The Official Organ of the COMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC, INFORMATION, ENERGY, POSTAL, PLUMBING AND ALLIED SERVICES UNION of Australia (Electrical Division)
1800 ETU YES (1800 388 937) www.etu.org.au
REGISTERED STATE OFFICE: BRISBANE
SECRETARY: Peter Ong PRESIDENT: Jason Young
SECRETARY: Stuart Traill
SECRETARY: Chris Lynch
ORGANISERS
INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS
0419
TRAINING OFFICER
MEDIA & RESEARCH media@etu org au Andrew Irvine
HONORARY MEMBERS GROUP CHAIRPERSON
GOLD COAST OFFICE
Steve Bravo Queensland Teachers Union 6/173-175 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227
TOOWOOMBA OFFICE Damian Hewat
19 Russell Street, Toowoomba P 07 4638 9313 F 07 4639 2810
SUNSHINE COAST
Dan Bessell
6/33 Bulcock Street, Caloundra Qld 4551 P 07 5341 8927 F 07 5341 8953
WIDE BAY Scott Sologinkin
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND OFFICES
Shawn Higgins
81 Hanson Rd Gladstone Qld 4680 gladstone@etu org au
MACKAY OFFICE
Craig Thomas
Qld Council of Unions, 41 Brisbane St, Mackay 4740 P 07 4953 4799 F 07 4953 4899
NORTH QUEENSLAND OFFICE
Liam Sharkey
Lenny Lane
64 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra (PO Box 5800) Townsville 4812
P 07 4728 2443 F 07 4728 2907
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND OFFICE
Robert Hill
25/25 Grafton Street, Cairns P 07 4051 3472 F 07 40513502
NORTHERN TERRITORY OFFICE
Dave "Strawbs" Hayes First Floor 38 Woods Street (PO Box 4053) Darwin NT 0801 P 08 8941 2300 F 08 8981 1770
UPDATE UPDATE
Another year is coming to an end, and I know I probably say this every year, but it’s been a big year for our union, with members actively campaigning to deliver better outcomes in wages and conditions, as well as social issues, and protecting our state’s assets
We have continued to deliver great outcomes in wages and conditions for our members across all sectors from EQL to contracting, lift industry to sugar, as well as rail and manufacturing.
We have faced unprecedented attacks on our movement from the federal ALP with the introduction of legislation that put all branches of the CFMEU into administration, a gross overreach of government that removed access to the fundamentals of our justice system, due process, natural justice, and the presumption of innocence. Something that all Australians should be concerned about
The legislation that was passed through the senate by a coalition of the ALP and the LNP is one of the greatest attacks on the trade union movement and the democracy of its members that I have seen in 25 years as a union official, and that’s why the ETU nationally took the decision to redirect any funding away from the ALP, and instead fund a high court challenge to the legislation. That high court hearing took place in front of seven high court judges on the 10th and 11th of December, and although our barristers seem to think it went well, we won’t see a decision handed down before March or April next year.
The other major decision from this attack was the one to disaffiliate from the ACTU. When this legislation was put forward, the ACTU should have been condemning it for what it was – a dangerous precedent that would allow not only this government, but also any future governments, to silence and take control of any union that they saw fit. The ACTU’s silence on this was deafening, and only proved that it was complicit and was not acting in the best interest of its affiliates or the millions of workers it is supposed to represent, and for this reason, the CEPU national council took the decision to disaffiliate.
With the election of the Crisafulli LNP government in Queensland, we prepare ourselves for a battle for the next four years as they begin to undo all the good work that we have done with the outgoing ALP government. Repealing the Best Practice Industry Conditions and removing the unions’ access to sites under workplace health and safety. We expect an attack on our public sector workers, and believe it is only a matter of time before we see them heading down the path of asset sales as they undermine the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. But these are all attacks that we have faced and seen off before and we will continue to fight from the front and see this government off in four years’ time.
