Apologising for Howard

Will the proposed apology to indigenous Australians be an anti-climax? Having being denied an apology for so long, do blacks really care anymore? One supposes that, if nothing else, an apology will at least further expose the insensitivity and devotion to ‘White Australia’ of former PM John Howard.

The GetUp organisation is asking the GetUp community to ‘demonstrate to all politicians the broad groundswell of support for a sincere and unifying apology from the whole Parliament’

To do this people can email MPs via the following online tool:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaySorry

‘An apology is not about guilt or shame or individual responsibility - it is the embodiment of the spirit of reconciliation, and the springboard for a nation committed to stamp out the systemic ills that still flow from a nation unable to address its past wrongs,’ says GetUp'.

PS - Reconciliation Australia has produced a fact sheet about the apology. To find out more click here. The Bringing Them Home Report can also be found here.

Travelling Through Preston

The ETU has recently entered into a partnership with Preston Travel that should be of interest to members. Preston Travel, with 30 years experience in servicing retail, corporate and group travellers nationwide has a range of offers for ETU travellers.

‘ETU members will be treated to priority access to travel specials, discounted flights, hotel rates and travel insurance! Simply provide us with your ETU membership number and you will be entitled to a 5% discount on any international or domestic holiday package! You will also receive a free eco-friendly thermo lunch bag, perfect for keeping your lunch cool on the job’.

Just as importantly the company says it ‘prides itself on good, old fashioned personalised service’. Don’t see much of that these days!

ETU members looking for tailor made group itineraries, conference management and a honeymoon registry need only go to www.prestontravel.com.au or contact Cheryl Thomas, Preston Travel’s dedicated ETU travel consultant on 1800 339 664 or email cherylt@prestontravel.com.au

Maurice Blackburn – A Lawyer For You

Ask the people at Maurice Blackburn and they'll say 'we're committed to honesty and fairness, social justice and the rights of working people’.

The company specialises in providing ETU members with legal advice for both industrial and personal issues and has an understanding of the complex issues faced by people who are injured or who suffer losses due to illegal or unethical behaviour. WorkCover, Road Accident Injuries, Medical Negligence, Asbestos and Superannuation – these are areas in which Maurice Blackburn can provide expert advice.
ETU members will be treated on a ‘no win - no charge’ basis and will have access to free advice. The company has offices in Melbourne, Dandenong, Reservoir, Ringwood, Sunshine, Traralgon and Geelong and visiting offices in Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Box Hill, Frankston, Lilydale, Oakleigh, Pakenham, Warragul, Werribee.

Maurice Blackburn has been involved in a number of significant legal battles on behalf of working people since it began in 1919. If you have a problem that requires a legal remedy we suggest you ring Maurice Blackburn on 1800 810 812 and receive a free no obligation consultation.

For more information go to www.mauriceblackburn.com.au

Please Explain Julia

Does Julia Gillard, who famously criticised the ETU during the election while talking tough about controlling unions, actually understand the IR changes brought in by the Keating government in the '80s? Does she remember the sacrifices made by workers under the Hawke-Keating Accord of that era? Is it any wonder Dean Mighell has told radio 3AW Gillard appears not to understand how workers have been ‘productivity-bargaining in Australia for about 16 years’. Members would probably be aware that PM Paul Keating expressed the same views last year about Gillard’s approach to IR.

On 3AW Dean Mighell went on to point out that EBA wage agreements were largely done last year and that five per cent increases would not ‘kill anyone’. No matter what sacrifices workers make, politicians have no compunction about telling them to tighten their belts. Despite soaring house prices making the purchase of a home almost impossible for ordinary wage earners and inflation a serious problem, Julia Gillard can’t help but sing the big-end-of-town anthem.

Productivity, my dear, is exactly what ETU officials talk about when negotiating an EBA! Is that what the corporate high-flyers do when they ask for a lazy million dollar bonus? We don’t think so.

Ms Gillard Live on ETU YouTube

Talking of Julie Gillard, you can catch her on the ETU’s YouTube channel talking at the 2007 Shop Stewards Conference:

The ETU channel is becoming very popular with ETU members and the general public. In November the ETU cameras rolled on the Chubb dispute – recently settled with an EBA – and brought to life the underlying issue of inefficient management at Chubb. This story can be found on YouTube.
‘Good onya fellas, everyone knows Chubb are way behind the ball on pay issues. Solidarity comrades . Congrats for sticking it out.’ So went one of the comments posted on YouTube.

The link to the Chubb video is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tUkaYqKZII

The links to the Julia Gillard video are:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vsNt7Ar664

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmjheAzPKWk

Just as the election of a Labor government won’t guarantee the enactment of legislation serving the interests of workers, so too is it true that an EBA is worth little if the boss doesn’t actually pay the designated amount.
Every March pay rates increase in keeping with the Appendix B – construction – and Appendix C –non-construction – in the agreements.

To ensure that your employer is paying the appropriate rate, please click on the link at the bottom of this news item. If you have any doubt as to whether you are being paid at the appropriate level, please contact the ETU on 8329 0000.

The rates can be found here.

The ETU has put the wheels in motion to address the needs of self-employed and working electrical contractors. As a first step Dean Mighell will be writing to our REC members to launch the ETU’s new low-cost Trades Pack Insurance.
Peter Mighell, who has taken over responsibility for the project, has already had discussions with a number of ETU members who are RECs and says the feedback has been positive.

‘There is an air of excitement in the industry about the direction we are taking and we have already begun suggesting areas of importance to our loyal self-employed and REC members,’ says Peter, who is keen to hear more of your ideas. He can be contacted on 8329 0000 or 0407 925 696.

Members are well aware of the ETU’s commitment to bringing benefits – apart from those contained in our EBA – to our membership. Ambulance cover is but one example of the kind of benefits provided by your union. The ETU is delighted to announce that it has entered into an agreement with TRUenergy that will bring substantial energy discounts to all ETU members in Victoria.

All Victorian ETU members will soon receive a letter from secretary, Dean Mighell, explaining the nature of the agreement and the potential discounts.

To find out more about TRUenergy Mates Rates go to the ETU homepage www.etu.asn.au and follow the links.

Unchain St Kilda

A protest over the St Kilda triangle development is to be held on the day – 7 February - that Port Phillip Council makes a decision on the application. According to the Unchain St Kilda group ‘this is an appalling example of the alienation of public land for commercial gain’ proceeding because ‘the Council needs to raise $25 million from this development to refurbish the Palais.’

There will be a unity assemble at the Palais Theatre at 5pm on Thursday 7 February for a walk to the Port Phillip Council meeting at the St Kilda Town Hall. The meeting starts at 6pm. The wearing of St Kilda colours - black, red and white – is encouraged.

If you can’t make it to the march, get to the St Kilda Town Hall by 6pm, corner of Brighton Road and Carlisle Street, St Kilda.

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