Amwu news winter 15

AMWU

NEWS

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING WORKERS’ UNION

INSIDE HELPING APPRENTICES IN TOUGH TIMES

WINTER 2015

NEWS DEAL FIT TO PRINT $2 BILLION RAIL BUDGET VICTORY DVD GIVEAWAY – PRIDE

2

WORKERS MUST HAVE A VOICE IN TRAINING AGENDA For many of us, our journey from school into the workforce was supported by quality training, often through an apprenticeship or cadetship.

It was invariably delivered by qualified teachers operating out of well resourced TAFE institutions - built by Government to underpin economic and social growth, and to help industry keep pace with the changes that were being thrust on us as technology and markets evolved.

The TAFE system has served us well, as has our apprenticeships system. They have both benefited enormously from an understanding that skills matter, not only economically, but also socially.

hell bent on destroying.

The Government’s decision to discontinue funding for Industry Skills Councils, and open up the critically important role of Training Package development to ‘competition’ will inevitably denigrate skills and training outcomes.

You only have to look at the debacles in Victoria and South Australia, resulting in the waste of hundreds of millions of dollars as the TAFE systems in both states were trashed.

Private training providers flooded the market to cash in on the waves of public money being thrown at them and this is how these federal moves are also likely to end.

Unions and employer organisations have for many years shared the view that lifting the skills base of industry is a critical step in ensuring manufacturing’s survival in the face of growing global competition, supporting a transition to a high-tech future.

Since coming to office, the Government has followed a clear pattern of shutting unions out wherever possible and

It is a collaboration the Abbott Government is

dismantling long-standing structures for addressing the skills and productivity issues so important to our future.

They have also abolished the independent, tripartite advisory body, the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA).

The recent ACTU Congress has condemned the Abbott government and called on the states and territories to take the Commonwealth to task. The AMWU, in conjunction with the Australian Education Union, has taken its concerns about the future of our training system to Canberra during National TAFE Week and will continue to lobby vigorously to ensure that the voices of workers, students and taxpayers are heard.

All Australians should benefit from access to high quality learning experiences to ensure our younger generations – and experienced workers – will get the necessary skills to equip Australia to be competitive and prosperous in future.

CONTENTS BATTLE 4 DEFENCE DEAL FIT TO PRINT 5 NEWS MAKing IT 6 APPRENTICES BUDGET TO BUILD ON 7 RAIL

8 GENEROSITY SHINES BRIGHT WIN WITH AMWU 9 MECHANICS ACTION ACROSS GLOBE 10 ASBESTOS GIVEAWAY – PRIDE 11 DVD

Paul Bastian AMWU National Secretary

PETER LEGGATT 12 Delegate-

LEADERS RETURNED IN ELECTION Hundreds of rank and file members across Australia have put their hands up over recent months for key positions across the AMWU, as our internal elections were conducted.

Candidates represent fellow members across National, State and Divisional Conferences and Councils, giving up their own time to participate in the democratic forums of our union.

Senior leadership positions across the Union were also up for election, with many senior office holders re–elected unopposed, including National Secretary Paul Bastian and National President Andrew Dettmer.

A contested ballot in the Western Australian

Branch saw Steve McCartney re-elected as State Secretary.

Re-elected National Secretary Paul Bastian said: “We’re proud of the democratic traditions of our union and the fact that so many comrades across the country are prepared to put their hand up to represent fellow members.

“We congratulate those who ran for office and thank everyone who actively engages in the union, including thousands of members who stand as AMWU delegates at their workplaces – they’re the true heart of this union.”

More information – http://www.amwu.org.au/rules_and_elections

AMWU NEWS WINTER 2015 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: Tamsin Lloyd, Neil Wilson and Andrea Firehock.

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

3

DEFENCE BANS BITE ON ALL FRONTS Defence sites across the country are facing disruption as union members take industrial action.

They are protesting against the Federal Government’s inadequate resourcing and insulting pay offer.

The bans and stoppages coincide with action by other unions across the Australian Public Service.

However, our members’ action is set to have a big impact due to their hands-on work in testing and maintaining a wide variety of military equipment.

Much of the equipment can’t be used until our members give the sign-off.

Delegate Profile – Peter Leggatt

P.12

In Victoria, South Australia, NSW and the ACT, defence sites are angry at the Federal Government’s insulting Enterprise Agreement offer - with members in other states being consulted on pending action.

“It’s been noticeable that since Easter our members have hardened their attitude due to the Government deliberately stalling over the negotiations,” said AMWU Victorian organiser Charlie Pandolfo.

Action stations: some of the members at the munitions testing site at Port Wakefield who have taken action.