ONGY ADDRESSES APPRENTICE CONFERENCE
Other than that, it’s been pretty quiet. We have grown our membership by another 1000 members, taking us to 15500, which is a new record for the branch, and we have put on two new officials, Scott Sologinkin and Leonard Lane. They have both hit the ground running and are doing a great job. (see their story on pgs. 15, 16, 17).
I want to take the opportunity to thank Brenton Muller who is finishing up in December after looking after our members in the supply contractors’ industry for the last 10 years Brenton’s hard work has seen some great outcomes delivered to our members in this sector over the last 10 years and he will be sorely missed, and we wish him all the best with his future endeavors
But as we head into Christmas, now is the time to take some time off, recharge the batteries, and get ready to do it all again next year I want to thank all our members for their continued support throughout the year and on behalf of the officers and staff of the ETU, I want to wish all of our members and their families a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
IFYOUDON'TFIGHT, YOULOSE! ONGY
SUPPLY SUPPLY IINDUSTRY NDUSTRY
ETU members from across Queensland actively engaged in the Not4Sale campaign in the leadup to the Queensland election, in the face of the threat of privatisation following the LNP’s Deb Frecklington confirming that “everything was in the mix” when it came to ownership of our energy assets Once again members and their families gave up their time to campaign against privatisation. With the election result being an LNP win, ETU members must now be prepared to hold this government to account to ensure they don’t privatise our Industry by stealth
The election result reinforced the importance of securing our EBA’s to ensure your hard-fought wages and conditions are protected through until 2028. Management has acknowledged that the EBA outcomes has led to an increased number and standard of applicants through recent recruitment campaigns, this is exactly what we needed to achieve to not only help address the cost-of-living pressures but also ensure that we attract and retain the workers needed to build and maintain our network of the future.
AER
Recently the AER delivered its draft determination for Energex and Ergon
The ETU made representation to the AER to raise our concerns that the current state of the network and the required maintenance hadn’t been genuinely considered The AER stated that they had benchmarked against Power and Water in the NT and Essential Energy in NSW. They refused to listen to the fact that Essential is predominantly privately owned focussed on delivering profits to shareholders instead of maintaining a safe and reliable network. We argued that the networks and climates were significantly different, but the AER refused to listen. The draft determination’s outlined significant cuts to proposed expenditure which if replicated in the final determination under an LNP government could lead to significant cuts to much needed maintenance required to deliver a safe and reliable electricity network We will continue to make representation to the AER but members must be prepared to get involved with a network maintenance campaign if needed.
Skin Checks
From a personal perspective, during one of my regular 6 monthly skin checks, my doctor identified and removed a mole on my back that was a stage 1 Melanoma. As somebody that spent a lot of time, at work and on weekends, in the sun, regular skin checks are part of life for me, getting told it was melanoma was confronting but also comforting knowing that I had taken all precautions through regular checks
My doctor reassured me that they had got it all and at the right time but if it was not removed it could have progressed to being terminal.
With Energy Queensland and Powerlink now agreeing to reimbursement of skin checks, please make the call and book in for a skin check, it could be the difference between life and death.
CONTRACTING
Things will change
Following the disgraceful CFMEU administration legislation and a change of state government, there has and will continue to be changes within the construction and contracting industries. But I would argue that the adversity has made the Building Trades Group (BTG) of unions even stronger. We are still working together, and we will emerge stronger going forward.
The state election wash up: What we know and what we don’t know The LNP has consistently announced plans to introduce a productivity commission by Christmas But what exactly is a productivity commission? These commissions, along with their counterparts, Commissions of Audit, are often employed as blunt tools designed to achieve specific outcomes. Historically, they have been used to advocate for privatisation, outsourcing, job reductions, and to diminish programs and union rights. We anticipate they will utilise it to restrict right of entry rights, which they have already indicated
It's important to remember that governments come and go, each with their own agenda This is why our union has been dedicated to strengthening our delegate, health and safety, and activist networks across construction sites. When they limit right of entry provisions and complicate access for union officials to workplaces, we will rely on all of you to remain vigilant, engaged, and informed about ongoing issues. As always, contact your organisers to ensure we are all across the issues as they emerge.
