Livewire Winter 2021

ETU NSW & ACT

WINTER 2021

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION

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ALLEN SAYS ...

I am honoured to lead the Electrical Trades Union NSW & ACT Branch following the resignation of Justin Page for personal reasons.

We thank Justin for his contribution to our union over more than 30 years and wish him every success in the future (see page 15).

04 ENDEAVOUR ENERGY EBA

CON TENT

CHALLENGES & OPPPORTUNITIES

This is a hugely busy period for the ETU, full of challenges and opportunities.

Strong united EBA campaigns Members at our biggest employers are engaged in bargaining for agreements that will determine their future conditions.

The union is devoting all necessary resources to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes at Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, Transgrid and Sydney Trains.

I’m confident that – with our members strong, active and united – the ETU can deliver good EBAs that defend and improve conditions.

Making solar safe The ETU is cracking down on dangerous and exploitative conditions in the solar farm sector.

For the second time in a year, we have generated media coverage to expose unsafe practices at solar sites near Wellington (see page 3).

The ETU supports renewable energy but we call on the NSW Government and industry stakeholders to work with the union to make this sector safe for workers.

Delegate support & training ETU delegates are the heart and soul of our union – they need and deserve full support.

I have made proper delegate training and resourcing a top priority. We will soon release details of the ETU’s new delegate training program.

I invite any ETU delegate to contact your organiser or me personally for assistance and advice.

PROUD TO BE UNION

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ALLEN HICKS

SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT

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WINTER 2021

05 AUSGRID EBA 06 08 10 16

ESSENTIAL ENERGY UPDATES SYDNEY TRAINS EBA CONSTRUCTION NEWS CELEBRATING MAY DAY

UNION CONTACTS SYDNEY: 02 9267 4844 NEWCASTLE: 02 4968 2488 CANBERRA: 02 6163 6666

etunsw@etunsw.com.au

ETU CALLS FOR

INDUSTRY-WIDE ACTION after SOLAR FARM NEAR-MISS Suntop Solar Farm was hit with three SafeWork NSW Improvement Notices after ETU action.

ETU members working in the construction of the site near Wellington documented shocking safety, hygiene and amenities issues.

Of most concern was vision of a crane lifting a large shipping container that barely cleared the roof of a lunch shed full of workers.

The life-threatening incident was picked up by the media as the ETU called on SafeWork NSW to urgently attend the site.

A SafeWork inspector later visited and issued three Improvement Notices targeting head contractor Bouygues and Cobra Plant and Crane Hire.

The lifting of the container ‘has potentially exposed workers/persons to a risk to their health and safety’, the regulator found.

But ETU NSW & ACT Deputy Secretary Allen Hicks said the Improvement Notices, while necessary, were a band-aid on a gaping wound.

‘Thankfully, the incident at Suntop Solar Farm did not lead to a serious injury or fatality. However safety issues are not isolated to one site, they are endemic across the solar sector in NSW.

‘The ETU has identified dangerous and exploitative conditions through the industry, including at another Wellington solar farm where 20 SafeWork notices were issued in 2020.

‘Our organiser Nick Bligh has done great work standing up for the safety of electrical workers in the solar farm sector.

The ETU will continue to monitor safety and compliance across the industry.’

Allen said an effective industry-wide solution was needed before a worker is killed.

$102K solar farm backpay page 15

SNOWY 2.0 WORKERS NEED

JOB SECURITY & DECENT CONDITIONS

ETU organisers are standing up for safety, job security and decent working conditions on the massive Snowy 2.0.

Safety issues have plagued the early stages of the $5.1 billion project, which will employ up to 1,000 electrical workers. Around 50 electrical workers currently on site are casuals with conditions below industry standards. ETU organiser Jimmy Darton-Turner said the ETU team is ramping up pressure to achieve a union EBA that delivers job security and industry standard conditions.

NSW GOVT CRACKS DOWN ON ROOFTOP SOLAR LICENSING The ETU licensing campaign has chalked up a win with the NSW Government announcing a safety crackdown on rooftop solar panel installations.