“They are taking the initiative in telling us which of the 10 actions they wish to implement and which will be most effective at their particular site.”

Three national base-bans cover a stop on any Australian travel beyond the workplace and activity beyond normal hours, including any emergency call-backs or maintenance duties.

The only exception is for safety.

The ordnance testing ground at Graytown and weapons testing facility at Benalla are among sites which have banned escorting visitors, all commercial

work, and processing paperwork.

Members in munitions testing at Port Wakefield in South Australia have taken all 10 actions, including overtime bans and stoppages of both 30 minutes and a full day.

“People here feel insulted, our members are being told by the Government that not only must they go backward in real terms, but they want us to work longer to do so,” said delegate Peter Leggatt.

Technicians at Penrith also went on a 24-hour strike, with other action at Melbourne’s Victoria

Barracks complex, Bendigo’s map-making facility, Canberra’s Campbell Park, plus two facilities of the Defence, Science and Technology Organisation.

AMWU Assistant National Secretary Mike Nicolaides said the Abbott Government was to blame.

“It has imposed impossible restrictions on bargaining,” he said.

“The result is an insulting pay offer, which takes more than it gives. This comes on top of their obvious disregard for technical and trade employees.”

ACTU CONGRESS STARTS TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE rampant exploitation of workers on a variety of foreign work visas • Australian of the Year Rosie Batty backing the ACTU case for paid leave for victims of domestic violence as a minimum standard • Moves to promote women to more union leadership positions, including 50-50 with men in the ACTU senior ranks

Building Future votes: Congress delegates give their wholehearted support. Picture: Jorge de Araujo/ACTU

The ACTU Congress met recently with AMWU delegates playing an important part in deciding the union movement’s campaign plans to improve the lives of working Australians and defeat the Abbott Government agenda.

Highlights included approval of a new Build A Better Future campaign strategy to enhance the ACTU as a modern campaigning force, new ways to empower women members and policies to protect workers’ industrial rights and the social wage.

Protecting the social wage – health, education, retirement incomes, maternity leave – is part of the social compact at the heart of the strategy.

“This ACTU Congress was significant in modernising the way the union movement will campaign in the community and on social media,” said AMWU National Secretary Paul Bastian.

“We will be fighting back against the Abbott Government’s moves to destroy trade unions and our ability to protect workers’ industrial rights, and we’ll be out in marginal seats as we were in recent state elections.

“But beyond elections, unions must keep up our grassroots campaigning to build support for decent health, education and a social safety net so our kids get the best chance in life for a good job, and a good society.”

Other features of the 2015 ACTU Congress were: • A move to include in law the requirement for employers to disclose relevant financial information to unions at time of bargaining • Support for a new national portable leave entitlements scheme for workers who change jobs or contracts frequently • Extra pressure on the Federal Government to protect Australian jobs and to stop

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty supports the domestic violence leave push.

4

• A call to extend the Government paid parental leave scheme to 26 weeks and co-operate with business in protecting access to both the government scheme and any workplace scheme • A fresh focus on how we can adapt to protect the job security and conditions of workers at a time of massive disruption to markets, businesses and supply chains due to digital technology • Greater controls over natural gas exports so 20 per cent supply is kept by law for Australian businesses and homes at a reasonable price • Re-election unopposed of Dave Oliver as ACTU Secretary and Ged Kearney as ACTU President.

LATEST NEWS

PRINTERS VOTE UP NEW DEAL FRONT PAGE-On a roll: AMWU National Print President Ian Mortimer (3rd from right) with fellow delegates and members at the Adelaide Advertiser.

Print members producing Australia’s mass-circulation newspapers have voted up a new union agreement, which protects their wages and conditions by locking in award standards.

delegates helped our members to assess changes including improved consultation over roster changes, which will bring a better outcome,” she said.

Members at News Limited printing works in every state voted up the new agreement, which runs until October 2017, which includes annual pay rises.

Ms Cassin said many members regarded the union’s success in ensuring their longstanding awards were incorporated into their Enterprise Agreement as the highlight.

AMWU National Print Secretary Lorraine Cassin said the discipline of delegates in negotiating and keeping 800 workers at multiple sites informed was the key to a successful outcome.

There had been moves to try and move the agreement to the national award. Members saw this as a severe threat to conditions, including all types of leave, pay rates, penalties and allowances.

It brought a complex array of informal conditions in different states together under a single national agreement.

But the AMWU successfully persuaded the Fair Work Commission that the specific work and different skills required

by News Limited printers in

“The discipline and training of

producing that company’s newspapers justified retaining their existing awards within the new union agreement.

