The Electrical Worker 101

FROM FTHE ROM FTHE ROM THE SECRETARY SECRETARY SECRETARY

Welcome to the 101st edition of the Electrical Worker It has continued to be a busy year for the branch. Last month, the Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk announced the state’s long awaited energy and jobs plan and within it, the Energy Workers Transition Charter and the state’s commitment to maintaining the public ownership of our electricity assets

Although government had kept the detail of the majority of the Energy Plan close to their chest, we had worked very closely with government in the writing and development of the Worker’s Charter For our union, this was critical to the plan to make sure that the workers and communities that would be impacted by this transition would not be left behind and in fact, would be at the forefront of any plan for a renewable future This has been delivered in the Charter with the energy workers jobs guarantee. This Charter is signed by the government, unions, and business leaders, and is a world first and something that as trade unionists we should all be proud of. One thing is certain, none of this would have been achievable if our union had not fought so hard through the Not 4 Sale campaign, under the leadership of Simmo at the time, to keep our electricity assets in public hands.

of its kind in Australia, and was an idea that we pinched off our sister union, the IBEW in Chicago. It will help deliver the training required to transition workers into the renewable sector Although the Premier officially opened the college on the 10th of September, the renewable field was still under construction, so we are holding an ETU opening including holding our Executive and State Council on site on the 28th of November

To complement the government’s Energy Plan, the ETU is proud to announce the opening of Queensland’s first renewable energy training facility at Pinkenba. The training facility which is owned and operated by Electrogroup in partnership with the ETU and Master Electricians is the first of its kind in Australia, and was an idea that we pinched off our sister

Peter Ong signs the Energy Workers Charter

The climbing tower is erected at Electrogroup

I want to give my best wishes to Keith Mckenzie, Macca, and acknowledge all the work he has done for our union over the last 23 years as an Organiser, Assistant Secretary and President Keith and I started as young organisers together in the construction industry and along with Alan Hicks, we fought alongside each other to deliver some massive changes for our members Macca is stepping down as President of our union to take up the role of Commissioner of the Electrical Safety Office, where I know he will continue to advocate for our members and industry as he has done for the last 23 years Congratulations Macca, and thank you from all of our members. See the full story on page 10.

With that said, I want to welcome Jason Young to the role of Branch President. Youngy was appointed to the role by State Council in August, and is quickly finding out that the President’s role is much more than just a title Youngy is more than up to the challenge, and I look forward to working closely with him. See more on page 8.

I was very proud to be able to congratulate Iyesha Paull on her winning the National Apprentice of the year award. Iyesha is a 3rd year apprentice with QBuild in Cairns, she is an active ETU member and delegate and not to shabby when it comes to getting up on stage and addressing the Prime Minister, as I found out at the National Conference 120 year dinner where Iyesha was presented with her award As part of her prize, Iyesha will be attending the Global Power Trade Union Conference in Dublin in November Iyesha is an asset to her employer, to her workmates, and to her union, and I look forward to working with her in the future See page 21 for the whole story

Finally, I want to congratulate all of our members working at the Mater Hospital on their long hard fought and won victory in their battle for a decent paying EBA that lasted over two years Our members were disciplined but relentless in their pursuit for better pay and conditions, and some respect from their employer Congratulations comrades, you have delivered on all accounts Full story on page 22

This being the last journal before Christmas, I would just like to take the opportunity to thank all our members for their ongoing support and their commitment to our industry and our movement, nothing gets achieved without all of you From all the officers and staff of the ETU, have a safe and Merry Christmas and we will see you all in the New Year

Ongy

PeterOng

Iyesha Paull receives her award from the Prime Minister

Following the recent announcement of the Queensland Energy Plan which will see $62 billion of investment The enormity of the rebuild of our electricity generation, transmission, and distribution networks is hitting home to the Government Owned Corporations The challenge for the industry is how we can build the infrastructure in addition to a record programme of works on our existing network, projects such as Inland Rail and the 2032 Olympics infrastructure

The premier’s comments acknowledging Simmo’s leadership, fighting to keep our power assets in public hands, was a well deserved recognition of his leadership to prevent the privatisation of our assets The Not4Sale campaign demonstrated to members that when we stick together and take action, we can achieve anything We kicked out a government with the greatest majority in history in just one term

The work must start now to ensure we have enough workers to build the $62 billion of infrastructure outlined in the Queensland Energy Plan We have been meeting regularly following the QEP release with Energy Queensland and Powerlink to establish consultative forums to deal with the challenge of retaining, recruiting, and training the required staff numbers over the next 10 15 years to deliver the transformational rebuild of our network

We have demanded that Powerlink and EQL develop long term resource plans that consider the age demographics of existing workers, how much we can grow our apprentice intakes, and how many staff we need to recruit

As a result of years of refusal from the private sector to train apprentices, and due to a large number of countries transforming their networks, there is a global skills shortage During previous boom periods, companies have used skilled migration visa workers These options are limited so we need to rightfully build our own resource capabilities

We are having conversations with EQL and Powerlink about commencing EBA negotiations around the middle of next year so we can ensure that when we get to expiry, we know exactly how far off the mark the government’s wages policy is from allowing EQL and Powerlink to agree to industry wages and conditions in other states NSW electricity workers will be paid 165% employer contributions, Victorian workers are paid up to $7 an hour higher Without comparative industry wages and conditions, we will not be able to attract and retain the workers that we need to build and maintain the needed infrastructure

Members must be prepared to take protected industrial action as part of the 2024 EBA campaign, as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will deliver a legacy for us to hand to the next generation of ETU members, the same way as our comrades did when they fought and won conditions like the nine day fortnight

There is no excuse not to be a member of the ETU We have collectively delivered every major achievement in this industry, and we can represent all workers in Powerlink and EQL The collective ETU membership has changed governments, we have won every major benefit in this industry, and I have no doubt we will do it again as we deal with every challenge in the most exciting times we will ever see

Stuey

uartTraill

ASSISTANT ASSISTANT

Bundaberg is NOT4SALE

Our assets are NOT4SALE Swanbank is NOT4SALE

Mass meetings at Ergon FNQ

Stuey runs mass meetings ahead of EBA 2023

Contracting Conference – union democracy in action

Last month we held another successful delegate conference with close to 40 delegates attending from across the state and territory along with some outstanding guests from Victoria and NSW ETU branches The depth of discussion and the diversity of voices on show at the conference indicates that our union’s structures from delegates to subbranches and conferences are working extremely well A few examples of proposed clauses highlight our successes and the importance of continuing to increase our delegate numbers, your voices matter

From our Women’s Conference and Committee, we will be pushing for improved Parental Leave outcomes for the 2023 26 EBA, including improved Maternity Leave provisions that encourage female participation and importantly retention in our industries Also, improvements to Paternity Leave provisions from 2 4 weeks with it to be paid by the employer This will facilitate greater sharing of parenting responsibilities From the Old School group we will be seeking to include clauses that create set numbers of mature aged tradespeople over 50 to take on suitable jobs on future projects

From the ETU wide Same Job Same Pay campaign along with strengthening apprentice ratios and reinserting numerous clauses that were deemed non complaint to the LNP’s Code we will also be pushing for major changes to the use of labour hire and casuals, including a three week maximum engagement before permanency and the inclusion of Same Work Same Pay principles that will ensure the scourge of dodgy labour hire is extinguished once and for all

From the Contracting subbranch and conference some of the other important issues that came through subbranch to conference included the inclusion of clauses for the 2023 agreement ensuring wage increases and allowances in the agreement are consistent with those achieved by the Building Trades Group of Unions (BTGU)

Another important discussion centred around the push for a 32 hour/ four day work week in future agreements beyond 2026

The conference was a great success and I want to personally thank Wendel for stepping up to organise and run the conference and conference dinner on mine and the union’s behalf Well done comrade

RDOs a shorthistoryand whytakingthem matters

Your 26 Rostered Days Off (RDOs) per year were fought for and won by previous ETU members following massive ETU industrial campaigns over the years, culminating in the 36 hour week win in 2003 The win set the platform for RDOs, a vital condition that must be respected

Below is your ETU RDO 2023 Calendar which is part of your agreement, there will also be one for the 2023 2026 EBA Unless notified by your union these dates are locked in to provide certainty and work life balance RDO’s are there to be Taken not Banked, we have worked too hard over the years to undermine them.

Cross River Rail – check your pay

With the Cross River Rail project nearing its pointy end more electrical work is becoming available including RSGX at the Roma St Station, UGL and Stowe at the Gabba, Q Elec at Boggo Rd and Fredon at Fairfield picking up contracts

It is important for anyone currently on the project or looking to get a gig in any of the following areas, Lift, Fire, Security systems, general electrical, Comms or HV ensure you are employed under the ETU CRR Agreement and are being paid ETU CRR Rates If you are not, contact your organiser Wendel, Jimmy or Steve

Along with the health injection, the state government has also indicated it

infrastructure spending on education and with the

under 10 years away, now is an exciting time

Work is out there and opportunities for well

full

work are on the horizon with the imminent demise of dodgy

that has been a scourge on our industry for so long ETU proud!

Wishing all our members, your families, and comrades a peaceful

season Remember Safety First,

take Your RDOs!!

Lynchy

SECRETARIES SECRETARIES C hrisLynch

safe

after your physical

MEET YOUR MNEW EET YOUR NEW

Commitment and stamina: Youngy’s journey to ETU president

Following Keith ‘Macca’ McKenzie’s appointment as Queensland’s Commissioner for Electrical Safety (see page 10), ETU Stalwart Jason ‘Youngy’ Young has been appointed to the position of President of the CEPU Electrical Division Qld & NT Branch, and President of the ETUQ Youngy has a long and proud history with the ETU spanning more than 20 years

The following is a snapshot of his experiences and what drives him to continue fighting for our members and their communities

Making choices

Youngy’s early years were punctuated by intermittent poverty, trauma and insecurity From an early age, Youngy became aware that shit systems and lack of empathy can have huge impacts on people He had a couple of choices: he could let his upbringing define, him or he could take it on and create his own destiny He chose the latter

“Dad was in the army when he was badly injured in a car accident, and mum became his carer For a year, they assessed his eligibility for a pension We had no money, so it wasn’t uncommon for mum, dad, me, and my sister to live on home brand pasta No sauce just pasta They didn’t give a shit about my old man or his dignity, or his family for that matter, he was nothing more than a widget When he did get the pension, he lost his licence, and he wasn’t allowed to work While my dad has many flaws, the injustice he faced is burned into my mind, and I do whatever I can each day to make life better for people”

Youngy is the first to admit thar school bored him, but it can be hard to focus when you endure attending 16 primary schools and 3 high schools across three states But one good thing he got out of school was a love of maths, as a self described ‘ ace, ’ he would be well equipped for his future career choices

After leaving school at 15, Youngy trained to be chef, but after yet another knock back for an apprenticeship he realised there were “too many applicants for too few jobs”

A new option arises

After a few false starts, Youngy’s life would change following a brief discussion with a neighbour

“I was having a chat with a neighbour who worked for Powerlink, and he asked if I’d ever considered becoming an electrician? I hadn’t, but the idea was worth researching I went to the old CES and applied for an apprenticeship I was interviewed Friday, called back Saturday, and started Monday” Youngy’s first year in the electrical industry was a shocker: a shonky employer and an unwanted anniversary present the sack

“It was a blessing, I was able to finish my time with Kennedy Taylor, a reputable major contractor”

Joining the union and taking a stand

“I signed myself up when I became a tradesperson, it was the right thing to do, I wanted to be part of social change, and besides, you don’t win anything on your own ”

After a short while, Youngy was elected one of the site delegates on the Royal Children’s Hospital upgrade job where he worked with current national secretary Allen Hicks, while Macca was just up the road at the Royal Womans

Growth team, one man band 2002

“After seeing some potential, Dick Williams asked if I’d like to interview for a position opening up, I said yes I don’t care what it is I’ll take it, I knew then working for the union was where I could do my best work ”

The team initially comprised Youngy with Peter Simpson (Simmo) as his supervisor Williams summmed up the job description “ the sole responsibility or task is to recruit new members into the union from areas where existing membership numbers may be low or in some cases non existent ” The right person for the job would be “ from within the existing membership who has the commitment and stamina to undertake what for all intents and purposes will be a very demanding and at times frustrating job ”

Youngy was that person and his commitment and stamina has never waned “It was a demanding job, but we made a difference and started to organise sectors like ESI contractors and vegetation management We followed the old mantra if you don’t ask you don’t know, people joined because we asked them to”

By the end of 2002, Youngy was offered a role as Queensland Rail and manufacturing organiser starting in 2003 In 2010 he added generation and relinquished manufacturing

Bowman: Victory on the night… hopes shredded in final count

In 2007 Youngy took leave to contest the federal seat of Bowman as the Labor candidate “I was under no illusion; I was the union’s candidate, and I was proud to be so This was the time of Howard and Work Choices, we were fighting for our lives”

After a massive campaign and huge support, it came down to election night, 24 November 2007 As it became clear that Labor would form government, Bowman was on a knife’s edge

As Youngy was preparing to deliver a too close to call speech, he saw the LNP’s Andrew Laming’s smug face going through the infamous TV shredder The seat was called for Labor, Youngy lost his shit, and the crowd erupted!! “It was euphoric, so much hard work had gone into the campaign, the venue was packed, comrades from Labor and Your Rights at Work campaigns were overwhelmed, we had done it, we led by more than 300 votes”

However, as history will show, the euphoria was short lived The LNP took the seat after three weeks of counting and recounting by just 64 votes

“I was gutted, not just for myself but the team of volunteers and comrades who supported me, it was hard to take”

PRESIDENT PRESIDENT JasonYoung

Back at the ETU in 2008, by 2009 Youngy faced another battle when the Bligh government, fresh from another election victory, threw out its own policy and embarked on its infamous privatisation campaign that included selling parts of Queensland Rail

Out of the frying pan, into the fire. ALP betrayal and the Not for Sale campaign takes shape.