We know legislation will change, we don’t know what will happen to BPICs, workers’ compensation, apprentice ratios, etc. There’s a whole range of things the LNP didn’t spell out before the election, but we know they have form.
Safety on building sites will never be compromised, and we will fight every day to maintain and enhance the wages and conditions we have collectively fought for over many years.
Another area where we know changes will occur, but we are not sure what impact they will have on members, is the future of the hospital and health rebuilds and new builds
From what we have been told from builders, the major builds are still on track These include Coomera on the Gold Coast, Redlands, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, and a few others. However, the ALP’s signature satellite hospitals that were pencilled in for regional Queensland, like Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, will likely face the chop
It’s pretty damning that for four years the LNP has banged on about a socalled health crisis, particularly in regional Queensland, and one of their first orders of business is to implement policies to make it even worse. Then again, I suppose it is par for the course They have also axed the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project without any plan for how to replace it.
So in conclusion, there will be changes, some we know, some we don’t Be vigilant and prepared
Changes to Women’s Amenities: a small step in the right direction
In the last journal, we updated members on the women’s amenities issue following a rally outside parliament attended by the BTG and union supporters The rally was attended by then-premier Steven Miles and Minister Grace Grace, who agreed to go away and review the regulations.
Just before being voted out, the Labor government enacted changes to amenities regulations that provide some improvements to women’s-specific amenities on sites and other locations where issues are prevalent, with changes due to come into place in 2025. It must be stated that it wasn’t what we asked for in full Improvements have been made, but there’s still more to do
Let’s be clear, in 2024 this shouldn’t have been an issue. As I have said it before, it is little wonder we have issues attracting and retaining women in maledominated industries when this fundamental right and dignity is not universally provided. Law makers, politicians, and bosses - get your shit together.
Queens Wharf update
Apselec electrical has secured the base build package for the final two towers on Queens Wharf The expected duration of the build is up to 3 years
Conference and Sub Branch updates
In September this year, 60 delegates from all over Queensland attended the contracting and construction annual conference in Brisbane. It was great to see a lot of new faces in the room and to see that everyone participated and contributed to the conference Please keep talking to your delegates about any issues that you have on your site or in the construction industry as a whole so these topics can be discussed and dealt with at the conference.
Regional Sub Branch initiative
The contacting industry had its first regional sub branch meeting in August this year up in Cairns. The turnout, discussions and feedback from the meeting has meant that the initiative will continue On that note, one of the first sub branch meetings for 2025 will be held on the Gold Coast, where planning is under way to hold a combined sub branch meeting and bring the Gold Coast construction crew under the construction umbrella The date, time, and location, along with Zoom links will be provided via socials and emails prior to the event.
NT Framework Agreement
Strawbs will elaborate on progress, but we have been able to secure Nilsen’s involvement for an agreement, and we are in conversations with three of the other main players in the Territory We are hoping finalise things sooner rather than later. See Strawbs’ article on page 10 for more detail.
2025RDOCALENDAR
As another year comes to a close, I want to wish all of our members a safe and enjoyable Christmas season, enjoy your union won RDOs and spend time with family, friends and loved ones where you can.