“It was a trailblazing win in Fair Work for our union, one watched and envied across many industries,” Ms Cassin said.

AMWU National Print President Ian Mortimer said delegates achieved what members wanted: a solid enterprise agreement which also had to incorporate their existing News Limited award conditions.

Father of the Chapel in Melbourne, Rick Davie, said: “Part of this agreement is the highest pay rise across News Limited among management or unions – mangers had to take less than we did.”

Did you kn ow...?

The origin

s of the

‘Chapel ’

in the prin

ting trade

s.

In the printin g industry, th e Father or M the Chapel is other of the title given to the head de or senior shop legate steward repr esenting prin members in a ting large print offi ce – specifica lly one with newspa pers.

Traditionally in the printin g trades, a “C was the nam hapel” e given to the collective of un members in th ion e shop. The na me originates to the early hi back story of printin g, when chur controlled th ches e printing tra des – the earli documents pr es t inted in Weste rn culture we Bibles and ot re her documen ts for religious orders.

The name also honours the origins of Briti trade unionism sh , where nonconformist ch often acted as ur ch es covers for tra de union activ ity, which was ill egal at the tim e.

DECADE ON, HELPDESK STILL THE RIGHT CALL Over 100,000 calls from members over the past decade proves the AMWU was already smart on the phones well before the world got on to smart phones.

The AMWU Helpdesk has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, with some of the headset pioneers of the service gathering at the Granville phone centre recently to talk with today’s team members on how they’re looking after our members.

Helpdesk coordinator Omayma Jaber said a change has been a big increase in e-mail requests among queries averaging 300 per week.

But our helpdesk team try to get back to everyone by phone, so they can fully understand each member’s circumstances and carefully give them the correct info on rights or conditions.

“I enjoy our work in helping solve workers’ problems, and empowering our members,” she said.

“Our training is broad, we expect our team to be resourceful in finding answers, knowledgeable on industrial relations and have a good rapport both with our members and our officials.”

The union has five operators handling members’ queries and three more on the outbound team, to contact members with updates relevant to their workplace.

The first Helpdesk coordinator, Dawn Comber, said the AMWU’s aim in setting it up in 2005 was to give members prompt, accurate answers to their queries and to free up organiser time for workplace duties.

Among phone team members to have

At your service: Helpdesk co-ordinator Omayma Jaber (left) with “past players” Dawn Comber, George Simon, Lucy Saunders and today’s crew.

gone on to longer AMWU careers are NSW Communications and Campaigns officer George Simon and NSW Lawyer Lucy Saunders, who recalled the thoroughness of the training and their sense of connection and obligation to grassroots members.

helping members through industrial law.”

“I’d just started a law degree and working on the Helpdesk showed me the real impact that WorkChoices was having on people’s lives,” Ms Saunders said.

“It helped teach me to communicate effectively with people at stressful times for them and to realise you couldn’t always help them instantly,” he said. “You’ve got to be smart by being patient and checking your facts thoroughly.”

“It motivated me to get my degree so I could come back to the union to keep

George Simon said the responsibility of finding the best solution for callers helped educate him to think strategically and calmly – essential qualities for a good union official.

5

GROWING APPRENTICE STRENGTH IN TOUGH TIMES The AMWU has stepped up its drive to attract more apprentices so we can protect their pay and conditions to ensure manufacturing industry has a future skills base of well-paid trades.

the teachers don’t have the necessary time to pass on the essential skills for apprentices to be fully rounded in their trades,” Mr Cooke said.

The NSW Branch is planning another series of TAFE visits, to the state’s north-eastern areas, in the near future.

We are looking at extra promotion to recruit apprentices in the print industry, where we are co-sponsors of the FuturePrint scheme which has attracted over 220 new apprentices to the industry in the past 18 months.

And over autumn and winter our AMWU team of Apprentice Outreach Officers have been building on the visits to TAFEs we did last year, with a fresh round in both NSW and Western Australia.

In a series of relaxed information sessions, in classrooms and then informally at a barbecue lunch, we’ve been able to answer many questions of young people who often are totally in the dark about their entitlements, what the union is and its role in protecting them.

Pat Cooke and Jack Brady, two outstanding participants in the NSW branch’s “Union Summer” program, were appointed to host sessions recently among about 80 apprentices at Wollongong TAFE.

Kirsty’s a terrific worker, a breath of fresh air around here,

That covered metals trades, printing,

In Perth our WA branch has expanded it’s successful “New Metals” social activities for young apprentices to directly contacting them through barbeques at the Challenger TAFE campus at Henderson.

Gen Z learning curve: apprentices at Wollongong TAFE talk with our union reps about their rights at work and learn how union membership is one of their best career moves.

graphic design and mechanics.