“It really was a betrayal and a massive kick in the guts I was seething with anger for our members and their communities”

While all this was happening, Youngy was all but assured of having another crack at Bowman in 2010

“We were at the 2009 ALP State Conference and Simmo took me aside and said, ‘mate, this is going to get ugly This isn’t going to go well for the government, and with your candidacy, you can go home now if you want’ I said, ‘ no mate, I’m a unionist first and foremost I stand with our rank and file’ I stayed, we pulled on Anna Bligh and I never stood for parliament again”

Impact of privatisation on QRail

All the propaganda at the time said the sale of QRail would mean more jobs and better services, nothing could be further from the truth Youngy reels off the toxic reality “Townsville workshops closed, Rocky workshops, which employed 400, closed Redbank workshops, which employed more than 1000, now employs 70 It was and still is devastating”

Six years of Not4Sale - out of the fire into the inferno – Newman’s attack.

“Not4Sale never ended for me, after the Bligh bloodbath, we had the Newman government softening the state up to sell assets including generation assets, our members were in the government’s sights, and we needed to fight hard They closed Swanbank, mothballed units at Tarong, and set about dismantling public generation It was battle we couldn’t afford to lose”

2015 – the election, the campaign.

“Hands down one of the best campaigns Despite the reality and intensity of the issues, we had fun, the camaraderie was amazing It was an enjoyable, relentless campaign Election night was massive, to see what was happening across the state was hugely satisfying We got rid of Newman; we made asset sales a toxic issue”

Proudest moments as an organiser.

Armed with the knowledge that the fight for an electrical licencing allowance (ELA) had wounded and continued to evade campaigner,s etched in the memory was the story of members on strike for nine weeks not winning the fight Youngy and the ETU set out to create a legacy

“In 2002/3 we began a campaign to win an ELA for Queensland Rail members After a massive 18 month campaign and federal arbitration we won and created a lasting legacy for our members It’s my proudest moment And despite constant attacks, it is still there”

Who is Youngy, in his own words?

someone says, ‘he cared for his mates’ I’d be pretty f#$%ing happy”

In his spare time when he’s not spending time with family and friends, Youngy enjoys training at the gym “It’s something I really enjoy”

Proudest moments as a person

Family is a massive part of Jason’s and his wife of 26 years, Melissa’s, lives They have three daughters all in their twenties: Jaid, Caitlin and Rachael They also have a one year old granddaughter Violet, and two communal grandkids who call him pop: Henry and Nellie, both under five

“Being a grandad is one of my proudest personal moments I remember Simmo saying that there is nothing like it, and he was right When you first meet the kid you ’ re going to spoil rotten, it’s a pretty special feeling”

Something your mates won’t know about you

“I’m pretty much an open book to my comrades and mates but one thing some of you mightn’t know is I coach women ’ s deaf netball, and the team I coach has won two Australian championships and remain undefeated” Being ETU

“It’s my life it’s about effecting change, and being there for members when they need it, there is nothing as satisfying as helping members”

How did you feel after being appointed president?

“Being an organiser in the ETU is huge privilege, but being appointed president is a massive honour and put the biggest smile on my face, along with my grandkids smile, it’s just the best”

Youngy is under no illusion, he has massive shoes to fill The recent honour roll for presidents reads like a who’s who of ETU royalty Keith McKenzie, Commissioner for Electrical Safety, Chris McGaw, Life Member of the ETU, Gordon Abbott, another Life Member of the ETU

“I understand that unlike many other unions and organisations, at our union, the president’s role is more than a figurehead, it’s a working role and part of the leadership team"

“In five years, I see a financially secure union, with great training programs, increased membership numbers, density and activism securing excellent EBAs and community outcomes for our members"

Goals and future plans

“I think of myself as a caring, fairly compassionate, person, who has a tough exterior, but I like to make sure people are looked after If at my funeral

The ETU family congratulates Youngy on his appointment as the union’s fourteenth president.

""THAT'S "THAT'S THAT'S THE TSHOT" HE TSHOT" HE SHOT"

Comrades,

I am writing to advise you that I have accepted an appointment by the Queensland Governor in Council to take up the position of Commissioner for Electrical Safety in Queensland as required under the Electrical Safety Act The role of commissioner is an extremely important one, which I am extremely proud to be appointed to. The functions of the commissioner are:

to manage the activities of the board, having regard to its objectives, strategies and policies, and to ensure its efficient operation; and to manage the activities of each committee, having regard to its objectives, strategies and policies, and to ensure each committee's efficient operation; to fulfil the roles of chairperson of the board and chairperson of the Electrical Licensing Committee; and to advise the minister on electrical safety matters generally; and to advise the minister on proposed codes of practice after appropriate board and committee consideration and endorsement; and to perform any other functions given to the commissioner under this Act

Accordingly, being appointed to this role, I must resign as President of the CEPU Electrical Division Qld & NT Branch and President of the ETUQ. I also will have to resign as Divisional Branch Delegate to Divisional Council Accordingly, I have written to Ongy this morning tendering my resignation, that will take effect from 5pm 29th July 2022

I was appointed as an official in October 1999, and from there I have never looked back Looking after the contracting industry with Hicksy and Ongy was extremely rewarding and we built up the section not only in membership numbers but in activism as well as strong delegate structures

I am probably one of only a few officials who have had a varied career as an official of our great union From organiser, strategic lead organiser, assistant secretary and the first full time president, this has allowed me to continue to explore new organising opportunities from on the job to the leadership roles I have also had the privilege working for four state secretaries, all bringing a different style of leadership to our union

Over the next ten years, the building industry and the renewable sectors will see some significant developments The branch will prosper with increased membership, especially with apprentices that will see Queensland and the Northern Territory Branch the envy of the other ETU branches

I would also like to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by all the officials, officers, and staff of the union past and present who have worked tirelessly in representing our members to grow and build strength within our great union You are and always will be family

To Jason (Youngy), congratulations on being nominated to be appointed as the 14th president of our union Well deserved, and you will do an excellent job. As of Monday morning, you are entitled to use the president's car park (which was handed to me by Alan Ashman in 2000)

In my new role, I will continue to assist the union, seeking advice and understanding issues that will assist in making Queensland a safer place by eliminating the human cost to individuals, families, and the community of death, injury, and destruction that can be caused by electricity.

I will continue to represent the branch as a director on the CIRT board, a

I have seen a number of officials and staff of our great union come and go It is not a job, but rather a way of life, and a privilege Representing members, and changing lives, is the most rewarding thing someone could do in their lifetime.

To ensure that you keep the flame burning, and the passion to deliver, it is important to look after yourselves mentally. Switching off at the end of the day may seem impossible but supporting each other and regular conversations is the debriefing that you need and continue to do so.

I still have access to my ETU email and my mobile number, should you need any advice or support. I still over time will flick you documents that I may think are handy to support you

Keep up the good work, keep recruiting. and catch you later.

member of the Jetco Committee as well as continue as a Director (and contributor) to the ETU Defence Fund I will still be supporting Barry and Jason with the membership online training portal and retention of members project

“That’s the shot”

Jack Camp Inaugrual Commissioner (retired) Greg Skyring Commissioner (retired) Keith McKenzie Commissioner

KELLIE KELLIE KELLIE KEEVERS KEEVERS KEEVERS

Perils of privatisation come calling; Newman takes the axe to TMR

After being knocked back for an electrical apprenticeship, Kellie took up a position with Telecom working as a Business Administrator and was a member of the CEPU when the telco was privatised

“It was a good, secure job until they created Telstra and privatised the company Over the next 10 years, they made massive cuts, depots were closed, job insecurity was rife, and then in 2008 they outsourced call centres, merged depots, and the role I was working in was made redundant then replaced with labour hire”

After the Telstra experience, Kellie applied for and was successful in securing a position with the Queensland Government’s Transport and Main Roads (TMR) department

“It was 2011 when I started at TMR working in the electrical department doing procurement for network services”

“Being an electrician is something I have wanted to do for so long, it took time, but I got there despite the knockbacks It was a proud occasion when I finally got my electrical license ”

49 year old Kellie Keevers is a woman on a quiet mission, she has wanted to be a sparky for a long time, but, as she explains, there were forces bigger than competence and ability at play back then

“My dad was a sparky and I knew it was something I wanted to do too, so I applied for electrical apprenticeships back in the 90s and in 2000, but back then it wasn’t a done thing, I was the wrong sex ”

It would take almost 30 years to realise her ambition, but she finally got there, and she wants to be part of the changes and support needed to encourage a more inclusive workforce

“When I finished my apprenticeship with Roadtek in 2020, I was the first female apprentice to actually finish one through Transport and Main Roads Some of the managerial culture and actions gave an indication of why that might be the case But I never felt alone being an ETU member, the workers and supervisors were supportive, if a little bemused at times I can remember being out at a site where contractors assumed I was a project manager; I couldn’t possibly be an electrician, let alone an apprentice one at that!!!”

A unionist 'troublemaker' to the core

While Kellie has been a union member for the whole of her working life, her mum is not impressed “She calls us ‘troublemakers’, while my dad is a little more sympathetic, having been a member himself back in the day, it would be fair to say I wasn’t brought up in an active union house”

That changed when she married her husband Aaron, a former AMWU Rep at Qantas, now a FIFO maintenance manager for a resource company

“I have always been union and Aaron was active at Qantas so being in the union was important and joining the ETU when I was able to, was a no brainer for

When the Newman government came to power in 2012 riding high on the biggest electoral win in Queensland history, their seemingly bland ‘Can Do Campbell’ mantra was replaced with a brutality that would see at least 13 000 public servants sacked and departments decimated, and TMR was not immune

“We heard that 50% of our staff had to go and I was told I was one of them, they were amalgamating network and assets services We were called to the lunchroom, where management let you know if you were made redundant and you received your envelope It was brutal For some reason they changed their minds at the eleventh hour and a 30% cut was initiated instead of the expected 50% I still had a job, but my role and location changed We lost a lot of staff, and a lot of work was outsourced It was a really tough time for many ”

After a few years, Kellie got wind that TMR was offering electrical apprenticeships and she wanted the opportunity to apply for one She fought for internal applicants to have first crack, and she won In 2016, she was on the way to becoming a sparky and an active ETU member as well “There were a few, shall we say, ‘uniquely female’ roadblocks thrown my way, but I was determined to finish my apprenticeship and achieve my ambition, which I did in 2020”

“I was excited and looking forward to joining the ETU, because I saw firsthand the great work they did looking after their members. They got stuff done It was a no brainer for me, and I joined when my apprenticeship started ”

Armed with her newly minted license and the offer of a job as a signal’s electrician, Kellie was confronted with the realities of why TMR has issues recruiting tradespeople to their ranks

“I was on salary maintenance during my apprenticeship being paid my A03 clerical wage throughout, however, when I was offered the job as a signal’s electrician after four years of study and work, I was given an ultimatum: go back to your old job in the office, or take up the electrician job at $5 less per hour It was a massive shock I chose the signal’s electrician job, I was never going back to work in the office, but the whole experience left me angry and determined to highlight the issue”

The journey continues – a story of determination and never giving up on your ambitions. Introducing Kellie Keevers, workplace Delegate at TMR Roadtek Hemmant.

Despite the pay issues, finally having that electrical license was a proud personal achievement for Kellie who had waited so long for it

“It took a long time, but I got there, I was very proud And there have been some unexpected benefits along the way It has given me the ability to talk to my dad Grahame about electrical issues from a position of knowledge, we have chats about safety and other things as colleagues And another great benefit is the grandkids get to see grandma in hi vis and boots, and grandad in a polo shirt, it’s just the norm for them which breaks down barriers as well It’s telling them to be what they want to be”

In October 2021 Kellie was elected delegate by her peers, something that means a lot to her.

“Being nominated by my peers to represent them as delegate makes me very proud, I have always felt supported by the electricians and the supervisors during my journey but for them to trust me to perform such a vital role is something very special”

When asked if she sees it as breaking down barriers, she answers like a true delegate

“I was the first female apprentice, and now I’m doing this role with the support of my peers, I’m excited to be able to represent our members in

“Our department finds it hard to recruit quality workers, because the pay is poor in comparison with the private sector While we dealt with COVID effectively, we now have a lot of admin staff working from home and we are losing some of the vital face to face support”

The coming EBA negotiations will be Kellie’s first as a delegate, she is hoping to be at the table given she is the day delegate, and reckons it will be a learning curve for her But she is committed and ready to go

Never alone

Kellie rates the comrades she has met through the ETU women ’ s conferences and the Sparkettes (the group set up to support women in the electrical industry) as her biggest influences

Awareness of Awards, EBAs, entitlements and rights having worked in a project costing role I was well aware of the systems and Being approachable I’ve been told I’m very approachable and willing to help, even before I was elected delegate, I was often a go to person for members Being a good active listener so important to work out what members want Networking and ability to learn I’m the sort of person who recognizes I don’t know it all and work hard to keep up with developments and learn from my peers

Big issues looming in state government sector

Kellie has attended ETU conferences before; she’s been a regular at the branch’s women ’ s conference and apprentice conferences, and last year she attended her first state government conference as a newly elected delegate

“I get so much out of coming to conferences, you never stop learning, they are great for networking and formalising united strategies ”

This year ’ s conference was no different, Kellie highlighted the importance of sticking together and forming a whole of government approach to break down the inevitable divide and rule mentality

“It was so good meeting ETU members from across a variety of different government agencies, while there were many issues, we all had in common, there were also unique ways of dealing with them and knowledge is power ”

Kellie sees the biggest issues across the state government sector to be staffing and pay rates, and reckons they are both related

Outside work

“They are all great, but something my colleagues won’t know is that when I knew I was going to be grandma, I taught myself to crochet using YouTube, I can do full blankets now for the grandies”

Off the grid, family holidays and family tradition

Kellie, her husband Aaron and the kids and grandkids have created a new tradition Far away from the schedules and deadlines of their busy lives they take time out each year to go to the same place the family has been going to for more than 20 years

“Yeah, each year around New Year we go camping at Miara 45km from Bundy, we relax, go boating and jet skiing, there’s no shops, just water, cattle grids, sugar cane and cow paddocks, we eat, drink and sleep And because we have been going there for so long, we ’ ve made local friends along the way It’s bliss”

Kellie on being ETU: “Comradeship respecting our trade, supporting each other, having each other’s back and fighting for what is right.”

