LIVEWIRE ETU NSW & ACT
SPRING 2019
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION
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CON TENT
JUSTIN SAYS ...
A YEAR OF STRONG CAMPAIGNING
This has been a significant year for our union with several major campaigns that gained ground and protected the interests of our members.
RENEWED LEADERSHIP
After relentless hard work, our construction team broke through with great union agreements at three major contractors. This is a fantastic result but it’s just the first stage in our ongoing campaign. The team is now working on extending the same benefits to members at other companies.
ETU members in other sectors continue to improve their wages and conditions after organising and sticking together. At a number of companies we’ve seen previously non-union workers reap the rewards after joining the ETU. The lack of enforcement around licensing regulation is a long-standing problem. This year we put these issues on the agenda with the launch of our campaign for an Electrical Safety Regulator. A bad ruling by the Australian Energy Regulator triggered redundancies in the distribution sector. We won a political victory that halted forced redundancies at Essential Energy for now, but the fight to save regional jobs continues. At Ausgrid we ensured that employees were fairly consulted and that all redundancies will be voluntary. In the Branch’s quadrennial election members backed our new leadership team unopposed. Thank you for the vote of confidence. It’s an honour to represent union electrical workers. The ETU is only as strong as our active members, but behind the scenes another team has contributed greatly to recent success. I want to acknowledge our professional staff who have made us a force to be reckoned when it comes to legal, political and communications capacity. Thank you to all
JUSTIN PAGE
SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT
06 08 10 13 14 18
LICENSING CAMPAIGN CONSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN ESSENTIAL ENERGY JOBS CAMPAIGN
RAIL NEWS INDUSTRIAL ROUNDUP ETU SCHOLARSHIPS
UNION CONTACTS SYDNEY: 02 9267 4844 NEWCASTLE: 02 4968 2488 WOLLONGONG: 02 4229 8711 CANBERRA: 02 6163 6666
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ETU BUILDS
STRONG FUTURE UNDER RENEWED LEADERSHIP
GLEN POTTER
ETU NSW & ACT PRESIDENT
The ETU is building for the future. New leadership bodies elected unopposed in July are younger with more rank-and-file, regional and female representation. Both the State Council, with 55 members, and the Branch Executive, with 14 members, have been expanded under ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page.
The ETU NSW & ACT leadership team includes around 100 rankand-file representatives across the ETU State Council and Biennial Conference.
The State Council brings together workplace leaders from all sectors and all corners of NSW and ACT.
‘I’m very proud of our new leadership team,’ said Justin Page. ‘We are modernising and moving forward with our workplace leaders.’
Women are now represented at all levels of the ETU, with five female members on State Council and one on Branch Executive.
STATE COUNCIL SUPREME GOVERNING BODY State Council, which meets every two months, is the supreme governing body of the ETU NSW & ACT Branch. It has 44 members including the ETU Secretary, delegates from each section, and an Affirmative Action Councillor. State Council is elected by financial members every four years.
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ETU State Council is comprised of 44 members from many industries and locations
/ SPRING 2019
‘Together we are building a strong future for our trade and for the electrical workers of today and tomorrow.’ ‘Leading our great union is an honour that I’m proud to share with Branch President Glen Potter and Assistant Secretary Ben Lister,’ said Justin Page. ‘I sincerely thank our members across New South Wales and the ACT for your ongoing support.
BRANCH EX TAKING CARE Branch Executive has charge of business between State Council meetings and is responsible to State Council for any action taken. Executive has 14 members, including the Branch President, Vice Presidents, Branch Secretary, members elected from State Council and an Affirmative Action Member. The Executive meets monthly but convenes as required to make decisions.
ETU NSW & AC Trevor Russ Ellen McNally, FRONT: Peter H
BEN LISTER ASSISTANT SECRETARY
JUSTIN PAGE SECRETARY
‘The ETU must rise to meet many challenges, but the election outcome tells us that members believe the union is on the right path. ‘We aim to grow a strong, smart union that stands up effectively for the rights of members and their families at work and in communities. ‘Our generation proudly carries that mission forward, just as organised electrical workers have done in NSW since 1902.
XECUTIVE OF BUSINESS
CT Branch Executive: BACK: Peter Woods, Glen Potter, sell, Mal Hoy, Peter Kramel. MIDDLE: Rory Fletcher, , Phil Oswald, Prameesh Chandra, Martin McAuliffe. Henne, Justin Page, Col Harris. Missing: Dan Divina
I invite every ETU member to step up and contribute to our collective efforts. Together there is much we can achieve. Justin Page
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
AN ETU FIRST
ETU Biennial Conference — an advisory body that meets every two years, comprised of more than 100 elected delegates and officials – voted in 2019 to recommend the creation of Affirmative Action positions on the State Council and Executive. Ellen McNally, a longtime ETU delegate at Endeavour Energy, has been elected to fill both positions. Ellen and other ETU women have founded the ETU NSW & ACT Women’s Committee which will meet quarterly and campaign on issues including the need for superannuation to be paid during parental leave.