“A lot of the younger ones don’t have much, if any, idea about what the union is and does, so we try to give them a balanced view of that, a break-down of their industrial rights and the services the AMWU offers to help them,” Mr Cooke said.

“We go over the journey accident insurance, legal services and the AMWU Helpdesk.

“But often it’s later over lunch that we get

approached one-on-one with guys’ personal questions over whether they are being paid correctly, about overtime, travel re-imbursement, RDOs, sick leave and other basics.”

The deep cuts to TAFE funding in conservative states are biting savagely, with a major concern of NSW staff and students about drastic shortening of trades courses. Some have been some cut from 32 weeks a year back to 22 weeks – or less.

At the same time fees have nearly quadrupled to around $2000 for some trades courses, while funds are lacking to replace essential equipment needed in TAFE metals workshops.

“Apprentices are being asked to pay much more for much less class tuition. There is a worry that

Another core issue for the AMWU during TAFE week in Canberra was the Abbott Government’s total exclusion of workers, their unions and students from its the new national training system.

It axed the Australian Workplace and Productivity Agency and 12 industry skills councils.

National President Andrew Dettmer won ACTU Congress support in urging state governments not to co-operate with the new Industry Skills Committee until proper worker and union involvement is restored.

KIRSTY “HANDS ON” F When AMWU apprentice member Kirsty Cross goes home and talks about how work’s rolling along, you can be sure her proud mum understands how the wheel turns.

While Kirsty helps fix trains at UGL in Ballarat as an apprentice fitter, across town her mother is fixing trucks in her job

6

We’ve found apprentices particularly unhappy over the Abbott Government scrapping the “Tools For Your Trade” scheme, afraid at taking on a crippling $20,000 loan under the new HECs-style scheme.

as a welder.

Kirsty has inherited a passion for being “hands on” and at school did metalwork and engineering classes while gaining work experience at UGL. She did another course at Ballarat Group Training (BGT) and so impressed the management at UGL with her persistence that they chose her as their only apprentice – and only female on the shop floor – four years ago.

Now that Kirsty is nearing the end of her apprenticeship, she

$2 BILLION VICTORY FOR RAIL MANUFACTURING AMWU members are celebrating after our campaign in the lead up to the Victorian election paid off with $2 billion allocated in the State Budget for the rail industry.

The AMWU has called on all state governments to seize the huge opportunity flowing from this historic investment to kick-start an integrated national rail industry.

The Victorian Government has pledged that hundreds of new trains and trams will be made in Victoria over the next decade - and at least half the content must come from Australian suppliers.

The money in the Budget will fund manufacture of the first round of the new stock.

It’s a shot in the arm for jobs and should support work in rail shops for decades to come.

Victorian Secretary Steve Dargavel said it was the

“Members campaigned relentlessly for local procurement and local jobs before last year’s state election, and this is their victory,” he said.

new apprentices and to train new engineers to grow the industry.”

“We now urge other State Governments to commit to a local build of their upcoming projects, which could give suppliers across the country the critical mass of orders to set them up for decades to come,” said National Secretary Paul Bastian.

The victory has inspired AMWU delegates interstate, who are planning to step up campaigning after attending union campaign workshops.

New maintenance depots near Geelong will create 130 jobs, with the AMWU estimating a further two depots will be required.

“This is the opportunity our members campaigned for and deserve,” said Steve Dargavel.

Ballarat Alstom delegate Dave Armstrong briefed delegates from NSW and Queensland on how Victorian members had campaigned in the community to successfully pressure politicians during the election.

“What’s also heartening is a commitment from the Labor Government to develop TAFE programs for

A similar meeting of Victorian, SA and WA rail delegates took place in Melbourne in March.

biggest rail build in Victorian history, and a huge win for members.

Up to speed: shop delegates from NSW and Queensland met in Sydney to plan how they can replicate Victoria’s rail manufacturing promotion in their states.

On the right track: pleased AMWU members at Ballarat train maker Alstom.

FOR A LIFETIME JOURNEY hopes many other young people will get their chance from jobs created as UGL and other firms bid for work from the Victorian Government’s big investment in rail.

“The older guys all laugh that I’ve brought down the average age of the workplace,” she said.

“The next oldest age is about 28 so I’m the youngest by seven years or so.”

It’s a serious issue for the wider rail industry, with UGL typical in having an average age approaching 50 and AMWU

members concerned to ensure that their skills are passed on to the next generation.

“Kirsty’s a terrific worker, a breath of fresh air around here,” says AMWU delegate Paul Candy.