The safety blitz will include SafeWork NSW inspectors making unannounced visits to check installers hold an electrical license.

SafeWork will also require licensed installers to complete a CCEW – Certificate of Completion of Electrical Work – another key ETU demand.

WINTER 2021

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ENDEAVOUR DEPOTS UNITE TO REJECT POOR EBA OFFER ETU members at 12 depot meetings across NSW have unanimously rejected Endeavour Energy’s EBA offer.

The well-attended meetings backed the ETU claim for a three-year agreement with annual 3 per cent pay rises.

Members voted to empower the ETU Negotiating Committee to apply for a Protected Action Ballot if negotiations fail to progress.

The company offer guarantees pay rises totalling just 2 per cent.

If the first pay rise was backpaid, Endeavour employees’ wages would increase by just 1.16 per cent per year.

Without backpay, that falls to 0.76 annually.

Endeavour seeks to reduce some conditions and wants more power and flexibility to bring in contractors.

ETU organiser Brad Currey said: ‘Our delegates unanimously rejected the company’s offer. Now members at all depots have confirmed that position.’

The company’s attempt to limit the next EBA to 26 months duration was also opposed.

‘Agreements across the sector are commonly three years. That gives both parties security and certainty about the immediate future,’ said Brad.

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WINTER 2021

Endeavour’s offer of an annual bonus, if targets are met, would sit outside the EBA and is therefore unenforceable. Any bonus should not count as a wage increase.

‘Our core objectives are no loss of conditions, a fair pay rise and job security. Endeavour’s offer did not meet these aims,’ said Brad Currey.

Endeavour Energy has given ground on some issues, which the ETU welcomes.

The company withdrew its proposal to cut long service leave rights for new employees, leaving union-won LSL conditions intact.

The management proposal includes a 0.5 per cent super increase, which every worker in Australia will be entitled to. This should not impact ETU members’ right to a fair pay rise.

‘Endeavour Energy’s offer fails to meet the key objectives of ETU members as outlined through a union survey and by our delegates,’ said Brad Currey.

‘The wage increases offered by the company fall far short of industry standards as achieved by ETU members at similar companies.

‘The company has not made a meaningful offer on job security, particularly the ETU demand for no forced redundancy.

Endeavour has also agreed to increase the night shift allowance by $15.

‘The ETU will continue to push for a full 3-year agreement that includes three secure and unconditional pay rises,’ said Brad.

Management agreed to pay super during paid parental leave and introduce changes that will assist members on Defined Benefit superannuation.

‘If Endeavour does not make a fair and reasonable offer, our Negotiating Committee is authorised by members to apply for a Protected Action Ballot.’

AUSGRID MEMBERS vote for Protected Action

ETU members at Ausgrid are voting in a Protected Action Ballot as they campaign for a fair EBA

The action vote was launched by ETU delegates on 21 April following six months of unproductive negotiations.

More than 2,000 members of the ETU and combined unions will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a list of potential actions ranging from bans to stoppages.

The ballot was unanimously endorsed by ETU members at 16 depot meetings.

‘We tried talking with the company in nearly 30 meetings since October 2020,’ said ETU organiser Darran Miller.

‘Ausgrid made some minor concessions, which the ETU welcomes. But the company failed to meet the three core demands overwhelmingly endorsed by ETU members: job security, a fair pay rise and no loss of conditions.’

The company, which is majority-owned by industry superannuation funds, has refused to pass on any legislated super increases during the EBA.

Ausgrid is in the process of axing 500 jobs, on top of more than 2,000 cut since 2014.

‘Our members reject this toxic mix of a wage freeze, job cuts and forced shift work.

The strong message from the depots is workers are ready to take action unless the company significantly improves the offer,’ said Darran.

The ETU Negotiating Committee, comprising 26 senior delegates, two ETU organisers and ETU NSW Secretary Allen Hicks, tabled a wages proposal on April: 3 per cent annual increases, making 9 per cent over the life of the EBA.

along with almost every item of the union log of claims.

