Marching to Victory

On 26 September the ETU was out in full force at the ‘Protect your kid’s future’ rally. More than 20 000 people, all worried about the future of their children, joined the march. If the Howard government gets its way, or Julia Gillard continues to whistle the bosses’ tune, our children will be slaves to the boss.

It’s no surprise therefore that so many families marched and that children were the focus of the rally. So ‘troubled’ was workplace minister Joe Hockey he offered to talk to unions about their concerns. Save it up for when you’re in opposition, was the response from union leaders. The rally offered workers the chance to share ideas in a happy, yet defiant atmosphere.

It was a fun day.

Your rights at Work

Many unions and Trades and Labour Councils have purchased outdoor YRAW signs to go up in front yards and shop windows across the nation. These signs, made of ‘corflute’ all weather material, are 60cm by 90 cm. We have 3 twin packs to give away compliments of the Your Rights at Work campaign.

Simply email memberconnect@actu.asn.au and complete this slogan on the sign ‘This election vote for ...’

Please include your name, phone number and full delivery address. Three correct entries will be drawn on 12 October. Unions and community groups can still purchase the signs in lots of 50 units.

To find out more, visit the following link http://www.memberconnect.com.au/Merchandise/
NewRightsatWorkOutdoorsigns.aspx or contact Paul at INCK Merchandise by email paul@inck.com.au.

ETU members are encouraged to go to our website, where we have a designated Your Rights at Work site at the following link http://www.etu.asn.au/2007/yraw.html

Telling Our Own Stories

The release of Joe Loh’s documentary film Australia’s Secret Industrial Inquisition – Constructing Fear and the ETU’s Hold the Line documentary – which deals with pattern bargaining in the contracting industry – is a great step forward for unions.

The Hold the Line DVD – made by filmmakers Joan Robinson and Carmel McAloon – has been sent to all members in the contracting industry and is sure to generate debate as we promote it in the coming months. With Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard declaring their opposition to pattern bargaining the film could not be more topical or significant. Just why ALP members of parliament would oppose pattern bargaining is a mystery. Do they not understand that it provides employers with a level playing field? Do they not understand that pattern bargaining is much more efficient and less confrontational than the catch and kill model?

Why shouldn’t a union sit down with an employer body such as NECA and negotiate an agreement that all parties accept? These questions aside, Hold the Line allows our members to tell their stories about working in the contracting industry. Look out for it and enjoy!

To view excerpts from the DVD on the ETU website click on the following link http://www.etu.asn.au/2007/hold_the_line.html

A Job for You?

Victoria University is looking to appoint a teacher in the School of ICT and Electrotechnology. It is a full time, continuing appointment with the person required to teach units of competence from the C111 Systems Electrician, CIV Motor Control and deliver customised industrial courses in Electrical and Industrial Electronics.

Position descriptions and application information is available from: Website: http://w2.vu.edu.au/hr/employment/

Phone: 03 9919 4968.

Please quote reference number T00031 when applying.

Applications for this position close at 4pm Friday 19 October 2007.

Click here to see a detailed job description and further information:

Remembering Our History

The editor of the online magazine was delighted to recently receive a visit from author Colin Cleary, with his latest book ‘Ballarat – Miner Hesitancy to Golden Age’ under the arm. The book has been sponsored by the AWU and was launched by former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks.

‘This rich and detailed study of the labour movement in Ballarat covers a wide range of activity maintained for more than a century. Reminding us of notable figures - Jim Scullin and Steve Bracks, W.G. Spence and Ted Rowe - and local stalwarts, it is a testament to their endeavour,’ says Professor Stuart Macintyre of the University of Melbourne.

Member Connect has two signed copies of the book to give away to members. To go in to the draw to win a copy of the book, email memberconnect@actu.asn.au with the name of a recent state Premier from the Ballarat region in the subject field.

The first two correct entries drawn on 12 October 2007 win!

Those who caught last Monday’s Union Show – Channel 31 at 8.30 pm - would have been interested in the comments of local people about the state of work in sleepy hollow. Whilst everyone was excited about the Cats premiership, the problems faced by workers at Ford, in the textile industry and in the general manufacturing sector were at the forefront of their thinking.

