miners,' said the ETU shop steward.

Omar's thoughts were shared by Neil Carter and his partner Michelle, who said, 'My partner and I had a top night at " Eureka " despite the pouring rain all the way down to Melbourne from "sunny" Ballarat. Can you please pass on our thanks to who every made the tickets available.'

The ETU is currently exploring the possibility of a group booking for the 3 pm matinee on Sunday 28 November at Her Majesty's. The producer and composer Michael Harvey has offered us a discount ticket of $50 if we can attract 300 people to the matinee. If you're interested, please email me on phil@etu.asn.au

2. The Eureka Spirit Continues

The 150th commemoration of the Eureka Rebellion has created a great deal of interest in the union movement. As we advised members in the last online magazine, we'll be unveiling the Eureka flag at the Haymarket roundabout on Monday 29 November at 11 am , the day and time when the flag was first flown, on a makeshift sapling pole at Bakery Hill, Ballarat. Peter Lalor, the great, great grandson of Eureka leader Peter Lalor will join us for the unveiling. We'll also be inviting Annie Hayes, whose ancestor, Anastasia Hayes, wife of Digger Timothy Hayes, helped sew the original flag.

On Wednesday 1 December at 7.30 pm , Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary of the MUA, will chair a public meeting - Spirit of Eureka -

The Struggle Continues - at the MUA offices, 46 Ireland Street, West Melbourne . Speakers will include historian and activist Humphrey McQueen, aboriginal activist Gary Foley, MUA national secretary, John Maitland and criminal defence lawyer Rob Stary . A range of topics, including trade union rights and the use of racism to divide people, will be on the agenda. McQueen, whose distinctive left view of history has ruffled the feathers, is no stranger to controversy.
Paul G Hawthorne, from P.G. & J Hawthorne Lighting, who sent the following email, might find it interesting!

Phil

I went to the stockade museum with the kids about five years ago and was fascinated to find that there were I think three black Americans who helped form the multi-racial constitution with our founding fathers. I think it could both please on one level and piss off our current Prime Minister if we could get the American consulate to send some Afro-American representatives to the December festivities.

Regards

3. Night under the Southern Cross - Thursday 2 December

This is our last chance to remind you about our twilight, Night under the Southern Cross on Thursday 2 December, alongside the Eureka complex in Ballarat. Things will kick off around twilight on what should be a night of inspiration and fun. Story teller Dennis Coard has been working feverishly on his performance. And along with singer composers Richard Frankland and Shane Howard should deliver us a great night. Then we'll settle in for a few hours of chat and take in the spirit that drove those miners 150 years ago to confront a corrupt and anti-worker Goldfield Administration.

Dr Clare Wright an academic from La Trobe University will also join us to talk about the women of Eureka . Clare's first book, Beyond the Ladies Lounge, delivered some great stories about Australian female publicans. She's now writing a book on the women of Eureka . 'Women were a part of the moral community of Ballarat for whom politics was personal, immediate and woven into the fabric of daily life. They were also acting in ways that were rebellious, independent, critical of the authority of the officials and calculated to strike a blow for justice, integrity and fair dealing. So why aren't they a part of the Eureka story?' asks Clare. Find out, when the woman you've probably spotted on ABC TV's Einstein Factor comes face to face with the ETU army at Eureka.

Please click the link below to get more information about A night under the Southern Cross
http://www.etu.asn.au/members/eureka.html .

4. Mr Pilger comes to town

Courtesy of Green Left Weekly and Readings Bookstore one of our famous ex pats, film maker, writer and activist John Pilger, will be the special guest at a Public forum and book launch. Titled "Tell me no lies: power and the control of media in a democracy" Pilger will point the bone at corporate control of the media and US hegemonic power and the infamous 'war on terror'. It's the one and only opportunity to hear John Pilger talk about these issues.

He'll also launch his new book - a compilation of investigative journalistic essays from across the globe. The event will be held on Friday Nov 26 at 7.30pm at the Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston St , Melbourne CBD.

