AMWU News Winter 2012

WINTER 2012

160 YEARS

STILL PROUD TO BE UNION

INSIDE

The birth of the AMWU WA techs win massive back pay Breakthrough in supermarket campaign

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EDITORIAL

It’s about a fair go for Australian jobs and industry I

“

t’s hard to believe that with record pipeline investment in private and public projects, something now over $500 billion, we continue to have Australian industry, particularly manufacturing, under-utilised.

If we allow a carte blanche approach to Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs) on mine sites you can bet there will continue to be stories of exploitation and workplace accidents.

With all that money and all that work, you would think that the great claim by Western Australia’s Premier, Colin Barnett, that these projects “will fill WA workshops for years” would be true.

But it’s not!

You would think that with all this investment, no Australian would be looking for work. Everyone would have safe, secure jobs for the next 20 to 30 years and every young person finishing school or study would be fought over with offers of training, trades and apprenticeships on big bucks to fuel the growth. But that’s not the case either.

Instead we have an economy that is booming in the mining sector, making some people very rich and driving up the value of our dollar, which makes it increasingly difficult for our manufacturing sector to compete.

Sadly, the result is that more than 5,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in the last month; 100,000 since the GFC. So when the government gave the go ahead for Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill mining project to import 1,700 temporary 457 visa holders without having tested the local employment market, it’s little wonder everyone

AMWUNews WINTER 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: Rod Masson, 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

was gobsmacked.

This debate is not about pitting foreign workers against Australians.

The AMWU has a proud history of supporting migrant workers. We accept that there are circumstances when we need to utilise temporary labour sources and we will stand up for the rights of these workers and union members around the country.

But we also know that 457 workers themselves are sometimes exploited, underpaid and working in dangerous conditions.

The ability of 457 workers to stand up for the basic legal entitlements and rights that most Australian workers would expect is always in jeopardy when the boss holds their visa in their back pocket.

industry to secure a long term plan for manufacturing that is in the national interest.

We expect the government to recognise the difficulties a high dollar creates and to provide investment in manufacturing to allow our industry to adjust and be sustainable.

Central to this plan is ensuring that we continue to be a country that makes things, that we invest in skills and trades to guarantee our nation’s future capabilities and that we provide well paid, safe and secure jobs to current and future generations of Australians.

At the core of the debate about temporary overseas labour, about local content, about government purchasing, about industry investment and about free versus fair trade, is our national prosperity.

If we allow a carte blanche approach to Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs) on mine sites, you can bet there will continue to be stories of exploitation and workplace accidents.

It is about what we want our country to be capable of now and into the future.

It’s about making sure that we still have the capacity and know-how to make things when all the minerals are gone.

This debate is about Australia’s future skill base and capability. Businesses, especially those profiting from the extraction of our natural resources, have an obligation to give back to our community by offering jobs and training opportunities to Australians.

And it is unashamedly about making sure that Australian workers and their families get a fair share of the wealth of our nation.

In our view, this is not a skills crisis, it is a training crisis.

Over the last few months, we have played a constructive role in the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce and our union will be working constructively with government and

Paul Bastian Acting AMWU National Secretary

Paul Bastian’s editorial ........................................................................................ 3 Clive Palmer’s Titanic mistake . ........................................................................... 4 Offshore techs win massive backpay . ................................................................ 5 Helping Toyota members back to work .............................................................. 6 Biggest Loser’s Graham Pilson ............................................................................ 7 FOC Phil leaves his mark ..................................................................................... 8 Vale Helen Davis ................................................................................................. 9 New Free Trade agreement signed . ...................................................................10 Tasmanian food workers win . ...........................................................................11 Delegate Profile .................................................................................................12 AMWUNEWS

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NEWS

160 years on and still going strong This year the AMWU celebrates the 160th anniversary of our union’s founding. It is a significant milestone that speaks of a strong, proud and resilient trade union. One that has stood the test of time.

Early beginnings The story began in England on 1 January 1852 when members of the newly formed Amalgamated Society of Engineers imposed a ban on overtime in support of better rights and conditions. The employers replied by locking out engineering workers, regardless of whether they were ASE members or not. Although the dispute was a failure in achieving any of the ASE’s demands, it was a great success in terms of building the union.

After the lock out, some of the key ASE activists were blacklisted. In an early example of internationalism, some of them decided to immigrate to Australia. With financial support from the union, they set out to build a better life for their families and to spread the ideals and aims of their union, so that

working people in Australia could share in a better and more dignified life.

