AUTUMN 2012
In our defence: the resurfacing of Australian made submarines
INSIDE
Collective agreement trumps individual contracts Members making transition to clean energy Book giveaway: Time Bomb
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EDITORIAL
Manufacturing needs all hands on deck A
s many AMWU members in the auto, airline and aluminium industries would already know, 2012 will be a tough year for manufacturing. Food workers, printers and other export industry workers are facing a tough time too.
making the case for this over the coming months.
A high exchange rate caused by the mining boom is just part of the problem. Globally, the economic outlook is for another lean year.
“
There is no greater opportunity to support manufacturing than for the Gillard Government to make sure we build the next generation of Australia’s submarines here, in Australia.
This only makes our Manufacturing: Australia’s Future campaign twice as important. We need people to see the bright side of Australian manufacturing so more companies will make the long-term investments to give Australia a competitive future. We also need State and Federal Governments to use their billions of dollars of procurement to support local industries and create as many local jobs as possible, especially during tough economic times. There is no greater opportunity to do this than for the Gillard Government to make sure we build the next generation of Australia’s submarines here, in Australia. As this edition of the AMWU News makes clear, this is a great chance to lock in jobs and industries for the next decade and beyond. You can be sure that our union will be
Our union hit the ground running in January, kicking off with a petition of 5000 auto workers collected in one week to challenge Tony Abbott on his decision to cut $500 million from the auto industry. I’d like to thank AMWU members Scott Cruz and Michael Etherington from Holden, as well as Hakan Afacan from Toyota and Brendan Sexton from Ford, who took those petitions to Canberra to present to the Prime Minister. Everyone who signed and collected petitions deserves a big wrap and the rest of us should be inspired by the effort they put in to stand up for their industries. A delegation of food industry workers also walked the corridors of Parliament House in February, urging politicians to take action on food labeling and the behaviour of Coles and Woolworths. Being active does make a difference.
In colonial Australia, unions themselves were illegal and it’s worth remembering the 500 lashes that James Straighter bore in 1828, after being convicted of ‘inciting his master’s servants to combine for the purpose of obliging him to raise their wages and increase their rations’. So much has been achieved by working Australians active in their unions since then, and these days it is employers who face punishment if they fail to respect union members’ rights under the Fair Work Act. We need to continue to struggle and campaign for better jobs and conditions for the next generation of workers. Our predecessor union’s motto of ‘Agitate. Educate. Organise’ still serves us well. Manufacturing must be part of Australia’s future and it is up to us to campaign and create another 160 years of working class history.
AMWU members have proved this throughout our history, and I’d like to note that this year is our great union’s 160th anniversary. In 1852, the first meeting of the Sydney branch of one of our forerunner unions, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, took place on board the ship Frances Walker as 26 members of the British union immigrated to Australia.
Paul Bastian Acting AMWU National Secretary
Dave Oliver nominated for ACTU Secretary D
ave Oliver has stepped down as AMWU National Secretary and is expected to be elected Secretary of the ACTU (Australian Council of Trade Unions) in May this year.
Paul Bastian was appointed to act as National Secretary by National Council in late March. The National Council also passed a motion endorsing Dave Oliver for the chief
ACTU role, and thanking him for his work as an official and activist in the AMWU over the past 30 years, including the past 5 years as National Secretary. Paul Bastian said Dave Oliver had been a warrior for AMWU members. “In his time as National Secretary, Dave has helped us put manufacturing back on the agenda and has united our union to make
AMWUNews AUTUMN 2012 AMWU News is the official publication of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, (registered AFMEPKIU) National Office, 133 Parramatta Road, Granville, NSW, 2142. Editor: Paul Bastian AMWU Communications Team: Tim Chapman, Dash Lawrence and David Gibney Design: dcmc Design, Melbourne All information included in this publication was correct at the time of publication, but is subject to change at any time. Please contact your union organiser for updates. © AMWU National Office Made in Australia by AMWU members Photo courtesy Royal Australian Navy photo gallery
us the strong, effective and growing organisation we are today. These are skills the entire union movement needs and what the AMWU loses, the entire union movement gains. We need our best campaigner heading up the movement as we confront the possibility of an Abbott government next year.” Mr Oliver said he was honoured to receive the support of so many unions
to take up the position. “It was a tough decision for me to leave the AMWU as an official, but the leadership team which has ensured the AMWU’s recent campaigning success and growth has a great depth of talent. I call on all members to get behind the AMWU’s new leadership team and keep going with our campaign for quality, highskill, well-paid manufacturing jobs in Australia.”