“They are amazing, you know they have your back, and importantly you know that while you may be the only female in a particular workplace, you are never alone I can pick up the phone and call any one of them and they can call me It is a really empowering feeling; it is so important to have that level of support and it is growing within our union”

"Whatdo youbringtothedelegate

role?"

Kellie is proud of her kids and grandkids Daughter Brooke 26 two grandkids, Harper 3, and Jaxon 4 Sons Dylan 28, serving in the Navy and Riley 21, who’s an apprentice plumber and proud member of the Plumbers union

KELLIE WITH HER GRANDKIDS

FIGHTING FFROM IGHTING FFROM IGHTING FROM THE TFRONT HE TFRONT HE FRONT

Youth Crew celebrate five years of Yactivism. outh Crew celebrate five years of activism.

Back in early 2017, after witnessing the effectiveness of the Western Australian MUA’s Youth Crew firsthand during a penalty rates campaign, Ongy, Jimmy Little and Dylan Puke returned home, committed to starting a similar group here.

In July 2017 the ETU Youth Committee held its first meeting in the union’s Brisbane office with a razor sharp focus articulated by then committee member, now ETU organiser Jimmy

The group, made up of members under 32, is focussed on growing union membership density among young electricians and apprentices, as well as making an impact on community issues in and around Brisbane.

“ Through the ETU Youth we aim to increase the union’s activism and involvement in social issues, as well as provide solidarity to other unions and youth groups in their campaigns and battles ”

We caught up with Jimmy, Hayden, Jason, and Ariah to talk about what they have been doing over the past 5 years and where they see the Youth Crew progressing in the next 5 years and beyond

State organiser Jimmy Little was the original coordinator of the ETU Youth Committee, later called Youth Crew, when it came into being in 2017 Over the years since, he’s seen 100s of younger members get involved and active, with many rising to take up leadership roles at work and in the union

“It’s been fantastic to see our younger members cutting their activist teeth so to speak, since our creation we’ve been a crew of activists speaking truth to power and showing support for social justice causes along with providing industrial and workplace advice. Through the Youth Crew’s collective support, we have been able to develop leaders and delegates including strong female leaders and advocates.”

Current coordinators Hayden Vanderkruk and Jason Constable have progressed to take up delegate roles, while two of the old stagers, Jimmy and Luke Ellis, have become organisers

For Jimmy, the highlights of the past five years have ranged from massive turnouts and new initiatives to spark regional involvement in meetings, to practical on the ground community action

“The highlights for me apart from seeing comrades grow as activists and humans, have to be having 84 members turnout for a Youth Crew meeting in 2021, just an awesome turnout in the middle of a pandemic!

On the community activism front who could forget the KP120 and Deebing Creek protests and picket lines. And of course, you also have the work we continue to do with our annual Christmas food drives since 2019, providing support for vulnerable people in our local community through Brisbane Youth Service and later Emmanuel City Mission. We’ve also used our trade to help community groups like the homelessness centre in Mt Gravatt hook up some washing machines ”

Jimmy is proud that the Youth Crew has grown in number and influence and reels off a couple of examples of how the Youth Crew has changed lives and dynamics.

“Following the successful 2021 Christmas Food Drive for Emmanuel Mission, we have been able to secure an ongoing supply of long life milk for the organisation, thanks to our connections with EQL ”

For Jimmy, whose family fled Nazi Germany, his proudest moment was watching Hayden speak at a rally calling for the release of 120 refugees locked up in a suburban hellhole in inner city Kangaroo Point. Some had been incarcerated for up to nine years Hayden was asked to step up and

speak after an NTEU comrade had been assaulted by police on the picket line a few days before

“At that moment when Hayden spoke to the crowd of around 1500 people across the road from the KP prison, we knew we were walking the walk, we were showing people we were legitimate and not afraid to take on the big issues We would fight from the front and show the Youth Crew was not only an ally in the struggle for social justice, but we would be on the frontline ” The ETU Youth Crew were regulars on the night shift protests at the suburban prison as well as making up a substantial portion of the Unions for Refugees cohort who protested outside the complex each week until the refugees were released.

According to Jimmy, the KP120 experience along with the food drives and other activities provided an education for young, arguably privileged, members about what life is really like for the vulnerable and that the façade that Australia is free and equal is just that a facade.

“The Crew saw firsthand how fellow human beings who had committed no crime were being treated, locked up in their rooms and only allowed out on the balcony when mass security and police were there Their sadness and the hopelessness only lightened by the presence of fellow human beings showing compassion.”

It’s been five years since the Youth Crew journey began, and Jimmy reckons the best years lay ahead.

“When you have other unions coming to you for advice on how to set up and sustain a Youth Crew, you know you are doing something right. We couldn’t do what we do without empowered and confident rank and file members feeling they are in a safe space to raise social issues through the Youth Crew to the broader union by virtue of having Hayden as an Ex Officio member of state council ”

Jimmy is confident the ETU Youth Crew will grow even stronger over the next five years, following the commitment to set up regional crews (watch this space!) The future of our union is in great hands

The Electrical Worker caught up with three Youth Crew members who have been involved in various activities over the past few years Ariah Goodluck was an apprentice based in Brisbane when the Youth Crew was established

“I am proud to be one of the four founding committee members from 2017 and I look forward to seeing the youth crew grow even stronger ”

Ariah says the Youth Crew has always aimed to create a feeling of camaraderie with every meeting, by asking members what they want to see and be in their own union because our young rank and file members will pave the way for our union’s future

KP120 BLOCKADE

Reflectingonhow welltheYouthCrewhasmetitsobjectives

Ariah reelsoffanimpressivelist ofactivities

Involvedincommunity-basededucation handingoutflyers anddiscussingwiththe publicthe needforthe workingclass totacklethe scourge ofcasualisation InvolvementintheChangetheRulescampaignbeforethe 2019federalelection InvolvementintacklingsocialissuesinthelocalBrisbane area,through ourhugelysuccessfulfooddrives,raising providingfoodandhopetolocalpeople experiencing homelessness. Takinga standonpicketlineswith other passionate communitymemberstoprotestthe unjusttreatment of refugeesandpeople seekingasylumduringtheKP120 protestsatKangarooPoint. RepresentingourintereststhroughtheQueensland CommunityAlliance andrecentlywe alsojoinedQueensland CouncilofUnionsYouth committee

“We share stories over a beer and a BBQ, and we ’ ve also held activities outside of the union office with the sole aim of building on our relationships with fellow crew members We are now focussing on branching out from Brisbane and encouraging youth members to get together with their mates and talk about the importance of involvement in our great union and what they want to fight for as part of the mighty ETU, now and into the future”

The highlights for Ariah revolve around “ seeing members that have had no prior involvement with the union, who’ve been invited by their friends to their first meeting, speak up about issues they are passionate about and form a plan of action and the realisation and enthusiasm that comes when they experience the difference they can make as one person when they have the solidarity of a collective group behind them, the faces and passion of those members is unbeatable”

The Crew has also been involved in some awesome wins such as unfair agreement terminations and renegotiations with backpay, as well as some great outcomes for various social initiatives that rank and file members bring to the attention of the crew

Ariah is one of the Crew members who has seen the concept evolve over the years from the face to face early days to the pandemic forced Zoom revolution During this time, she has also moved away from the Brisbane area to Bundaberg which in itself has thrown up some challenges but as is always the case with Ariah, she looks for a silver lining

Moving away and the COVID impact made it difficult for Ariah to be fully involved and while she attended some meetings by Zoom, her answer to the problem has been to push ahead with plans to set up a Bundaberg based Youth Crew, seeing regional development as a key to the Crew’s future success

“Now we have Zoom meetings I am at least able to be involved, but Zoom is not perfect and it has highlighted why it’s so important to start Youth Crew meetings in our own regions and continue the good work that we have done in Brisbane for the past 5 years in our own communities”

How well the Youth Crew is travelling in 5 years ’ time will be up to its members, but Ariah aims to have the Bundaberg Youth Crew branch up and running, which had its first meeting on Friday 26 August, and hopes for some other regions to get on board as well She reckons the Crew’s work hig stronger and their own con

Jason Constable is a great example of how the Youth Crew’s inclusive ethos works, Jason began attending Youth Crew meetings in mid 2020 and when he was asked to be involved in an anti racism video the union was looking to produce He came along and had his say on scripts, messages, and what he wanted to say From there, his involvement in the Youth Crew grew, he became a regular at the KP120 protests and started to take a stand at his workplace He is now a delegate at his workplace and joint convenor of the Brisbane based Youth Crew He’s proud to have stood up against the mistreatment and “violation of basic human rights” of refugees at KP120 and being part of the “They Will Not Divide Us” video campaign which highlighted the need to stand up for diversity and call our racism in the workplace But his most memorable highlights have been his involvement in the Christmas food drives

“The ETU Youth Crew food drives we hold every year, gathering food and essentials for organisations to distribute to people in need, are really rewarding They build good will and are a really great activity that gives back to our community. To see it grow every year is awesome.”

The Youth Crew’s other current co convenor Hayden Vanderkruk believes the Youth Crew has not just met its expectations but has smashed them out of the park!

“We are led by rank and file youth members and our actions come from that foundation Being a Youth Crew has given us a reasonable autonomy to take on issues that are not necessarily in the purview of the union as a whole

Having said that, we are and have been able to, report back on our successes and educate State Council on why we take particular actions through the Ex Officio Youth position”

“Over the past five years, we have taken on some important social issues, attending NAKBA rallies in support of the Palestinian people seeking peace, we protested and picketed outside the Kangaroo Point prison in support of the KP120 refugee demands for fair treatment, we attended Unions for Refugees pickets and events as a group On a union level, we supported the OI Glass picket in South Brisbane and we pledged international support for our Unite brothers and sisters standing up against tyranny in the UK”

The numbers and activism are increasing every year according to Hayden

“When we first started, I reckon we would be lucky to get 10 members to attend our meetings, we now average 30 or so with 20 core activists who we can count on We have been able to achieve this because we are not a bunch of worn out officials giving a spiel, we are rank and file youth members living the experience and sharing our stories and from those experiences we develop collective plans Democracy in action.”

“Addressing more than 1500 activists out the front of the Kangaroo Point Hotel to show our support for social justice and refugee rights At that moment we solidified ourselves the ETU Youth Crew as activists willing to make a stand, we talked the talk and walked the walk as well”

“The food drives that kicked off in 2019 were amazing, the hard work put in by Andrew, Shellie, Jimmy, and the Crew resulted in some of our most vulnerable having a brighter Christmas It’s an indescribable feeling to know you are making someone ’ s day a little brighter, showing them people they don’t know care about them And we will be doing it all again this year ”

“It is invaluable to have as broad a representation as possible including regional involvement and networks, we know the pressures and issues are different in Brisbane when compared to Mackay and Gladstone for example”

Build on the successes of the past and regional expansion a blueprint for success in 2027

“Ariah has held her first Youth Crew meeting in the Bundaberg area, and it is our goal to create a network of youth crews throughout the state and Territory by utilising the structures that brought success in Brisbane to provide a blueprint for others And from there, we aim to have a Youth Crew state conference each year We also hope to continue to build on the success of the past 5 years which has seen youth crew members rise to take up leadership positions, delegates, state council delegates and officials within the broader union structure”

We are fighting from the front!!

ETU EHOSTS TU HOSTS MARY MLOU ARY LOU MCDONALD MCDONALD

A moving story in more ways than Aone moving story in more ways than one

The self assured and passionate McDonald was officially welcomed to country by elder and union legend Dr Robert “Uncle Bob” Anderson who shared his own Irish connections, this was followed by a stirring Didgeridoo welcome performed by proud ETU member and activist Yungubljarri Yanner

In her speech and Q&A session delivered to a full house, she highlighted the unbreakable bonds that existed between Australia and Ireland including those dating back to the convict days where Irish men and women were sent to the colonies in shackles, to modern day diaspora where young Irish people continued to emigrate to Australia in search of a better life.

To the latter she had a special message

“To those young Irish people who have made the journey to Australia over the past few months and years I want you to know that we are working hard to change things for you, so that you can come home and be part of the new Ireland we are building "

She said change is happening across Ireland with Sinn Féin leading the opposition in the South and Michelle O'Neill being elected as First Minister Designate in Northern Ireland after the party secured the largest number of seats in the March election. In a feat that seemed impossible in the not too distant past, Sinn Féin won the majority of seats in the North, a state created with the sole purpose to ensure that never happened She also said the conversation about Irish unity are "happening all around us "

"This seismic change is happening as we approach the twenty fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement an agreement that shows what can be achieved when people come together in common purpose and it also gives us the roadmap to the future "

"The next phase is the reunification of Ireland It is an exciting and positive time, full of potential Irish unity is about opportunity The social and economic opportunities are immense, and we want to see them realised.”