Women State Council members Tara-Anne Wiggins, Ellen McNally, Mary Stylli, Emily Bloxham and Tara Koot
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DANGER UNLICENSED ELECTRIC ETU CAMPAIGN TARGETS
SOLUTION
The ETU has launched a major campaign to stop dangerous unlicensed electrical work, especially in the construction industry. Justin Page, ETU NSW & ACT Secretary, said protecting workers and the public is more urgent than ever because unlicensed work is rife. ‘Companies are blatantly advertising for unlicensed electricians, overseas electricians and trades assistants. ETU monitoring found 19 such ads in just one week.’
REGULATOR & REFOR
Justin slammed the regulator Fair Trading’s response to the crisis as ‘totally inadequate’.
The ETU calls on the NSW Government to establish an Electrical Safety Regulator to oversee licensing and electrical work.
Even major government-funded infrastructure projects are now using unlicensed workers on a large scale, Justin said.
‘The legislation is there, it just has noone actually enforcing it. Electrical work is defined in the Home Building Act and the Consumer Safety Act. It defines that it has to be carried out by licensed electricians.
‘These unlicensed workers are often sourced through labour hire companies that feed a race to the bottom.’
‘We’ve notified Fair Trading of many breaches but they do nothing,’ said Justin.
‘Only a regulator with teeth can address the serious threats posed to safety and standards by unlicensed work,’ said ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page. ‘We also need an independent licensing process to ensure those entering our trade meet a consistent professional standard.’ The ETU’s policy package draws on research commissioned by the union last year.
ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page with Plumbers Union Assistant Secretary Chris Seet gave evidence before a Parliamentary Inquiry
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CASE STUDY
‘This union and our members have been talking about the problems of rampant unlicensed work for a very long time. Now we’ve developed a viable comprehensive solution that is ready to be implemented by government,’ said Justin.
ROUS NSW UPPER HOUSE PROBE: CAL WORK COMPELLING ETU
ESTABLISH AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY RM LICENSING
EVIDENCE DETAILS RACE TO THE BOTTOM
ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page gave compelling evidence in July at the NSW Parliament Upper House Inquiry into Building Standards.
He told MPs that deregulation and lack of enforcement have triggered a race to the bottom across the construction industry. Unlicensed workers are routinely being recruited to perform duties that should by law and regulation be carried out only be licensed tradespeople. This poses massive risks to building standards and to the safety of workers and the public. The ETU submission to the Inquiry calls for the establishment by the NSW Government of an Electrical Regulator to oversee licensing and enforcement.
Justin Page briefs Upper House MP Courtney Houssos on the ETU submission
The union’s case was strengthened by dodgy job ads and other evidence contributed by ETU members and supporters. Labor, Green and Shooters members of the Inquiry expressed shock when Justin gave evidence that unlicensed work is rampant even on major government-funded infrastructure projects.
The Parliamentary Inquiry’s report was expected soon after went to print. Check the ETU NSW & ACT Facebook page for updates.
‘PRO ELECTRICAL SERVICES’ REPORTED FOR BREACHING LICENSING REGULATIONS The ETU has referred contractor Pro Electrical Services to Fair Trading for breaching regulations that govern licensed electrical work. ETU construction organisers conducting license checks found inadequate supervision of electrical work at three Pro Electrical Services sites. The union officials saw unlicensed workers performing duties that are required by regulation to be carried out by licensed electricians. The ETU license check report sent to Fair Trading documents that only two of 13 electrical workers employed by
Pro Electrical Services and Deltec at a Macquarie University site held a license. ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page called on the regulator to step in and enforce licensing regulations.
‘Fair Trading must act before a worker is seriously injured or killed. Using unqualified people to perform electrical work is extremely dangerous.’ Spotted on The ETU continues to monitor safety at construction sites across NSW and the ACT.
Pro Electrical services site SPRING 2019
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CONSTRUCTION
SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM after
Safety concerns for workers at school construction sites over holidays
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SAFEWORK EVACUATED ULTIMO SITE
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Safety standards on the NSW Government’s $6 billion school building program have been called into question after SafeWork NSW issued 12 notices at Ultimo Public School. The notices name head builder Hindmarsh Construction which has contracts at Ultimo and other school sites. The Ultimo site was evacuated for rectification in September after SafeWork found that ‘workers are at serious immediate risk to their health and safety from electric shock or electrocution as the earth wire is disconnected from the main power board’.
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SafeWork documents reveal the site lacked systems to prevent falls of up to three metres, had faulty scaffolding, was missing handrails and had temporary distribution boards that did not meet Australian standards.
‘Serious safety breaches that put lives at risk are always unacceptable, but even more so on a government-funded project,’ said ETU NSW and ACT Secretary Justin Page. ‘This episode raises questions about the budgets and tendering processes for electrical work across the 170 sites included in the school building program.
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‘Are corners being cut and contracts awarded on the basis of price alone without due consideration of quality and safety?’ asked Justin. The ETU continues to monitor safety across the schools program and at construction sites across NSW and the ACT.