The ship that gave birth to a union On board the ship ‘Francis Walker’ 18 days sailing from Sydney, 20 men held the first meeting of the No 1 Australian Branch of Amalgamated Society of Engineers and welcomed their first member. They next met onshore at the Castle Tavern in Sydney’s George Street on 30 October 1852, just four days after arriving in Australia, electing John Swann as President, Thomas Cromack as Secretary and John Laing as Treasurer.

The new union branch established sick leave and unemployment benefits for members. Within a few years it set up a Melbourne branch. In 1920, the branch amalgamated to become the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU), but remained a branch of the British parent until the 1960s, along with other overseas branches in Canada, Malta and New Zealand. In 1972, the Sheetmetal Workers

Clive’s Titanic mistake -

Members from a precursor union to the AMWU rallying in Sydney in 1960

Industrial Union and the Boilermakers and Blacksmiths Society amalgamated with the AEU to form the Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union. During the 1990s the union amalgamated with the Association of Draughting, Supervisory and Technical Employees (ADSTE), the Food Preservers & Confectionery Workers of Australia (FCWU), the Vehicle Builders Employees Federation (VBEF) and the Printing and Kindred Industries Union (PKIU).

Each of these Unions also has a rich history stretching back to the 1800s and the new AMWU was that much stronger for the amalgamation of

Australia’s maritime industry is thriving

T

he AMWU has offered to take mining billionaire Clive Palmer on a tour of local shipbuilding facilities after he said he was forced to build ships in China because shipbuilding didn’t happen in Australia.

ship manufacturing based at Garden Island and in Balmain.

Mr Palmer announced recently he would build a Titanic replica as well as a number of ships for Queensland Nickel ‘because Australia lacks a maritime industry’.

The AMWU has written to Clive Palmer, inviting him to take a tour of a facility and see first hand Australia’s shipbuilding industry in action.

“Clive is wrong,” said AMWU NSW Secretary, Tim Ayres. “Australia has a highly skilled, innovative, thriving shipbuilding industry.

“Here in NSW, our members build everything from ferries to air warfare destroyers. Take Newcastle, where Forgacs employs over 500 skilled tradespeople and more than 50 apprentices in shipbuilding. There’s also

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“In fact thousands of highly skilled AMWU members build ships in major shipbuilding facilities around Australia.

Shipbuilding and maintenance is a ‘priority industry capability’ nominated by the Commonwealth Government to protect Australia’s defence interests.”

“We are asking Clive Palmer to come and take a look at our local shipbuilding operations. We’ll give him a tour and show him the cutting edge skills and quality work our members can offer,” Mr Ayres said.

“If Mr Palmer wants to build ships in China, he should be honest about the reasons, it’s not because Australia doesn’t have a maritime industry.” ■

these great traditions.

Today we celebrate 160 years on and under the banner of the AMWU, our union is continuing the fight first initiated by the early ASE activists. To mark this extraordinary history, a book featuring essays on the impact of the AMWU on Australian society will be published by Monash University Press.

Thank you to those members who have already contributed. The publishers have been inundated with entries and we hope to have the book published later this year. ■

NEWS

AMWU WA wins massive back pay for offshore technicians

W

orkers on a major offshore resource project in WA have received tens of thousands of dollars extra from their employer, after the AMWU argued they were being substantially underpaid.

The testing technicians from Stork Technical Services were working on the refurbishment of the Rankin B gas project off the coast of Karratha when they realised they were being paid short of the site agreement.

Delegate Jon King said they were surprised to learn there was a collective agreement in place on the site – having been told by their management prior to their departure there was none.

“When we got there the welders and scaffolders told us there was an EBA in

place. We saw the agreement (Western Australia and Northern Territory Offshore Construction Projects Agreement 2011-2015) and then we took it to the AMWU. “They got together and spoke with the bosses and not long after we were put on the correct rate. In the end we were substantially better off each week and we received back pay. It was a great win.”

AMWU WA Secretary, Steve McCartney praised the delegate for identifying the issue and bringing it to the attention of the union.

“Jon has done the right thing, he knows his rights, he’s identified an issue and brought it to our attention.

“The AMWU has a strong union collective agreement in place with Stork Technical Services, that ensures our members are able to ‘jump on’ to construction agreements,” he said.

Jon King (far left) with AMWU members at Stork Technical Services

“That being the case, we brought it to the attention of the management and they’ve accepted the underpayment and rectified the problem.

“This is an excellent outcome and shows the value of a good union collective agreement combined with strong representation.” ■

Government must intervene in Qantas aircraft maintenance decision T

he AMWU has slammed a decision

by Qantas to sack hundreds of engineering workers in May, saying it will decimate Australia’s aircraft maintenance and engineering capacity and threaten the nation’s security.

The Qantas Engineers Alliance, made up of AMWU, AWU and ETU members, has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the decision to safeguard Australia’s capacity to maintain aircraft now and into the future.