“As we prepare for these opportunities, we are dealing with the fallout of a toxic Brexit and an all out attack on the Good Friday Agreement by the Tory government in London who have allowed the DUP to block the formation of

the Executive in Belfast and who intend once again to break international law While the resignation of Boris Johnson is welcome news in Ireland, whoever succeeds him in 10 Downing Street must change direction and re commit to the Good Friday Agreement and abide by international law."

“This tour has been about change, opportunity and international solidarity "

During her Australian tour, she briefed federal and state representatives, delivered a keynote address to the National Press Club in Canberra, and spoke at events organised by various organisations She also met with trade union leaders, representatives of First Nations organisations, and attended Irish community events where she shared her thoughts on the impact of the global pandemic, the implications of Brexit, and the role of Ireland in both Europe and the wider world from a business and geopolitical perspective

"Ireland can be a united country, one that stands as a bastion of social equality, economic justice, diversity and inclusion These are values we share with you, the mighty union movement and the people of Australia; we ask that you stand with us to help us achieve this goal.”

The humble ETU Bar and Grill was proud to host Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin President and Leader of the Opposition in Ireland’s 33rd Dáil when she toured Australia for the first time performing those roles, in July.

MARY LOU AND PETER ONG

“Now is the time “to Now is the time to strengthen ties sbetween trengthen ties between our two great ocountries. ur two great countries. Now is the time Nto ow is the time to assert the primacy aof ssert the primacy of politics and pdemocracy olitics and democracy and now is the time ato nd now is the time to prepare for porderly, repare for orderly, democratic dand emocratic and peaceful pconstitutional eaceful constitutional change cin hange in IIreland.” reland.”

YUNGUBLJARRI YANNER PLAYS THE DIDGERIDOO

UNCLE BOB ANDERSON DELIVERS WELCOME TO COUNTRY

TOOWOOMBA & SOUTH WEST QLD

Gatton prison

The Gatton Prison project is moving along slowly due to continued hold ups due to inclement weather The main electrical contractor Fredon now has 46 electrical workers employed on the project

If the weather stays clear and program continues as planned, we expect to see all electrical contractors on site to increase numbers of electrical workers on the project significantly in the near future I will continue to pursue employment on this project for regional members and stick to a commitment of Regional Workers for Regional Projects

Aserve Electrical Pty Ltd

Recently I had members employed by Aserve in Toowoomba contact me about concerns around safety, wages, and conditions The members are employed at a precast yard that produce precast concrete panels for major projects around Southeast Queensland Aserve also employ members at a similar facility at Yatala

Beau Malone and I held meetings and completed several workplace health and safety visits, and with the continued support of all members concerned and ETU Assistant Secretary Chris Lynch, Aserve agreed to upgrade workers from a basic Aserve agreement to their Fredon State EA We continue to assist the PCBUs concerned to improve the health and safety outcomes for all workers on these sites

New Toowoomba hospital

The ALP state government recently announced funding of $13 billion to build a new Toowoomba Hospital at the Baillie Henderson site The

MEMBERS AT GATTON PRISON SPORT ETU HOODIES project will be the largest construction project in Toowoomba since the Grand Central shopping centre upgrade Contracts are still to be awarded with civil works hopefully kicking off at the end of the year The five year project will give local ETU members the opportunity of full time EBA jobs with first class wages and conditions

Hewat

Renewable Energy Projects

Wind

Dulacca Wind Farm (located west of Miles) is under construction and with no major project agreements in place, workers are relying on contractors substandard agreements for wages and conditions I will be completing site visits soon to discuss options moving forward If you are currently employed on this project, don’t hesitate to get in touch

McIntyre Wind Farm (located near Karara, southwest of Warwick) is under construction with EQL company Yurika Energy completing construction of substations and HV networks for Acciona UGL Transmission Services and UGL Substation Services are completing construction of transmission lines and substations (McIntyre Sub and Tummerville Sub) for Powerlink The ETU is in negotiations with UGL Transmission Services for a new EBA

Solar

Edenvale Solar Farm and Western Downs Solar Farms (located west of Kogan) continue to embrace the substandard practice of employing labour hire companies to employ casual labour and push the boundaries of workplace health and safety requirements

After receiving photographs and videos of workers accessing work areas inundated with water and mud, I visited Western Downs Solar Farm recently to discuss these issues with workers and management With the help of HSRs, ETU members and workers onsite we can ensure that safety for all workers onsite is a priority

Delegates and HSRs

Thank you to all ETU delegates and HSRs for the time and effort you continue to contribute to make your workplaces safer for all workers

Recently, at one of our major projects, a Tier 1 electrical contractor used undue influence on electrical HSRs to limit or prevent them the time to represent workers With the support of the site ETU delegate, members and HSR committee this practice was stopped and the company initiated an investigation (the outcome is pending)

This is a timely reminder of the protections that HSRs are afforded under the Queensland WH&S Act

We will continue to fight for the safety of all ETU members and workers and for HSRs and delegates the resources to perform their duties

LIFT & CONTRACTING CONTRACTING CONTRACTING

Contracting industry

Busy times are forecast for the construction industry, leading into the upcoming Olympic Games, and with Cross River Rail, hospitals and schools being invested in This is only going to improve working conditions and wages for ETU members, so now is the time to join and get involved in your union and organise your workplace!

Current ongoing projects include the Logan Hospital Expansion, Coles Distribution Centre, West Village, Cross River Rail Southern Line Station Upgrades at Boggo Road, Yeronga, Fairfield, which are currently all under construction

Every worker is entitled to safe working conditions! If you think your site isn’t safe, contact your organiser and we will come out

Lift industry

Since taking over the patch from Keith Mackenzie as lift industry co ordinator, I would like to thank the delegates and members recently involved in the OTIS 2022 2025 EBA You have managed to secure a decent agreement with:

a wage increase of 1275 % with 6 monthly increases, over 3 years a Special Class Electrician by 1 Jan 2025 at $6151 p/h increased fares NE & Mod to $55 by 30 Jun 25 service non vehicle: $4500 (1 Jul 23) and $5000 (1 Jul 24), Service (vehicle holder): $3000 (1 Jul 23), $3050 (1 Jul 24) and $3100 (30 Jun 25)

$150 p/h allowance for major T & O repair works from 1 July 2023 minimum site allowance (project value 0 $100M) increased to $320 per hour for jobs booked after 1 January 2023

This wouldn’t have been achieved without the solidarity shown by members and delegates working for OTIS

The Alimak 2022 25 EBA includes:

14% increase in wages over 3 years Electrical Worker G5 $6240 p/h by 1 July 2024 increased CIRT to $134 p/w from 1st July 2024

Thanks to delegates and members for achieving this great outcome

As this journal goes out to print, Liftronic members are voting on their 2022 EBA I would like to thank the delegates and members for their efforts in getting this agreement to where it has landed, and delivering a great outcome for members, maintaining working conditions and improving wages that Lift Technicians rightly deserve

KONE/SCHINDLER, you are next, so let’s get organised! I will be focusing on the use of sub contractors and delivering permanent secure jobs for our members Now is the time to LIFT your industry

Steve

SteveBravo

Commercial construction is starting to turn a corner in Brisbane with some good projects coming online

Hutchinson’s have a CBUS project on Hershel St at North Quay under construction, with Perigon having the main electrical package

John Holland have a Dexus project at Waterfront Place next to the Riparian that will be around the $800m value that was due to commence demo already but is being held up in the courts with a neighbour challenging the DA Fredon and Klenner Murphy are the front runners for the job

Hutchinson’s have also got a big refurb at 450 Queen St, with Perigon on the site.

360 Queen St is also a slow starter for Hutchinsons, with SDF winning the main package

Mirvac has two jobs down at Newstead at the Gasworks with Bluestar on site

Mirvac also has another stage of Ascot Green with Bluestar doing the early works package

Queen’s Wharf is still moving ahead with the major milestone of the lower level casino floors to be handed over by the time this journal goes to print DBC is also working with builders for two more towers to go ahead across from 1 William St as part of the project.

With these jobs and others currently underway, it’s looking like the start of the second quarter of next year will be good for ETU members in Brisbane

We had our Contracting Delegates Conference in the middle of October with a great turnout, with discussions being heavily based on developing a log of claims for next year’s negotiations Lynchy will be coordinating a mass meeting of members in the new year to debate and

2022 CONTRACTING CONFERENCE endorse the log of claims, and we’ll be in touch with details once they’re locked in

It’s been a long and eventful year for many of us, I wish you and your families well over the Christmas and New Year period

WendelMol on e y

APPRENTICES APPRENTICES

NECA

LukeElli s

The perfect storm is finally here! With the snuffing out of the building code and the huge influx of work we ’ re starting to see off the back of the Energy Plan, the Olympics, and other projected works, now is a fantastic time to be an apprentice We’re now seeing the reintroduction of previously banned clauses around apprentice ratios and ‘ same job, same pay ’ being reinserted into agreements as well as an increased emphasis on training for our next generation of electrical industry apprentices across the board

Throughout this boom, we will continue to fight to ensure it’s done correctly with superior wages and conditions for apprentices, safe workplaces, and the maintenance of our skills and apprenticeship system

A huge congratulations to Iyesha Paull who has had a big year, taking home an Emma Miller award and the ETU National Apprentice of the Year award Congratulations Iyesha! (Read more on the next page)

NECA

NECA apprentices in QLD, NSW & ACT have just voted up their new enterprise agreement, which for the first time will see them gain locked in entitlements above that of the award rates This includes a ‘jump up ’ clause which ensures apprentices receive the same wage rates and allowances that direct hire apprentices would receive if they were working for that host employer

Previously NECA apprentices were working under an expired 2015 document that contained no locked in jump up and despite multiple requests to bargain, NECA had no interest in replacing the existing agreement

After requests to bargain were turned down by NECA, QLD ETU apprentices decided to launch a Majority Support campaign which in the end, had the desired effect and brought the company to the table The fact is, if QLD ETU apprentices didn’t undertake a campaign to bring NECA to the table to negotiate, they’d still be working under the same inferior expired agreement So well done comrades!

Apprentices and Trainees Qld (GAGAL) - Callide Batchfire

Negotiations are continuing for ETU apprentices working for ATQLD at Batchfire Mine near Biloela At this stage, ATQLD seem intent on only offering apprentices pay rates that are comparable to the Coal Award rates of pay, crying poor on behalf of themselves and on behalf of Batchfire, though they seem to have found enough money to engage Australian Industry Group to act on their behalf throughout negotiations Go figure

At this stage, ATQ are preparing to put a rubbish document out to vote despite the fact that the apprentices are all locked in together and intend to vote the proposal down

Watch this space!

Melbourne Apprenticeship Group

Melbourne Apprenticeship Group has moved into the electrical space in QLD and have come to the table to negotiate a solid union EBA for the contracting industry Drafting and negotiation is proceeding well and we should have an agreement in place by the time this article hits print

MRAEL Group Training

The ETU is currently in negotiations with MRAEL for the renewal of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal EBA as well as a separate state agreement for the contracting space

Both are proceeding well at this stage, watch this space!

‘Do nothing, nothing changes’

MEMBERS RALLY

IYESHA IPAULL YESHA IPAULL YESHA PAULL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Iyesha Paull is an apprentice for QBuild in Cairns and a proud member of the union This year, she has been recognised for her activism and natural leadership skills and was elected as a workplace delegate, represented her comrades at the womens and apprentice conferences, received an Emma Miller award for union activism, and was named ETU's Apprentice of the Year all in the space of a few months

Iyesha's organiser Rob Hill recommended her as a delegate for the branch's 2021 apprentices conference and again for the 2022 women's conference after recognising her as a natural leader at work Since attending her first conference, Iyesha has become more involved in her union At a later 2022 industry conference that Iyesha's workmates attended, her name came up in conversation They sang Iyesha's praises, and she was voted up as a delegate soon after Iyesha is a third year apprentice in her late twenties, so is just getting started! With members like Iyesha, we can rest easy knowing the future of our union is in great hands

Below are excerpts of two recommendation letters that accompanied Iyesha's nomination for Apprentice of the Year As the winner, Iyesha will attend the Global Power Conference in Ireland around the time this journal goes to print

Iyesha has continued to step up time and time again in her role, getting actively involved in ETU Women’ s Committee and conferences and recently being elected as an apprentice delegate for QBuild in Cairns at a time when Industrial Action was in full swing Iyesha was front and center on day one

We recently had the pleasure of attending the QCU Emma Miller Awards 2022 where Iyesha took home an Emma Miller Award Iyesha was so surprised to have received the award, but to the ETU representatives in attendance, it was a nobrainer What struck us on that night is just how humble Iyesha is She does things because it’ s the right thing to do, not because she thinks she deserves an award or acclamation

Iyesha is extremely passionate about the trade and is always keen to have a chat about the wider issues affecting women, apprentices and electricians in the industry, whether it’ s social issues, industrial issues or trade and training issues, she’ s there!

I highly recommend Iyesha for the ETU Apprentice of the Year for 2022 She is a fantastic example of progressive union values, integrity and dedication to her trade It has been a privilege to work with Iyesha and it’ s clear to me that she will continue to be a staunch advocate of the trade and our union for many years to come

Iyesha has been involved in planning our upcoming women in electrical campaign aimed at increasing the participation of women in the electrical industry. Iyesha is a great role model for young people looking to start an electrical apprenticeship and women commencing blue collar trades.

It’s incredibly exciting to have young activists and women so actively involved in our union from all over the state and territory. Iyesha is based in Far North Queensland and brings a perspective to women’s committee that can too often be missed among a group of metropolitan members.

Apprentices like Iyesha are the future of our great union. She is a staunch unionist with a strong moral compass and sense of justice. In a trade largely dominated by men, Iyesha is a standout electrical worker and member. She is true to her values and a true unionist.

I completely and wholeheartedly endorse Iyesha for ETU Apprentice of the Year. I know I speak for the entire Branch when I say we are beyond proud to have her as a member of our union.

State Organiser

Women's Officer

LukeEllis

KristinPerissinotto

IYESHA AND HER PARTNER TEAH

IYESHA RECIEVES EMMA MILLER AWARD

JUST A J' UST A J' UST A 'MATER MATER MATER

OF OTIME F OTIME F TIME

Members stare down belligerent management and win!

After two years of campaigning and standing strong, proud ETU members and other workers employed at Mater Health have won an important victory

“No longer will Mater members be treated as second class citizens when compared to their public sector comrades” Organiser Scott Reichman said following the landmark victory

The background and headlines

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Mater ETU members were busy implementing infection controls, though not categorised as frontline workers, they were expected to work in patient areas including COVID isolation rooms They were under a management imposed 12 hour shift roster and expected to perform other tasks such as bed relocations

Management’s lack of respect was highlighted by its petty and ultimately stupid denial of a reasonable request by workers to have laundered towels for staff showers

Mater management’s first insulting offer was essentially a zero % pay increase for two years The insulting offer was rejected in June 2020, as ETU members’ claim was for parity with the public sector plus minimum 25% pay increases

The pandemic puts bargaining and industrial action on backburner, and the ETU claim was rejected by Mater in late 2020

Slow progress and stalling by incompetent Mater management leads to frustration, ETU members vote to begin COVID safe industrial campaign in the middle of 2021 Scabby the Rat was mobilised to highlight Mater’s failure to pass on state government wages funding Rat thieves!

ETU pickets the State ALP Conference 2021, calling for government intervention over funding debacle

The industrial campaign ramps up further after Mater seeks to broaden the scope of agreement to include never before included regional Mater non union employees (the ETU industrial team knock off this blatant overreach)

In March 2022, ETU members reject substandard offer for a second time

The industrial campaign escalates, finally Mater agrees to union claims in full August 2022: agreement certified!

Removal of ‘classification barrier’ which meant 90% of our members were reclassified upwards, backdated to 21 Sept 2021, and received an increase in weekly pay of at least $140 per week + agreed pay increases

Pay increases of 25% from 1 Sept 2021 and a further 25% paid 1 Sept this year There were also increases in allowances that kick in for members not covered by the reclassification process

Disciplinary procedure updated and improved Fixed an ongoing hours of work issues, abolished arbitrary shift changes

Achieved parity with the public sector

Industrial Political

Undertook targeted industrial action carefully with regard to COVID 19 pandemic issues,

The campaign included short, sharp stoppages which escalated to half a dozen full day strikes, overtime bans, and paperwork and device bans

Conducted highly visible pickets outside Mater Hospital complete with Scabby the Rat

Members stood strong and maintained discipline to knock off two attempts by Mater to roll out a substandard agreement ETU delegate Dom and co delegate Mal worked tirelessly across our membership and other unions to maintain communication and hold the line

Lobbied the state health minister re: wages funding issue, with Mater being a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and being funded as such, why were they holding back wages funding provided by the state government?

Took to the streets, picketing the ALP State Conference, calling out privatisation of the state health system by stealth Highlighting the fact that the state government were promising to inject funds into another PPP Mater satellite hospital out at Springfield, while they hadn’t fixed the mess in South Brisbane We demanded pay parity for Mater employees they must be paid at least the same as their QHealth comrades

A massive win, here’s a summary of key outcomes

A coordinated, disciplined campaign which included all the elements needed for victory - industrial, political, legal, media and community pays dividends.

The mighty ETU legal team were able to successfully knock off a shameless attempt by Mater to broaden the proposed agreement’s scope beyond those normally covered by it Mater sought to include regional non union Mater employees who had never been covered by the agreement to ultimately rig the vote Mater sought to claim wearing ETU shirts to and from work, outside of hours, as illegal industrial action They also claimed that displaying ETU stickers in the workshop was a form of industrial action and tried to use this to sanction our members We knocked this nonsense off in the Fair Work Commission and members proudly continued to show their union colours throughout the rest of the campaign

Media

The union successfully used social media and traditional media to raise awareness of the issues including Mater’s refusal to pass on government funding, the Rat Thief tag was very effective We also shared other union articles which highlighted the toxic culture within Mater This resulted in front page articles in the Courier Mail about the toxic culture workers were experiencing at the Mater and the industrial action being taken by the ETU and other union members

Community and solidarity actions

The pickets outside Mater’s South Brisbane location were well supported by a variety of union and community groups; including the QNMU, Queensland Council of Unions, Professionals Australia, MUA, The CFMMEU and Together to name a few The support from the public was great, with many beeps and toots, and an increasing understanding of the mighty job our members and other frontline workers were performing during the pandemic

Scott paid tribute to the membership which grew to 100% density during the dispute for their commitment and ‘ never say die’ attitude, but the biggest shout out went to the workplace leaders who drove the process and kept the campaign on track

“Dom and Mal did a fantastic job keeping the members on track with their communication and commitment.”

“Dom was there at just about every negotiation meeting, and his ability to articulate the outcomes, or more often the lack of outcomes, in a concise manner, he was trusted and has a great ability to maintain solidarity and unity across our union members as well as delegates and members from other unions One of the main reasons we were able to win this victory was Dom’s ability to get members to unite behind the actions, he also ran the ‘ no ’ votes and kept kicking on to the end While he has been a delegate for some time, this campaign saw him develop to another level Well done mate”

“Mal has been the HSR on site for some time and had been the subject of some dubious disciplinary actions from Mater management, but rather than this deterring him from taking on a greater leadership role, he relished in it, taking on the role as step in delegate when Dom was unavailable Through Mal’s actions during the campaign, both as the HSR and the step in delegate, he earned respect across the board from members and delegates to management He continues to fight battles as the HSR and going on Mater’s history that won’t change anytime soon!”

For site Delegate Dom O’Rourke, the campaign was the best he had been involved in as an ETU delegate

“I’ve been a delegate here for a few negotiations now, and I can say without a doubt this was the best campaign I’ve been involved in for many reasons Yes, we won decent pay rises and conditions, but we won more than that We showed new members and apprentices what can be achieved when we stand together, look out for one another, and stand strong in pursuit of a common goal, in this case a fair agreement” Dom reflected on some of the big wins to come out of the agreement and how they were won

“The breaking down of the pay parity barrier was a huge win, the issue has been around for more than 15 years I reckon, and to finally educate QHealth, the CEO and others about why the long standing inequality needed to be fixed, and actually getting it fixed was very satisfying”

Dom is in no doubt that if the members had not stood together and rejected the first offer put at the height of the pandemic, they would be in a world of hurt now

“The first offer was an insult, with its 0% pay increase and proposed changes to hours of work provisions that would have seen us going backwards for a long time By rejecting it and vowing to take the fight up to management, we set a strong foundation on site, but we were 12 members The support we got from ETU officials, the ETU office, fellow members, and other unions was fantastic and gave us the strength to carry on for the length of time we did It was a massive advantage having access to all the resources provided by the ETU, from lodging daily protected action notices, to legal protections and advice about wearing union branded shirts out of work hours, while on the negotiation front the skills and experience of the organisers and staff gave us a huge advantage”

Dom’s proudest moments centre around the solidarity and support the Mater members showed each other and were shown by others

“To see all the fellow unionists wearing their shirts and flying their flags gave us the strength we needed to stand together, to see our guys prepared to give up time and money to fight for a decent agreement made me proud every day To see Scabby the Rat out the front drawing attention and creating conversations had a huge impact, so much so that while we were out on the grass the government and Mater finally agreed to pay the 25% administrative payment, they were paying workers on other agreements that had not yet been finalised”

But above all else, Dom reckons the campaign left some clear legacies for workers, management and future workers

“The campaign demonstrated to apprentices and new members what can be achieved when you are educated, committed and stand together in pursuit of a common goal”

“The campaign also increased the understanding of how funding agreements are supposed to work when public money is spent, it educated Q Health, the CEO and others and creates parameters and mutual understanding about parity and fairness”

“Two years is a long time to be campaigning, but the outcomes more than make up for the lost time and money, we now have an active membership who have had a go, had a win, and understand their strengths They have become better educated on health and safety and the power of collectivism Proud to be ETU!”

For ETU member Malcolm Robb, a Trades Assistant and HSR, this campaign was different in some interesting ways

Newton’s third law of motion states "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction"

While it may not be true every time, for Mal, Mater management’s dictatorial and belligerent negotiation style worked against them and steeled the ETU and other unions for the fight

“I’ve been at Mater for 39 years as a TA and 12 years as the HSR, this was different from other EBA campaigns Management were coming out hard, attacking our hard won wages and conditions Their opening offer of 0% was an insult, and treated us as second class citizens, we knew then we were in a fight we couldn’t afford to lose”

Mal agrees with Scott that Mater management also seemed hellbent on going after individual workers for minor misdemeanours, implementing dubious disciplinary procedures on more than a dozen workers in an effort to distract and intimidate them, but both agree it didn’t work, it just made them more determined to stand up and get a win

Mal has been a union member since he was 17, and is getting close to retirement age now He reckons the Mater campaign and the result is up there as one of the best he has been involved in

“The solidarity and collective strength we showed by standing up and demanding to be treated better made me very proud The support of all the ETU organisers and staff who worked behind the scenes on the legal, political and media stuff helped Dom and I on site We would often have long phone calls discussing strategies to keep the campaign rolling for the long haul”

Mal’s proudest moments include seeing construction workers from the CBD joining the picket and also the reactions from particular HR managers when they saw their names on Scabby the Rat

“Ah mate, to see construction workers and other unionists prepared to give up their time to come and stand with us, was beautiful And to see the looks on the faces of Mater management reps who looked down on us, taking pics while we stood on the picket, then to see their reactions when they saw Scabby the Rat with their name on the tag around him was priceless No longer were they going to treat us like second class citizens we are worth every cent”

A win to savour, but more to do

After the win was assured and the agreement finalised it was finally time to have a beer and reflect on what had been a mammoth campaign

Working as a TA, Mal’s involvement with the logistics areas has given him the ability to build trust across different worker groups, something that proved invaluable during the campaign

“It was great to get along and have a few beers with the ETU organisers

and staff and our crew to celebrate the win, I had a text from a comrade in construction who congratulated us on our win, pointing out ‘what sticking together as a combined brotherhood can achieve,’ I also had one of the apprentices pat me on the back and say thanks, when I asked for what he just said ‘Malcolm, thanks for just helping us ’” Like Dom, Mal reckons the campaign will leave a positive legacy for younger workers

“They were watching how us old heads went about questioning management when we knew what they were doing wasn’t right or fair, they saw firsthand in real time what the ETU stands for, looking after each other and how we get results, one of the apprentices said to me ‘don’t retire until I finish my time,’ I told him he’ll be well looked after by the rest of the ETU crew ”

After the win, Mal has seen a shift in the way management treat ETU members, though he is adamant there is no place for complacency

“We won’t forget how management tried to divide us, how they sought to undermine us and how hard they came after our wages and conditions, but there was a realisation from the EBA team at least that we had valid claims and that what we were seeking was reasonable Having said that there is still some residual animosity from Mater management and a healthy dose of paranoia from our side, we know the fight is not over We need to stay forever vigilant with this lot”

Mal is currently dealing with some serious OHS issues in his role as HSR and as always, his empathy and respect for all ETU members is shining through

Union strong, Union proud

FARNORTH FARNORTH

QUEENSLAND

Iyesha Paull: Emma Millar Award recipient and ETU National Apprentice of The Year Award Iyesha Paull, an adult apprentice with QBuild in Cairns, who was identified as an activist and has represented both women and apprentices at recent conferences, will now also be representing the branch as a delegate at the ETU National Women’s Conference Colleagues and union members who have worked with her say she brings a “magic spark” and enthusiasm to all teams she works with, “is a great role model for young people looking to start an apprenticeship” and is a “staunch unionist with a strong moral compass ”

Iyesha was voted up as a co delegate at her site, even though she is an apprentice and has the full support of her workmates Iyesha is a credit to the trade and a staunch activist in the union This glowing endorsement resulted in her being recently presented with the prestigious Emma Miller award by the Queensland Council of Unions, in recognition of her strong advocacy and staunch union values Iyesha has made a huge impression on her workmates with her values and passion Iyesha is “ a legend and a true leader”

Iyesha has also recently won the Electrical Trades Union National Apprentice of the Year Award Iyesha’s application stood out because of her understanding of core union values such as collaboration and collectivism, her commitment to her trade and the high praise she received in her references for her submission Iyesha will be representing the ETU as a delegate at the Global Power Trade Union Congress (GPTUC), in Dublin, Ireland, in November

Young people are the future of our union and our industry, and with members like Iyesha, we can rest easy knowing we are in good hands Congratulations Iyesha, on this very well deserved award!

Read more about Iyesha on page 21

QBuild The EBA for QBuild expired on 1 September 2022 and at the time of writing negotiations have largely failed to gain traction with the department saying a flat no to most of our claims or taking them away to get “costings” without any commitments The QBuild negotiators appear to be hiding behind the government wages policy and holding the workers to ransom with the promise of back pay “if the agreement is agreed to by the end of the month” Luckily the members of QBuild are well educated and committed to the log of claims tabled They have participated in Protected Industrial Action and are causing some waves, due to the away work not being done and the increased costs of the use of contractors to do this work whilst the Industrial Action is in place

QHealth Qld Health’s agreement also expired on 1 September 2022 and the negotiations have crawled as well The positive is that the local QHealth members have stared down hostile management in the past, in the previous agreement negotiations, and have achieved through their collectivism some positive changes in the workplace, which sees at least lower level management changes that embrace the idea of consultation and working with our members Although this will have little affect on the negotiations, and their Protected Industrial Action will continue, it is encouraging to see empowered workers stand up to the injustices in their workplace and turn the culture around Cairns Hospital was at one point the single worst employer in the patch, and due to the staunch work and solidarity of members is fast becoming the workplace it should have always been Now to get the agreement sorted!

TMR TMR members were “locked out” in the Central Region in response to taking lawful industrial action, and the resultant cascading action taken by members up and down the coast to affect the positive outcome I am proud to say the Cairns TMR members took themselves out the gate in response to their comrade’s treatment, to send a very clear message to TMR and to government that if you “touch one, you touch all” Despite this, it appears that this government department is falling in line with the others at the bargaining table and principally saying “NO” to the union's log of claims

Cairns Airport Cairns Airport recently negotiated a new EBA Interestingly, the Cairns Airport was one of the few airports to not wind back hours or permanent staff through the pandemic, and was also one of the first regional airports back into action It has been reported recently that the passenger movements through that airport are at record levels The increases negotiated were 35% per year, for 3 years with some uplifts to allowances

Construction The Cairns Convention Centre is progressing and ramping up from an electrical perspective Management would have us believe that the project is on schedule after supply issues, but all in all the project is progressing well and the members at Stowe are happy onsite The Cairns Mental Health Facility has started with Babinda Electrics picking up this project

The Cairns Navy Base improvement is ramping up, but I understand that the first stage involves very little electrical

CleanCo Barron Gorge and Kareeya Power Stations are about to head into new EBA negotiations It must be recognised at these negotiations the invaluable contributions that these sites make to the Governments Green Energy goals currently and ongoing, and I am excited by the opportunities presenting at these negotiations to deliver real outcomes for the workers in the face of the impending industry skills shortage

Ergon Recently, Assistant Secretary and Supply Industry Coordinator Stuart Traill visited the 14 Ergon depots in the patch to talk about the upcoming EBA, industry challenges and opportunities It is very clear that the industry as a whole is heading into a skills shortage of a magnitude that many would never have seen, with overlaying competing date sensitive projects demanding specialised electrical skillsets, such as the state governments renewable energy targets plan that will see new alternate energy generation sites requiring thousands of electrical workers, the transmission backbone upgrade from 275KV to 500KV to facilitate the diverse alternate generation inputs, which will require thousands of workers, the 2023 Olympics, the major construction projects currently underway and the current age demographic of the current Ergon workforce on top of the expected growth demanding thousands of more workers, so it is reasonable to expect many opportunities to present in this space going forward, which will in themselves potentially drain resources from other sectors

Never has our trade been more in demand, let's link arms and make the most of the opportunities and realise our value comrades!

RobHill Hilly

Operation Energise provides hope and power again

Imagine being awoken by the incessant sound of heavy rain or the deafening cacophony of cyclonic winds. Imagine seeing your worldly possessions float past you as floodwaters rise and rise, imagine the sound as your power goes out For so many Queenslanders there’s no need to have a vivid imagination, they have lived it.

In early 2022, after weeks of torrential rain, it was the Gympie and Ipswich regions that were the hardest hit, and it was time for Operation Energise to fire up again

The project that began amidst the devastation of cyclone Larry in Innisfail in 2006 hit the road again

Former ETU Queensland and Northern Territory Branch President Keith McKenzie sums it up:

Operation Energise is all about trying to restore a sense of control back in the lives of people who have had their world washed away in the blink of an eye.

ETU Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Organiser Dan Bessell says that the Operation Energise project was an emergency response group formed by the union for the benefit of the community

He said the Gympie workers identified 190 homes left without power by the floods in February

“Because of the union movement, we were able to keep the power network in public hands and we are able to mobilise and help pensioners and disadvantaged people who are financially stressed and have limited choices.”

“When you do work like this, you can see it changing people’s lives ”

As always, Operation Energise teams up with publicly owned Energy Queensland (Ergon and Energex) as well as Powerlink, and a number of electrical contractors, this year it was Nilsen, Perigon, and Stowe.

The 2022 crew included nine tradespeople and four apprentices who worked together for more than two weeks restoring power to homes across the flood affected areas of Gympie in Wide Bay, and Goodna and Bundamba around Ipswich They also restored power to community organisations such as the Cooloola BMX bike track and Goodna Bowls Club

Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni paid tribute to the ETU men and women involved in the operation

“We welcome the ETU’s leadership in partnership with Queensland’s publicly owned power companies focusing support on vulnerable households," Mr de Brenni said.

LANCE'S UPDATE

Operation Energise powers Queensland

Crews from the mighty ETU once again answered the call when parts of Queensland including my local Bundamba community were devastated by floods earlier this year

For more than two weeks crews provided emergency support across Bundamba and Gympie, conducting free electrical safety checks for people who were uninsured, sole parents, pensioners, not for profits and community groups

In Bundamba this meant safely restoring power to more than 50 properties and providing people with a huge boost at a time when many had lost everything

It meant a warm shower, a freshly cooked meal and a reading light

For our local Goodna Bowls Club it meant providing our community with another meeting place to share a story and enjoy a well earned laugh

You cannot understate what Operation Energise meant for Bundamba, and I thank Energy Queensland, Powerlink, Electrogroup Training and Apprentices, Energy Super, Mates in Construction, the Queensland Government and our electrical contractors who all banded together to make it happen

Public ownership delivering dividends

Our proudly publicly owned power assets continue to support household budgets across Queensland with our latest $175 Cost of Living Rebate recently applied to power bills

The move means total rebates to households of $575 over the past four years as we continue to deliver real dividends for Queenslanders

Publicly owned assets like Swanbank E Power Station in my community of Bundamba are providing cleaner, cheaper energy and supporting good, highly skilled local jobs

This year ’ s budget includes more than $2 billion in large scale storage, renewable energy projects and generation and transmission investment

It complements our $2 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund and is delivering upgrades and new work at the Kidston Pumped Hydro Project; Southern Queensland REZ Battery Project; Wambo Wind Farm; Tarong Power Station; Stanwell Power Station; Central Queensland Hydrogen Project; Callide Power Station; Kogan Creek Power Station; Karara Wind Farm; Kogan North Gas Fields; Wivenhoe Power Station; Borumba Dam; and Swanbank E

More support for Queensland workers

We’re supporting Queensland workers with changes to industrial laws that will protect workers from unregistered unions

It means the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission will be able to make orders in relation to LNP supported fake unions and unregistered organisations that seek to divide, spread dangerous misinformation and undermine the hard fought progress of real, registered unions

Only registered unions like the ETU can stand up for workers and enforce their rights

Real unions negotiate for better wages and conditions; legally enter the workplace to assist members, hold discussions with workers and inspect records relating to a workplace contravention

Only real unions have the history, expertise and legal right to fight to represent workers in disputes, including at industrial tribunals and in the courts

The next steps on our Path to Treaty

Australia is home to the some of the world’s oldest continuing living cultures, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of an inclusive, respectful and forward thinking government that continues to walk together on our Path to Treaty

The destination is true reconciliation, and recently we signed a Statement of Commitment with our First Nations people

This means the Treaty process will be enshrined in our state's law, setting a framework for truth telling and healing

There’s still a long process to come, and we will continue to share our journey together as we work to acknowledge and address past injustices and create a new future between First Nations and non Indigenous Queenslanders

You can learn more about our Path to Treaty at qldgovau/firstnations/treaty

I wish you all the very best for the final few weeks of 2022, and a happy and safe festive season with family and friends

In solidarity,

Lance McCallum MP Member for Bundamba Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy by 2030 Target

It’s full speed ahead for the federal government as Albanese puts rubber to the road on big issues

We look back on what has been a refreshing, sometimes hair raising, rollercoaster ride over the past six months

May 21 Election result shows no clear winner, but one clear loser the Morrison’s inept LNP government has been swept from power

May 23 Anthony Albanese sworn is a PM along with four other ministers Since those heady days, progress has been steady on key election promises, let’s take a look at some of the big ones

Wrote submissions supporting a 51% increase to minimum wage, FWA granted a 52% increase

Wrote submission supporting a substantial increase for aged care workers

Held a jobs summit consultation with stakeholders including business, governments, and unions (See separate overview)

Oh and let’s see what Dutton and co. have done in opposition, nothing, diddly squat…

Dutton and LNP opposes extending 52% minimum wage increase to other workers

Dutton and Cash oppose abolition of ABCC and overhaul of Building Code

Dutton boycotted the Jobs and Skills Summit Dutton and the majority of the LNP opposed the 43% emissions reduction Bill LNP refloat expensive, unsafe, toxic nuclear power and privatisation as cures to energy crisis

Dutton opposed Labor’s ICAC

Reflecting on the first five months of a new government Wages and jobs

Dutton and co spent more time fawning over the royals following the death of the Queen, than they have to developing policies

The LNP are becoming increasingly irrelevant and have learnt nothing from their pasting in May

Further on the Jobs and Skills Summit, here’s a handy overview from acting national secretary Michael Wright

outcomes for us include

Defunded the ABCC

Removed anti worker elements of the Building Code Committed to overhauling FWC

Industrial Relations Energy and climate change

Introduced and passed a bill that enshrines Labor’s 2030 target of a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 2005 levels as a minimum

Integration of energy and climate change policies agreed by all government’s

Minister Burke has committed to multi employer wbargaining ithout caveats (i e not restricted to low paid or fundedservices) this is an important win for us

We’re creating a National Construction Industry Forum, ta ripartite body to drive cultural change in the iconstruction ndustry

“Electricians” were the most mentioned occupation over the course of the Summit (ahead of nurses and Ichildcare) spoke to our Powering Australia

Oagenda ur agenda was also spoken to by the Clean Energy tCouncil, he Smart Energy Council, and Kate Jenkins (the Human CRights ommissioner).

Has promised to hold a referendum on the First Nations Voice to parliament in first term with a simple premise ‘Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?’

First Nations Voice to parliament Anti-corruption

The government has committed to implementing a federal ICAC, with legislation tabled in Sept 2022 for a 2023 implementation

The new government has also been busy mending our relationships with Pacific Island nations and France, while also taking steps to improve the NDIS It has also convened a Jobs and Skills Summit

And let’s not forget, this has all been done while having to deal with an energy crisis (created in large part by the LNP's inaction and neglect over the last 10 years), an inflation and interest rates crisis fueled by record corporate profits under a pro corporate, anti worker LNP government

With the Summit done, we’re now moving into:

Negotiations over the IR Bill Minister Burke announced tthat he process starts Monday, presumably to be introduced Pinto arliament in October and aiming to be passed by the end tof he year

Negotiations over allocations for the October budget iearly ndications are that we will get at least some early fallocations or energy apprentices; Commencing work on a sector model for temporary amigration; nd

Policy around the “electrification of everything”

Much work still to be done, but we're heading in the right direction. In union,

Wright

FIVE FIVE MONTHS MIN ONTHS IN

CENTRAL QLD

SCABBY VISITS GLADSTONE

EBAs EBAs

While there have been no major projects kicking off in Central Queensland, there is a constant supply of work coming through which is squeezing the labor market. Employers are struggling to attract and retain quality trades people Once again, there has never been a better time in the region to join the ETU and fight to get better wages and conditions. For too long, the balance of power has been in the employer’s favour, now is your chance to swing the pendulum back your way

Current agreements I am currently working in the region on are QAL, Downer, DMH, Cement Australia, UGL GLNG Curtis Island, Mono’s Curtis Island and Queensland Magnesium.

The members at Mono’s E&I were able to achieve a great outcome in their agreement through solidarity and high union membership density. Honourable mentions to their delegates, Pryce Trevor, Big Red Lamberton, Jake McGrath and all the ETU members involved

Fitzroy River Water/ Rockhampton Regional Council ETU Delegate Gavin Archer also locked in with ETU members and achieved the best outcome for this workforce in recent history. Gav worked tirelessly behind the scenes with all members to achieve this result

Shawn Higgins

Recently, a legend of the Gladstone union movement has retired Darryl Prest has mentored and supported numerous ETU delegates over decades at the Port. Whilst members will miss Darryl, they wish him all the very best in retirement The ETU would also like to acknowledge Darryl’s tireless contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors

Darryl DPrest arryl Prest Gladstone Ports GCorporation ladstone Ports Corporation (ETU Honorary (Member) ETU Honorary Member)

COAST COAST COAST

There is a fair bit of construction on the Sunshine Coast, and we are starting to see some of the companies with Tier 2 agreements pick up some work Hopefully we should see a union contractor on the hospital in Maroochydore town centre

Regions There is plenty of work happening in Maryborough, and Hyne Timber and Downers Rail are struggling to find electricians so if you are interested in long term employment up there, let me know and I can put you in touch with their people

We had some excellent news last week with the announcement from the state government about a $20 billion spend on the electricity network, and building wind farms and pumped hydro in our region This will mean a lot of jobs for our area and a lot of apprentices will be needed to backfill the potential skills shortage If you would like to learn more about it, scan the code below This is a once in a generation opportunity and investment

Dan

Dan Bessell

KINGY'S UPDATE

So much has happened this year, after two years of COVID 19 uncertainty We’ve released our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan arguably the biggest game changer for our industry in modern history The proposal to transition coal fired power stations to clean energy hubs, backed by an all important jobs guarantee for workers across the industry, will revolutionise Queensland’s power base This coupled with Electrogroup’s new Renewable Training Centre proposes an exciting future in our electricity industry

And I’m excited about our pumped hydro projects with the Pioneer Burdekin project set to be the BIGGEST pumped hydro in the world! Our commitment to 70% renewable energy by 2032 means a cleaner, brighter legacy for our future generations, and most importantly they will still be publicly owned

The other thing I’m really proud of is the action our government is taking to stamp out “red unions” (fake unions) through the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, to be debated in Parliament this year Once passed, it’ll clear up any confusion and stop the LNP lies about who can legitimately represent workers in Queensland’s Industrial Relations Court that is registered industrial organisations (trade unions)

The union movement dating back to at least the early 1800s in Oz has fought against oppressive employers, self interested business associations, and Coalition governments to win the 8 hour working day, minimum wage, equal pay, and superannuation, among many great achievements So I’m proud to speak on this Bill to take on these fake “red unions” and stand up for Queensland workers and the mighty history of our real trade unions

Words from Shane King, MP for Kurwongbah and proud ETU member Kingy

YOUNGY'S STORY

Most people within our union know Jason Young, either as the hardworking organiser, now president, looking after generation and rail, or as the budding politician who came so close (64 votes) to becoming the MP for Bowman in 2007 The memory of that loss still burns, but not as badly as the Queensland sun

Those who know him as an ETU organiser, know how much of a stickler he is for safe systems of work and how committed he is to improving health and safety in the industries he is involved in

Yet Youngy, like so many of us, had never had a full skin check performed by a qualified professional Until it was almost too late Despite committing to getting a check after watching his good mate Simmo lose his battle with melanoma just two years ago, he just never found the time “I would go to a skin cancer clinic, curse it for being closed and take a picture for future reference, urge myself to make the call and then life took over and It got kicked down the road”

“It took my daughter making an appointment for me to get one organised” “I was complacent, that all changed when I finally made an appointment and had my first full skin check The doc was thorough and kept coming back to a non descript pink spot on my shoulder, he was like, ‘it might be nothing bad, but I just don’t like it, best to be safe, let’s get it tested’ and so we did”

“With biopsies done and dusted, I got back to my normal life, time seemed endless and infinite, there was nothing to worry about The specialist wasn’t too worried too, so neither was I Life went on ”

Around a week later, Jason got a call from his daughter who worked at the skin clinic She’d been asked by the doctor to call her dad to make an appointment with him

“Dad, you need to come in and see the doctor I said, ‘I’m too busy today, I’ll do it later’ ‘Dad you really need to come in,’ ‘Why?’ You have a melanoma”

“It was like time stood still. I felt sick I cleared my diary and made the appointment I thought of Simmo, time was now measurable, precious I was shitting myself ”

Back at the clinic, Youngy and his wife Melissa were taken into a consulting room and the specialist explained what the biopsy showed

“The doctor spoke for around 10 15 minutes, all I could recall was I had a stage 2 invasive pink melanoma that went down 04mm, and that it would require a larger incision and more regular skin checks Oh, and that if I had waited another 6 months, there was a high possibility it could have grown to 075mm below the skin and entered my bloodstream as a stage 3”

“I said let’s do the surgery now, let’s get it out,” Which he did

“Following that I couldn’t keep my stupidity to myself, given the fairness of our skin, my immediate family have greater risk factors and I needed to notify my daughters and sister that I had a stage 2 melanoma”

“One of the key things I took out of the experience was that, contrary to popular myths, melanoma is not a black spot on your body, in fact as a fairer skinned person, I am less likely to have one of them, I am much more likely to have a pink spot which during a GP type quick skin check is more likely to be missed Also given

my specialist wasn’t 100% sure, it is so important to have accredited specialists doing the checks”

“On that, skin checks should never be undervalued or put off, they can literally save lives I was potentially 6 months away from a very different article to this good news story”

Three things I want members to get out of this story Get a check Don’t put it off If you reckon you don’t have time now imagine what it will be like if you really don’t have time because the damage is too great

Make sure your mates and family get checked Hold each other to account

“I have decided to take control of what I can control to mitigate the effects on myself and my family, I can’t control what happened when I was a kid getting burnt, that sun damage is there and always will be, but I can control what happens next and importantly, I can influence what happens to my grandkids in the future” Get Checked, Be SunSmart

Telling his story is important to Youngy, he knows from being an organiser that stories matter, education matters, and by telling his story, he hopes members will take steps to mitigate risk and take control of their lives too “Given what I was going through, I felt I had a responsibility to come clean and share my story, knowing Janine from her work with Danger Sun Overhead and the ETU over the years I sent her my pictures and shared my story”

“DSO is doing a fantastic job with education and supporting workers to be SunSmart and know the risks and providing practical advice of where to go to get checked and the importance of PPE, sunscreen and water During a recent Coal Conference in Brisbane, I told my story as part of the DSO presentation I got quite emotional about it all, but to see some of the guys including our Organiser Craig “Thommo” Thomas making commitments to have a check, it showed the importance of education and peer support”

We all have so much to live for.

Wage freeze defrosts...

With no movement on getting back to the table, protected action ballots have been run and won at both PowerWater (PWC) and Territory Generation (TGen) This saw PWC and TGen members joining other NTPS unions in taking protected industrial action to break the NT Government's (NTG) 4 year WAGE FREEZE policy After sustained pressure from unions, on 5 October, the NTG announced a change to the wages policy, enabling a 2% compounding pay rise as the basis of negotiations and ending the wages freeze This is welcome news, and a credit to all involved in forcing this major policy change by the government But this change falls short of addressing current cost of living concerns, and many claims that remain outstanding We have contacted the government and both PWC and TGen and offered to get back to the table and continue to negotiate our claims At time of writing, this hasn't occurred

Widespread industrial action is taking place across both organisations causing major disruptions, and we would argue, major cost implications We are even seeing PWC and TGen cancelling jobs off their own bat to avoid embarrassment should action be taken on a given day Our members are holding strong, and we will continue these actions to get us back to the bargaining table Corrections, firies, education, nurses and midwives, health (several health agencies eg, dentists) along with our agreements all remain unresolved and we will continue to work with all public sector unions to push for decent outcomes There’s a fair way to go yet in this battle, and our members have shown they are up for the fight Stay strong and stay involved

Survive, don’t work live

An electrical safety campaign has kicked off in the NT, urging all electrical workers and apprentices to put safety first by disconnecting the power before they begin work

A collaboration between the Electrical Trades Union, NT WorkSafe and Power and Water, the ‘Survive, don’t work live’ campaign sends a clear message to electrical workers after a number of serious electrical safety incidents occurred over the past few years

Since 2019, in the NT there have been:

2 electrical workers fatally electrocuted (one was an apprentice)

5 electrical workers injured and received worker’s compensation

32 electric shock notifications (11 involving apprentices)

As new workers to a high risk industry, the campaign places a strong focus on educating apprentices NT WorkSafe Inspectors have started delivering education sessions to over 300 electrical apprentices currently in the Territory undertaking their training block at Charles Darwin University Your union will be doing the same

The education sessions will provide apprentices with information on the risks and hazards of electricity and how to manage them In addition, each apprentice will also be issued a Lock out Tag out kit providing them with the tools needed to work safely

Electrical contractors can also expect information and compliance visits from WorkSafe Inspectors over the coming months, with the visits starting in Tennant Creek in October Inspectors will be discussing with employers their legal obligations for safe electrical work, as well as the supervision requirements for electrical apprentices

The campaign has been partially funded by the Court ordered WHS undertaking given to Ridem Pty Ltd over the 2019 electrocution of a 34 year old apprentice in Tennant Creek A town hall meeting was held in Tennant Creek for union members, interested community members and the business community to launch the campaign

It is important that employers take all steps possible to ensure the health and safety of their workers, these efforts are even more relevant for businesses engaged in the high risk electrical industry Contact with electricity is one of the main risks facing electrical workers and the best way of controlling that risk is to eliminate it by disconnecting the power

We need electrical workers in the NT to make electrical safety their number one priority The industry as a whole needs to focus on safe systems of work that ensure power is disconnected before work begins and that correct safety measures are in place when testing We also need to properly educate apprentices from day one about always testing before you touch This campaign will go a long way to reminding electrical workers of the importance of not working live Everyone should return home safely after a day at work Survive, don’t work live.

Rio Tinto Gove EA

With no movement on getting back to the table, protected action ballots have been run and won at both PowerWater (PWC) and Territory Generation (TGen) This saw PWC and TGen members joining other NTPS unions in taking protected industrial action to break the NT Governments (NTG) 4 year WAGE FREEZE policy

After sustained pressure from unions, on 5 October, the NTG announced a change to the wages policy, enabling a 2% compounding pay rise as the basis of negotiations and ending the wages freeze This is welcome news, and a credit to all involved in forcing this major policy change by the government But this change falls short of addressing current cost of living concerns, and many claims that remain outstanding We have contacted the government and both PWC and TGen and offered to get back to the table and continue to negotiate around our claims At the time of writing this has not occurred

Widespread industrial action is taking place across both organisations causing major disruptions, and we would argue, major cost implications We are even seeing PWC and TGen cancelling jobs off their own bat to avoid embarrassment should action be taken on a given day Our members are holding strong, and we will continue these actions to get us back to the bargaining table

Corrections, firies, education, nurses and midwives, health (several health agencies eg, dentists) along with our agreements all remain unresolved and we will continue to work with all public sector unions to push for decent outcomes There’s a fair way to go yet in this battle, and our members have shown they are up for the fight Stay strong and stay involved

Vale Paul Evans

We recently lost a good mate and comrade after a relatively short but fearless battle with cancer

Paul had been employed at Territory Generation for over 17 years and worked at Alice Springs (RGPS and OSPS) and many years at Yulara (YPS) Paul started off in procurement and stores, then worked as a mechanical fitter, OMT and his final role was as an operator at OSPS

Paul held ETU delegate positions at these power stations and was a regular safety committee member for many years The union was a big part of Paul’s life and he was involved wherever he could be WHS was a passion of Paul’s and he stations and was a regular safety committee member for many years The union was a big part of Paul’s life and he was involved wherever he could be WHS was a passion of Paul’s and he constantly advocated for better conditions in the workplace, he was also an active ALP member with a keen interest in politics His union, horse racing and getting on the punt, Ford cars, supporting charities, and phone calls with mates an all round good bloke Paul was stoic to the end, and he will be missed Vale

Strawbs

‘Hop in the step’ would be the best way to describe the general sense being felt by members locally Whilst there are always challenges and necessary battles, it is a good time to be a worker and importantly our members locally are pushing for better outcomes for their wages and conditions

What does being a member of your union mean to you?

We have a huge number of great union members and activists including delegates We also have a number of members who don’t actually understand the core reasons for being a member of their union Your union works to communicate at length around the importance of all electrical workers being members of their union and some workers still believe that being a member is only necessary if you are working on a ‘union’ job (a job that pays agreed union wages and conditions) If this were the case, we wouldn’t have union agreed documents as everyone would have been waiting to be ‘ spoon fed’ the best industry wages and conditions It is on all members to explain to others the importance of working together to achieve outcomes and how increases to the minimum standards comes about through union membership, that safety standards are fought by union membership and in the absence of union members all facets of the industry would be governed by bosses good or bad Whilst I know those reading this don’t need to be reminded of this, can I encourage you to have these conversations in your workplace If you want some help with these conversations, get in touch and I can pop out and catch up with you all on site

Members working throughout the construction industry are enjoying the capacity to leave grubby employers and transition back to employers who have union agreements Whilst this doesn’t mean those opportunities exist for everyone, we are heading into a time when there will be many more opportunities As I have mentioned in previous journals, now is the time to educate non members you ’ re working with to push the grubby non EBA employers who have been nipping at the heels of industry rates that have been set by union members (that all electrical workers benefit from, I might add) It really isn’t rocket science, non EBA employers have a business model to utilise wages and conditions to win the work They pay workers less so they can win the work from EBA employers who would have otherwise paid union member endorsed wages and conditions They deserve no reprieve from you me, or any of our comrades for that matter The industrial relations system in our country allows us to push for companies to negotiate a union agreement and all we need to do is get the majority of employees employed by any given company to be educated and a member of their union so we can step through the processes Feel free to reach out if you think with some support from your local organiser, you can help turn your workplace around

TMR/Roadtek, and QHealth members locally have been taking protected industrial action for some time to assist in achieving a fair outcome, so if you know someone working for these employers, give them a shout out They are being challenged with the usual bullying tactics from some of their management, and as can be expected, your union is dealing with these issues as they arise

Stuart Traill will go into depths around the volume of work coming in the supply sector and the importance of our members starting to prepare of a potential industrial blew in their upcoming EBA negotiation Important to note that if you know someone looking to work in our industry, point them to apply with Energy Qld, Powerlink and the like

WIN!

Gold Coast City Council members have been in a fight for the last three years just to maintain their existing wages and conditions following some of the worst Industrial behaviour seen following negotiations Without mentioning the IR and management at the time stripped existing wages and conditions prior the agreement going for a vote Given the 4000 odd workers employed by the council, the fact that council broke the law including the requirement to notify the impacts of the changes to the impacted workers, the remedy to breaking this law does not make the employer to ‘right the wrong’ The result being our members with the ongoing attacks following the certification of the agreement were at risk of losing existing take home pay Your union pulled in behind our members and ensured the necessary resources got thrown at the matter to prevent any loss With no real prospects of winning through the conventional methods, there was thought about next steps and what that would like With a dynamic change having occurred in the two years following the certification of the agreement with management structures and IR, including change in CEO, a council director and his team supported your union’s view that no one should be worse off now or into the future The building blocks started some 12 months ago to work to resolve the matter with a mutually shared view on what the outcome would look like In short, through the ongoing commitment of council union members and their elected delegates, in conjunction with a new line of management, we have re secured in their existing structures for now and enshrined for future

While our members are not further ahead of where they should have been, there was a real risk of them having more than $200/week deducted from their take home pay through previous management This is a win for working families on the Gold Coast

Beau Malone

GOLD COAST COUNCIL MEMBERS

SUPPLY SUPPLY SUPPLY CONTRACTING TOWNSVILLE TOWNSVILLE TOWNSVILLE

There will be massive growth in the transmission sector and in the broader supply industry on the back of the Energy Plan (read more in Ongy’s message on page 4) At the moment, it’s hard for contractors to train apprentices in the transmission and distribution sectors. We’re working with many of the contractors and the network to secure certainty in the growth of the industry with new apprentices

We recently held the Supply Industry Contractors Conference, with 23 delegates coming to Brisbane, representing the broad industry We had members from diverse backgrounds working as tree trimmers, asset inspectors and in electrical sub stations and transmission, to name a few The conference passed resolutions around our EBA negotiations that will commence around July 2023. We will come together for another industry conference in early 2023, and I will likely take a state wide tour to visit workplaces before the negotiations kick off

We’ve had some issues at Karara Wind Farm, where Powerlink has engaged two questionable contractors. The first was UGL, and we had multiple issues brought to us by members around the accommodation Workers were being put up in a caravan park, with caravans just metres from the train line where freight trains pass by multiple times in the night, disrupting sleep We heard the drinking water there is bore water, and we were refused the test results for it There are a number of safety concerns at the site including lack of lighting and no emergency evacuation procedures The site has almost non existent phone reception and no internet access These are only some of the issues, how they were awarded a contract on a non union agreement paying well below industry standard conditions is beyond belief If that isn’t bad enough it undermines the conditions of the Powerlink workers also

UGL workers were moved to better accommodation, but then came Catalpa, another dodgy contractor engaged by Powerlink, who has put a new team of workers in the exact same caravan park and who are of course experiencing the exact same issues Catalpa has no EBA agreement, bad conditions, and are giving workers just $60 a day as a meal allowance. Catalpa has been caught in underpayment cases in South Australia, and it looks like they haven’t changed their ways

Powerlink has things to answer for if these are the companies they are awarding ongoing contracts to Watch this space

Brenton

As usual, there’s a lot going on with state government EBAs, and dealing with issues as they come up on the local solar farms and other renewable energy facilities

The biggest news from the patch is the Queensland's Energy Plan which will involve constructing a number of plants and assets in our region The north is the prime region for wind and solar farms and hydro plants The new Energy Plan will create jobs in constructing and maintaining these new assets that will stay in public hands As always, the ETU has been on the front foot with the changing energy industry. It was inevitable that we start transitioning to renewable energy, which is why your union was heavily involved in the Energy Workers Charter that guarantees that no energy worker will be out of a job through the transition to renewables Our renewable training centre in Brisbane is close to opening as this journal goes to print, is another important part of the transition, and will ensure future energy workers are skilled in renewables

As I write this, the LNP’s Peter Dutton has just finished a tour of the region talking about how the Queensland Energy Plan will push power prices up to fund the renewable assets being built in Queensland. As usual, the LNP has it wrong News of increased power prices has come out of a national energy forum and is unrelated to Queensland’s Energy Plan. The public funds that will be used to construct the renewable assets will be borrowed, not taken from Queensland families’ energy prices

We’re looking at a future with skills shortages and plenty of jobs going in our industry The ETU is out there on the front foot, talking to corporations and governments to negotiate the best conditions and outcomes for our members

BrentonMul

WalGiord

INDUSTRIAL OFFICE WINS

The industrial unit has recovered over $150 000 in unpaid wages and settlements since 1 July 2022

The unit was asked to file a scope order application against NECA, a group training organisation Apprentices in Queensland were working side by side with directly employed apprentices for less pay The scope order resolved right before the trial with NECA backing down on a jump up clause in Queensland This was a win but it shouldn’t have taken lengthy litigation and six months to achieve same job, same pay

The unit has filed over fifteen protected action ballot order applications with the Fair Work Commission since 1 July 2022 The unit has noticed that employers are engaging major law firms to find any technicality they can but we have been successful on each count Employers are clearly desperate to avoid our members taking industrial action

In one matter, the industrial team was able to secure a settlement of almost $26 000 for a member who was unfairly dismissed by their employer

The industrial team secured a proportionate long service leave (LSL) payment of more than $10 000 for a member who had retired from the workforce due to a health condition, the company initially rejected the member’s assertions that he was entitled to pro rata LSL

The industrial team filed a general protections application for a member who had adverse action taken against them for exercising a workplace right We successfully negotiated an additional six weeks of wages to be paid to our member at conciliation, in addition to compensation we had already secured from the employer prior to filing the matter in the Fair Work Commission

We negotiated settlements in excess of $5 000 in multiple unfair dismissals where members were injured

HisaMidson annahFerguson

In another case, a member had $1 125 deducted from his termination pay His contract of employment (which he had signed) provided for the deduction, however, deductions can only be made from pay in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009, even if they are authorised by a contract of employment The member had the money re credited to his account after the matter was taken up by the union Members who have deductions made from their pay that they have not specifically authorised in writing should contact the union office even if their contract or enterprise agreement provides for the deductions to check whether the deductions are lawful

The unit was successful in recovering $90 000 on behalf of members owed annual leave in accordance with the National Employment Standards A clause in the members’ employment contracts provided that annual leave was included in the hourly rate and that it could be taken in the off swing for no additional pay We argued that the clause was unenforceable and in conflict with the NES This is another example of employers forcing unfair contracts on employees who have little power to refuse This is also a reminder to members to contact the industrial office if you have received a new contract for advice and assistance

The Queensland and Northern Territory branch, with assistance from the national office, is trying to bargain with a testing and calibration company in Queensland The company has refused to bargain and has engaged lawyers to stall at every turn, they are even disputing our coverage The matter is set down for a hearing in December It is disappointing that the current system does not allow for an effective mechanism for workers to compel their employer to sit down and bargain with them

LMargaritaCerrato

IS THE IGENDER S THE IGENDER S THE GENDER PAY GAP PREAL? AY GAP PREAL? AY GAP REAL?

by Andrew Irvine

competition” with men (such as fruit picking) This was out of concern that allowing a lower pay rate for women could put men out of work

In jobs undertaken only or mainly by women, such as packing fruit, it was a different matter A woman ’ s wage could be lower than a man ’ s, Justice Higgins said, under the assumption that women “have to find their own food, shelter, and clothing; not food, shelter and clothing of a family” It was men, he explained, who had the obligation to provide for their wife and children: “How is such a minimum applicable to the case of a woman picker? She is not, unless perhaps in very exceptional circumstances, under any such obligation ”

Accepting equal pay, in principle Too hard basket

On August 29 this year as Equal Pay Day came and went, it was accompanied by a larger than usual avalanche of uninformed social media commentary and misplaced confidence that there is no Gender Pay Gap in Australia On a day when unions, governments, businesses, and communities reflect on the extra days full time working women need to work to earn the same as their male counterparts, too many people hiding behind keyboards appear oblivious to the plight of far too many working women

Now before some of you out there close your mind and ears and shout ‘fake news!’ about the reality for many women, including many of your partners, wives, daughters, cousins, etc Here are a few facts about how and why women are often paid less, enjoy fewer rights, and face more barriers when compared to their male counterparts in today’s Australia, and we’ll throw in some practical steps you can take, especially as men, to understand the issues and in certain circumstances assist in reducing their impact

As social attitudes evolved, the 1950s and 1960s saw more women joining the paid workforce Pressure grew to match international conventions on equal pay Unions led by the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, with a young Bob Hawke serving as their lead advocate, took up the cause

In the 1969 Equal Pay Case, the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (which had replaced the Court) finally accepted the principle of equal pay for equal work, or in terms we often use, same job same pay

Three years later, the 1972 Equal Pay Case expanded on the 1969 principle to encompass “equal pay for work of equal value”, with a single rate for a job, regardless of gender

But with women and men often finding themselves in different types of work and the nature of that work often differing vastly the dilemma of figuring out how to measure “work of equal value” remained It persists to this day

GENDER PAY GAP WEXPLAINED hat it is:

Decisions dating back a century have contributed to the unequal wage patterns we still see today, with female dominated jobs clustered at the lower end of the pay spectrum

1907 A living wage, but based on men

A gap between men ’ s and women ’ s pay was effectively established early in Australia’s centralised wage fixing system

In 1907, the first landmark decision of the new Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration set down the principle of the “family” or “living” wage

In the Harvester Case (stemming from a pay dispute at Sunshine Harvester, a Victorian maker of farming equipment), the court decided 7 shillings a day was the minimum pay needed by an unskilled labourer on the basis that the labourer was male and needed to provide for a wife and three children

The decision laid the foundation for a national minimum wage, but also left female workers out of the picture

Equal pay, but only for men’s work 1912 decision enshrines discrimination

The underlying presumption that a woman didn’t need to be paid as much as a man was confirmed by Justice Henry Bourne Higgins, the president of the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, in the Fruit Pickers Case of 1912 In this, the court’s first explicit ruling on women ’ s pay, Justice Higgins declared women should be paid the same as men but only when they did jobs predominantly performed by men (such as blacksmiths) or were “in

The Gender Pay Gap measures the difference between the average earnings of women and men in the workforce The pgender ay gap is an internationally established measure of women’sposition in the economy in comparison to men The gender pay igap s the result of the social and economic factors that combine rto educe women’s earning capacity over their Clifetime losing the Gender Pay Gap goes beyond just ensuring equal Ipay. t requires a cultural change to remove the barriers to the full eand qual participation of women in the workforce

What it is not:

It is not the difference between two people being paid fdifferently or work of the same or comparable value, which is Wunlawful orkplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) and Australian oBureau f Statistics (ABS) data both show a Gender Pay Gap ffavouring ull time working men over full time working women in Australia

The gender pay gap often starts when women first enter theworkforce. A combination of factors affect women's lifetimeeconomic security and makes it likely that over a lifetime wwomen ill earn less than men, be less likely to advance their careers fas ar as men, and accumulate less superannuation and savings mthan en, and will therefore be more likely to live in poverty in old age

In a nutshell

The Gender Pay Gap reflects the historic and systemicundervaluing of women's workplace contributions and thesignificant barriers and biases that lead to the under representation of women in some industries and higher lpaying eadership and executive roles

Hands up, who wants their wives and daughters to be paid less, simply because they are women and their skills and responsibilities have been historically undervalued?

As a unionist who values fairness, I certainly don’t!

It’s time to acknowledge and end Australia’s Gender Pay Gap.

The historical underpayment of women stretches way back

MYTH MYTH

Myth

HONORARY MEMBERS GROUP

Australia does not have a Gender Pay Gap

men and women are paid the same for the same

Fact

It is unlawful to pay two people differently for the same work However, the Gender Pay Gap measures the difference between the average earnings of all women and men in a workplace, an industry, and overall

Myth

Women choose to work part time or casual to look after children and this skews the Gender Pay Gap.

Fact

Many women have little choice but to work part time or in casual roles due to longstanding stereotypes and norms around care roles, household chores, etc. The situation is often made worse by lack of access to affordable childcare and employers unwilling to offer flexible working arrangements

Myth

Women choose to work in lower paying roles.

Fact

Industries dominated by women generally have lower wages, and women in those industries are often working in lower paid roles despite the depth and breadth of their skills and responsibilities.

Myth

Women choose to stay home and care for their families and we shouldn’t discourage that

Fact

The Gender Pay Gap isn’t about a woman’s choice to be in the workforce or to be a full time carer. It’s about highlighting that women who work should have the same opportunities, representation, rewards, and recognition as their male comrades

Myth

Women have the same opportunities as men

Fact

Historically, the discrimination against women was more visible and extreme which has led to women being overlooked for long term opportunities, while currently, it may be more subtle, it includes things like bias in progression and promotion opportunities and many employers still do not offer promotions for workers in part time roles

Myth

Women don’t negotiate hard enough for higher pay

Fact

Women and men negotiate for pay rises

The ETU Ipswich Sub Branch area Honorary Members Group held a function at TAFE’s Bundamba campus restaurant. The Miners Right Restaurant was attended by 30 enthusiastic members, who reminisced and swapped stories about their working lives and ETU membership A tribute was held for recently deceased honorary member, Jeff Murphy, who had worked in Queensland Rail and Aurizon with many attending members

The restaurant facility was well received, with the finger food being excellent It was good to support public enterprise and provide hospitality training opportunities for the students. Thanks go to Jeff Lee (Leading vocational teacher) and the students for coordinating our successful function

Thanks also go to HMG committee members Ray Lawrance and Dinny Madden, who made the effort to attend from Brisbane, along with local committee member, Clive Cooke

Best wishes and stay safe.

Gordon Abbott

Chairperson, Honorary Members Group

SCAN TOBUY