Vale Tony Cecere

Union recruiter Tony Cecere passed away on March 12, 2005 aged 52 years. Tony is survived by his wife and three children.

Tony spent six months at the Union recruiting members to the communications section after spending some years with the CEPU Communications Division.

He also spent many active years working in the community with those unfortunate enough to find themselves in prison.

His dedication and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by all those with whom he came in contact.

2. Fair For All, Not A Free-For-All

The ETU continues to sign employers to the new Deed and is vigorously pursuing security of employment conditions on behalf of our members.

From 1 July, when it takes control of the Senate, the Federal Government intends to rip up the workplace rulebook and take away fair standards applying to all workers

Howard's mob refuses to guarantee that no worker will be worse off under the proposed changes. We know what that means - we will be worse off.

Howard's laws aim to:

•  Establish a single national industrial relations system (or 'unitary' system), thereby over-riding the much fairer Labor State IR systems

•  Further reduce the number of 'allowable' award conditions

•  Attack the safety net of minimum wages and allow minimum wages to fall in value

•  Attack the ability of employees to organise in a union and to collectively bargain

•  Further erode the powers of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission

•  Mount a major assault on unionised workers and the unions themselves in the construction industry

•  Promote individual contracts as the most common and widespread form of employment 'agreement'.

http://www.vthc.org.au/media/trades_hall_news/20050323_delsmeet.html

At the recent Victorian Delegates Rally, 2000 union delegates and stewards were urged to form a united front in Victoria and nationally to conduct a long-term campaign against these changes and the Howard Government.

They endorsed the ACTU resolution of March 16, urging all unions to stop work and attend the FAIR FOR ALL RALLY on Thursday 30 June and to commit to promoting it in workplaces, industries and communities.

They urged other states to do the same and endorsed the need for further action in late August/September. All delegates were encouraged to hold a workplace meeting to discuss these issues and to call on their employer to reject the Howard agenda.

3. Victorian Public Hospitals Agreement

Members working in Victorian public hospitals have recently voted for an in-principle agreement that covers their employment conditions to 2008.

The members had endorsed a log of claims late last year and presented those claims to management via the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association (VHIA).

In early February, the members endorsed a campaign of industrial action after talks in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) broke down regarding the log of claims. The Department of Health Services (DHS) was represented at the AIRC along with the VHIA.

Following the commencement of bans, the employers sought fresh talks where they tabled an offer to the negotiating committee of stewards from various hospitals.

After further discussions an understanding was reached that was outlined in a statement issued from the AIRC by Commissioner Cribb.

The understanding was endorsed by a mass meeting of Hospital maintenance employees.

The agreement contains increases of 12% over three years, an $8.80 enterprise flexibility allowance and 8 weeks of paid maternity leave.

The Department of Health Services have also agreed to fund the employment of a number of apprentices directly employed by the Victorian Public Hospitals.

Currently the Victorian public hospitals employ 1 apprentice.

http://www.etu.asn.au/members/austin_mercy_hospital.html

4. March on May Day

Join thousands of fellow workers around the world marching on May Day to demand and defend worker rights.

Assemble at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton South on Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm .

See you there!

5. ETU OHS Reps Up-Date

The ETU is currently reviewing it's OH&S reps data base and is requesting that all members who are current reps and who have not notified the Union in the past 6 months to contact Danny Timmers (ETU OH&S Reps Support Officer) on 0419 378 404 or danny@etu.asn.au .

The ETU is setting up separate OH&S Reps web-based access and your up to date details will be required. Information on the site will be for OH&S reps and will require a log on which will be introduced in the near future.

Other news is that the ETU is running OH&S reps meetings in regional areas, which will be chaired by the ETU OH&S Officer Allan Mulvena , to discuss current safety issues in the work place. The regular bi-monthly meetings will continue in the Melbourne Office supplemented by the regional meetings.

Additional training courses have been scheduled for the regional areas in 2005. Please have a look on the ETU web site for details. The major discussion topic at the moment is the introduction of the new OH&S Act on 1 st July 2005 and what impact it has for Reps and the members they represent.

The OH&S reps monthly newsletter began last November and is issued to all reps on the mail out list. It can be accessed on the ETU website also. We encourage all Reps to take an active role in the newsletter and contribute any information to the editor in chief, Allan Mulvena .

http://www.etu.asn.au/members/ohs_newsletter.html

International Workers Memorial Day

Pictured are members of the ETU OH&S Committee.

6. This Month's Coles Gift Card Prize Winner

Every month an ETU Southern States member who emails feedback on the "Where To Enjoy" Member Benefits Programme goes into a draw for a $25.00 Coles Gift Card.

This month's winner is Robert Clayton of Cape Schanck .

Get your feedback in to go in the draw.

ETU Southern States members can purchase Coles Gift Cards at 5% off the face value of the card from "Where To Enjoy". Click on to http://www.wheretoenjoy.com/etu/ for more details.

It's a great way to shop and save money.

Call "Where To Enjoy" on 1300 131 369 for more information.

The following comment came from a union member about using the ETU Member Benefits site.

"With the destination (Tropical North Queensland) decided and flights already booked we needed a place to stay. I had been searching the internet for days, trying to find the best deal.

It occurred to me that I should have a look at what the ETU website had to offer. I followed the links of Where to Enjoy to accommodation, which lead me to the BreakFree Amphora resort.

By simply entering the password, I could not believe the great deal they had on offer. I actually called the resort that night to get a quote and found that their price was much higher than the internet price. Through Where to Enjoy, we ended up getting a seven night holiday in Palm Cove for 70% less than the quoted price, PLUS we have a voucher for another seven night holiday to spend at any of the BreakFree resorts within the next 12 months.

I think it is a matter of being logged on at the right time, but I will definitely be going back and looking at their site to see what other great deals I can come across".

7. ETU Southern States Branch Stewards Conference

The ETU Southern States Branch Shop Stewards conference will be held on June 15 and 16 in Melbourne . The conference will focus on the proposed changes that the Howard government wants to impose on working people from July 1, 2005 .

In coming weeks, Stewards will receive a "Conference Registration" form from the Union , please return this form as soon as possible in order to be registered for the conference.

Please click here to get "Conference Registration" form.

The next ETU Southern States Branch Shop Steward training Course will be in Melbourne with Part A on May 10 & 11. Shop Stewards can book by downloading application form from http://www.etu.asn.au/members/coursedescrip.html or phoning Tanya on 03 8341 5555.

8. Next edition eTU Online

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online. You'll receive your next issue in May, 2005.