eTU online

eTU online is a e-newsletter for members and supporters who have registered their e-mail address with the union. It aims to 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.

Newsletter Archives

In This Issue

1. CUB Olympic Agreement
2. Work Dead or Be Dead
3. BBQ Bracks and the World Economic Forum
4. Godfrey Hirst Dispute
5. Heinemann Electric's C2k agreement
6. The ETU Ball
7. Legal Update
8. Workcover latest
9. Latrobe Valley News
10. Shop Stewards Training
11. Gala Family & Race Day
12. Next Edition

Members at CUB, an Olympic sponsor, have finalised their Campaign 2000 agreement. The campaign at CUB was short and sharp with good preparation and as Wolfgang the AMWU shop steward said "We have a cunning and devious plan"

Members have picked up significant improvements including the following:

15% in wage rises to 31/03/2003
Electrical licence payment of $30.00 all-purpose.
TEA money (Trades Equalisation Adjustment package) - fitters/instros an extra 1.5% on their classification and electricians an extra weeks pay at Christmas.
$500.00 sign-on payment and $400.00 EFT allowance.

Members have achieved an agreement of Olympic proportions. They of course will continue to receive their slab/payday as well!

2. Work "Dead" or Be Dead

NO LIVE WORK ON CONSTRUCTION WIRING

Last year it was reported to the Office of The Chief Electrical Inspector that there had been 14 incidents where licensed electrical workers either came into contact with an energised source, or were in close proximity when an incident occurred and an explosion ensued.

Recently one of our members was severely injured in an explosion. The practice of live work must cease before more workers are injured or killed.

The ETU requires that all members not work live.

There should not be any instance where a person would have to work on an energised construction (temporary) wiring circuit. Unfortunately some of our members have a belief that an RCD will protect them in all instances; this is not the case.

• the rated trip current is not reached; or
• where a person or object is connected to active and/or neutral but not earth.

Don't become a statistic. Work Dead or Be Dead

Authorised by Allan Mulvena - OHS Officer, ETU

3. BBQ Bracks and the World Economic Forum

The ETU Victorian Branch State Council last week moved and adopted the following resolution:

"The State Council of the Electrical Trades Union of Victoria condemns the current Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks, for his backing and encouragement of Police Command to commit acts of violence against protesters at the World Economic Forum.

The demonstrators have the legitimate and moral right to protest against corporations who wage economic and environmental warfare against working people both in Australia and overseas.

Steve Bracks stands condemned for his unjustified support and encouragement of Police Command to commit acts of brutality against peaceful demonstrators.

We demand that Steve Bracks unreservedly apologise to those demonstrators and compensate those who were injured in the pursuit of a better world."

4. Godfrey Hirst / SKILLED ENGINEERING Dispute

Members at Godfrey Hirst Geelong have been in dispute with the company since July this year over their Campaign 2000 Agreement. Maintenance work at the site is done by a subsidiary of the company called, Tybar.

After a number of weeks of rolling stoppages, members have been on strike since August 18.

On September 4, the company directors, led by Kim McKendrick and flanked by Skilled Engineering representatives including Glen Triggs, lined up at the factory fence and announced through a loudhailer that the dispute was over because the company had sold its maintenance arm, Tybar, to Skilled. No mention was made of wages, conditions of employment or redundancy payments.

Skilled had been trying to steal our members jobs and plunder their employment conditions and have been involved in secret discussions with the company since last year to do this.

Members are still on strike and are at the picket and require your support. Get a levy up on your job to help these members. The matter has been taken to the Federal Court.

LATE FLASH

Commissioner Hingley of the AIRC has issued a summons ordering Godfrey Hirst to produce for the Union the contract they have with Skilled Engineering.

5. Heinemann Electric's C2k agreement

Union members at Heinemann Electric in Mulgrave have just reached agreement over Campaign 2000. Heinemann, which was a non-union shop for 16 years until the ETU successfully recruited over 90% of the potential membership a little over 2 years ago have reached agreement on issues related to wages, redundancy, length of agreeement, income protection, long service leave and a bargaining agent's clause.

The details of the package are:

• 1st year - 4% Wages Increase and Income Protection through Protect.
• 2nd Year - 4% Wage Increase.
• 3rd Year - 5% Wage Increase and Long Service Leave per Campaign 2000.
• Redundancy $20 per week payed into Protect.

The introduction of the bargaining agents' clause is designed to appreciate the concrete benefits of Union membership rather than just sit back and recieve the same benefits as other employees.

ETU Organiser Wes Hayes said "At every workplace, the bargaining agents clause should be included in any agreement. We can't have union members losing money on the grass or with bans in place while the non-union members receive the pay rises and conditions for free".

Income Protection and Severance will be paid into Protect, which is an important clause for the members due to the peaks and troughs of this industry and its work cycles. "The members are rapped that both their severance and income protection will be payed into Protect. It is the best fund going around for both these issues and offers the best coverage", Wes said.

The completion of the Heinemann agreement brings to 250 the number of workplaces now signed up to Campaign 2000.

6. The ETU Ball - Change of date

The date for the ETU Ball has been changed to November 17.

You are cordially invited to attend and/or organise a table of your family, friends and workmates.