Paul Bastian’s editorial ........................................................................................ 3 Agreement trumps individual contracts ............................................................. 4 Car and food members lobby in Canberra . ........................................................ 5 In our defence: Australia’s submarine industry ................................................ 6-7 High Court ruling slams James Hardie ................................................................ 8 A silent transition into clean energy .................................................................... 9 Productivity: the AMWU answers ......................................................................10 Book review: ‘Time bomb: Work, rest and play in Australia today ......................11 Delegate profile .................................................................................................12 AMWUNEWS
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NEWS
Campaign holding WA Government and resource companies to account
A
n AMWU led campaign aimed at stopping major engineering and fabrication work from WA’s resource projects going offshore, has made inroads one year on from its launch.
AMWU WA Secretary, Steve McCartney, said since WA Jobs from WA Resources was launched, fabrication work flowing into WA workshops had increased, but still had a long way to go. “In the past 12 months we have had some high profile wins. We have seen tens of thousands of tons of manufacturing flow back into union workshops, such as Civmec and AGC.” “That was a significant improvement from when the campaign began this time last year.” “However despite these wins, we still have workshops struggling.” “We know that Chevron sourced more than 90% of its 300 000
for 15-19 year olds in the southmetropolitan region of Perth rose to 28.1% in December 2011. This is up from 22.6% in December 2010 and has almost doubled from the 14.6% recorded in December 2008. Mr McCartney argued that the Premier’s signing of a State Development Agreement for the Oakajee Port and Rail Project that endorsed the project’s engineering and fabrication being performed by Chinese businesses was disgraceful. “What we want to know is that when the Premier went to China recently, seeking finance for the AMWU members send a message to WA Premier Colin Barnett Oakajee project, what else did tonnes of fabrication for Gorgon unemployment rate in the suburbs he offer them in exchange? This has a real impact on the local offshore and we know that more surrounding the Kwinana strip community.” than 150 000 tonnes has already (a key manufacturing district been sent offshore for the of Perth) had risen again, He said AMWU members could Wheatstone Project’.” dramatically during 2011. look forward to a ramping up of the campaign in the lead in to the Mr McCartney said that under the ABS data released in February March 2013 state election. ■ Barnett Government the youth showed the unemployment rate
Strong union collective beats individual contracts A
xle makers from Melbourne’s south have celebrated a breakthrough win in a longstanding fight to improve their union collective agreement. AMWU regional organiser Greg Warren said management at Dana Australia agreed to a proposed pay rise of up to 20% over three years, together with a range of new conditions following a one week stand down in February. “This shop previously had AWAs (individual contracts) in place, so there was a fair bit of ground to be made up. Pay rates were all over the place. “With this new agreement, we’ve managed to make it more equitable and more worker friendly. We’ve improved delegate rights and the dispute resolution procedures. We’ve also been able to achieve a major pay rise and the introduction of RDOs.” The members have also gained improved provisions for long service leave and consultation as well as status quo during disputes.
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Members at Dana Australia on the final day of their week-long picket in February.
Site delegates, Vlad Rajic and John
“That’s what our struggle has been
“Pops (Mr Warren) did a really good job.
Smith were thrilled with the win.
about - getting parity throughout our
We also had lots of support from others
“We’re all really happy. We just wanted
workshop,” Mr Rajic said.
at the AMWU and members from other
a bit of equality. In previous years
He congratulated members at Dana
local sites along with the NUW and the
people have been on different rates, a
for sticking together throughout
MUA who came down to the site
difference of $6 per hour in some cases
the dispute and said the picket was
throughout the week.
for people doing the same job.
well supported.