We also know that this time of year can be a struggle for some of our members in construction, if you feel you need to talk to someone, reach out, MATES in Construction is there for you
PRESIDENT
As 2024 comes to a close, we need to look back at a massive year for us all. 2024 has delivered some amazing results that everyone should be proud of
Our membership is at its highest levels ever. We have been successful in growing at some pretty significant rates, and that’s down to doing what we do best – fighting for what’s right. That could be in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, or through safety, or even just ensuring we stick up for each other
Together we have achieved enterprise agreements (EA) that have delivered some of the best wages and conditions throughout the country. This started with Queensland Rail early in the year, setting a new record in wages growth in an EA for themselves. Then, Energy Queensland raised the bar again with a nation-best agreement that has helped smooth the way for the generation sector to follow suit. Then you have the contracting section delivering some amazing results through BPICs (Best Practice Industry Conditions)
Of course, sometimes the agreement itself is the secondary, and how the members get there is almost worth more than the outcomes Take our regional Coke members who took on a major multinational corporation this year, and won equal pay to their south east Queensland counterparts Then we have the mighty Wilmar membership who stood staunch for months against their grubby employer… and WON!! Or who could forget the long running battle in the Northern Territory that we finally won!
These are just a few examples of what our members have achieved this year But that’s just the matters that are EA related What about the Cross River Rail members who have been constantly fighting to keep their job safe after deaths on the job.
Then there are the victories we often forget about, like getting the last person in the crew to join up and be part of our great fighting union.
Or the great work done by our sub branches and demographic groups like Youth Crew and Old School.
No matter what the result, it’s all delivering the same thing – fighting to leave our workplaces in a better place than when we started.
WELL DONE TO YOU ALL!
Of course, the job is never done and with 2025 brings new opportunities It starts with 2025 being our unions 110th year! Then we have our biennial conference where we will debate the hot topics affecting our members
So, if you are having time off over the festive season, rest up and recharge for 2025 If you are working through to help keep the country running, THANK YOU! Either way, stay safe.
Cheers, YoungY
ON TRACK
Rail conference reveals new batch of delegates keeping rail on track.
In late June this year, delegates from across the rail sector converged on Brisbane for their annual conference. Fresh from outstanding EBA campaigns and energised to make things even better, lineys, signal electricians, faults technicians, rail construction, you name, it they were represented. With more than 30 participants making it one of the bigger rail conferences of the modern era
We caught up with some new delegates who have emerged from the EBA success and are looking forward to taking on leadership roles in their workplaces
Rylee Janes, 51, works in signals construction at Aurizon He was attending his first ever conference
“I didn’t know what to e ETU member for 25-30 y is not new to me, but th was next level I got a lo particularly when we lo issues from an industry While we have some dif at Aurizon compared to Rail (QR), there we also and hearing how other with them gives me too Also, getting to know th amount of work that go the next EBA in 2026 was really helpful.
Steven Ciric, 41 attending his f ETU member fo having been ar he had a fair id expectations b included sharin and getting tip problems that met and excee learned some g that I can put i
Reece Willcox has bee years and is the Indus signaling at QR, this w conference He was im focus on safety, electr and the ability to dees where necessary
“It was fantastic to see safety and competenc while also giving deleg with issues before the
“A message that I will tak workplaces safe Withou issues and raise them sa preach safety ”
Andrew Davis, 27, is a ne delegate, having joined j
“I’m proud to be training but I am very fresh. I wor rolling stock maintenanc
“I wasn’t really sure wha looking to listen, learn, m network. My expectation met There was lots of information, I met lots of people, and got some great insights in what I need to learn to be an effective delegate. I also have great teachers David Lambert and Mark Burley ”
For new delega for TPM overheads out of t Depot, the conference was experience. “While I’ve bee around 13 years, I’ve only b for 6 months, so I wasn’t s expect, but it was great. Lo (more than I expected) I w impressed with the netwo sector, sharing the succes campaigns and showing our strengths It was a great experience for me We have 100% membership in our areas Beenleigh, Kurinda, and Sunshine, and where I am the previous delegate is still on hand to provide support as we transition and continue to build power It was a very worthwhile conference ”
“I will take back lots of information, but some of the big lessons included the importance of understanding members expectations, and gaining the confidence to hav th h d j i ti It g t i t d ti and lays a great f training ”
Another new dele Corinda maintena first conference a over 10 years. Lik Isaac wasn’t reall he was impressed passion shown by
“The ETU is so pa producing quality through strongly of networking opportunities and learning from other delegates We also touched on the importance of mutual respect between tradespeople and apprentices I will take back tips on dealing with issues, the importance of training and development and fatigue management But above all else, I will take back the sense of shared unity. The ETU is one big family who look after each other ”
TERRITORY TERRITORY UPDATE UPDATE
New NT Electrical Safety Act and Regulations – Commenced 1 July 2024
With the implementation of the new Electrical Safety Act and Regulations now well underway, there are a few new processes and systems that we are all getting used to.