“This short-sighted decision by Qantas deserves to be roundly condemned. Not only does it have a devastating impact on workers in Victoria and their families, it threatens the very capability of Australia to maintain its aircraft,” said AMWU Acting National Secretary, Paul Bastian.

“Qantas employs 6,000 or almost two-thirds of Australia’s total aircraft maintenance workforce. It is also responsible for providing more than 50% of the training in this sector.

It has a broader social responsibility as our national carrier, but this decision pays little heed to that.

“The review that has led to this decision has failed to consider planning to ensure the nation’s future capability to maintain aircraft.

It has failed to look at long term plans, such as sourcing maintenance work from other airlines in the region, choosing instead to shun

Qantas Engineering Alliance members vote during a meeting at Tullamarine maintenance base early this year

national interests in favour of shareholder returns,” Mr Bastian said.

Qantas Engineering delegate, Phil Ellis said he was dumbfounded by the decision.

“I half expected they would go down this path but I still can’t comprehend how they will do it.”

He described the mood amongst workers at the Tullamarine heavy maintenance base as ‘pretty bleak’.

“We were handed a form seeking our expression of interest in either transferring to Brisbane, being re-deployed to new roles within Qantas or taking a redundancy. And we’re expected to let them know our preference

within a week.

“Ninety-five percent of the workers aren’t willing to move to Brisbane. For LAMEs (licensed aircraft maintenance engineers) and mechanical engineers like myself, there are no other jobs in Victoria. I’m happy to stay and work at Qantas, but my ability to do that is not looking real good.”

He said the consequence of losing skilled workers from the Tullamarine heavy maintenance base, particularly those aged between 20-40, could be disastrous for the company in the long term.

“Once the guys over 50 start to retire, there will be no one left to takeover.” ■ AMWUNEWS

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NEWS

Too many of Australia’s apprentices quitting due to poor wages

D

espite providing the skills for our future, Australia’s apprentices would be better paid flipping burgers or waiting tables – not to mention taking unskilled work in the mining sector, an AMWU survey has found.

we could afford.”

Mr Bastian said Australia needed to better value the critical skills imparted during apprenticeships and the sacrifice workers such as Mr Thomson make.

“We don’t have a skills crisis in Australia, we have a training crisis.”

He said data from the National Centre for Vocational Educational Research showed 48% of apprentices drop out before completing their training.

Launched in June, the national survey showed many apprentices are living on wages below the minimum wage and barely above the poverty line.

The survey also revealed that: • 66% had considered giving up their apprenticeship due to poor wages • 40% had considered giving up their apprenticeship due to lack of mentoring • 34% had considered giving up their apprenticeship due to their friends earning more after completing less training.

AMWU Acting National Secretary, Paul Bastian, said manufacturing needed to attract and retain people into skilled trade apprenticeships, or face the consequences of a skills shortage in years to come.

Apprentices discuss common issues at an AMWU Queensland conference in June

“In order to attract and retain apprentices in our trades, we must address the issue of low pay rates and we must address the issue of relativities so there are genuine incentives for people to learn and work in high skilled jobs.

“Apprentices report being paid as little as $7.60 per hour. Compare that to the $11.20 an hour workers get for making hamburgers and you’ll immediately see where the drop out problem arises.”

His comments were echoed by Queensland apprentice fitter Coen

Thomson, who has remained at home with his parents since beginning his apprenticeship, due to the high cost of rent in the mining town of Moranbah.

“Without help there’s no way that you can do the training on a first-year apprenticeship wage.”

“I used to dread going to TAFE because I knew I was going to be that far behind financially,” he said.

“Everybody was finding it hard, so we’d eat two-minute noodles every day in first year because that’s all

“While apprentices provide a significant value to the Australian economy, and our future as a nation, they’re not being valued.

“We need to cherish the role of apprentices to our economy, industries and societies – after all, they’re the future.”

The AMWU along with other unions, has made a claim through Fair Work Australia (FWA) to vary Awards to increase apprentice wages and amend conditions to make sure they are properly compensated for training and travel costs. A full bench of FWA has yet to hear the matter. ■

Toyota Sackings: Defending our Delegates, Supporting our Members

M

ore than 200 Toyota workers recently made redundant, have begun looking for new jobs with the support of an AMWU jobs forum.

legal action on their behalf for reinstatement. For the remainder of these workers however, it is crucial that they be given a range of opportunities to find new work.

“It’s important the workers know AMWU Project Officer, Mark funding is available for training Spyker, said the two-day event, from the Federal Government, held in April, had been created should they decide they want a to assist workers re-enter the career change or if they need to workforce in the wake of their snap up skill. departure from Toyota.