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CONSTRUCTION EBAS SET NEW STANDARD
Union agreements at three major contractors have set r. a new industry standard for the Sydney construction secto
Hundreds of ETU members are already enjoying pay rises and improved conditions under the EBAs. Many will receive site allowance as it is phased in on major projects over the next few years. The agreements were approved in September by massive margins with ‘yes’ votes of 99 per cent at Star, 96 per cent at Fredon and 91 per cent at Heyday. Similar gains were achieved in an earlier EBA specific to Fredon at NorthConnex and another covering employees of Queensland-based company SDF. The breakthrough agreements typically deliver pay rises of around 14 per cent over 3.5 years plus a raft of new and enhanced conditions. These pacesetting outcomes were achieved after more than a year’s hard campaigning by the ETU’s ‘It’s Time’ campaign. ‘Congratulations to all involved on a great campaign that won significant gains for many of our members. The yes votes are a strong show of support for our campaign, but this is only the first stage of our efforts to lift standards across Sydney construction,’ said ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page.
UNION EBA THE ONLY WAY
‘We are now working to extend the benefits of these agreements to employees at other electrical contractors.’ The union’s construction team is pursuing agreements with more than 20 additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies. Site allowance will be an essential component of any new EBAs. ‘We are determined to establish site allowance as a standard condition for electrical workers in construction. This is required to achieve parity with other workers in Sydney and interstate,’ said Justin. The ETU’s It’s Time campaign was launched in 2018 with significant resources including an expanded team of organisers dedicated to the construction sector. More than 1,000 construction and contracting electrical workers have so far joined the union during the campaign. The ETU legal team successfully challenged attempts by seven major contractors to ram through a non-union multi-enterprise agreement in late-2018. This year saw formal and informal talks with a raft of companies but change was always going to be led by the major Tier 1 operators. Protected Action Ballots were
voted up by ETU members at Fredon, Heyday and Star after negotiations failed to produce acceptable outcomes. Fredon workers ran a weeks-long industrial campaign with Heyday and Star members poised to do the same when the three companies improved their offers. Support for the EBAs was given in-principle at mass meetings and confirmed in a formal electronic vote.
‘We’ve proven the ETU is up for the fight in Sydney construction,’ said Justin Page. ‘These EBAs set a new standard which we need to deliver across the industry.’
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E T U
C A M P A I G N
SAVED: 165 ESSENTIAL ENERGY JOBS ETU FIGHTS ON TO SAVE 500 MORE
A six-week union campaign has saved at least 165 jobs at Essential Energy. However the fight to stop all forced redundancies at the distributor continues. NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean intervened in late-August to halt the company’s planned mass job cuts. His action followed a powerful union campaign that combined local activism, legal action, political lobbying and media. Responding to community pressure, the Nationals insisted Premier Gladys Berejiklian honour an election promise to protect all regional public sector jobs. Labor supported the ETU campaign as did the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party. The ETU welcomed the Minister’s announcement and acknowledged the efforts of Deputy Premier John Barilaro and many National MPs who backed local workers. ‘The Minister’s intervention provides breathing space for workers who were facing the first round of cuts. We need to build on that victory. The company should withdraw all plans for forced redundancies,’ said ETU NSW and ACT Secretary Justin Page. The directive to Essential’s Board means that 165 forced redundancies will not proceed in 2019. However those jobs, and an additional 500 positions, could still be targeted from 2020 to 2024. ‘This is a good win, but we have a long
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way to go. Members need to maintain the pressure on the NSW Government to stay faithful to its election promise.’ Essential Energy was saved from privatisation thanks to the ETU’s Stop the Sell Off campaign but its workforce has nearly halved with 2,000 jobs cut since 2015. Many members believed management had adopted a more positive and cooperative style, before July’s revelation that the company intended to axe hundreds more. This about-face disappointed Essential Energy employees with concerns of a return to bad culture and workplace practices. The redundancy plans came after an Australian Energy Regulator ruling that slashed capital expenditure by 11.5 per cent and operating expenditure by almost 4 per cent over five years. The ETU actively opposed those cuts in its submission to the AER’s draft determination and has since called for the AER to be abolished. Ausgrid faced even deeper AER cuts but the partially-privatised distributor engaged in genuine consultation and all redundancies will be voluntary.
Essential Energy, by contrast, sought to implement an aggressive and heartless forced redundancy program. ETU legal action in the Fair Work Commission forced the company to allow more time for consultation. ‘Management went about this in a cruel and ham-fisted manner. Their approach has been rejected by workers, by local communities and now by elected political representatives,’ said Justin Page. ‘But this issue is not solved and it’s not going away. We continue our campaign calling on the Premier to meet her promise to protect regional jobs.’
S E T A DELEG P E E D DUG
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and d e k c o h s ‘I was ach. m o t s e h t sick to rtgaged o m e r t s We’d ju ay for p o t e s u o our h ental d s ’ r e t h g my dau avid. D d i a s ,’ y surger I’d have d l o t s a w ‘Now I gainst a e t e p m o to c the two r o f s e t a my m jobs.’ available
Grafton ETU delegate david bender with local MP Chris Gulaptis
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AUSGRID
AUSGRID PAYS $1,000 TO ETU MEMBER FINED DURING STORM EMERGENCY Ausgrid made a $1,000 ex gratia payment to an electrician who was fined while driving a company vehicle in a storm emergency. The payment covers legal costs incurred by ETU member Michael Howarth who successfully challenged a $2,300 fine and loss of six license points. Michael was booked after an RMS camera detected him driving a 7.8 metre EWP truck that marginally exceeded length restrictions through the narrow Galston Gorge. The area was unfamiliar to the Oatley-based employee responding to a ‘wires down’ report amid raging weather in 2018. A legal victory in Hornsby Magistrates Court left Michael with a $1,000 lawyer’s bill. Ausgrid agreed to cover that amount after representations from ETU organiser Darran Miller. The company noted that the action ‘is not a precedent for other breaches of the road rules’.