Among those interviewed for the program was ETU shop steward, Chris Reilly, who has worked at Ford for seven years. It’s been his one and only job. Twenty four years of age, Chris says he is genuinely worried about the redundancies at Ford – 600 across the board by 2010 – and whether he’d have a job in the future. ‘All up we’ll lose 66 sparkies when the engine plant closes. This is a real worry. Football in Geelong is important but it’s over in a week and then what does a worker who has lost his job, do?’ asks Chris.

The ETU has members employed at Ford’s Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. In the last online magazine we directed members to the Ford Australia Workers Unite Blog. Here you can find information about the latest developments at Ford. The ETU asks that you forward the link http://www.fordworkers.blogspot.com/ to friends in Australia or worldwide who may be interested in manufacturing.

If you wish to add a post to the blog please email Ivor Sixer at isixer@gmail.com or you can add any comments at the blog.

ETU members would be amused to hear that Phil Barresi, the current Liberal member for Deakin, has produced leaflets attacking ALP candidate, former ETU shop steward, Mike Symon. The gist of the leaflet is that a former unionist shouldn’t be in the parliament. The story was reported in the Melbourne Herald Sun last week. It’s astounding that a member of parliament would say a bloke who has been a union shop steward has no right to run for parliament.

Does Barresi and his Liberal mates think parliament should be restricted only to bosses? Isn’t it likely that Mike’s experiences on worksites have only enhanced his understanding of real life? Every ETU member should be outraged that Barresi is trotting out such ideas. It’s no surprise John Howard’s savage IR laws, designed to drive wages down and workers into deeper insecurity, are so unpopular.

Phil Barresi voted on 23 separate occasions in support of Howard’s raft of IR legislation. In the face of overwhelming evidence that his constituents in Deakin are and will suffer because of this legislation, Barresi has been a devoted supporter of these laws. In following the party line like a lickspittle Barresi has hurt the very people who voted him into parliament.

Any ETU member who is in a position to help Mike drive the pro-WorkChoices Mr. Barresi from the parliament should join the campaign in Deakin.

To help unseat Phil Barresi ring Alex McCallum on 8329 0000 or email alex@etu.asn.au

Few unionists would be surprised to hear that new ASCC research indicates that the construction industry contributes the highest number of work-related injury hospitalisations, with wounds to the wrist and hand the most frequent type of injuries.
The latest issue of the SafetyNet Journal reports that ‘Work-Related Injury Hospitalisations 2002-03 and 2003-04 shows nearly one-third (31.6%) of hospitalised work-related injury cases were because of injury to the wrist or hand. Over 2,300 cases involved traumatic amputation at the level of the wrist or hand. Although wrist and hand injury is unlikely to be fatal, the report notes that it may affect future ability to return to employment. Over 10 per cent of work-related hospitalisations (for all injuries) were for people who worked in the construction industry. This was followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing (9.8 per cent) and manufacturing (8.1 per cent).’
Many union leaders blame the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) for these worrying developments, in particular its ability to stop workers walking off unsafe building sites. It’s hardly surprising - given the ALP’s refusal to abolish the ABCC – that ETU state secretary Dean Mighell has savaged the ALP’S approach to industrial relations.
According to the SafetyNet journal http://www.ohsrep.org.au/index.cfm?section=4&category=4 there were 33 reported deaths in the construction industry between June in 2006 and June 2007, an increase from 27 people in 2005/06 and 19 people in 2004/05. Not surprisingly the ABCC denies it has any role in the increase of deaths and injury!

Union Shopper’s Great Deal

Union Shopper will be running a new competition over the next 6 months (Oct- Mar) that should interest all ETU members. Each Union will score 1 point per enquiry for a new vehicle and 50 points for any purchase. At the end of March 08 the Union with the most points will win $2000 and one of their enquiring members will also win $2000.
The ETU is encouraging all members to have a close look at the competition. All you have to do is ring Motor Market on 1300 368 117 and enquire about the vehicle you are interested in purchasing. Any member who purchases and takes delivery of their vehicle during the competition will receive a further 50 entries.

Just ring 1300 368 117 or go to http://www.unionmotormarket.com.au/ to find out more.

Next edition eTU Online

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online.

You'll receive your next issue in November, 2007.