“But it’s good to see that we’ve “The AMWU has worked extremely also got some big employers such hard with the Federal Government as Boeing here, who are keen to to bring this together. We’ve got meet with these workers to discuss Centrelink, Australian Super, employment opportunities.” training centres, job service One former Toyota worker who providers and employers down attended the forum, Martin here speaking to workers about Aquilina, said the group their options.” was still recovering from the “While the AMWU was helping announcement. sacked workers find new jobs, “At the moment it’s still early, our National Vehicle Division was I’m still getting my head around also working hard to get a large number reinstated on the grounds it. But I am actively looking for work. I’m sending out my resume that they were targeted for and hoping someone out there dismissal because of their union has a job.” activity. Many of these members were Toyota Delegates and Health Although hopeful of finding work, and Safety Representatives Mr Aquilina said comments made and the AWMU has launched

by Toyota’s Australian CEO Max

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Toyota workers speak with Project Officer Mark Spyker (left) about their options

Yasuda, about the redundant workers were false and offensive.

“I know guys who have gone and applied for jobs and have already been told that they’re in the bottom 10%. If Toyota don’t want you, why would we?”

He also feared they may jeopardise opportunities for those seeking employment.

“We’re worried about the

perception his (Yasuda’s) comments may create in the community. I’ve got a logistics diploma, and my resume is good.

But I’m an ex-Toyota worker… who’s to say employers will even look at it.”

The AMWU is continuing to pursue legal action against Toyota on behalf of workers made redundant for engaging in union activity. ■

NEWS

Metalworker Graham makes a new life T

welve months ago life was very different for Graham Pilson. The 37-year-old AMWU member from Bathurst, New South Wales was a massive 210 kilos. Pies and soft drinks were a staple of morning tea. He was overweight, constantly tired and as he now admits, struggling with long-term depression.

Fast-forward a year and the gentle giant has returned to his welding workshop after a whirlwind experience as a contestant on Channel 10’s popular reality television show The Biggest Loser.

In the process he has become a household name, an inspiration for thousands of other Australians battling weight loss and 70 kilos lighter.

“When I first came back, a lot of the guys at work didn’t recognise me. I was wearing my Holden gear, so they thought I

was a Holden rep,” he laughs as he remembers walking through the doors of his workshop.

That’s the way I’ve got to go. And I used to drink quite a lot - I’m not missing that either,” he says.

“They hadn’t seen me since November, and I had lost quite a lot of weight.

They’re a great bunch of blokes. They held my position open for me, which was fantastic and they’ve been really flexible with all my TV commitments too. Although they’ve given me a bit of stick.”

He has opened up about dealing with depression and his dream to one-day start a family.

Over four gruelling months The Biggest Loser took Graham through a rigorous schedule of training and unique physical challenges from military-style obstacle courses to trekking the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland. Not only did the experience test him physically, but mentally. Something he never expected.

Since returning home Graham has thrown out his daily diet of fatty foods in favour of healthier alternatives and regular exercise.

“I love my training. Before Biggest Loser I had every excuse under the sun. I was too tired, I’d start next week and on it went. Now I absolutely adore training.

“I’ve also learnt to control myself. I take my own lunches into work now.

Assistance fast tracked for CMI members V ictorian workers made redundant through the closure of auto company CMI, will soon receive an expedited, partial payment of their entitlements.

Acting AMWU National President, Paul Bastian, led a delegation of officials and CMI members to meet with the Minister, Bill Shorten in Canberra and to press the case for the speedy payments in support of these workers from the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme.

AMWU State Secretary, Steve Dargavel, said the initial payments would assist the sacked workers, until the remainder of the outstanding entitlements were paid later in the year.

AMWU delegates and officials meet with Employment Minister, Bill Shorten in May.

“Our members at CMI have been through a terrible time. Locked out by the companies land lord and then over 40 workers were sacked and robbed of their entitlements.

“This payment will at least ensure they have money to put food on their table and pay the bills,” Mr Dargavel said.

“Unfortunately they’ve lost

everything, their superannuation and leave entitlements, not to mention their jobs. This will help repair some of the damage in the interim.”

He said members were owed decades worth of entitlements,

“My family are all really proud of me and what I’ve achieved. I didn’t want my parents to lose another son and I was heading that way if I didn’t change my life.

“I’ve still got the goal of getting to 110 kilos, so I need to lose about 30 kilos more. My doctor told me it could take another two years, but I’m trying to do it in the next 12 months.”

In the meantime he’ll be kept busy at his proudly unionised workshop at Railcorp Bathurst.