‘Congratulations to Michael for fighting this unfair charge and penalties,’ said Darran. ‘Well done Ausgrid for doing the right thing.’
SOME POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR ETU TEAM IN REDUNDANCY TALKS The ETU team was able to mitigate and offset some of the job losses proposed by Ausgrid during an extensive consultation process. Organisers Darran Miller and Stuart Elliott, with senior delegates, participated in branch and division level consultations through July and August. This followed the company’s announcement that 700 positions could go over five years, with more than 300 targeted in 2019. Ausgrid’s redundancy program responded to cuts of 14 per cent to capital expenditure and 17 per cent to operational expenditure ordered by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The ETU argued against the AER’s deep cuts and has called for the abolition of the AER and its state counterparts. During consultation with Ausgrid, the ETU identified more than 20 positions that the company accepted need to be preserved or filled. Ausgrid also agreed to bring Service Wire Replacement and some Pole Replacement work back inhouse. However the company is set to cut around 300 positions in 2019. There will be no further job losses before 2021. A second consultation process now underway is focused on proposed redundancies at Plus ES, an Ausgrid subsidiary. The company wants to lose 57 existing jobs while creating 20 new roles. ETU NSW and ACT Secretary Justin Page said the ETU team had done ‘everything possible’ to mitigate job losses.
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‘We achieved some positive outcomes, but the bigger picture is we need to challenge the entire AER framework and put service and safety ahead of short-sighted cuts.’ Justin thanked all Ausgrid delegates for their contribution, including Peter Kramel, Darren Pascoe, Luke Sheridan, Phill Gilbert, Graeme Paterson, David Learoyd, Jill Raynes, Mark Marczak, Jason Dallen, David Costello, Simon Moran and Michael Finnimore.
RAIL NEWS
ETU members at Cubic celebrate their big win
9% PAY RISE
SYDNEY TRAINS
+ TRIPLE SHIFT ALLOWANCES AT CUBIC
CONVICTED & FINED $525,000 0VER WORKER DEATH
40 ETU members employed by Cubic have won good pay rises and major increases to shift allowances.
The ETU welcomed the conviction in August of Sydney Trains on two criminal charges related to the death of signal mechanic Charles Lagaaia, who was struck by a train while working at Clyde in June 2016.
Their new agreement delivers a 9 per cent wage increase over three years to technicians who install and maintain Opal card machines for the Auburn-based company. Shift allowances have tripled or better after ETU negotiators updated the previous EBA which expired in 2011. Overtime rates also jumped dramatically.
ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan congratulated members on ‘a tremendous result’. ‘Many technicians joined the ETU and stuck together during our EBA campaign. That’s why they secured a package that significantly improves their take home pay.’
DOWNER AUBURN MEMBERS ACTION READY
ETU delegate Peter Kindred with member Andrew Kneeshaw
ETU members at Downer’s Auburn Maintenance Centre are headed towards industrial action after the company failed to make an acceptable wages offer.
BEN LISTER
However the union ASSISTANT questioned the adequacy SECRETARY of the NSW District Court’s sentence, saying the $525,000 fine did not reflect the seriousness or impact of the offences. ‘The ETU extends our sincere condolences to Mr Lagaaia’s family and friends,’ ETU Assistant Secretary Ben Lister said. ‘The judgement makes clear that Sydney Trains bears full criminal responsibility for the death of Charles Lagaaia. The company was also convicted of exposing six other workers to risk of serious injury or death. “The ETU has long supported the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws as a genuine deterrent to any workplace fatality.’
Negotiations broke down when the company’s proposed 12 per cent pay rise over four years was rejected by electrical workers. The union team succeeded in gaining the Electrical License Allowance which will deliver a $40 per week pay rise for electricians. ETU delegate Peter Kindred said employees deserved more for their ongoing contribution to a massively expanded operation. Since 2018 Downer added the Millennium trains and the new Waratah B-set fleet to its Auburn operations. ‘The company’s income has increased dramatically. That’s seen a huge jump in workload and responsibility for employees,’ said Peter Kindred.
‘We want to be fairly recognised and rewarded for the profits generated from our highly skilled labour. We’ve taken a positive approach but Downer’s response has been disappointing.’
RAIL DELEGATES TALK TACTICS
An ETU rail delegates meeting discussed the next Sydney Trains EBA and talked policy and privatisation with Shadow Minister for Transport Chris Minns and MLC Mark Buttigieg.