The cost is:

$20.00 (solidarity price)

$15.00 waged

$10.00 concession

Pre-paid bookings are essential and credit card bookings available. For info and bookings call Green Left Weekly on 9639 8622

5. Craig Johnston receives a mountain of support

Members would be aware that a petition calling on the government to release Craig Johnston is currently circulating. It's worth noting that Craig has received the following motions of support:

Monash NTEU Branch Committee.

The following motion was passed overwhelmingly by the Monash NTEU Branch Committee on 23 September:

Monash Branch of NTEU notes with concern the jailing of former Victorian AMWU Secretary Craig Johnston and believes the custodial sentence to be harsh and disproportionate.

We oppose the jailing of trade union leaders who are prepared to campaign and fight for their members jobs while employers who constantly breach OHSE regulations and whose negligence results in the death or serious injury of workers avoid custodial sentences and often suffer no financial penalties.

This Branch resolves to support the campaign to have Craig Johnston released from prison. This Branch further resolves to bring this motion to, or support a similar motion at, NTEU National Council 2004.

•  NSW Department of Commerce Public Service Association

The following motion was passed unanimously by the NSW Department of Commerce Public Service Association delegates committee on 16 September 2004 . The Commerce PSA delegates represent a NSW Government department of over 4,000 workers.

The motion was moved by Lachlan Malloch and seconded by Beatriz Bassi. The Commerce Departmental Committee

1. Recognises that Craig Johnston has been singled out and victimised for his leadership of workers in defending and advancing their rights;

2. Deplores the jailing of Craig and recognises that it sets a dangerous precedent for union activists in Australia ;

3. Calls on the Victorian Government to intervene immediately to get Craig released from jail;

4. Calls on the PSA Central Council to join the Free Craig Johnston Campaign and donate some money to the campaign; and

5. Endorses the distribution of information about the Sydney protest action on 24 September 2004 and encourages PSA members to attend."

•  Canterbury Bankstown Teachers Association (part of NSWTF)

The motion below was carried at the Canterbury Bankstown Teachers Fed meeting. Interestingly, a seconder (who we hadn't organised!) from the meeting spoke of the Cole Commission kangaroo court and charges against Martin Kingham and workers rallies to beat that back!

Release Craig Johnston.

This meeting demands the immediate release of Victorian unionist Craig Johnston from goal.

Action:

1. That this meeting donates $100 to the Johnston legal appeal with letter of support.
2. That Federation express support for Johnston via TEFED mail out.
3. Letter sent to Victorian Government.
4. Seek support of National AEU.

•  WA MUA branch

Below is a copy of the motion passed at the WA MUA branch meeting on 31 August.

'This branch meeting of the MUA West Australian branch condemns in the strongest terms the jailing of former AMWU Victorian Branch Secretary Craig Johnston. We believe the sentence, and indeed the whole case, to have been motivated by a determination on the part of employers to destroy effective unionism in this country.

The Victorian branch of the AMWU has been a pacesetting union, winning some of the best conditions in the country for its members. It has also given exceptional support to other workers and their unions in their hour of need. This explains the strident campaign by the employers and big business media to have Craig Johnston jailed. They wish to intimidate all Australian workers by smashing some of the country's stronger unions first. In the same vein we have also seen the Howard government's smear campaign against the CFMEU through the Building Industry Royal Commission and its attempt to smash the MUA in 1998.

These attacks on workers and their right to organise should serve as a reminder that nothing working people have gained has come on a silver platter from the employing class, governments or legal system, all of which favour the rich and powerful.

The MUA remembers the vital solidarity given to it by Craig Johnston and Victorian manufacturing workers in the 1998 Patricks dispute. Their contribution on the picket lines at Webb Dock, along with the other unions, was one of the turning points in our union's battle for survival. We pledge our support in the campaign to have Craig Johnston released.'

6. Construction workers collared in sun smart campaign

The ETU has received the following release from Rob Hulls' office.