Kirsty says she’s had nothing but encouragement from her more senior workmates and UGL, which has allowed her to use tools on-site where they have not been available through BGT. “This is the sort of career I’d like to have for the rest

of my life,” she said.

Kirsty readily encourages other young people to persist in seeking the job opportunities that she knows the AMWU is campaigning across Australia to bring about.

“If they are interested in working with their hands, they should go out there and look for opportunities, go out there and keep asking because that way they are more likely to put you on.”

Bright future: UGL apprentice Kirsty Cross with her experienced workmates.

7

queensland GENEROSITY SHINES BRIGHT CENTRAL Queensland members have again proven the legendary neighbourly spirit of the sunshine state by raising around $150,000 for community causes so far this year.

The money comes as part of the Queensland branch’s successful Community Hubs program, which is rolling out across the state. www.amwu. org.au/community_hubs AMWU members on Gladstone’s gas construction projects and those in the central Queensland coal fields have put in for local sports clubs, schools, men’s sheds and a community memorial.

Members at Curtis Island gas projects pooled part of their back pay to pump $58,000 back into the community. The three Bechtel sites voted at mass meetings in late 2014 to donate.

Over 10 local groups and causes have benefited from members’ generosity.

8

Former Gladstone LNG delegate Ted Couch said it sprung from members’ anger at being branded “greedy workers” by a Brisbane newspaper which misreported last year’s EBA talks and voting.

“When it was all over Bechtel offered us over two months backpay, but the boys decided ‘stuff that’, we’ll give back to the local community to prove again it wasn’t about extra money,” he said.

AMWU delegate Dylan Loats said some workers had put $500 or more into the fund.

“It’s all about community,” he said. “The town never boomed, Curtis island did.”

Inland at the coal fields, Queensland Coal Shop Stewards encouraged members to dig deep to help get building going on a new memorial to the 50 mine workers who have lost their lives since 1961.

The AMWU has contributed $90,000 to the progress

committee in Moura for the memorial, which locals hope to open in September on the 40th anniversary of the Kianga disaster, where 13 workers died in an explosion.

Proud tribute: Chris Harper, Peter Lyon, John Walker, John Hempseed, Charlie Seeney and Peter Hammond with the symbolic cheque for the Moura memorial.

Our mine branches in the region all made contributions, with the largest effort by the branch in Moura itself.

The memorial will feature photos and information on the men lost, with sculptures and poetry to be featured inside.

AMWU Moura Mine Convenor Peter Hammond said: “We’ve had disasters in Moura which nearly took away the town’s spirit - but the community hung together and got through it.

“The money is from past and present members of the central Queensland coal industry, many of us have lost someone in those accidents and we’re pleased the community will now have a memorial in town, a tribute to those workers.”

Sponsorship pass: AMWU delegates Geoff Lowry (left) and Chris Watson (right) with boys of the Wallabies Juniors club, which run the Jason Hetherington rugby league U-12 carnival

MECHANICS WIN WITH LINFOX DEAL Three vehicle shops servicing the big Linfox fleet in Victoria have had a smooth ride to a new agreement that delivers better consultation and solid wage rises.

The 38 members who keep all sizes of vehicles from vans to prime movers moving statewide have unanimously endorsed a deal including yearly wage rises of 3.5 per cent, well above inflation.

But it was the respect from management in agreeing to reform the existing consultation clause plus a tool allowance that most pleased the mechanics, tech assistants and welders.

The process in talking to the management was constructive and rolled on well because they listened to reasonable arguments – a win, win.

AMWU Vehicles organiser Clinton Bannam said that previously Linfox managers had the right to change rosters or transfer workers between its three Melbourne workshops, with only seven days notice – and no feedback required.

“Our members demanded proper consultation, so their opinion had to be heard and taken into account, which is what we’ve achieved – the new clause brings peace of mind,” he said.

The AMWU also successfully brought the sites at Laverton, Essendon and West Melbourne into line with numerous workplaces by the company agreeing to pay a tool allowance.

New deal tuned up: AMWU members at Linfox including delegate Arnold Peters (2nd from right).

keeping the Linfox fleet safe on the roads.

“The process in talking to the management was constructive and rolled on well because they listened to reasonable arguments – a win, win.”

With many members having spent over $20,000 on their tools, that allowance represents a big gain for those on lower grades.

The three-year agreement is backdated to September 2014, with members anticipating a good reward in backpay once it takes effect.

Mr Bannam said the outcome was just recognition for the responsibility and workload of our members in

Mechanic Arnold Peters said this was the second AMWU agreement for Linfox workshops and

members at West Melbourne were satisfied it was an excellent outcome.

“The pay rise and tool allowance give a pretty good boost when many places are finding it hard to get proper wage increases, it’s a big change from before we had a union agreement,” he said.

“Having the union makes a real difference. I’ve worked in places where guys had no union and if they had a problem they were zapped – you need someone to stand up for you. ”

MOBILE MECHANICS WIN CROWNING DEAL Mobile members who spend busy days criss-crossing Sydney to do repairs have given themselves a lift by getting a better deal at work.

“Members showed their strength and unity – it’s a credit to our delegates Ray Hankinson and Sam Vassallo,” Mr Ayres said.

The on-road duties of the mobile forklift mechanics at Crown Equipment mean they rarely ever have a chance to get together as a group. But they met twice in a month to secure a new agreement for pay rises of 3 per cent a year for the next three years.

Workers rejected an unfair initial wage offer of 2 per cent with no RDO.

They later formally voted up their new union agreement.

AMWU State Secretary Tim Ayres said the determination of nearly 80 members had delivered an outcome that bettered many industry pay rises.

It sets the union in good stead to ensure that future work targets are realistic and reasonable as they deal with Sydney traffic and with some customers reluctant to pay for repairs and parts for their forklifts.

Ray Hankinson said a final hurdle had been after-hours personal use of vans.

Crown had tried to limit use to within 20km of the members’ home, but relented when delegates insisted on a 40km radius if the agreement was to be approved.

“Personal use of the van is a real sticking point, it really is part of the attraction of the job,” Mr Hankinson said.

“In practical terms it will mean nochange for nearly all of our members, that gives them the freedom to use their vans across most of the Sydney basin where they live.”

Giving workers a lift: AMWU delegate at Crown forklifts, Ray Hankinson, was satisfied with the result.

9

UNITED NATIONS FALLS SHORT ON ASBESTOS The AMWU has played a proud part in fighting the scourge of deadly chrysotile asbestos in a global union and community campaign at the United Nations in Switzerland.

On the right tram: AMWU National president Andrew Dettmer with IndustriALL General secretary Jyrki Raina in front of one of the Geneva trams carrying asbestos warning ads.

The union gained international publicity in highlighting the failure of the UN’s Rotterdam Convention to list white asbestos as a carcinogen, despite overwhelming evidence that it kills over 100,000 people every year.

Countries that mine and export asbestos voted against

the motion to list chrysotile asbestos.

AMWU National President Andrew Dettmer was at the forefront of protest and media activities in Geneva, working with the CFMEU, global union alliance IndustriALL and British unions.

“It is a global failure that chrysotile asbestos is not listed,” he told the UN conference.

The campaign involved public advertising on trams in the city, global social media, a protest outside the UN building and a moving appeal directly to the UN convention by a chronicallyill, elderly asbestos victim from India.

Despite that, India was one of only seven nations out of over 160 to oppose the listing of chrysotile as a carcinogen, which was enough to scurry the vote.

Russia, the main producer of

and propagandist for chrysotile asbestos, was the ringleader that roped in India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Cuba to defy the rest of the world.

Mr Dettmer said the “farcical” result proved that Anti-asbestos protesters outside the UN. the Rotterdam Convention decisionAsbestos Diseases Foundation making process was flawed, of Australia to lobby and undermining the international speak at a union-sponsored system for listing all dangerous side conference at the UN substances. headquarters.

“The problem is it only takes a Mr Dettmer said it was few countries to stop a listing heartening the Australian and it brings into question the Government had spoken first entire context of the Rotterdam among 46 nations to push Convention,” he said. the case for listing, a rousing Mr Dettmer worked with victory for the long campaign CFMEU official Andrew Ramsay and Barry Robson of the

by Australian unions.

PRIDE OF FLEET LAUNCHED AS BUDGET SINKS JOBS Celebrations on the launch of the first Air Warfare Destroyer were short lived for workers due to hostility from the Abbott Government, which is causing job losses in the shipbuilding industry.

“Recently we saw 130 shipbuilding jobs go at Forgacs in Newcastle, another 100 at BAE in Williamstown and then the jobs in Adelaide. The industry stands on the tipping point of no return.”

The pride and elation of HMAS Hobart’s launch in Adelaide were tempered by the loss of 120 contractors’ jobs, as ASC has no orders beyond the third destroyer.

The Government has also dragged its feet on awarding contracts for 21 patrol boats, which could help sustain BAE and Forgacs over the short term.

Hopes the Budget could bring new funds to bring forward projects were dashed, giving shipbuilding firms in Adelaide and Melbourne no reason not to cut jobs from yards where work is tapering off.