‘Our members are frustrated and angry at the company’s failure to negotiate a fair outcome. There is overwhelmingly support for the next stage of the EBA campaign, which may include industrial, political and community action,’ said Darran.

The Protected Action Ballot allows members to send a powerful message to management.

A strong PAB turnout combined with a strong NO vote will confirm the verdict of ETU members in surveys and depot meetings – members are ready to take action to achieve a fair EBA outcome.

The ETU remains willing to negotiate a fair and reasonable outcome.

This was quickly rejected

by Ausgrid,

The company wants to impose a one-year wage freeze, which comes after several years of previous wage freezes. Workers would receive pay rises of just 1 and 1.5 per cent in the last two years of the agreement, under management’s offer.

Ausgrid also seeks to force day workers on to shift work and to change start and finish times without agreement or penalty rates.

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ESSENTIAL DELEGATES

demand job security & fair pay rise Essential Energy delegates have lodged a log of claims for the next EBA, after rejecting a ‘rollover’ proposed by the company.

WHY REMOTE BOURKE IS THE

1 0 0 % TOWN

The log was developed following a member survey and input from depots and delegates.

Delegates proceeded with the log after Essential Energy CEO John Cleland sought to roll over the current EBA, which traditionally means leaving all conditions unchanged in an identical agreement.

However there was one condition the company did not want to rollover: a fair pay rise, which is a core demand for the ETU. The company sought to slash wage increases to between 1-2 per cent in the next EBA. The union log of claims starts with the three core objectives nominated in the Essential Energy member survey: job security, a fair pay rise and no loss of conditions.

Members also want the company to pass on any nationally legislated superannuation increase while protecting defined benefit super.

Other ETU demands include reducing contractor use, commitment to apprentices, improved on-call rates, all overtime at double time, working from home clause, increased ESRA and recognition of dual qualifications.

The union Negotiating Committee is composed of senior Essential Energy delegates and ETU officials.

MATT MCCANN

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ETU ORGANISER

‘To achieve a good outcome, our EBA campaign will need the strong, active and united support of all members across the company,’ said ETU Organiser Matt McCann.

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WINTER 2021

It’s no coincidence that union membership is 100 per cent in remote Bourke.

Essential Energy delegate Brad Gillard says the town’s isolation moulded a collective and caring community ethos.

Brad packed up his life in Melbourne 12 years ago and moved 982 kilometres to take a job with Essential.

He joined a local population numbering under 2,000, almost 40 per cent Indigenous, in a semi-arid region bisected by the once-mighty Darling River.

‘I found a closed community where everyone bands together to watch each other’s backs. People need to be able to trust and depend on each other in the face of severe drought and the tyranny of distance.’

At the Essential Energy depot, all 12 employees are ETU members. It’s been a 100 per cent union workplace for as long as Brad can remember.

‘We did have one member who talked about leaving the union because they would still get the good conditions and pay rises. We told him we’re in this together. We don’t ride on the backs of our fellow workers.’

Essential Energy employees are well respected in the community for their vital role maintaining power in a town where the hottest days reach nearly 50 degrees.

‘We’re proud of our work. We help a lot of people but unfortunately the recent changes at Essential mean we don’t help people as much as in the past.’

Brad thanked the ETU and organiser Stewart Edward for ongoing support.

EBA & PICNIC DAY HOT TOPICS ON DEPOT TOUR

ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Allen Hicks visited Essential Energy depots with ETU organisers Matt McCann and Steve Magann.

On the agenda was the EBA along with a host of local and company-wide issues.

The tour brought together key ETU officials with members in parts of Essential Energy’s far-flung network of 87 depots.

The ETU team is geared up to support delegates and members at the rural and regional distributor throughout the EBA campaign.

‘Nothing beats getting out to meet members face-to-face.

That’s the best way to understand the issues and priorities across a big company like Essential,’ said Allen.

Besides pay, conditions and job security, an emerging issue is the Essential Energy Picnic Day. Each depot chooses its own date and process for the Picnic Day. Some organise a day out for ETU members at

the races, playing golf or barefoot bowls. Others roster the day between Christmas and New Year.