ETU rail delegates with Shadow NSW Transport Minister Chris Minns SPRING 2019
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PROSEGUR WORKERS want to
DITCH CONTRACTS FOR UNION EBA
IN DUST R IA L R O U N DU P
Both companies do similar work installing and maintaining various machines on the Sydney Trains network. Cubic members joined the ETU and recently sealed a union agreement that delivers a 9 per cent pay rise and major increases to shift allowances (see page 15). Prosegur technicians have started
down the same path, but their employer is resisting negotiations and prefers to keep workers on individual contracts. ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan is confident Prosegur members can achieve significant improvements in a union EBA.
UNION WIN
VENTIA MEMBERS secure
12% pay rise
ETU members who maintain Sydney’s major tunnels secured a 12 per cent pay rise thanks to a union enterprise agreement. The four-year EBA covers electrical workers employed by Ventia on the M5, Cross City, Lane Cove and Eastern Distributor tunnels. ETU organiser Steve Bankes congratulated the 14 members who ‘joined the union and stuck together to achieve this good outcome’.
‘This is a sector-leading agreement. It keeps our members’ wages climbing ahead of inflation. It sets the platform for further improvements. ‘Solidarity delivers results. When workers join the ETU and stick together, they win,’ said Steve.
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/ SPRING 2019
Technicians employed by Prosegur want the same wages and conditions recently gained by their peers working for Cubic.
‘The recipe for success is simple and wellproven. If everyone joins the union and sticks together, we win.’
NEPEAN POWER WORKERS JOIN ETU & WIN
11% pay rise
Nepean Power workers have won pay rises close to 11 per cent over three years in their first union agreement. The EBA delivers a raft of improvements for 30 ETU members at the Maitland electrical manufacturer. The first pay rise of 5.4 per cent was paid in August with further instalments of 3 per cent in 2020 and 2.5 per cent in 2021. There are solid increases to travel, meal and other allowances. Delegate rights are included along with a dispute resolution procedure with status quo provisions. ETU organiser Stuart Elliott congratulated members on ‘a great outcome’. ‘Employees had joined the union en masse earlier this year determined to get a union agreement. They wanted to do better than their previous non-union EBA which included miserable wage increases of just 2 per cent over four years.
‘This was a great effort by workers who stuck together and voted 100 per cent for protected action,’ said Stuart.
ARISTOCRcAuTre TECHS se
E
9% PAY RISE & MOR
Around 200 technicians employed by Aristocrat are set for a 9 per cent pay rise and substantially improved conditions. The gains come in a three-year inprinciple union agreement described by senior delegate Dan Divina as ‘fair and reasonable’.
The EBA includes major improvements to allowances covering weekends, travel and living away from home. An 11-meeting statewide tour attended by ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan with delegates Dan Divina and Steve Arygous preceded negotiations.Dan, who has been involved with every Aristocrat EBA since 2001, said negotiations were ‘respectful’. ‘It’s a good outcome that lays a foundation we can improve on in the future.’
ETU organisers Anthony O’Sullivan & Steve Magann with delegates Dan Divina & Sid Sutton
UNION WIN
OTIS LIFT WORKERS
set for 18% pay rise
Otis lift workers are set for an 18 per cent pay rise after voting overwhelmingly to approve a union EBA. The company vastly improved the offer after employees launched a protected industrial campaign. The four-year agreement will deliver a total compounded increase worth 19.4 per cent. Otis agreed to the introduction of a site allowance matrix paying between $2 and $7 per hour from May 2021. This brings the company into line with the other major lift firms Kone and Schindler. The agreement covers more than 200 ETU and AMWU members. ETU organiser Steve Bankes congratulated members on achieving significant pay rises and breaking through on site allowance.
‘The only reason that Otis made an acceptable offer was that members voted to take strike action. This spurred management to deliver increases that will make a real difference to pay packets. ‘The lift sector is booming and companies are making huge profits generated by the skilled work of our members. It’s great to see workers getting a fairer share,’ said Steve.
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Contact our Member Service Team on 1800 022 067. Superannuation | Pensions | Insurance | Financial Advice Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is up-to-date at the time of its publication. However, some information can change over time. The contents are for general information only and do not constitute personal advice. We recommend that you consult with a suitably qualified person before making any financial decisions. Issued by NESS Super Pty Ltd ABN 28 003 156 812 AFSL 238945 RSE L0000161 MySuper Authorisation 72229227691044 as trustee of NESS Super ABN 72 229 227 691 RSE R1000115. NESS 52263
IN DUST R IA L R O U N DU P PAY RISE for 9% BALMAIN FERRY WORKERS Sydney Ferry maintenance workers have negotiated a 9 per cent pay rise over three years. The increases are included in a new agreement covering ETU and other union members at Balmain shipyard. Transdev Sydney Ferries maintains the 34-ship harbour ferry fleet at Balmain Shipyard.
The EBA introduces a night shift to the depot, however no current employee will be forced to work nights. Night workers will be paid an above-award 35 per cent shift allowance. ETU delegate Deron Andrews said ‘negotiations were difficult at times’ but the pay rises are ‘fair’.