“We feel more like a family now.” ■
NEWS
Abbott plans to cut $500 million from car industry AMWU members from across Australia’s three car companies visited Canberra in early February to urge Tony Abbott and the Federal Coalition to support auto manufacturing and end their controversial antisubsidy policy. Holden maintenance fitter Scott Cruz was one of a group of delegates to deliver a petition of 5000 signatures in support of the Australian car industry to Parliament. The group also included Brendan Sexton from Ford, Hakan Afacan from Toyota and Michael Etherington from Holden, who met with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Coalition’s industry spokesperson, Sophie Mirabella. “Sophie Mirabella wasn’t interested in supporting the automotive industry and manufacturing as a whole, despite our visit,” Mr Cruz said. “It seems Tony Abbott and the Liberals are more interested in
removing the carbon tax, but it’s their policy of no investment that is going to kill the auto industry.” Mr Cruz said he was impressed with the group’s meeting with the Prime Minister. “The relationship the AMWU has with the government is going to benefit us in the future.” Production worker and delegate at Holden’s Elizabeth plant Michael Etherington reiterated the importance of co-investment. “We’re looking for the Coalition to basically match the commitment that the current government has shown to manufacturing in the auto industry; that’s what we’re after. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and a bit of nervousness. Basically, what we’re looking at in the next 12 months, will set the Australian car industry up for the next 10 years. We need to make good decisions now.” Acting AMWU National Secretary, Paul Bastian, said that the auto industry employed 46 000 people directly and over 200 000 including supply chains.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard hearing from AMWU Auto Industry delegates in February
“This is such an important industry. We really need to keep the pressure on the Coalition to match the current government’s commitment.
vital to making sure the car industry
“The current co-investment scheme is
to the industry.” ■
has a bright, high-tech future in Australia and Tony Abbott’s plan to cut $500 million will be a major blow
Imports poisoning local food industry F
ood workers from across the country descended on Canberra in February to urge Federal Parliamentarians to take action on the issues threatening Australia’s food processing industry.
often labeled ‘Made in Australia’.” She said many of the politicians were aware of the issues, including the power of the Australian supermarket duopoly, but seemed too scared to do something. Gippsland food company process worker Jenny “We’ve made a number of practical James said the group of AMWU delegates had suggestions, including the idea of giving raised the topics of the supermarket duopoly, the Australian Competition and Consumer unfair trade barriers and food labeling laws. Commission more power to tackle the practices “Many of them (politicians) have been receptive of the duopoly.” and have listened to what we’ve had to say. Our Jenny James was joined by Debbie Green, meeting with Senator Gavan Marshall was Peter Brown, Leigh Monson and Heidi particularly good. Stenschke representing Mars Confectionery in Ballarat, Simplot Ulverstone, Heinz Echuca “He promised us he would take up our issues and Cerebos in Sydney to highlight the with the Prime Minister later in the week. I consequences of not confronting the issues. think he recognises more needs to be done by the government for manufacturing workers.” AMWU National Food and Confectionery Ms James said she was particularly passionate Division Secretary, Jennifer Dowell, said the about Australia’s weak food labeling laws (food union was now keen to engage in dialogue with manufactured and processed overseas can be the community. labeled as ‘Made in Australia’ if packaged here). “This isn’t just about the future of food “I’m a mother and I’d like to think the food I was processing, it’s about jobs in food production, packaging and printing, logistics and buying my children was made in Australia. I maintenance. We’d like to raise further do a lot of quality assessment at work. When awareness about what’s at stake here. it comes to food processed overseas we don’t know the standard or quality of food, yet it’s “We’ve had some very constructive meetings
“
“I’m a mother and I’d like to think the food I was buying my children was made in Australia.”