Matt McCann hopes to see more depots make the Picnic Day into a special event.

‘It’s a great opportunity for members to interact outside the workplace and celebrate being part of a great industry and a great union.’

He said the Picnic Day is a condition won by the ETU and the day off should be available only to union members.

‘I have no time for freeloaders.

Workers who enjoy all the benefits won collectively by ETU members should share the responsibilities by signing up to the union.’ said Matt.

Depots visited during May included Tamworth, Orange, Wagga, Grafton, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Tweed Heads.

Further depots tours are planned throughout the ETU’s EBA campaign.

ALLEN HICKS

SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT

WINTER 2021

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Sydney Train Members

DIG IN FOR EBA FIGHT ETU members and delegates identified four key objectives as negotiations for the next Sydney Trains agreement start.

Job security, no loss of conditions, a fair pay rise and no privatisation were nominated as the top priorities. A meeting of ETU delegates developed a detailed log of claims focused on safety, improved conditions and family rights.

NO 87% VOTE TO EBA ETU members at Sydney Trains overwhelmingly voted down a management proposal to extend the current EBA in return for a tiny 0.3 per cent pay rise.

More than 87 per cent of employees rejected the plan in a company-wide vote in late-March. An ETU survey found that 96 per cent of members opposed the EBA extension.

ETU delegates, members and retired members ran a short sharp campaign that included helmet stickers and workplace posters along with phone calls and text messages.

‘Our members saw through this cynical plan from management and acted decisively to defeat it,’ said ETU Branch President Glen Potter.

‘Sydney Trains tried to delay and deny members’ rights to take action. The huge margin against should be a lesson for the company – respect and listen to your employees.’

The ETU and Combined Rail Unions are negotiating the new EBA with support from Unions NSW. The current EBA expires on 31 May 2021.

Unions face a 1.5 per cent per annum wages cap introduced by the NSW Government, a sharp cut from the 2.5 per cent cap in place over the past decade. Sydney Trains workers broke through that cap in the last EBA, winning annual 3 per cent increases for a total 9 per cent pay rise.

ETU Branch President Glen Potter said: ‘The company tried to delay bargaining by extending the current agreement.

Employees gave them a huge bloody nose for that.

GLEN ROWE AND ETU BRANCH PRESIDENT GLEN POTTER

‘We need to build on that win and stay strong, active and united. That is the key to achieving the best EBA outcome for our members.’

SYDNEY TRAINS FACES OF THE FUTURE

A diverse group of 80 electrical apprentices commenced with Sydney Trains in 2021.

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Sydney Trains is building for the future with 300 apprentices hired over the past four years. The ETU, with five Sydney Trains apprentice delegates and Apprentice Officer Tara Koot, will support these electrical workers throughout their careers.

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WINTER 2021

TRANSGRID MEMBERS VOTE DOWN SUBSTANDARD OFFER

WALLGROVE

TAMWORTH

NEWCASTLE

Transgrid employees rejected a substandard EBA proposed by management after a strong ETU campaign.

The union will now push for a substantially improved pay offer when bargaining re-opens.

The company put the document out for voting after 12 months of failed negotiations.

The ETU called for members to reject the agreement which offered pay rises below inflation and below industry standards.

The company-wide ballot saw an emphatic majority of 58 per cent of workers vote NO. ETU Deputy Secretary Allen Hicks said ETU members need and deserve better than the 2 per cent annual increases proposed.

‘The proposed EBA did not stack up when compared to results achieved by ETU members at similar companies.

‘At Queensland transmission company Powerlink, a 2020 agreement delivers 9 per cent in pay rises over three years. That’s the same figure as the ETU claim on Transgrid.’

The Transgrid offer would have eroded workers’ wages decline relative to inflation.

Treasury forecasts an inflation rate totalling 7.5 per cent over the three years of the next

‘Transgrid workers are the most highlyskilled and dedicated in the industry. If they vote down the current offer, we can get back to bargaining for a fair pay rise.’

EBA. This compares to just 6 per cent in pay rises proposed by management.