NT Worksafe have held several information sessions and feedback forums that have been well attended. There are a few teething issues being identified. I would encourage any concerns to be communicated via email to NT Worksafe NT Worksafe are collating feedback, and issues will be worked through in due course.
The online Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is now available for licenced Northern Territory electrical contractors and workers to use. This service is free via the online government services.
To use the online CoC, you will need a unique PIN that will be sent to the mobile phone number associated with your licence in the electrical licensing database More information is available on the NT Worksafe website.
Hard copy CoCs can still be used and are available from the Territory Business Centre.
NT Contracting Enterprise Agreement
With the framework agreement now in place, Chris Lynch our QLD/NT assistant secretary recently came up to Darwin where we met with several of the major players in the contracting space
We are meeting contractors and talking through the Agreement, and the benefits to our industry as a whole on having it in place Having some consistency in wages and conditions across our sector provides a more level playing field for contractors, whilst ensuring decent wages and conditions for our members
After the initial meetings, we have held we are getting a few of the contractors in together to encourage feedback and seeking commitments going forward.
Over the next few months you’ll see us at your sites to provide further info and the ‘where to from here’.
Our Industry, Our Future
Groote Eylandt GEMCO Enterprise Agreement
With the year GEMCO has had, the damage from cyclone Megan, and no exports until the wharf is rebuilt sometime next year, the current enterprise agreement (EA) is expiring, GEMCO have initiated bargaining and we’re at the table having a good crack
GEMCO have made it obvious that they wanted to use their cyclone damage story to get sympathy from the work force and try and get up a quick, average deal. Well, the EA workforce were not the ones who made the decision to leave a fully laden ore ship tied to a wharf during a cyclone, causing catastrophic damage GEMCO are insured, they have a recovery plan, they have been a profitable mine and will be again before too long. So their plan has backfired, and all crews across the mine and
operations have never been so organised.
Bargaining has been robust with some good progress made in some areas. We are a fair way apart on rates and some allowances require updating. Chook is our delo at the table, giving Grant a spell after his many years doing the GEMCO EAs, and is doing a top job representing the Groote crew.
With at least seven or eight years (plus) mine life out there we’ll fight to ensure a top agreement is in place for the years to come.
Monadelphous Inpex Onshore Enterprise Agreement
With Monadelphous taking over the maintenance contract a year ago, things haven’t been going real flash out at the INPEX onshore facility. With the contract change, Monos implemented a mainly Monday to Friday roster arrangement. There was a major slash in wages and a shit load more hours of work per year (300 odd) than the previous arrangements with TRACE
Monos have haemorrhaged workers, had shut downs, and campaigns pushed out or cancelled, work schedules reduced to keep the stats looking good, and now a revolving door of FIFO workers to try and save face. They’ve fair dinkum made a right mess of the whole show and INPEX admit there have been some ‘unintended consequences’ with the contract change.
In an attempt to try and peg back some sort of confidence from INPEX, Monos brought on bargaining early for a new agreement. Obviously, as the current MOAG agreement is no good, we had a fair log of claims on the table, as our members want to get back to where they were before Monos took over.
We’ve made some good headway with general terms of the agreement, the classification structure had to be fully reworked and any of the terms previously in place to be negotiated back in. We got to a stage where Monos wanted to roll the dice and put the agreement out to ballot. A whopping 94% NO vote was what they copped in return. Our main outstanding issues sit around rosters and dollars, and we’ll be back to the table to keep pushing for a decent outcome Buzz and Stretch are putting in a power of work behind the scenes and at the bargaining table. We have a solid ETU crew who have made a lot of sacrifices this year to keep the pressure on and help to ensure we bring home a good outcome.