Victorian construction workers will be urged to ditch the singlet this summer and cover up with a sun smart shirt under a campaign launched by the Minister for WorkCover, Rob Hulls. Mr Hulls said 3000, three-quarter sleeved, collared polo shirts with a sun protection factor of 50+, will be handed out to construction workers around the state

"Although they spend a large proportion of their job exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays, particularly during the summer months, there are still some in the construction industry not getting the message," Mr Hulls said.

"With the warmer weather now upon us, and with WorkSafe Week just around the corner, it's a timely reminder for all outdoor workers, especially builders, to cover up and be SunSmart."

"Although they spend a large proportion of their job exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays, particularly during the summer months, there are still some in the construction industry not getting the message," Mr Hulls said.

"With the warmer weather now upon us, and with WorkSafe Week just around the corner, it's a timely reminder for all outdoor workers, especially builders, to cover up and be SunSmart."

Speaking at the launch on the site of the Southern Cross building redevelopment, Mr Hulls urged also encouraged construction workers to make an appointment for free skin cancer checks being held around Victoria over the next two months.

Last year, 15% of construction workers who took part in the skin check program organised by WorkSafe Victoria and Sunsmart were referred on for further medical attention. This year, free skin cancer checks are being held in Melbourne , Ballarat, Geelong and Bendigo next week as part of Work Safe Week.

Further checks will be carried out in Shepparton, Morwell, Mildura, Wodonga, Portland and Warrnambool by the end of the year. Mr Hulls said research undertaken in Australia last year showed that on average, construction and building workers could be exposed to up to five times the maximum recommended exposure limits for UV radiation. Figures recently released from the Cancer Council of Victoria also showed that 48,850 Victorians were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in 2002 - with 1807 diagnosed with the deadly melanoma skin cancer and 215 dying from the disease.

The polo shirt campaign is part of the Year of the Built Environment - a national initiative that encourages people to become more aware of their 'built environment' - the buildings, places and structures in which they live, work and play.

Let's hope Rob remembers to put his ETU logo on the shirt

7. Look, up in the sky, Chile TV for liberation

In a previous ETU News we reported how the ETU had supported CUT's (the equivalent of our ACTU) attempts to develop its own TV station. The name of the station is TVC television communidad. It is a community station that is in its formation stage. The project has been driven by the secretary of the CUT Jose Ortiz.

When Dave Mier and Paul Coffey were in Chile in October 03, Jose Ortiz asked them if the union could assist. On 27 November 2003 State Council gave Paul and David permission to raise money. The money was raised via a raffle that was supported by the shop stewards in both contracting and in manufacturing. A total of $17,308.85 was raised. This money was then electronically sent to a special bank account set up for the project.

'After reading conclusions from the ILO's report- Trade Union responses to Globalisation in Chile - and hearing the concepts about TVC from Jose Ortiz and Jurgen Hetzenstein, the idea of communicating and informing workers of their rights and organizing on a potentially vast reaching medium seemed like a clever response to the barriers against unions in Chile,' says David Mier.

The barriers are a lack of access to the workforce and lack of finance. Whilst TVC was and is expensive to set up and running it will be financially viable, we think it could be viewed as a smart long term investment in the survival of unions for workers in general. With the actualisation of the workforce, the problems of labour hire companies, the long working hours, lack of social services, low pay, lack of affordable childcare and general oppressive conditions of the working poor in Chile, it makes a lot of sense to be able to offer information to workers whilst in their homes.

The December edition of ETU news will cover the recent ETU delegation to Chile in greater detail.

8. Now for the Spring Offensive

In September 2, the High Court of Australia made a number of rulings which have great ramifications for workers, especially with a Howard government in power. Firstly, it overturned the Federal Court ruling that bargaining agent fees were a legitimate matter for negotiations under the Workplace Relations Act. This came about after an Electrolux challenge in Adelaide that argued the fees were illegal because the issue did not "pertain to the employer-employee relationship", as required by the Act. The upshot is that industrial law firms are circulating employers with advice that union entry rights, delegate education provisions and union fee deductions do not "pertain" to the employer-employee relationship.