JOHN HOLLAND MEMBERS
demand FAIR SHARE ent failed The ballot came after managem oing ong in r offe le ptab acce an e to mak s. tion otia neg enterprise agreement Organiser Steve Bankes said for electrical workers are pushing wages significant improvements to are and conditions. ‘Our members rewards insisting on a fair share of the
n ETU members employed by Joh n isio div e tur Holland’s rail infrastruc ted tec have voted to authorise pro industrial action.
dedicated generated by their skilled and said. uart Urq Lee work.’ ETU delegate division land Hol n Joh the at ans trici Elec parts at are paid less than their counter work. ilar sim g doin ies pan com similar
‘Our basic demand is simple and reasonable: we want parity.’
16% IN PAY RISES % BONUSES AT SNOWY HYDRO
Snowy Hydro employees will enjoy pay rises and bonuses worth at least 4 per cent annually under their new EBA.
ETU organiser Steve Bankes with John Holland delegates Beau Smithers, Connor Goodwin & Lee Urquart
ACTION CALLED OFF, EBA SETTLED @
BEGA CHEESE
Bega Cheese workers have settled an enterprise agreement that delivers pay rises and some improved conditions.
Planned industrial action was called off after the company made an improved offer in September. The plant’s 30-strong maintenance crew includes ETU and AMWU members but Meat Workers are the main union with hundreds of members on site. ETU organiser Matt McCann said workers were disappointed by management’s hardline approach to negotiations.
The four-year agreement delivers a minimum 2 per cent annual pay rise with additional bonuses ranging from zero to 4 percent. Most workers are expected to qualify for bonuses at 2 per cent of higher. The EBA locks in an employer superannuation contribution that is 2 per cent above the compulsory level set by government. Snowy Hydro currently pays 11.5 per cent super.
ETU organiser Matt McCann said a $1,500 sign-on bonus had got the agreement across the line. Around 400 employees including 130 electrical workers are covered.
For 100 years Bega Cheese was a co-operative owned by local farmers and rooted in the community. In 2011 the company was listed on the stock market.
Matt applauded the efforts of ETU delegate Aaron Cullen who spent many hours of his own time in EBA-related meetings. SPRING 2019
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2 0 1 9
E T U
E D U C A T I O N
Each year the ETU awards six $2,000 Education Scholarships to members, their children or grandchildren studying at diploma level or higher.
ETU SUPPORTS HIGH-ACHIEVING ‘COUNTRY KID’ An ETU Scholarship will help Brooke Fenton overcome the challenges of distance as she completes a combined law/ criminology degree. Brooke hails from Inverell, in northern NSW, where her father Scott is a senior engineering officer at Essential Energy and a 33-year ETU member. The 19-year-old former school captain aims to finish her double degree in four years, instead of five, and use the skills to build her local community. But the costs of studying at the University of New England in Armidale are significant, including textbooks and $550 per fortnight for a tiny on-campus room. Brooke thanked the union, saying the $2,000 ETU Education Scholarship, one of six awarded in 2019, will help her and the family offset those costs.
Proud father Scott Fenton said ‘it’s great to see the ETU providing assistance to country kids’. ETU Executive member Martin McAuliffe with Brooke & Scott Fenton
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S C H O L A R S H I P S
50-YEAR-OLD SIMON
TACKLES TAFE Simon Young is back at TAFE 32 years after he graduated as an electrician. The 50-year-old metering technician is tackling an Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering. He hopes to progress to the role of Engineering Officer and apply his new skills to high voltage instrument testing with his employer Plus ES, an Ausgrid subsidiary.
‘I like to take on challenges and improve my knowledge,’ said the veteran ETU delegate. Simon doesn’t mind studying at Granville TAFE in his own time, but $8,570 in course fees is a significant cost on top of mortgage and family expenses. A $2,000 ETU Education Scholarship, one of six awarded in 2019, will ease that financial burden for the father-of-three.
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E D U C A T
RYAN READY TO REFORM ‘BROKEN SYSTEM’ It’s no surprise Ryan Mahon has a thirst for social justice. The 22-year-old grew up in a union household with father Noel an ETU Life Member and mum Debbie a union nurse. As a teenager Ryan Mahon helped his dad fix corflute signs to power poles as part of the ETU’s 2014 Stop the Sell Off campaign. He volunteered during election campaigns and helped out in the electorate office of John Robertson, another ETU Life Member and former MP for Blacktown. Today Ryan is in the fifth and final year of a gruelling double degree in International Studies and Media at the University of NSW. It’s a daily four-hour round trip from the family Quakers Hill home. Ryan’s strong interest in federal policy and politics including industrial relations is driven partly by wanting to reform a ‘broken system that is degrading workers’ rights’. Father Noel, an HV technician with Endeavour Energy, said he was very proud to see his son’s talent and hard work recognised with an ETU Education Scholarship.
‘Young people are the future. It’s great to see our union backing the next generation.’
I O N
S C H O L A R S H I P S
LIAM LEAPS INTO NURSING Liam Dixon absorbed union values as he grew up in suburban Newcastle with staunch parents. Dad Don is a veteran ETU member on the verge of retirement after 30 years shift work at Weathertex. Mum Bernadette is a career nurse and loyal NSWNA member.