“We’ve got stuff coming in from all over the place. We do everything to do with railway lines from switches to welding rail line length on all the Railcorp infrastructure. We’re always kept pretty busy…it’s good to be back.” ■ If you are experiencing depression or in need of emotional support contact Lifeline, a 24-hour telephone crisis support service on 13 11 14.

as well as outstanding superannuation; more than $100,000 in many cases.

“Ordinarily, GEERS payments cannot be paid until a company goes into liquidation, and then the numbers are audited which often takes months. We welcome Minister Shorten’s agreement to help our members more quickly.

“We’re now focused on ensuring our members are supported in any way possible, which includes working with the Federal Government on resolving the full GEERS payments.” ■

The GEERS scheme was introduced by the Gillard Government to protect worker entitlements after a decade of campaigning by AMWU members.

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FOC Phil leaves his mark I

t was 1972 when a cheeky 18-year-old arrived for his first shift at The Mercury newspaper in Hobart.

Straight out of high school, Phil Dando knew little about printing newspapers or being a union member. That would all change very quickly.

“The union has been very good to me, it’s helped me grow as a person, helped me become more mature and stronger.

The members have had to trust in me – which has been a great thing.”

He is full of praise for Print Division delegates around the country.

“The communication between other News Limited sites, Fairfax and Rural Press, has been a great initiative. Over the years we’ve always had support and guidance from them.”

“The Father Of the Chapel (FOC - Senior Delegate) met me at the door with a membership form in his hand and said, ‘Listen here; we want you to sign on the dotted line’. It was basically sign here or you’re not coming in.

“I pretty soon understood that by joining the chapel (union membership), the chapel would look after me and in turn I had to answer to the chapel,” he recalls.

At first Phil was assigned the job of proof runner, taking newspaper copy from proof readers to the layout department. Later he was promoted to learn the trade of compositor. And even though it took him nearly eight years before he took on an official role in the chapel, Phil was a staunch union member from the start.

“I was always up front and always had an opinion. I didn’t mind an argument with management. I became more

His organiser, Darren Clark, says he will be sorely missed.

AMWU Tasmania Organiser Darren Clark (left) presenting Phil Dando (right) with a certificate in recognition of his long service.

active over time and I received a fair bit of training from our union. It helped me become more confident in representing our members,” he says.

Under the guidance of long serving delegates Steve Walsh and Terry Collins, Phil emerged as a strong workplace activist and was eventually elected FOC. Since then he has seen significant changes to his workplace: new owners, a downturn in classified advertising, the adaptation of computer technology, the rise of casualisation and a push by current operators News Limited to

centralise the work.

Along the way he has maintained a commitment to defending job security and conditions.

“I was always very protective of our jobs. Sometimes we had to use bluff to get our way with management. But on other occasions we also had to be fair and play it smart and that meant adapting to change.”

After 40 years of service, 16 as FOC, in April, Phil said goodbye to his fellow union members at The Mercury.

“He retires knowing the site is well organised but still with work to do. His replacement Scott Smith, is taking on the challenge and the legacy left by Phil.

We know he’ll be there to assist Scott.

He’ll never leave the union movement.”

A former state representative 8-ball player Phil is looking forward to spending more time playing the game he loves as well as travelling to China with his wife, Anne.

He’s keen to remain active within the AMWU by joining the Tasmanian Retired Members Division.

“I’ll definitely miss the camaraderie,” he says.

“The union has basically been my life. I’ll always regard myself as a union man.” ■

Carrying on with the campaigning

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re you a recent retiree like Phil? Would you like to remain active in our union once you’ve left the workplace? Campaigning for decent pay and conditions doesn’t end once you’ve stopped working.

The Retired Members’ Division (RMD) of the AMWU is an active and passionate collective of retired and semi-retired members who campaign for a better post-work life for all Australians.

The AMWU Retired Members have been leading the charge on a range of national campaigns, from improved pensioner allowances and electricity rebates, to the removal of Work Choices.

AMWU RMD National Secretary, 8

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Frank Cherry, says retired workers have a significant contribution to make in society.

“The Retired Members’ Division gives you the opportunity to continue being active around issues of fairness and justice for working people. You’re involvement in these issues shouldn’t finish because you’ve left work.

“In the last 12 months the RMD has made detailed submissions to both Federal and State Governments seeking increases in pensions and utility allowances. We’ve rallied outside Melbourne Town Hall, State Parliaments and lobbied ministers and independents in Canberra.

“We’ve made progress, but it is

AMWU Retired Members rallying outside Victorian State Parliament in 2010

becoming very clear that if pensioners are to receive any form of justice from government, then not only do we need to remain united and active, we need to use the trade union movement at the centre of these campaigns.”