“The Government’s failure to take the option to order a fourth AWD is now costing jobs nationally and putting our sovereign shipbuilding capability at risk,” said AMWU National Assistant Secretary Glenn Thompson.

ASC delegate Glen Dallimore said the Adelaide workforce felt the Government had it in for them, with management under intense pressure from Canberra to stop real wage rises in bargaining talks.

“The launch was a great day, except when the Defence Minister (Kevin Andrews) gave his speech there were no applause, no optimism,” Mr Dallimore said.

Our union rejected Government claims on the eve of the launch that the AWDs would cost $3 billion each as a “crude distortion” as it included a wide base of Defence Department costs not part of the project, outside ASC’s control.

Productivity has improved 30 per

10

Job well done: Adelaide workers and families at the launch of their pride and joy, the new Air Warfare Destroyer. cent from the first to second AWD. Angry AMWU members and their families flooded the electronic mailbox of federal minister Christopher Pyne after the Adelaide-based MP claimed on radio that building the first few of the proposed new submarines offshore rather than ASC would have no impact on jobs.

Despite German and French competition for the $20-billion-plus future submarine contract, there remains deep concern that PM Tony Abbott is hellbent on awarding it to Japan, which would do the crucial work offshore.

Mr Thompson said the job losses were “a kick in the face from a Budget perversely labelled Jobs, Growth and Opportunity.”

AMWU delegate Leon White has seen the BAE Systems workforce at Williamstown in Melbourne decline to 800 as the final months of work are completed on the navy’s second Landing Helicopter Dock ship, now dubbed “the Titanic.”

“The only thing that can save the yard now would be a fourth AWD, if we could get the steel we could start tomorrow,” he said.

DVD Review: PRIDE In the fine movie traditions of Brassed Off and The Full Monty, Pride is a touching story of eternal truths.

As the equal marriage debate moves forward in Australia, the recent movie Pride is an entertaining reminder of how far the world has come since the 1980s.

“adopting” a struggling mining village.

It isn’t easy, as after many deflating knock-backs they only find a Welsh village by comical misunderstanding.

This is a true trade union tale with a difference, of how two very different groups of people found comradeship in Margaret Thatcher’s bleak Britain, told with great humour and compassionate, insightful drama.

Their first encounter with the locals on a Saturday social night at the Miners Club begins full of unease and suspicion as these proud, tough miners don’t want charity, particularly from a group of trendy gays seemingly from another planet in downtown London.

The story follows a group of London gay and lesbian activists, who realise that their problems with brutal cops and official hostility are part of a far wider picture of ruthless establishment control.

A sudden fall-off in police harassment is because the old bill have all been called to the regions to join a violent, massive offensive against coal miners on strike for months.

The Londoners decide to try to help the unionists by

As is so often the case, it’s the women of the village who save the day, encouraging the visitors’ dazzling talents, which conquers homophobia and wins the grudging menfolk around.

But bonhomie is far from universal, with a few allied with neighbouring villages, hostile newspapers and other unionists too prejudiced – or scared - to accept the help they so desperately need.

UNION NEWS IN BRIEF

The new work sees the union keen to achieve better pay and conditions for workers, on par with other shipyards around Australia.

In the fine movie traditions of Brassed Off and The Full Monty, Pride is a touching story of eternal truths which often triumph beyond the troubled times of the characters.

The AMWU is giving away 25 DVD copies of Pride.

Please email news@amwu.asn.au with your name, address and membership number or mail to AMWU News, 2nd floor, 251 Queensberry St., Carlton South, Vic. 3051.

All entries will go into a lottery draw to determine the winners.

The accounts showed the Union was in good financial shape at the end of the 2014 financial year with considerable assets and, through sound financial management, showing a profit for the year and building for the future.

Fabrication on the new craft is underway.

The NSW contract involves Incat supplying two 24-metre fast catamarans and two 33-metre ferries.

But out of it all comes an uplifting, enduring bond between the mine unionists and gay activists, united in both winning their own battles against fear and intolerance.

In early January, 2015, all AMWU members received our financial statements for the year 2013/14.

These accounts were subsequently adopted by the National Council in March and lodged with the Fair Work Commission consistent with the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act.

Producing the craft for the Manly run may require Incat to boost its workforce by as many as 100, as the company is also building two new ferries to run on the Thames in London.

“It gives our members at Incat more job security and they’re very upbeat.”

The outcome isn’t all Hollywood happy, as the crushing power of the state and ingrained prejudice take their toll.

AMWU FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 2013/14.

INCAT TASMANIA WINS FERRY BOOST Tasmania’s maritime has had a boost with Incat winning a bid for four Sydney ferries, just as the AMWU embarks on talks with company management for a new agreement.