‘Mum and Dad passed on their working-class values and social conscience. As a family we’ve also had to stand up for my older brother Mitchell, who lives in a group home for people with disabilities,’ said Liam. Liam is following his mother into the caring profession of nursing via the University of Newcastle. He works part-time in the music business but costs associated with the degree are mounting. On top of textbooks, there are uniforms and equipment and training placements. A $2,000 ETU Education Scholarship will support Liam’s study and future contribution to the community. ‘It’s incredibly helpful! I’m really proud of the ETU connection. It means a lot to me and my Dad,’ said Liam.
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S C H O L A R S H I P S
LEG-UP FOR
WE BACK
JACK’S FUTURE
An ETU Education Scholarship will assist gifted student Jack Steel as he completes a double degree in engineering and science. The 20-year is in his fifth and final year of study at Sydney University where he has a high distinction average. Jack, the son of Ausgrid electrical fitter John Steel, hopes to work for Transport NSW as a mechanical engineer.
‘Sydney’s public transport network is a great public resource. I’d like to help design the network as it grows to meet the needs of our city and its people,’ said Jack. ‘I look forward to working alongside members of the ETU and other unions.’ Jack is a leader of student societies advocating tolerance, equality and a safe campus environment for LGBTQIA engineering students. He was ‘very happy and surprised’ to be awarded the ETU Scholarship, which will offset textbook and transport costs and ease the financial burden on Jack’s family. Dad John and mum Kelly, a registered nurse, are ‘very proud’ to see Jack selected for an ETU Education Scholarship.
LINEY JAYSON Tweed Heads lineworker Jayson Hennessy is determined to progress his career but faces course costs around $8,000 per year. The 32-year-old commenced a fouryear part-time Associate Degree of Power Engineering which he hopes will open the door to an engineering officer role. At home, Jayson is the sole breadwinner with a five-month-old son and a mortgage. ‘We’ve cut back on non-essential spending but it was really exciting to hear I’ve been awarded a union scholarship.
‘I feel a bit of the burden has been lifted. I’m really grateful to the ETU.’
‘Thanks to the union for providing this opportunity,’ said John. ‘It’s excellent to see the ETU assisting members’ families and encouraging kids to stay in higher education.’
Don & Liam Dixon with Justin Page
ETU organiser Steve Magann with Jayson Hennessy
SPRING 2019
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ESSENTIAL ENERGY MEMBERS RESTORE POWER in
BUSHFIRE-DEVASTED
HAMLET OF RAPPVILLE
Essential Energy workers from across northern NSW spent days restoring poles and wires near the bushfiredevastated town of Rappville.
ETU TRAINS UP
DYNAMIC DELOS The ETU provides full training and support for our workplace delegates. Contact your organiser or the union office if you want to become an ETU delegate.
f T D Elec E L
Around 150 ETU members from eight depots fixed up to 350 burnt power poles in mid-October. Numerous transformers, a voltage regulator and many kilometres of conductor had to be replaced. The fire had destroyed at least 11 local homes and a timber mill with a number of residents unaccounted for, as LiveWire went to print. ETU organiser Steve Magann was in Rappville providing cold drinks and support to members, the Rural Fire Service and residents. He said the devastation to the small rural community near Casino ‘had to be seen to be believed’.
‘Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the horrendous fires. Our members did a tremendous job in extreme conditions.’ ETU members from Tweed Heads, Tenterfield, Grafton, Casino, Kyogle, Murwillumbah, Maclean and Lismore depots worked in the area.
Newcastle:
delegates in training from Ausgrid, UGL, Tomago Aluminium and Ampcontrol.
o n s t u c r i a H ! s t u c y a p
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Sydney:
delegates in training from Fredon, Fuji Xerox, Transdev Sydney Ferries, DM Roads, Sydney Trains, ctrogroup & Ausgrid with ETU Deputy Secretary Ben Lister and ACTU trainer Wayne Moody.
Former organiser Mick Koppie clocks off & revs up Mick Koppie has clocked off after nearly 50 years fighting for Canberra electrical workers.
ot
The burly electrician began his apprenticeship at Canberra distributor ActewAGL in 1971. Mick later served 16 years as an ETU delegate there. In 2004 Mick’s mastery of the trade saw him employed as a field officer then trainer with Electrogroup and Electroskills before signing up as an ETU organiser in 2010.
He said in his experience people ‘can achieve any goal if they are united, determined and prepared to take action’. Mick still teaches apprentices one day per week while catching up on a long list of projects at home. On weekends he hits the highway on his new Harley Fat Boy and plays bass in a pub band covering Aussie rock classics.
Thanks for your contribution Mick Koppie!
LEE TREKS ‘Pop’s’ Footsteps
in Kokoda
ETU delegate Lee Urquhart carried an Army-issue spoon as he followed his late grandfather’s footsteps along the 96-kilometre Kokoda Trail. The spoon is carved with the initials of Lee’s ‘Pop’: Lance Corporal Robert St George of the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion. The ETU donated $200 to Lee’s trek which paid tribute to his granddad while raising funds for pregnancy loss charity ‘Bears of Hope’. 624 Australians died with 1,023 wounded fighting Japanese forces in 1942 on the Kokoda Trail. More than 3,000 others were killed or wounded at final battles on nearby Papua New Guinea beaches. Lee’s grandfather and his comrades were desperate to prevent an invasion of the Australian mainland.