AMWU Food delegation at Parliament House, Canberra
and some undertakings of support from representatives of all political parties. But now we need to capitalise on this campaign and see some concrete changes.” ■ AMWUNEWS
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NEWS
In our defence: Australia’s submarine industry N
o one thought Australian manufacturing was up to the challenge of building our first locally made submarine fleet. It was the late 1980s when the newly formed Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) was charged with a 16-year manufacturing project, the biggest defence contract in the nation’s history. All the while the local economy was mired in a recession, with record unemployment and industries without work. Yet against the odds and the doubters workers at ASC, together with 2 000 contract companies (a third of them Australian) built six Collins Class submarines. Each sub was made up of 500 000 parts and 2 500 000 personnel hours. It was a truly nation building project. Now over twenty years since building first began, ASC employs 1700 people in Adelaide and Perth; from welders, fitters, mechanics to technicians, designers and draughters. It trains and employs more skilled apprentices than any other company in South Australia. And while the manufacture of the Collins Class submarines may have finished, the work continues to flow on with ASC now responsible for maintaining the fleet.
shops. I started off by fitting the first platforms into the submarines. I also worked in the control room, on the first ever periscopes.” The size, scale and complexity of the landmark project inevitably faced hurdles. Both men still recall the specialised and technical nature of the work. “There were a lot of challenges. But we overcame those over time and eventually we had everything down pat,” John says.
“
Few thought that Australia’s recession-ravaged industries of the early 1980s could build a submarine.
Despite early setbacks in production and the intense public scrutiny that followed, by the early 2000s the sixth and final Collins Class submarine was completed. The project finished virtually on time and on budget. A ‘monumental feat,’ according to Derek Woolner, a defence industry expert and the author of the book The Collins Class Submarine Story. “It is widely believed to have been a financial disaster, yet it is one of the few military purchases where the original budget was still relevant at the end of the project. “Few thought that Australia’s recession-ravaged industries of the early 1980s could build a submarine. Over 70% of its value was produced in Australia by hundreds of subcontractors who embraced the exacting defence quality standards.
ASC mechanical fitters John Hogan and Gemma MacGraw.
The welding standards remain some of
In late 2007, the government
the best achieved in the world,” Mr
authorised the Royal Australian Navy
Woolner wrote in 2008.
to begin planning for a future fleet of
Now, as the Federal Government
submarines. A subsequent 2009
prepares to make a decision on the
Defence White Paper called for a
next generation of submarines, ASC is
doubling of the submarine force to 12
again working overtime to prove it has
boats.
what it takes to rise to the challenge.
The possibility of a substantially larger
John Hogan and Craig Lienert have been around to see it all. They arrived at Port Adelaide as fresh-faced, newly qualified apprentices in 1992, less than a year away from the launch of submarine one, HMAS Collins. “There was a buzz around the place and lots going on,” remembers boilermaker Craig, who says he was lucky to get a stable job with ASC amidst the economic uncertainty of the 1990s. John, a fitter and turner, chose the path of submarine manufacturing over a potentially lucrative career working at a mine. “It was all happening in the welding
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ASC boiler makers Craig Lienert and Nathan Smith, inspecting pipe work
NEWS
manufacturing project excites everyone at ASC. They now keenly await an announcement from the Department of Defence as to who is the preferred builder for the contract named ‘Future Submarine.’ One worker who dreams about the possibilities of Future Submarine is 21-year-old apprentice boilermaker, Nathan Smith.
“
The possibility of a substantially larger manufacturing project excites everyone you speak with at ASC. They now keenly await an announcement from the Department of Defence as to who is the preferred builder for the contract named Future Submarine.