Transgrid refuses to pass on expected annual 0.5 per cent superannuation increases – so the effective pay rises offered were just 1.5 per cent per annum.

The ETU depot tour allowed for good discussion with members at Tamworth, Orange, Yass, Wagga, Ultimo, Newcastle and Wallgrove.

ETU members cannot accept a cut in real wages, especially when Transgrid is prospering with $7 billion confirmed work in the pipeline.

TransGrid operates and manages the high voltage transmission network in NSW and the ACT, connecting generators, distributors and major end users.

The company has stumbled through negotiations after approaching the union more than a year ago seeking an early ‘rollover’ agreement.

The EBA will cover around 650 employees including members of the ETU, USU and Professionals Australia.

Transgrid eventually withdrew a plan to switch from weekly to fortnightly pay after fierce opposition from employees.

The ETU toured depots in May to consult members about management’s offer. The feedback was loud, clear and overwhelming.

ALLEN HICKS

SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT

‘Our members refuse to accept second-class status relative to industry standards,’ said Allen Hicks.

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CONSTRUCTION

WESTCONNEX 3A AGREEMENT delivers Industry Leading conditions

UNION EBA TO DELIVER MASSIVE GAINS FOR WORKERS AT CONTRACTOR SCEE

The second-last stage of WestConnex will deliver industry-leading wages and conditions for hundreds of electrical workers.

An ETU agreement has been lodged covering workers employed on WestConnex 3A by head builder the Acciona Samsung Bouyges joint venture.

This greenfields infrastructure EBA locks in excellent conditions with further improvements over more than two years.

ETU organiser Fred Barbin welcomed the EBA which is the third ETU agreement covering workers on the project.

‘We have existing EBAs covering electrical workers from contractors Enermech and Fredon who will be working on this stage of WestConnex. This new EBA brings in those to be employed by the main project consortium.

‘All three agreements provide excellent union wages and conditions.’

The WestConnex 3A project will build two 7.5 kilometre tunnels, each with four lanes, linking the M4 East at Haberfield with the new M5 at St Peters. The expected completion date is 2023.

FRED BARBIN

ETU ORGANISER

Electrical workers employed by contractor SCEE on future projects will receive massively improved conditions after the company signed a union agreement.

Employees of SCEE (Southern Cross Electrical Engineering) were previously covered by a substandard baseline EBA from Western Australia.

SCEE is the 25th contractor to sign on to the ETU’s Sydney construction EBA since 2018, when the union launched our ‘It’s Time’ campaign.

Grade 5 ETU members at those 25 companies earn a base hourly rate of $50.13, plus $2.23 per hour productivity, plus $41.68 fares and travel, plus site allowance on eligible projects.

The SCEE agreement includes $112.50 MERT, $6.25 infrastructure allowance and site allowance matrix on eligible projects.

ETU organiser Nick Bligh congratulated ETU members employed at SCEE on the WestConnex M5 Stage who previously fought tooth and nail to get a union agreement. ‘It’s been a long time coming but we will see the benefits of this EBA on many upcoming projects’.

BUILDER TOLD TO MAKE SITE SAFE AFTER ETU PROBE Builder Hutchinson has rectified four safety issues at a school site after an ETU investigation was backed by the safety regulator.

Safework NSW issued Hutchinson with four Improvement Notices relating to works performed by electrical contractor David Power.

The hazards were identified by ETU organiser Lawrie Duff at Samuel Gilbert Public School in Rouse Hill.

The Safework Notices told Hutchinson that workers faced several risks including shock, electrocution, falls, being crushed and fire or explosion.

The builder complied and rectified the works within a week.

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ETU organisers monitor safety at schools and other sites across Sydney, NSW and the ACT.

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Is your site unsafe? report issues to the ETU team WINTER 2021

CONTRACTOR BACKPAYS 32 WORKERS WORKERS $9,000 32 AFTER ETU ACTION

ETU action has recovered more than $9,000 plus paid time off for 32 electricians employed by LCS Electrical and Data.