‘Pop was a kind and loving man who saw horrific things on the battlefield. I saw the pain in his eyes and knew never to ask about the war,’ said the 50-year-old electrician, who works for John Holland. The highlight of Lee’s trek was visiting the scene of the Battle of Eora Creek, where his pop fought. ‘It was a brilliant experience. The jungle was glorious – stinking hot with rain belting down for four days but I’ll never forget it.’
ETU members got a free shave and haircut for backing union hairdressers fighting to protect their weekend penalty rates. Our Thanks to Dan Walton, Secretary AWU NSW.
ETU delegate Lee Urquart with Kokoda trail porters SPRING 2019
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VENTIA WORKERS’ BATTLE TO SAVE CONDITIONS enters second week of STRIKE ACTION
ETU members employed by Ventia on a Sydney Water contract had Nathan andrews extended strike action to a second week as Six electricians and about 30 AMWU fitters are fighting to save working conditions built by generations of unionists at Sydney Water. Sydney Water contracted out its maintenance work to Theiss in 2013 and Ventia bought the relevant division of Theiss in 2015. Since then Ventia has rolled over the enterprise agreement — leaving conditions intact while paying modest pay increases. But the company now wants to remove or reduce core conditions and force the former Sydney Water employees onto an inferior agreement shared with other Ventia workers. Employees would lose more than half their long service leave entitlements under the company’s plan.
went to print.
After 18 months of negotiations, the company has withdrawn from bargaining. ETU delegate Nathan Andrews believes most electricians are likely to look elsewhere if entitlements are stripped back.
‘We aim to protect these conditions on principle and fight as hard as we can and certainly not give it up without fair remuneration. Our enterprise agreement and the tradesmen covered by it represents what Thiess and now Ventia are lucky to have: competent, safe and experienced tradesmen keeping the cogs turning,’ said Nathan.
DELEGATE
ETU and AMWU members have been taking protected industrial action including stoppages and bans for months. But a second full week of strike action takes the campaign to another level. ‘We’re defending conditions that were won off the back of industrial action taken by union members who came before us. We aim to protect these conditions not just for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren,’ said Nathan. ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan congratulated members on their strong stand and determined campaign. ‘This attack on core conditions is a direct result of privatisation. Ventia is attempting to take money from its skilled workers to boost profits to shareholders. It’s not on.’
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ETU POST-ELECTIO
See the Australia Electoral Commiss Branch election on the union’s webs media-releases/etu-declaration-of-r MEMBERS CAN ALSO read an extra regarding ‘difficult rules’ and the Br or obtain the document free-of-cha
‘Right to Farm’ Bill
grid backpays o techs $57,000 er training delay
Two Ausgrid workers have been backpaid a total of $57,000 after union action.
would criminalise union activity The ETU has called on State Parliament to reject or amend a Right to Farm Bill which would criminalise peaceful, legitimate union activity. ETU NSW and ACT Secretary Justin Page said the wording of the bill goes far beyond its stated aim of protecting farms from invasion by anti-farming activists.
ETU organiser Darran Miller, members Matthew Powell & Brett McAndrew, delegate Daniel Lesic The ETU members did not receive training scheduled for 2014 which would have seen them move to a higher pay grade. Pymble depot union delegate Dan Lesic and ETU organiser Darran Miller backed the protection technicians in through a dispute resolution process. Ausgrid first resisted the backpay claim but quickly relented once the union produced supporting documents. Members Matthew Powell and Brett McAndrew each banked substantial amounts estimated at over $25,000.
‘We’re very happy with the outcome. We couldn’t have got it without ETU assistance,’ said Matthew. The scheduled training was initially postponed for one year but a company restructure then left no qualified trainers available. Meanwhile Ausgrid’s skills structure was revamped through the CCR process in 2018. ETU organiser Darran Miller congratulated both members and delegates including Geoff Metzner who also contributed. ‘It’s great to see our members getting their full entitlements. This case should be a reminder to always keep records and correspondence.’
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‘The union recognises and respects the rights of farmers who need safety and security assured. The problem is that the Bill includes an incredibly broad definition of enclosed land.’ The proposed legislation would criminalise actions that are currently lawful at all enclosed locations including private businesses, commercial and retail premises, educational institutions and private roads.
Under this Bill, criminal sanctions could apply to union meetings, protests and other activity such as: A peaceful protest that takes place inside a TAFE Health and Safety Representatives carrying out their duties A union meeting that take place in the carpark or grounds of the business A union organiser talking to workers in their workplace Protests by farmers against environmental impacts on their own lands. The Right to Farm Bill creates offences including ‘aggravated unlawful entry’ and ‘directing or inciting’ that attract penalties up to $22,000 in fines and three years’ jail. ‘We call on MPs from all parties to reject this proposed Bill. The rights of workers to freely associate in a union, and for union officials to carry out their lawful duties must be protected,’ said Justin.
Justin Page
ETU SEcretary NSW & ACT
changes. (02) 9267 4844 to make
ON REPORT & EXTRACT
sion’s reports on the ETU NSW & ACT site http://www.etunsw.asn.au/eturesults-of-2019-election act of the AEC’s post-election report ranch’s response on the website arge directly from the AEC. SPRING 2019
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