Limitations on the use of contractors or labour hire, and provisions to secure entitlements seem likely to be contested. Some even believe childcare provisions could be illegal. I'm sure you're not surprised to hear that Justice Kirby, who was attacked by one of Howard's wild dogs, Senator Bill Heffernan last year, opposed the High Court ruling and said it would have a "chilling effect" on collective bargaining. "To expose an industrial organisation of employees to grave, even critical, civil liability for industrial action, determined years later to have been unprotected, is to introduce a serious chilling effect into the negotiations that such organisations can undertake on behalf of their members," Kirby contended. He went on to describe the majority view as "impractical" and "narrow", and said it was removed from the reality of industrial relations.

That's why the ETU is about to enter what it is calling the Spring Offensive. Discussions have already begun with employers, and organisers have already taken the message to work sites. Branch secretary Dean Mighell says 'we have no intention of giving up a single thing we had set in concrete in the existing EBAs. Right now the High Court would have us believe that most of our agreements are illegal. So we have one course of action. Make them legal.' That's what we're doing right now.

9. The lessons from the Westgate Bridge Disaster

It's hard to believe that a bridge such as the Westgate would simply fall down. However that's what happened at 11.50 am on 15 October 1970 . Thirty-five workers lost their lives when a span of Melbourne 's West Gate Bridge collapsed during construction. It was Australia 's worst workplace catastrophe. This year John Cummins delivered the commemorative speech at the site where the span came down.

John is the Victorian Branch President of the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union's Construction & General Division and is a former West Gate construction worker. He's also a member of the West Gate Bridge Memorial Committee. One section of John's speech stands out: 'We take the opportunity presented by today's occasion to pledge that the memory of our 35 workmates guarantees that we will give John Howard no quarter. They won't have died in vain. Safety standards and union organisation on our jobs are non-negotiable. This year's commemoration, of course, is also a special occasion in that it now takes place in the newly developed and soon to be formally opened Memorial Park. Until now, this sacred ground has only been marked by the memorial plaque that was erected and paid for by West Gate workers. It is now complemented by this wonderful park.'

ETU members understand how serious the Union is about work place safety. Electricity has killed 36 people at work since January 1994. The last workplace death involving contact with electricity was in Shepparton in August last year when a 22 year old man died while securing a load on a crane truck when the crane struck overhead powerlines.

The following examples of recent fatal electrocutions in recent times show how dangerous an electrician's lot can be:

•  A worker was steadying a load lifted by a mobile crane which was travelling through a paddock when the boom contacted overhead power lines.

•  A man transferring concrete from a mixer truck into a concrete pump unit died when the boom came into close proximity to energised electrical wires.

•  A man was electrocuted when he came into contact with overhead power lines while removing sheep from a four tier sheep truck.

•  A man was tipping a load of gypsum when the raised bed of a tipper truck he was operating touched 12,000 volt overhead powerlines.

•  A man was electrocuted while moving a truck with a scaffold fitted to the tray. The scaffold contacted 22 KV overhead powerlines.

•  A man was helping set up a sales display standing beside a mobile crane when the operator of the crane raised the boom upwards and struck one of the overhead power lines.

•  A worker was installing wire mesh on the roof of a building under construction when the metal spindle used to roll out the mesh made contact with 22,000 volt power lines.

You can back it in John Howard has never been to the Westgate Bridge Memorial site. Only last week a 28-year-old construction worker at Tuggerah on New South Wales central coast died of electrocution. It appears the worker was electrocuted after he cut through electrical cables during a shop refurbishment. WorkCover NSW is investigating.

And a plasterer on Sydney 's Telstra Towers is lucky to be alive after a near fatal electrocution on Wednesday October 27. The worker received a powerful electrical shock after striking an unmarked live cable.

The NSW government has moved to introduce jail terms for negligent employers involved in workplace deaths. Proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act include jail terms of up to five years, and two years for first time offenders.

Individual managers and directors could be fined up to $165,000, while corporations could face fines of up to $1.65 million.