TOP UNION CONDITIONS AT

AMAZON WAREHOUSE SITE Electrical workers building a $200 million Amazon warehouse will enjoy good union conditions, thanks to an ETU agreement.

Contractor New Edge signed up to a union EBA that will cover at least 40 electricians on the major Kemps Creek project.

ETU organiser Fred Barbin welcomed the agreement: ‘This brings New Edge up to industry standards. From May, our members on this project will earn $50.13 per hour, plus several allowances including productivity, fares, travel and site.’

MASS MEETING FOR MAY DAY

The company, which does not have a union EBA, failed to pay workers basic award entitlements.

ETU organiser Nick Bligh investigated wage records after reports from ETU members working at the QBE site in Smith St, Parramatta.

He found LCS was paying overtime rates only after employees had worked 40 hours per week – breaching legal requirements to pay overtime after 38 hours.

The fitout and refurbishment company also failed to pay required overtime meal breaks and meal allowance.

With the cooperation of the site’s head builder, FDC Construction and Fitout, the ETU ensured 20 electrical workers were backpaid various amounts totalling more than $9,000.

Another 12 workers elected to take the backpayment as RDOs. LCS’s undermining of basic entitlements contrasts sharply with the union EBA conditions enjoyed by ETU members at Heyday, who did the base build at the same Parramatta site.

The ETU continues to investigate further reports of alleged breaches at other LCS sites.

ETU and combined union members rallied at several sites in HAVE YOU BEEN UNDERPAID? the leadup to May Day. The huge group pictured includes ETU Contact the ETU team members working for Fredon and NXGEN, with apprentices from Electrogroup and NECA, at Sydney Football Stadium.

CONTACT YOUR ETU CONSTRUCTION TEAM

SYDNEY

FRED BARBIN 0437 031 840 ANTONY STEGIC 0414 877 943 LAWRIE DUFF 0400 749 008 STEWART EDWARD 0419 210 442 NICK BLIGH 0475 284 234 CANBERRA JIMMY DARTON-TURNER 0407 607 698 MITCH JOHNSTON 0429 302 440 WINTER 2021

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UNION EBA boosts conditions AT UNITED LIFTS A union enterprise agreement will deliver major improvements for around 25 workers at emerging lift company United Lifts.

The two-year EBA introduces industry standard wages and conditions including site allowance of up to $7 per hour, depending on the size of the project. This is the first NSW agreement for United Lifts, a Melbourne-based firm expanding into Sydney, mainly in service and modifications.

‘It’s great to see our members at United enjoying the same union-won conditions as others across the industry,’ said ETU organiser Steve Bankes.

DAVID NESBITT

STEVE BANKES

UNITED LIFTS MEMBER

ETU ORGANISER

UNITY DELIVERS

7.5% for ugl members Around 60 ETU members at UGL Broadmeadows stuck together to win wage rises totalling 7.5 per cent over the next two years.

The increases are part of a union agreement achieved after a tough 12-month campaign. Negotiations began during uncertain times at the beginning of the pandemic. Initially the ETU sought a 12-month rollover of the existing EBA. When UGL refused to make an acceptable wage offer, both parties agreed to launch full negotiations for a three-year agreement. ETU members stood firm throughout the campaign – voting 100 per cent ‘yes’ to all action in a Protected Action Ballot.

Delegate Pieter Spamer said the majority of workers are happy with the final outcomes which he described as ‘fair’. The first 2 per cent pay rise was backpaid to April 2020, with further increases of 2.5 and 3 per cent to come. Allowances rise at the same rates and all conditions are maintained.

‘The 100 per cent support for Protected Action was the turning point,’ said Pieter. ‘The company saw we were ready to fight. We weren’t going to let them walk over us.’

ETU organiser Stuart Elliott congratulated Pieter and fellow delegates Bob Hamilton and Nigel Malcolm for their efforts.

‘Our delegates and all ETU members at UGL achieved this great outcome because they were strong and united. When we stick together, we win.’

UGL maintains trains and mining equipment at Broadmeadows and the nearby Hunter Valley Maintenance Centre.