Don't miss out on your chance to be part of this great event, which will include:
Band, Meals and Drinks (Light & Full Strength Bottled Beer, Red & White Wine and Soft Drinks)
All for $50 per head.

To be held at:

MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB
MCPHERSON STREET
MOONEE PONDS

FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER, 2000

Please make bookings through the ETU Office by contacting Veronica Nolan or Colleen Polgar on 8341 5555.

Seats will be limited so please book early

Bookings for Tables of 10 and 12 are available
(Dress Semi-Formal)

7. Legal Update - Contracting out Skilled/ Godfrey Hirst style

The following are edited extracts from the Federal Court proceedings involving the Union and Godfrey Hirst / Skilled Engineering.

Gray J

10.18 AM Wednesday, 13 September 2000

Counsel for Godfrey Hirst was arguing that it was only the arrival of the experts from Skilled that alerted Godfrey Hirst to the fact that they did not have a preventative maintenance program and that this might be a good idea:

Justice Gray responded: "It's very odd. I would have thought preventative maintenance of machinery was a very elementary engineering concept."

Counsel for Godfrey Hirst was arguing that once they saw that Skilled could offer this service they decided to sell the whole of the operations.

Justice Gray: "Why couldn't they simply employ someone to manage and perform the role of an engineer, if whoever they have got doing it isn't doing it properly? It seems odd to me."

What Justice Gray said in response to Godfrey Hirst's unwillingness to produce the contract: "Can you seriously believe that you can engage in this litigation without disclosing it?"

Justice Gray commented on the haste in which the contract was signed: "And do it so hastily that they can't even have a meeting of the directors to decide on it."

Counsel for Godfrey Hirst attempted to make some very strange submissions as to whether Godfrey Hirst was in fact dismissing the maintenance workforce. A couple of exchanges highlight the problems with their argument.

Justice Gray: "But the truth is, they will be dismissed."

Godfrey Hirst: "Well, there is no evidence of that, Your Honour."

Justice Gray: "Well, they have to be. How else can you sell the entire undertakings of Tybar to Skilled, thus depriving these people of all work and presumably Tybar of all assets, and not dismiss them?"

...and a little later.

Godfrey Hirst: "But at this stage there is no evidence before the court to say that these people were going to be dismissed. There has been no threat of dismissal."

Justice Gray: "I'm utterly mystified as to how you can put that."

What Justice Gray said in response to the fact that Godfrey Hirst just sold the business in the manner they did: "Are you really telling me that the management of Godfrey Hirst makes decisions like this without considering alternatives? There was no tendering of the contract for this: you take whatever price you can negotiate with one company. Is this not a management risk?"

The matters involving Godfrey Hirst Skilled Engineering and the Union are still on going in Court.

Click here to see what Reith has in mind.

8. Workcover latest

On September 1, 2000 WorkCover Legislation was amended to include pre-injury average weekly earnings based on shift allowances and regular overtime.

Members can contact Colleen Polgar at the ETU to clarify their position.

9. Latrobe Valley News

Australian Char (the briquette manufacturer) locked out members of three unions for two weeks during September. Members at the company work under a "house award".

Negotiations produced a new two-year agreement, which includes wage increases of 5% per year, 13 weeks Long Service Leave after 10 years service and a 9-day fortnight.

The Union has reached a new agreement with power industry contractors working in the Valley which includes:

• 16.4% over three years
• all purpose Shutdown allowances
• other allowance increased by 5%
• fares and travel have been included for the first time
• Sub Contractors must now have an EBA
• Casuals can only be employed for a maximum of 6 weeks

Siemens in Morwell have announced the closure of the electrical motor repair workshop. Formerly the SEC motor workshop, it is another victim of the sell-off of the SEC. Sixty-seven members will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.

Peter Mooney, LaTrobe Valley organiser, reports that negotiations so far have increased the offer on redundancy from 11 weeks to 33 weeks pay.

The site will close on October 6, 2000 after operating since 1911.

Peter also reported that Esso Contractors are heading for dispute over a new agreement.

A reminder to those shop stewards who have not done the shop stewards' course in recent times, there are still vacancies in the next course. But you'll have to be quick, the course starts on October 17.

The training course is designed to assist shop stewards with their work as workplace representatives.

Encourage your steward to attend the course.

Leave is generally available under your enterprise agreement.

The course runs October 17 - 20

Contact Mary on 03 8341 5555 to confirm a place.

11. Trades Hall Gala Family & Race Day November 12 @ Cranbourne Race Course

WHAT'S ON

Races, fashion, family fun, free food, music, loads of children's entertainment, picnic on the lawns, jumping castle, story tellers, pony rides.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

Let us reward you and your family for your efforts on behalf of the trade union movement, help us celebrate our achievements, join in the fun on November 12.

TICKETS

$6.00 family or $3.00 single, available from the Union office, Trades Hall, or at the course.

HOW TO GET THERE

Free buses between the railway station and Cranbourne Race Course
Train Times:
From Flinders Street at 10:41am (Pakenham line / change at Dandenong), 11:24am, 12:04pm to Cranbourne
From Cranbourne at 4:38pm, 5:18pm and 5:38pm (to Flinders Street)

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

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