As a retired member of the AMWU you’ll continue to receive the AMWU News, state publications and you’ll stay in touch with union news, events and

campaigns. RMD branches hold meetings throughout the year and they are a great way to become active in the Division’s campaigns and to keep in touch with old comrades and friends. If you’re leaving the workforce soon, or have already left, get involved with the RMD today.

Just call the union HelpDesk on 1300 732 698. ■

NEWS

On March 19 the AMWU’s first female organiser, Helen Davis, died of breast cancer at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. She was 73.

Helen Veronica Davis 27/9/1938 – 19/3/2012

Like most of the challenges Helen Davis

Despite the difficulties that life sent

took on, she was a trail blazer. Helen

Helen’s way, her passion and loyalty to

had two firsts in the then AMFSU: the

improving the lives of working people

first female organiser appointed by

never waivered. Her fierce belief in

National Conference and the first

working together, for trusting in

female elected as a State Organiser.

ordinary people, made her a wonderful

Helen, was justly very proud of these

mentor. She gave many hours

accomplishments.

discussing and supporting her

For eleven years, Helen was a shop

workplace delegates - she heard you

steward at Mistral Fans in the northern

out, gave you the time of day and

suburbs of Melbourne. A tall woman,

engaged you in a robust exchange

she stood firmly and proudly in the

of ideas and opinions. She was always

spray painting shop when threatened

keen to follow up and see how

for raising issues of importance to the

delegates were tackling and supporting

predominantly women members. Many

member issues. In between that, Helen

carried injuries from the repetitive,

fitted in being an amazingly supportive

poorly designed, electrical assembly

mother, sister, friend and for twenty

work. Management claimed the

odd years, partner to John Speight.

women’s injuries were caused by how

Helen was elected to Victorian State

they slept or their physique - workers’

Council, the State Administrative

compensation claims were regularly

Committee, State Conference and

denied. Helen was part of that

National Conference. She represented

movement of activists in the AMFSU

the union at the Victorian Trades Hall

that were at the forefront of tackling

Council, the Engineering Skilled Trade

health and safety as a union issue.

Board and on various international

As an Organiser, Helen’s shops were

delegations. Her progressive work was

active and organised places. Members

not limited to the union; she connected

participated in the fight for rostered

with community, being the City of

days off, superannuation and skills

Preston’s first female councilor, spent

recognition and development for metal

two terms as mayor and was an active

workers. You would know if one of her

member of the ALP for 57 years. She

work sites was in a significant dispute

represented the AMWU at ALP State

Thank you to Deborah Vallance, Glenn

- she would be splendidly dressed in

Conference for 19 years and was

Thompson, Anne Donnellan and

bright red clothing.

eventually awarded life membership.

Michael Rattigan for this tribute.

In July, the AMWU National Council will consider the establishment of the Helen Davis Memorial program in recognition of her contribution to the AMWU, the union movement and the broader community - a program to honour a trail blazer and a compassionate and fiercely principled woman. Someone who was committed to the collective but never ever forgot the individuals who make it up.

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QLD members and families keep the AMWU flag flying

H

undreds of AMWU members and their families have celebrated the labour movement at annual Labour Day rallies across Queensland in May.

together to celebrate workers’ rights and the labour movement.

AMWU Acting State Secretary, Rohan Webb, said the union proudly marched with renewed vigour and a new brand.

“Take Bill Fleming, a retired member who first marched as an apprentice in 1943. He’s been along every year since and now he brings his grandchildren… this is exactly what May Day is about.”

“It was great to see so many attend the rallies. The next generations are the future of our union and our movement and they were there in big numbers as they always are.

“From Brisbane to Cairns, all along the coast and in the NT, the AMWU was there to make its presence felt, in most cases leading the rallies.

“We re-kitted ourselves this year and AMWU members marching through the streets of Brisbane in May revitalised our brand. Our colours were loud and bright, our signage, shirts enthusiastically embrace May Day “Our members are workers, but they and hats were all designed to show that rallies and events, helped by the have families as well. The day catered our union is alive and modern.”

Labour Day public holiday each year on for families and in particular towards He said Queenslanders continued to the first Monday in May. kids. It’s a day for families to get

Mr Webb said the 160th anniversary of the union was the centerpiece of the AMWU’s message.

“Governments come and go but the reality is the AMWU has stood the test of time. We’ve been around for 160 years and we’ll be around for another 160.” ■

Trading Places: the problem with free trade agreements “

Why wouldn’t AMWU members be concerned about job security? Australia has a ‘two-speed’ economy.

There’s a highly volatile economic situation in the US and the daily papers are full of speculation about the Greek, Spanish and Irish economies”, says Andrew Dettmer, AMWU Acting National President.

“It’s not just our job security, but the present and future job prospects for our kids and their kids.”