VENTIA action campaign WINS 8.75% INCREASE ETU members working for contractor Ventia in Wollongong won an 8.75 per cent pay rise thanks to a strong industrial campaign.

The company agreed to a 3-year EBA with annual 2.75 per cent increases after action including a 4-hour stoppage, bans and limitations.

Ventia employs 14 electricians as supplementary labour in steelmaker Bluescope’s Port Kembla plant.

Ventia ETU members stood up for similar conditions as those enjoyed by ETU Bluescope members doing the same work.

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A M P

The ETU’s new ‘Spot the Imposter’ campaign aims to expose hidden sub-contracting in the lift industry.

A

The campaign targets the growing presence of sub-contractors disguised as employees of major lift companies.

I

‘This is all about the majors wanting to boost profits by undercutting industry standards. It’s bad for builders and it’s bad for legitimate lift industry professionals.’

N

‘We’re asking members to help the ETU clean up the lift industry by reporting any sightings of imposters to the ETU,’ said Steve.

Substandard EBA VOTED DOWN Workers voted down a substandard EBA proposed by electrical contractor Barnwell Cambridge.

The company’s non-union agreement was rejected by 70% of employees after the ETU ran a strong ‘NO’ vote campaign. The proposed EBA would have paid electricians $120 per week less for the same hours compared to the ETU agreement in place at 25 other Sydney construction companies. ETU organiser Fred Barbin congratulated union members and non-members for refusing to accept second-class status.

INFINITY CABLE SAFETY RECALL SafeWork NSW has re-issued the 2015 mandatory recall for Infinity and Olsent cables after identifying an additional 25 traders that sold the cables between 2010-13.

These cables have poor quality insulation that does not meet Australia standards.

They will age prematurely, especially if exposed to heat, and become brittle and dangerous.

FULL DETAILS: https://www.fairtrading. nsw.gov.au/news-and-updates/news/ infinity-electrical-cable-safety-recall

SPARKY WOMEN TOUR BLUESCOPE

A tour of Bluescope’s Port Kembla plant has given a group of women insights into the electrical trades.

Organised by Sparkettes NSW & ACT, and sponsored by Bluescope, the event is part of ongoing efforts to boost female participation in the electrical industry.

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G

An ETU investigation identified hidden sub-contractors working for major firms including Schindler, Otis and Kone. ETU organiser Steve Bankes said builders were unaware that the big lift companies were using ‘imposters’ to install lifts.

The hidden sub-contractors are not paid standard EBA rates, including site allowance. They do not have safety management systems or appropriate risk assessments.

‘Barnwell Cambridge is the only Tier 1 contractor without a union EBA. Why should employees of this company be paid inferior rates and conditions?’

C

HELP ETU CLEAN UP Lift industry

ETU action

WINS $77,466

FOR 2 UNFAIRLY DISMISSED MEMBERS Fair Work has awarded two ETU members a total of $77,466 after they were unfairly dismissed by telecommunications contractor XSite Services.

Mark Jurga and Andrew DeWitt were summoned to a meeting in August 2020 where the company’s general manager told them their employment was terminated.

The duo was not provided with any documentary confirmation for their dismissal or the reasons for their dismissal. They were not paid any wages or outstanding entitlements.

Fair Work Commissioner Cambridge accepted the ETU’s submission that the maximum penalty should apply after XSite Services failed to consult or redeploy the ETU members.

The company was ordered to pay gross figures of $38,490 to Mark Jurga and $38,976 to Andrew DeWitt.

‘It’s a really good outcome.

The ETU and research officer Daniel Austin were fantastic throughout,’ said Mark Jurga.

MARK JURGA ETU MEMBER

HEYDAY

NORCO

SACKED SPARKIE $17,963 AFTER ETU ACTION

8.9% CREAM

must pay

SENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICER

WINTER 2021

The 3-year EBA maintains all conditions while keeping wages ahead of inflation.

An electrician terminated during the 2020 lockdown by major contractor Heyday 5 will receive $17,963.37 after union action.

