Holding the Line in Contracting

The ETU’s honorary historian Ken Purdham was among the 3000 contracting members at the Dallas Brooks mass meeting, on Wednesday 5 September.

He saw it this way:

The contracting industry mass meeting was inspiring. The theme was ‘Hold the Line’, and sitting among the thousands of unionists in Dallas Brooks Hall, that’s what I felt. John Howard’s WorkChoices legislation must be abolished. But we will hold the line and fight against this draconian IR legislation.

State secretary Dean Mighell, officials, and members on the floor described the new agreement – which takes us through to 2010 – as the best union EBA negotiated so far. With a 5% per year increase in income and no conditions lost, it is a triumph. The only agreement better than ours is the agreement recently received by the politicians.

At the mass meeting we approved the new EBA and the push to demolish anti-worker IR legislation, taking aim at Labor and the Liberals in our condemnation, and encouraging careful consideration at the ballot box to a vote for the Greens in the Senate. Their IR policies are vastly more favourable to a fair go in the workplace, and the Greens could realistically hold the balance of power in the Senate. But most of all, members displayed the courage to hold the line.

The People Speak

Ken Purdham asked members what they thought about being barred from displaying Eureka flags on worksites or else face having their EBA deemed non code compliant.

‘I think it’s bullshit. This country has become over-governed like you would not believe’.

‘It’s an attack on freedom of speech. This is our government. How did they come up with this rule?’

‘There’s a whole slot of ridiculous things they are doing to stop us going about our normal work’.

‘I don’t think anyone should stop anyone doing what they like as long as it’s legal. And as far as I know it’s legal’.

‘The Eureka flag represents workers offering a united front. It’s saying they’re going to strip away everything. They’ll start there and work their way down the line. It (the flag) represents a fair go so why can’t they leave it there?’

An Insurer For All ETU Members

Yourinsurancegroup is proud to support the ETU and its members by providing the most affordable and comprehensive "Tradespac" cover to union members.  Our specialised staff can organise your Public Liability, Tools of Trade, and Commercial Motor Vehicle Insurances.

Recent increased growth in Electrical related industries has resulted in a greater number of liability claims brought against industry members.  In this current climate members need to insure themselves against third party actions.  It is essential that your business is protected against these occurrences, hence yourinsurancegroup has revamped its liability product to ETU members.

Yourinsurancegroup cuts out the paperwork, allowing you to get on with work or family commitments instead of completing forms for Insurance.  Yourinsurancegroup has built on its foundation by exceeding our customer's expectations of service and most importantly, to make dealing with insurance simple, hassle free and cost effective.

We also assist ETU members in providing pay-by-the-month billing, in order to maximise your cash flow.  Tradespac delivers a dependable, straightforward service that lets you stay focused on running your business.  Should an incident occur, our aim is to get you back on the job faster, with minimum hassle.

For a quote call 1300 855 141.

ETU Supports Police

The already buoyant atmosphere at the ETU contracting mass meeting was lifted by the presence of the secretary of the Police Association, Paul Mullett. With the police currently in negotiation with the Brumby government over a new EBA it was encouraging to hear Paul Mullett attack John Howard’s WorkChoices legislation and the state government for its belligerent approach to the demands of the Police Association.

Whilst there were plenty of laughs about the value of having the police on side – speeding fines and the like – there was unanimous support for the resolution supporting the police in their struggle with the government. It’s no secret that some people have had unpleasant experiences with police on picket lines or at demonstrations, however ordinary coppers face the same problems as sparkies when it comes to pay and conditions.

What is important is that members of the police force, through their industrial struggles, come to see themselves as serious trade unionists and important members of the labour movement. That done, we can then discuss what happens at demos!

Rally on September 26

On Wednesday 26 September there will be a protest rally against John Howard’s IR policies, starting outside the Trades Hall at 10 am.

Under the theme – Don’t give Howard another shot! – the rally will attempt to build upon the growing community opposition to the WorkChoices legislation and the undemocratic industry taskforce.

As every poll has indicated, people are genuinely fearful of the WorkChoices legislation and the Howard government’s unrelenting attack on working people and their rights at work.

It is imperative that ETU members fly the flag at this rally. So please spread the word in your workplace and in your neighbourhood.

Assemble - 10.00 am at Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon and Victoria Sts Carlton.

The ETU has members employed at Ford’s Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. The following email would be of interest to them and their comrades:

Please find attached the link to the Ford Australia Workers Unite Blog. Read the latest goings on at the Ford Engine Plant. Please forward the link to any friends in Australia or worldwide that may be interested in manufacturing.

http://www.fordworkers.blogspot.com/

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

Yours in unity

Your man on the inside
Ivor Sixer

After 11 years in power, John Howard has clearly lost touch with working families. If the drift away from his government continues, former ETU shop steward Mike Symon is a very real chance to win the seat of Deakin.

As every poll has confirmed, Howard’s extreme and unfair workplace laws are deeply unpopular and as the statistics show have cut take home pay and eroded conditions. Yet, despite all the evidence Howard claims ‘working families have never been better off.’

The current member for Deakin, 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.

Whilst some members voted on only six occasions, others on twelve and John Howard himself on only thirteen occasions, Phil Barresi strode to the chamber every time the opportunity arose to strip away the rights and conditions of local working families.

Any ETU member who is in a position to assist Mike in ridding the parliament of Mr. Barresi is asked to join the campaign in Deakin.

To do your bit to unseat Phil Barresi ring Alex McCallum on 8329 0000 or email on alex@etu.asn.au

If you are an apprentice or a young sparkie who might yet to be on the electoral roll or need to update your details, help is on the way. The ETU has sent out a bulletin to all apprentices explaining what they need to do to ensure they are registered to vote.

If you are an apprentice, please read the bulletin. If you are the parent of an apprentice, you might like to remind your son or daughter about the letter. Included in the letter are a self-addressed envelope and an enrolment form. To stop Howard you must be enrolled the minute he calls the election. If you leave it till the day, you’ll miss out on the vote. If you are not enrolled, or need to update your details, just fill in the electoral form we’ve provided.

Basic details such as name and address and your driver’s licence number or your concession card number is all you need to provide. It is the ETU’s view that Howard must be voted out if we are to protect our trade. John Howard wants to cut apprenticeships to two years and destroy the wages of tradespeople. That’s why we’ve been running ads on Radio 3AW attacking the Howard government’s policy on the trades.

Don't Speak To Investigators

It is the ETU's view that, in accordance with advice from Union Assist, sick or injured members should avoid speaking to WorkCover investigators.

Many workers say they speak with investigators because they 'have nothing to hide' and are just being honest.  The ETU believes workers should heed Union Assist's advice and not talk to investigators. 

If you get sick or injured at work you should:

•  Report your injury

•  See your own doctor

•  Lodge a claim with WorkCover

•  Not talk to a WorkCover investigator

Union Assist will also help you challenge a decision made about your WorkCover claim.

To find out more, ring Melbourne 9639 6144 or Bendigo 5441 5812

Next edition eTU Online

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online.

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