Mr. Dettmer was responding to the signing of a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and Malaysia and the continuing negotiations around three other agreements. The biggest of these is the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) which is being negotiated between the USA, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Peru, Vietnam and Malaysia.

“All tariffs on Malaysian-sourced goods coming into Australia will be lifted under this FTA while Malaysia gets to hang on to a few of its tariffs and phase them out over time”, said Mr. Dettmer “The government trumpeted the agreement as a good deal, especially for our automotive industry, but it’s hard to see why.

It’s true that Malaysia will cut its 10

AMWUNEWS

tariffs on large passenger vehicles to zero immediately and on smaller cars to zero in 2016, but the FTA does not stop Malaysia using other border protections such as additional taxes, as we’ve seen elsewhere”.

It is no surprise that neither Ford nor Holden has announced any immediate plans to commence exporting to Malaysia.

“Malaysia will get the immediate benefit of the removal of our 5% tariff on their automobiles and components. Malaysia already enjoys 9% of our new car market, or roughly 90,000 new car sales

per year, and will use the 5% cut and the strong Australian dollar to grow that share”, said Mr. Dettmer.

Contrary to ALP policy, the Malaysian agreement has no provisions on labour rights. Neither does it provide any undertakings about environmental standards.

These crucial matters are left to a side letter and a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that both countries will wait and see what comes out of the TPPA negotiations.

Meanwhile talks are continuing on the TPPA. The USA is keen to put back on the table all the things it didn’t get in the 2005 FTA with Australia.

“This is pretty dangerous for Australia”, Mr Dettmer said.

“We may end up with longer timeframes for intellectual property rights which include drug patents. This would endanger our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which allows Australians to get cheaper medicines”.

The US is also pushing for greater powers for corporations to be able to take legal action against any governments under the TPPA which, acting in the interest of their people, attempt to restrict business interests.

“In the US, thanks to their pro-

business, right-wing dominated Supreme Court, corporations have the status of a real person, so they can sue for defamation”, said Mr. Dettmer. “We wouldn’t want to see this in Australia, yet under the TPPA, this is exactly what could happen”.

“Take the current example of the tobacco companies, which are seeking to have the Federal Government’s law on plain cigarette packaging overturned in the High Court. If the US succeeds in the TPPA negotiations, tobacco companies would have an immediate right to dispute the legislation and sue our government in US courts”.

The AMWU has long argued that trade agreements need to include provisions that enhance social responsibility and help to develop better societies, by way of enforceable undertakings on labour rights, environmental protections, recognition of national sovereignty and recognition of local content rules. They must also be subject to public scrutiny and open parliamentary debate before being agreed.

“Only when we have these core provisions will we be able to support these agreements. Only then will they pass the AMWU test of being fair and not just free”, said Mr. Dettmer. ■

NEWS

Tassie food workers to win under Coles frozen vegie plan

A

n announcement by Coles Supermarkets that it will source its entire line of frozen vegetables from Simplot in Tasmania has been welcomed by the AMWU.

ensure the future of the food industry in Australia. We’ve sent delegates from Simplot, to Canberra in recent months to lobby on behalf of our members and obviously their voices have not gone unheard. The campaign is clearly having an affect.”

AMWU delegate and food production worker Leigh Monson, (a member of the delegation to Canberra) said he was pleased more attention was being focussed on Australia’s food manufacturing sector.

As of May, all 30 lines in the Coles brand, frozen vegetable range, will be packed by Simplot at the Ulverstone and Devonport plants.

AMWU Tasmanian Secretary, John Short, said the announcement was a step in the right direction.

“It will hopefully secure all the permanent workforce and may lead to more people being employed in the long term.

“Simplot is crucial to the northern Tasmanian region. They have a very committed and highly skilled workforce in those plants. They have

“There is a lot more awareness from the retailers, they’re starting to listen to the consumers, who want Australian made products.

John Short updating delegates on the campaign earlier this year

the best processing conditions and very high product and hygiene standards. That can’t be said for some overseas suppliers.”

Mr Short said the new deal showed

supermarkets were listening to the AMWU’s food industry campaign.

“The AMWU National Food Division Secretary, Jennifer Dowell, has been lobbying in Federal Parliament to

“However we need more business.

Coles is just one of the major retailers in Australia. This is a good start but it’s also important that other retailers get on board and commit to the Tassie food industry.” ■

S W E N rief in b

Amcor delegates discuss new global agreement In June delegates from Amcor sites across Australia, together with organisers from Southeast Asia, met to discuss a global framework agreement to cover workers at the packaging corporation.

hopefully an agreement. If we believe in it, support it and are committed to it, then a knock on the door to your local manager can make a huge difference to Amcor workers internationally.”