ETU organiser Steve Magann welcomed the outcome which he said was achieved by union members sticking together.

‘Business is booming for Norco so the capacity to pay a fair pay rise is clearly there. The key to this good result was the strong positive vote in the Protected Action Ballot.’

ETU member Peter was working for Heyday at Wynyard Station when a manager handed him a letter saying that Peter was redundant, effective immediately.

‘I was shocked. There was no warning and no four weeks’ notice period as with other companies,’ said Peter.

‘That sent a powerful message to management who soon improved the offer.’

‘We had a performance review not long before which I believe did not fairly reflect my work. I emailed two managers to question the review but got no response.’

RICHARD FOLEY ETU MEMBER

Peter contacted the ETU which applied for unfair dismissal in the Fair Work Commission.

In November 2020, Deputy President Cross found the dismissal was not a genuine redundancy, was unfair and ordered Heyday to pay Peter $5,987.60 gross wages plus superannuation.

The ETU appealed to the Full Bench for a larger award on the grounds that Peter Gourdeas would have been employed by Heyday for at least nine more weeks had he not been terminated.

In May 2021 the matter returned to Deputy President Cross who increased the award to $17,963.37.

‘My experience shows that when union members stand up for their rights they can win justice.’

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Workers at Norco dairy factory in Lismore won an 8.9 per cent pay rise after voting to take Protected Industrial Action.

ADAM JACKA

‘I’m happy with the result. ETU Senior Industrial Officer Adam Jacka and organiser Lawrie Duff backed me all the way,’ said Peter.

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WORKERS

STEVE MAGANN ETU ORGANISER

THANK YOU JUSTIN PAGE The ETU thanks Justin Page for his years of service to the union and our members.

Justin resigned as NSW & ACT Branch Secretary effective 30 May 2021 for personal reasons and to pursue other career opportunities.

Justin represented union electrical workers since 1992, when he became a shop steward at Tomago aluminium.

After 23 years at Tomago, he signed on as an ETU organiser, later as Assistant Secretary and then Branch Secretary from 2019.

At each step Justin contributed to the collective advancement of our union.

‘I wish all ETU members and officials every success in the future,’ said Justin. ‘Each of us walks on the shoulders of previous generations who built our union since the Branch’s founding in 1902.’

‘My thanks to every ETU member for your continued efforts and support of our great union.’

$102,082 backpay for

Every time you

SIGN UP

SOLAR FARM WORKERS

AN APPRENTICE

More than $100,000 has been backpaid to workers at a solar farm in the NSW Central West after wage theft was uncovered by an ETU investigation.

to the ETU we’ll reward you with a

The company running the site, Bouygues Construction Australia, engaged labour hire firm Spinifex Recruiting to employ staff at Suntop Solar Farm near Wellington.

$50 ! ard

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Our apprentices are the future of our trade. Being a part of the ETU from early in their career provides them with protection and shows them the collective strength of this mighty Union.

• This offer is only open to financial members of the ETU and CEPU TAS/SA.

We will always fight for apprentice safety, proper training, higher wages, improved employment conditions and protecting electrical licenses.

• Apprentices must sign up with their state branch.

If you’ve signed up an apprentice on or after 1 March 2021, follow the QR code to claim your reward with us!

Spinifex Recruiting failed to pay casual electrical workers the 20 minute overtime meal break they are entitled to under the award.

• ETU/CEPU employees are not eligible to enter.

WELL DONE, ORGANISER NICK BLIGH!

• The voucher will be sent out once the apprentice has paid their first instalment of Union dues.

• This offer is open until 28 Feb 2022 or when stocks run out.

Authorised by Allen HIcks, ETU National Secretary, 30-40 Harcourt Parade Rosebery NSW

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22/02/2021 5:17:51 PM

WINTER 2021

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WINTER 2021

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ETU FAMILY CELEBRATES

MAY DAY

May Day marks a celebration of the many achievements of the labour movement – and a commitment to the struggles of the future.

This year ETU members, supporters and families gathered in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Will you join us for May Day 2022?

ALLEN HICKS SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT