FROM TEXAS & TUCSON TO TRADES HALL SYDNEY

The ETU hosted three officials from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the North American equivalent of the ETU.

Stephen Gonzales (Local 716, Houston Texas), Price Warwick (Local 20, Dallas Texas) and Sarita Morales (Local 1116, Tucson Arizona) were part of an international exchange program between the ETU and IBEW.

With 750,000 members across the US and Canada, the IBEW is the world’s oldest and largest electrical union.

The IBEW had a significant input into Biden Government policies like the massive infrastructure bill which is underwriting major job-creating projects.

But American unions in 24 states, including Texas and Arizona, operate in the shadow of severe anti-union ‘Right to Work’ laws.

Price Warwick said a breakthough came in March 2023 when Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal a ‘Right to Work’ law.

‘This was achieved through a massive grassroots organising campaign that saw voters remove the Republicans in favour of a Democrat state government.’

Privatisation is an even more destructive force in the US than Australia. In Texas all stages of the power industry are privately owned. Catastrophe struck in the winter of 2021 when extreme winter storms triggered a week-long blackout due to the negligence of power companies. The loss of power killed 246 people in Texas alone.

After attending an ETU construction EBA meeting at Trades Hall, Stephen Gonzales said the package voted up by ETU members was ‘incredible’.

‘The wages are comparable to what we have in the US, but the conditions, allowances, leave rights and severance fund are out of this world. The ETU and its members are doing a great job.’