SA vehicle mechanics rev up collective action Workers at K-Mart Tyre and Auto Service (KTAS) in South Australia will carry on with plans to establish their first collective agreement, after winning a majority support determination in Fair Work Australia in May.

Steve Walsh from global packaging and graphical union Uni Global, urged Australian Amcor workers to use their collective strength to improve the conditions and safety for other Amcor workers.

“They want to de-unionise the world. They know a strong trade union is the only thing standing between more company profits and decent conditions and pay for workers.

“We don’t have a FairWork tribunal to go to in some of these countries. All we have is our networks and

Despite moves by KTAS management to stop collective activity, the AMWU members (mostly mechanics and tyre fitters) from workshops across SA, won the right to pursue bargaining with almost 90% support of the state’s union and non-union workforce.

AMWU organiser, Geoff Turley, said the passing of the majority support determination would clear the way for the workers’ first union collective agreement.

High Court asbestos decision welcomed but have lessons been learnt? The AMWU has welcomed a decision by the High Court of Australia in finding James Hardie directors had breached their duties in their handling of a compensation fund for asbestos victims.

In May, the court found the company knowingly and deliberately misled the Stock Exchange by issuing a statement that its compensation fund was ‘fully funded’ when it was anything but.

AMWU Acting National Secretary, Paul Bastian, said the decision upholds the original finding that James Hardie directors and executives tried to avoid their responsibilities by making misleading statements about the compensation they had put in place.

“It is strongly welcomed by workers and their unions. But the question that still remains is whether the corporations law is adequate in prosecuting directors and executives for their transgressions and whether directors and executives understand their wrongdoings.”

AMWUNEWS

11

Delegate Profile Daniela Ristevska, Hospira, Victoria I work at Hospira (a pharmaceutical

dealt with any major issues. We start

I completed delegate training earlier this year. I

company) as a microbiology analyst.

negotiations on our new agreement in July.

didn’t realise how much of a difference I can

I have been a member of the AMWU for nine years, but only in the last six months have I become a delegate. My father was a shop steward and I knew about unions growing up.

Hopefully by the end of that we’ll have

make. Spending time with other delegates was

something to be proud of.

a real eye opener.

I think it helps being a female delegate. The

I learnt a lot of things you can incorporate into

majority of the workers in my lab area are

day-to-day life, from mapping, to learning

I wanted to become a delegate so I could make a difference and represent my colleagues when it came to negotiations. So far I haven’t really

women. Some members find it easier to

about personality types. I loved it. It was one of

approach women when it comes to the issues

the best things I’ve done. It made me feel

they are facing.

privileged to represent everyone.

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS

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

Bendigo ................................................ (03) 5442 5101 Dandenong ........................................... (03) 9701 3044 Geelong ................................................ (03) 5229 9358 Latrobe ................................................. (03) 5134 3306 Portland ................................................ (03) 5523 2525 Shepparton ........................................... (03) 5822 2510

NSW Branch Location: Level 1, 133 Parramatta Road, Granville Postal: PO Box 167, Granville, NSW 2142 . .......................................... (02) 9897 4200 Albury/Wodonga . ................................. (02) 6024 1099 Newcastle ............................................. (02) 4954 3215 Western Region .................................... (02) 6337 7162 Wollongong . ..........................................(02) 4229 7611

QLD Branch Location: 366 Upper Roma Street, Brisbane Postal: PO Box 13006 George Street, QLD 4003.............................................. (07) 3236 2550 Gladstone ............................................. (07) 4972 5319 Mackay .................................................(07) 4953 0550 Rockhampton ....................................... (07) 4927 1487 Townsville ............................................. (07) 4771 5960

VIC Branch 1st Floor, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South, VIC 3053 . ............................................. (03) 9230 5700 Albury/Wodonga.................................... (02) 6024 1099 Ballarat ................................................. (03) 5332 2910 AMWUNEWS 12

SA Branch 1st Floor 229 Greenhill Road, Dulwich, Postal: GPO BOX 1051, Adelaide SA 5001 .................................(08) 8366 5800 Whyalla ..................................................(08) 8645 7115

WA Branch 121 Royal Street, East Perth, WA 6004................................................ (08) 9223 0800 Bunbury ................................................ (08) 9721 7933 Henderson............................................. (08) 6498 9382 Karratha................................................. (08) 9185 4078 TAS Branch 28 Station Street, Moonah, TAS 7009 .............................................. (03) 6228 7099 Burnie ................................................... (03) 6431 1344 ACT Office Canberra ................................................(02) 6273 2412 NT Office 1st Floor, 38 Woods Street, Darwin NT 0800..................................................(08) 8941 1511