“I’d love to see out the build and maintenance for a new generation of subs. A lot of the guys who were here for the previous build still talk about the good old days,” he says. “It would be nice to have that experience too. All I’ve ever known is maintenance on the Collins. There would certainly be new skills to learn and develop, but I reckon it’d be great.” Twenty three-year-old Gemma MacGraw is equally as enthusiastic about the Future Submarine coming to ASC. The daughter of a foreman on the Collins project, Gemma grew up with talk of submarine manufacturing in her household. “Hearing about what dad did, I thought ‘that sounds interesting. I’d like to do that someday’.” Now a qualified mechanical fitter, Gemma knows her skills are in demand. With Australia’s mining boom knocking, she could be earning significantly more in remote South Australia or Western Australia. Yet she remains unequivocal in her plans. “I want to stay here and be a part of the next build.” If ASC is to become the manufacturer of any future submarine program, then much will rest on the shoulders of
L to R: Gemma, Nathan, Craig and John prepare to service the HMAS Sheean.
those lobbying on its behalf, particularly the company’s Managing Director, Stephen Ludlum. Since his arrival from the submarine arm of British company Rolls Royce in January 2010, Mr Ludlum has argued convincingly in favour
of a local contract. “It’s time for Australia to stand beside the key players in the industry and affirm that this country has the expertise, international relationships and capacity to build the next generation of submarines on Australian soil,” he reminded a defence industry gathering in February. “The argument to buy from overseas is based on the fact that there are submarines manufactured around the world that might come close to handling Australian conditions. But these can be discounted for a variety of reasons. “Australia needs margins in size, space and power to give ability, throughout the life of a submarine, to upgrade without major refits. Fundamentally, the European designs cannot offer this.”
Apprentice boiler maker Mitch Shippey a recent Worldskills Australia Gold medal winner for welding
Everyone from the apprentices to the Managing Director knows the stakes are high. Win the contract and the Australian defence manufacturing
sector will be guaranteed for decades to come. Miss out, and generations of skilled jobs will be lost, possibly forever. Acting AMWU National Secretary, Paul Bastian, says the government’s response should be a common sense one. “Against all the odds the Collins Class submarine project proved we can build world-class submarines here. Not only has ASC met expectations, they have exceeded them. “Australian manufacturing is experiencing some profoundly difficult times. We should be keeping defence contracts here in Australia. To retain jobs, support innovation, expand our skill base and boost our local industry. “We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass.” While an announcement regarding the Future Submarine contract may still be some time away, one thing is for sure, at ASC they are ready to start building. ■ AMWUNEWS
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NEWS
Young Territorians to benefit under AMWU construction agreement
R
emote workers and apprentices will be the beneficiaries of an agreement reached between the Northern Territory’s major construction unions and the developer of a multi billion-dollar gas project outside of Darwin.
for our skilled tradespeople working in
The agreement, finalised after months of negotiations between the AMWU, ETU, CFMEU and AWU and project manager Kellogg’s Brown & Root (KBR), will create opportunities for apprenticeships and a suite of industry standard conditions.
who are currently working on a fly-in
AMWU Regional Organiser Bryan Wilkins said the agreement was an excellent outcome. “Not only does it deliver solid pay and conditions equal to anywhere else in Australia for a major construction project, it will also
remote areas to return to Darwin.” Mr Wilkins said the AMWU had been vocal on the use of local and interstate labour on major projects – through its membership on the Territory Government’s Major Projects Taskforce. “I know many of our AWMU members fly-out basis for major projects on the west and east coast will be pleased with this agreement. A computer generated image of the Inpex Gas Project – it will employ 2600 workers at the height of construction (source: Inpex).
maximise the use of apprentices. “This will ensure that hundreds of young Territorians will be given a chance to gain a trade and skills during the life of the project.” The project, the largest single private investment ever made in the Northern
“They will be looking forward to working on a major project with the
Territory, is expected to be a major driver of growth and employment in the greater Darwin region when it begins in the first quarter of 2012.
opportunity to be with their families
“At the peak of construction, the project will employee around 2600 workers. It will be an excellent chance
facilities feeding gas from the
and communities again.” The project will include the construction of two LNG processing Ichthys gas field in the neighbouring Timor Sea. ■
High Court ruling slams James Hardie bid to limit compo A
retired brake mechanic suffering from mesothelioma as a result of thirty years of exposure to James Hardie white asbestos can now receive compensation, after the High Court of Australia rejected an appeal from the company.
Acting AMWU National Secretary, Paul Bastian, described the ruling as a major outcome for current and future victims of asbestos related diseases. “This was an important case that could have placed in jeopardy compensation arrangements for thousands of people.” In 2010 the NSW Dust Diseases Tribunal awarded Mr Booth $326 640 in compensation for thirty years of exposure to James Hardie asbestos, the cause of Mr Booth’s mesothelioma. The company subsequently launched appeals in State and Federal Courts against the judgment, culminating in a final appeal to the High Court. In December last year the Court held there that there was sufficient evidence to justify a finding by the Tribunal that asbestos from 8
AMWUNEWS
John Booth at home in 2010 (source: Fairfax Media)
James Hardie manufactured brake linings caused Mr John Booth’s mesothelioma. Gerard McMahon of Turner Freeman (representing Mr Booth) said the ruling effectively ended the James Hardie argument that white asbestos wasn’t dangerous and it was the secondary
background exposure to asbestos that was the cause of Mr Booth’s mesothelioma and not the work that he performed using James Hardie brake linings. “By attacking the expert medical evidence that Mr Booth and others have relied on, James Hardie were trying to undermine the legal
basis on which mesothelioma victims prove their cases. “If successful, the argument Hardie used would have got itself off the hook and defeated any future compensation claims. They would have used the argument time and time again. “For 11 years they have tried to get this argument up and now the argument has come crashing down. “Hardie was using Mr Booth’s case as a vehicle for defeating future mesothelioma claims and they have failed.” He said his client, who is yet to receive any compensation, was relieved with the outcome. “He’s very happy he’s been vindicated. He knew he was in for a fight but he felt it was important to see it through for the sake of others.” Mr Bastian paid tribute to Mr Booth and Turner Freeman. “This is major victory. The ruling is a reaffirmation of medical science and it means compensation for victims of asbestos is back on a certain footing.” ■
NEWS
AMWU members making the silent transition to clean technology T
hroughout his 18 and a half years at manufacturing company Austeng, AMWU delegate Perry Devery has worked on just about every job a boilermaker can. He’s welded conveyor systems, impregnators, earth moving equipment and industrial ovens. But few jobs have captured his imagination like the EcoWhisper - a unique example of Australia’s clean technology future. “I like it because it’s big, it’s steel and I like big heavy stuff,” he says fondly. The EcoWhisper is a wind turbine with a difference. Smaller than a standard generator, it stands at 21 metres but features an innovative blade system that provides near silent operation.
The EcoWhisper produces 30% more power annually than its overseas competitors.
Austeng, a company with a diverse range of customers, was approached by the EcoWhisper’s developers, Renewable Energy Solutions Australia (RESA), to bring the concept to life. “The pole was built in a week, but the fan…that was a bit more complicated,” Perry says, as he recounts the step-by-step process of creating the prototype EcoWhisper. Austeng managing director, Ross George, says the company was immediately attracted to the project’s possibilities, which now sits in the front yard of it’s North Geelong premises in Victoria – providing a third of the site’s power. “We are a very traditional company, a third generation company. Traditionally our customers were the ones you would normally expect: International Harvester, Ford, Bendix, Mitsubishi and Nissan. “Many of those have left or are no longer spending much money locally, which means we’ve got to reinvent ourselves. “We’ve taken the decision to reinvent our customer base, rather than our workforce or our capabilities. “We’ve kept the same business model and we’re looking for new areas to move into. Clean technology has a lot of growth potential for us.” He says Austeng is keen to win future contracts to make the turbines in their entirety at the Geelong site. But he knows the company faces challenges in keeping the technology in Australia. “Australia is very good at doing the smart development work, but we (Austeng) have to put a package together, that makes it look attractive to
AMWU members at Austeng with the EcoWhisper
maintain the work here.”
manufacturers into action.
Once testing on the first EcoWhisper is complete developers RESA are hopeful the technology can be marketed locally and internationally. The silent operation of the turbines, the ability to operate in a range of wind conditions and its low visual impact makes it ideal for urban developments, commercial sites and agricultural applications.
“Austeng is a great example of a traditional manufacturer who has been willing to embrace clean technology and new opportunities.
AMWU Victoria Environment Officer, Colleen Gibbs, says the project should spark other Victorian
“With the Federal Government’s carbon price investment package and the incentives for industry to lower their carbon footprint, there is a greater incentive for our manufacturers to build clean technology here. “That means more jobs for our members.” ■ AMWUNEWS
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NEWS
Australia is experiencing a productivity trough and some bosses see reduced penalty rates and the increased casualisation as the answer. The Liberal Party sees a return to WorkChoices as the antidote to our productivity problems.
A graph showing the low level of investment by Australians businesses in research and development compared with other OECD countries ranked according to ratio of GDP (ABS Stats 2009-2010)
But what is productivity? And how does the AMWU propose we turn it around The AMWU’s Economics and Industry Advisor Nixon Apple explains…
Productivity is the amount of hours of labour and capital it takes to make a given level of output (a product). Productivity has slowed down in all areas of industry in our economy. Why is that? When the Coalition was in office they under-invested in infrastructure, in skills and education. If you under-invest in these areas, your economy-wide productivity goes backwards.
Investment in new factory equipment is essential for manufacturers to be productive.
Half the 100 000 jobs we’ve lost in manufacturing in the last three years can be attributed to this under-investment. The other half is down to the Global Financial Crisis.
that narrow, cost-cutting stops productivity in its tracks. You get a ‘low trust and high stress’ culture.
How can we turn productivity around?
As soon as workers see the introduction of a narrow cost-cutting approach, you get resistance to change. Everyone stands back because it’s a dog-eat-dog fight. You get a low trust and high stress culture. It just doesn’t deliver more productive workplaces.
Firstly, just about any delegate around the country can take you to their plant and factory and show you equipment that is out of date and hasn’t been upgraded for decades. If you want productivity, you’ve got to give workers the equipment they need to make modern products. You need new machine tools, you need factory automation and you need a better lay out in your plant. Secondly, international studies tell us that manufacturing management in Australia is lagging behind many other countries in terms of our ability to win business and investment. Upgrading management will help us become more competitive and therefore more productive. What we don’t need is the old, narrow cost-cutting approach evidenced by employers who want to change the wash up time from 12 to 7 minutes, reduce an 11 minute tea break to 6 minutes, or get rid of penalty rates.
Why isn’t cost cutting the way to improve productivity? All the literature on productivity and the experience of AMWU members tells us
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What should I say to a boss who wants to go down this path? Firstly, suggest an inventory of all the equipment in this plant. Does it need to be updated? Are we investing in new equipment to stay competitive? Secondly, look at the new products in the factory. How good are we at making them? How good is our management at marketing them? Rather than focus on wages, suggest a holistic view of the entire plant, equipment and management. The really dangerous thing about the narrow, cost-cutting approach is that it diverts management attention from where the game-winning formula is. The game-winning formula has always been having the best plant and equipment, re-investing in the skills of your workers and working within an economy that’s investing in infrastructure and innovation. Those are the things that give you productivity and allow you to win again.
NEWS
Book review Time Bomb: Work, rest and play in Australia today
T
ime is something we all want more of. Time for our families and friends, time to rest and time to play. Yet as this revealing new book from a team of workplace researchers (led by Barbara Pocock) shows, our lives are increasingly being stretched by the demands placed on our time.