“This is great news for Tasmanian manufacturing and continues the state’s growth in the maritime sector where employers are looking to recruit skilled shipbuilding workers,” said Tasmanian Secretary John Short.

Sub-plots of the story echo the hypocrisy of the times, as both the villagers and the gays and lesbians all face up to home truths about their attitudes.

Briefs: Honouring a comrade: the AMWU group (L:R) Ariel Nacpil, Dave Corben, Mark Lindsay, Naomi Diehm and Nathan Tynan

ROCK OF AGES TRIBUTE International Workers’ Memorial Day featured a heartfelt AMWU tribute to brother Peter Watson at Sumsion Gardens in Wodonga.

About 60 of Peter’s family, friends and comrades gathered around the workers’ memorial rock, where his two young sons lifted the Eureka flag off a plaque perpetuating his name.

The AMWU delegate at the Bradken foundry was killed on night shift last year, while operating a bobcat to pick up loads of metal castings.

Peter’s widow Michelle wiped away tears and hugged her

boys during a moment of silence to honour him and the 185 others killed in workplace accidents in Australia in 2014.

Union comrades were joined by the local MP in a unity walk to the park from the Bradken foundry.

WorkSafe Victoria is still investigating but AMWU organiser Dave Corben said the community needed to know more promptly why the incident occurred.

Mr Corben and AMWU Wodonga office manager Naomi Diehm organised the ceremony and plaque with the local Trades and Labour Council.

In April , the Fair Work Commission conducted a detailed audit of our accounts and advised us that there were a number of technical matters arising from the Australian Accounting Standards which required correction. Unfortunately, despite our accounts being prepared by our Auditor, there were also a number of errors in the notes and tables that form part of the accounts.

For these reasons, the Fair Work Commission has asked us to provide the accounts to our members once again so that you are aware of the amendments.

The revised reports are available from our website at : http://www.amwu.org.au/rules_and_elections.

If you have any queries regarding the new financial statements, please email us amwu@amwu.asn.au.

You can be assured that we take these matters very seriously and that we pride ourselves on our prudent financial management and the good governance of the assets of our members.

I can assure you that we have taken steps to ensure that these circumstances never arise again.

In unity, Paul Bastian

11

C O N TA C T S

DELEGATE PROFILE

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 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 VIC Branch 1st Floor, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South, VIC 3053

(03) 9230 5700 Albury/Wodonga (02) 6024 1099 Ballarat (03) 5332 2910 Bendigo (03) 5442 5101 Dandenong (03) 9701 3044 Geelong (03) 5229 9358 Latrobe (03) 5134 3306 Portland (03) 5523 2525 Shepparton (03) 5822 2510 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 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

PETER LEGGATT DEFENCE DEPARTMENT, PORT WAKEFIELD, SA I work at the Proof and Experimental Establishment at Port Wakefield, where we have 65 people.

Port Wakefield is about 100 km north of Adelaide, one of several locations the Australian Defence Force uses to prooftest ammunition. We subject munitions to testing that will simulate the real conditions when it is used by the military.

This ensures that our people in uniform can transport and use explosives safely. By performing X-ray work, I assist in the determination of these safety limits.

People here are dedicated, aware that our military personnel rely on them.

I have worked with Defence for 35 years, 20 years in the RAAF as an aircraft technician and then in the Public Service as a radiographer for the last 15 years. I joined the AMWU

as a result of my feelings about the former PM John Howard’s plan to introduce WorkChoices. When I became a delegate, it was a difficult time for management-work force relations.

As a delegate, you listen very carefully to the members’ concerns and ensure they know you have understood.

You are there to represent the members’ views, not just your own opinion. The delegate training courses are very useful.

We see our current enterprise bargaining campaign as not just about an increase in pay, but about workplace integrity so that we can ensure the safety of the uniform personnel. We want change to be equitable, so we can do our work efficiently. My section has already reduced personnel by three, down to nine, while still

producing the same outputs.

The Government emphasises extra productivity while cutting staffing, resources and conditions such as previously negotiated days off. They want to increase the length of the working day. It has made our members even angrier than during the WorkChoices campaign.

The members see the current bargaining framework as saying public servants are an inconvenience that the Government would like to replace with private contractors. But those of us experienced in Defence know that contractors ultimately cost more money, without the safeguards. Most of our workforce here is technical; they find it offensive to be stereotyped as ‘bureaucrats’ by cigar - smoking politicians.

(02) 6273 2412

NT Office 1st Floor, 38 Woods Street, Darwin, NT 0800

(08) 8941 1511 www.amwu.org.au email: amwu@amwu.asn.au

Made in Australia by AMWU members