McArthur River Mine (Glencore) Enterprise Agreement
We haven’t been part of the MRM Agreement for a number of years but are back on board for this one. The current agreement that is in place is a disgrace with some rates in it below award and classification structure that was useless. With a lot of work, we are at about meeting 14 and starting to get to a place where we have decent clauses now included and a fully revised classification structure in place we’re getting down to the pointy end where the dollars are going to be the issue. MRM is a mine that has a massive turnover of labour because they pay shit money and being a zinc/lead mine it’s not the prettiest place to work We have Matty De Jong at the table for the electrical crew representing us well.
A big problem is majority of the sparkies work for contractors and they are on better cion than the MRM sparkies, bloody same job same pay in reverse! A bit still to do and we’ll need everyone out there behind this campaign to get a real decent outcome.
Amentum Pine Gap Enterprise Agreement
Always a challenging EA with basically any role you can think of in a military facility being covered by this agreement. We have an experienced bargaining team who are diligent in their roles at the table Probably one of the big things we need addressed in this EA is the introduction of FIFO workers to the facility, like many other sectors operating within Alice Springs and regional NT, it is hard to attract people to move there full time. There seems to be a more co-operative approach to bargaining this time round from the company, so we’ll keep at it and get a decent outcome hopefully quicker than last time round
PowerWater
In my opinion, we are nearly at a crisis stage art PowerWater in relation to resourcing in the lineys sections, and the public sector recruitment process certainly doesn’t help. Our members in regional areas are being expected to work unreasonable call out rosters with relief struggling to be consistently provided by the main centres. Theres no easy answer but we’re in having a go at getting a resolution to a long-term problem that’s getting worse
Rio Tinto Gove
A special issue report on Rio making the entire Rio Tinto direct hired electrical workforce redundant and those jobs going to contractors will be in issue 1 2025.
Hope everyone has safe end happy Christmas… see you all in the new year, in what’s gonna be another big one no doubt.
IU Strawbs
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CLAIMS AND KEEPING YOUR DETAILS UP TO DATE
If you are or have been registered with NT Build (portable long service leave scheme for construction workers), it is important that you: regularly update your contact details if they have changed (so NT Build can contact you); and check to see if you are entitled to make a long service leave benefit claim by contacting NT Build
This includes workers who: are no longer registered under the NT Build Scheme but are currently working in construction interstate, have left the construction industry and are no longer registered under the NT Build Scheme
You may be eligible to claim an entitlement if you have left the industry permanently (or no longer working on the tools) depending on your length of service in the construction industry.
However this entitlement CAN ONLY be claimed within 4 years from the date of your deregistration. Once the 4 years has lapsed, you will not be entitled to make a claim.
For more information, or to make an enquiry, contact NT Build on 1300 795 855 or by email to info@ntbuild.com.au.
RIO TINTO GOVE MEMBERS
LIFTS & GOLD COAST
What a first year organising on the Gold Coast!
We have had excellent sub branch turn outs this year, with up to 100 members showing up to discuss issues and their industries. It really highlights the importance of good delegate structures and an engaged membership.
In 2024, we have seen improved classifications for workers at Norco, and wage increases upwards of 20% for Gold Coast City Council members, along with a 36 hour work week, meaning these members are enjoying spending more time with family, what a win!
Next on the radar is Logan City Council, these members are underpaid and overworked, it’s time for a change. Members log of claims are being put together as I write this.
Work is slowly starting to take shape with major projects coming online, 2025 will be a good year for members working on the Gold Coast, just some of the projects currently underway are:
Gold Coast Light Rail – John Holland, SEEG, DM Roads. Ormeau Train Facility – SEEG Site Establishment, Electrical Packages –TBC.