Extensively researched and written Time Bomb takes a contemporary look at how Australians young and old, juggle the competing demands to be good workers, parents and community members. The pressure to get the balance right places enormous strain on our physical and mental well-being as well as our
environment. Time Bomb has some critical observations to make about the experience of our working lives. It reminds us that paid holidays and time for rest are not luxuries or privileges. They are in fact enshrined international human rights. Compared with other OECD countries, leave provisions for permanent and ongoing workers in Australia are not generous, they are average. This is why we must continue to fight for improved leave conditions and confront the rise of casualisation in our workplaces. This book approaches a simple, everyday concept with a wideranging and multifaceted study. At times the many insights and
perspectives it explores are heavy going. However the co-authors have managed to keep it accessible, with clear prose over academic jargon. Time Bomb is an important and timely reminder why the trade union movement fought so passionately for the eight-hour day. And why it must continue to defend that one thing we all hold sacred: our time.
The AMWU has 50 copies of Time Bomb to give away. Please email news@amwu. asn.au with your postal address and membership number or mail AMWU News 2nd Floor 251 Queensberry Street Carlton South, Victoria 3053.
NEWS in brief A move by the world’s largest packaging company to takeover a rival business could come at the cost of hundreds of Australian jobs the AMWU has warned the ACCC. AMWU National Print Division Secretary Lorraine Cassin made the submission to a review of Amcor’s proposed merger with flexible packaging company Aperio, conducted by the consumer commission earlier this year. Ms Cassin said: “We see the move by Amcor as one of eliminating a competitor rather than the acquisition of an asset to benefit the market.
concentration would allow excess profits to be earned given the lack of discipline from market forces.”
The AMWU Food and Confectionery Division Victoria has won the 2011 Australian Training Award together with co-entrant SPC Ardmona and the National Food Institute for their innovative delivery of an induction to leadership program in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.
“The synergies and savings through cost reduction and redundancies when combined with market
The key findings of the research of over a thousand people showed: • 79% agree Australia should be an economy that "makes things", • 68% support current levels of industry assistance to support jobs in the Australian car industry, and •
62% agree that other manufacturing industries should receive similar assistance.
Missing trustee: John (Jack) Franks
The union also pointed out a takeover of Aperio would see Amcor’s market share grow to 43% - more than double the other two players in the market. “This level of market concentration is likely to limit competitive pressure in the market. We believe diversity needs to be retained in the packaging sector.
the car industry and other manufacturing sectors.
New research from Essential Research
The AMWU is looking to find Jack Franks, a former trustee of the union and former employee of Mullers. His last known address is 3/236 Kingsgrove Rd, Kingsgrove NSW. If you have any information that could help the union contact him or learn of his whereabouts, please call the AMWU property office on 02 8868 1562.
has revealed a high level of public support for manufacturing in Australia, including investment in
AMWUNEWS
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Troy Corones, BAE Systems, QLD I am a vehicle mechanic by trade. We keep army vehicles running for the defence force here at the Bulimba Barracks.
recognised that I couldn’t afford not to be a union member.
I’ve been here for five years but it wasn’t until recently that I became a member and a delegate. Previously, I heard about the AMWU but I shied away from joining.
I remember the first time I spoke with Brian Devlin (site organiser). He didn’t know me from a bar of soap, but instantly I had the support I had never received from my own workplace. I joined the AMWU because I wanted to see positive change. Why lie down when you can stand up and be counted.
As time went on, things took a turn for the worse with the way management was handling situations. A lot of different issues were going on and I
Since then things have improved. With the help of my fellow delegate, Brian and other AMWU members we’ve been able to hold management to our
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workplace agreement. We’re trying to recruit more members at Bulimba. It’s a difficult road, but we’ll get there slowly. We try and get everyone together for social events throughout the year and we look to build rapport between workers. Working with good, like-minded people has been really satisfying. I’ve jumped at the chance to do AMWU education courses. I’ve been to delegate training one and two and I’m really looking forward to delegate three training later this year.
www.amwu.org.au email: amwu@amwu.asn.au
AMWU National Office Location: Level 4,133 Parramatta Road, Granville Postal: PO Box 160, Granville, NSW 2142.............................................. (02) 8868 1500 2nd Floor, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South, VIC 3053 . ............................................. (03) 9230 5700
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