YEAR OF ACTION

The stakes were high as ETU members across the electricity sector prepared to negotiate agreements in 2021. The outcomes would determine conditions for nearly 5,000 members at Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, Evoenergy and Transgrid.

Employers planned to take a hard line. Ausgrid sought to impose a one-year wage freeze and attack core conditions. ETU members had complained that the union had not run a serious industrial campaign in the power sector for many years. Deals were often hammered out at closed door meetings with management, then presented to members as ‘the best we can get’. In 2021, the ETU NSW & ACT Branch, under new leadership, broke with that approach.

The first move Allen made was to consult and empower the delegate groups. To overcome the challenges of distance and COVID, the ETU embraced remote technology. Delegates met weekly – and daily during peak periods. Virtual mass meetings gave all members input. Senior Ausgrid delegate Peter Kramel said: ‘Allen’s experience was invaluable. As Secretary he took on all feedback, but he left decisions in the delegates’ hands.’

The ETU’s campaign employed the first substantial bans and stoppages since at least 2000. ‘Industrial action really energised the membership. People saw that they could affect the outcome, and that it was worthwhile being a union member.’

Endeavour Energy members were the first to take action. Some were stood down without pay after applying switching bans. Endeavour management tapped the mat after two weeks. The resulting EBA delivered an 8% pay rise, significantly improved conditions, and 1.5% more super, bringing employer contributions to 16.5% -- an outcome far superior to the company’s first offer.

Essential Energy members secured a similar result after actions including a 12-hour stoppage. That campaign was coordinated with delegates representing 92 depots.

Transgrid members stood firm together for 18 months until the company made an acceptable offer.

Ausgrid management under former CEO Richard Gross remained intransigent. It took a 16-week industrial campaign to force an outcome that ETU members could support.

The EBAs were wrapped up in time for ETU members across the sector to celebrate Christmas 2021 with an extra spring in their steps. But the benefits to the ETU and our members did not end there.

The other major legacy is the ETU Transmission & Distribution Fighting Fund, subject to annual renewal.

That means when the next round of power sector EBAs is launched later this year, the ETU’s campaign will be even more formidable.