To read more about the proposed amendments and download a copy of the draft Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Workplace Fatalities) Bill 2004 go to: http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/workplace+death.htm

In the December edition of the ETU News we'll have a look at the decision of GUD Holdings in Tottenham to relocate the manufacture of RYCO filters to China and the effect on workers at the plant. We also speak with workers at Kodak, who'll be leaving the plant in Coburg due to the closure of this Victorian icon,

Fortunately it's not all bad news out there. Sigma pharmaceuticals, where Greg Tutton is the shop steward, would like to alert ETU members to the fact that they can ask for an Australian made drug when they get a prescription from their doctor or chemist. Greg says these are usually cheaper than the imported drugs from overseas, especially if you ask for an Australian made generic brand. So if you want to support Australian jobs, Greg says you should always ask for the Australian made drugs. The ETU has members at a number of pharmaceuticals companies in Victoria including Glaxo, Main and Sigma.

11. A Nauru linie's tale

I got a job on Nauru Island with the then British Phosphate Commission [BPC] at age 23 as your regular "A" Grade electrical mechanic and worked there from 1963 to 1966. Nauru was once a beautiful mountain peak sticking up out of the Central Pacific ocean 14 miles south of the equator all on its own. It is believed that the island has been up and down a few times over millennia and thus the island became rich in phosphate from the breakdown of sea life and of course a stop-over point or home for migratory and sea birds.

My first place of employment was to take over the rewiring of the commercial sized BPC laundry using pyro, which was all within my experience. After 3 months I was sent to work at the "Topside" workshop where the work was 80% auto electrical working with Land Rovers, Leyland trucks, Graders, Bulldozers, Ruston Bucyrus 'grabs' [these dug the phosphate from between the coral pinnacles], a Le Torneau Westinghouse crane and diesel locos similar to the ones in the Australian sugar fields, so I had to teach myself all about regulators, starter motors etc..

During my second term a new recruit of Hong Kong Chinese workers arrived and amongst them were some that no doubt had it very tough back home and they were used to eking out an existence from whatever they could find. On Nauru this included scratching away at old discarded electric motors etc to find viable scrap metal to send back to Hong Kong . One day we arrived at the workshops to find around 12 brass padlocks gone, but nothing else stolen! The engineers came to me wanting to mine the land alongside the rail line so we had to locate and isolate the 3.3Kv armoured cable and temporarily re-activate an old aerial supply line from across the other side of the mining area to supply the workshops.

Finding the underground line was all too easy as it had not been properly buried in the first instance so we duly opened the switch, fitting earth sticks and labels etc. After the area was mined out we returned to re-activate the line to find that the entire 200 + metre run was gone! All cut up into small pieces and shipped off to Hong Kong no doubt. I am not proud of my part in damaging the island but I sure got a very broad range of experience and met absolutely fabulous people who made the whole experience a highlight of my life, especially the Kiribati .

Mike McKeon. Member No. 34114

12. Calling all apprentices - 17 November

The next meeting of the Apprenticeship Committee is Wednesday November 17 in the Comrades Bar. Ray Crampton, our Apprenticeship Officer, is calling on all members who read the online magazine to encourage apprentices to attend the meeting. Apprentice Chris Putnam, a member of the committee, last month won The Communications Sector Apprenticeship of the Year .The story is featured in the ETU News.

Along with Chris, twenty-three year old ETU member Andrew Giles won the Electrical Sector Award. Chris and Andrew are now in the running for the national awards to be announced in November. It's very important that we attract these talented members to the apprenticeship cause.

All the industry commentators are saying we face an acute skill shortage in Australia . Rather than have the Howard government fill the gap by way of two-year courses that downgrade the profession, we need to be on the front foot. The ETU is keen to promote apprentices as the face and the soul of the Union . Your help in encourging apprentices to attend the meeting would be invaluable.

Equally, if you have an apprentice who'd make a good story for the News or the online magazine, please send an email

13. Next edition eTU Online

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