Seaglass – Early Works – PLE.
Rochester – Early Works – PLE.
Lily – Maco
Griffith University Student Acc – Maco
Lagoon – PLE
DGC Casino – SDF.
Southport Health – QElectrical.
LUXE – Stowe.
Yves – LCE.
Odyssey – PLE.
LIFT & GOLD COAST SUB BRANCHES
I have been blessed with delegates that have been active and committed to continuing to build off the back of the structure on the Gold Coast. Our Gold Coast sub branch has outgrown the Varsity Lakes Office, we have seen numbers now climbing to 140 active members at our last sub branch which was held at the Mermaid Beach Bowls Club, with some of our leadership in the ETU, Ongy and Lynchy, attending.
Our xmas breakup and final sub branch of 2024 will have taken place before this goes to print, with expected numbers to climb to 200 We have auction items and raffles running, where funds will all go back to the community on the Gold Coast to support charity organisations. We are hoping to raise $8 000 at the final sub branch of 2024, to support families in need just before xmas.
The Youth Crew meetings are also bringing in great numbers, with members on the Gold Coast coming onboard with supporting Emmanuel City Mission once again, a great cause supporting the homeless, and coming together in support Thanks, this year to Joel Costa, ETU apprentice organiser, Hayden and Jason from Brisbane Youth Crew Committee, and Frosty from ETU Old School for coming down the coast to show support, and helping build these sub branches. The next idea on the Gold Coast is to bring Old School members together and Honorary Members into the mix. We can all learn a lot about how our union has fought over the past years from these members. And we will continue to fight more than ever!
Lift Industry Update
Lift agreements are now well underway with KONE across the line, with: 18.5 % wage increases all overtime as double time income protection (which has been a major addition to agreements) increased super increased levels on multi-storey allowance site allowances travel fares
This hasn’t just been handed to members, this was fought for and won after eight weeks on the grass.
We can now focus on increased full-time employment, more apprentices, and reduce the use of sub-contractors with a sub-contractors clause that opens consultation with employees, and can begin to address concerns. The Schindler EBA is also now done, with: 18% increase to wages all overtime as double time income protection sub-contractor clause increased levels on multi-storey allowance site allowances travel fares
Members spent 17 days on the grass fighting, and winning, these improvements.
TK Elevators is being negotiated as this goes to print. OTIS Members you are next cab off the rank, so I urge everyone to be active and start attending the lift sub branch meetings in 2025. As an industry, we are all in this together!
IF YOU DON’T FIGHT YOU LOSE…
APPRENTICES APPRENTICES
Electrogroup Agreement
The Electrogroup (EGA) EBA is now finalised and has passed through the Fair Work Commission. There are some major improvements for EGA apprentices in the new agreement, and I’d like to give a shout out to Luke Ellis who coordinated the agreement before I came on board to organise apprentices earlier this year. Along with representatives from Cbus and WIP, I have been doing the rounds to talk to apprentices about their new EBA. If you have any questions about the EBA, please give me a call.
Youth Crew
We’ve seen exponential growth in Youth Crew meeting attendance this year, with more branches starting up in the regions A huge shout out goes to the Gold Coast and Toowoomba members who have started Youth Crews in their regions this year, with excellent turn outs at meetings We also of course have Brisbane Youth Crew which has been running for some time, and a Bundaberg Youth Crew. Keep an eye on your emails at the ETU social media pages for upcoming meetings in the new year It’s exciting to see growth in the regions, empowering the future of our union!
One of the highlights from Youth Crew this year was at the August meeting of the Brisbane Youth Crew, where the legendary unionist Christy Cain came along to address ETU youth ahead of his retirement. A huge thank you to Christy for taking the time! I’d also like to mention the Youth Crew Christmas Drive supporting Emmanuel City Mission, raising funds, and donating items to people sleeping rough in Brisbane.
The Building Trades Group of unions (BTG) had its very first joint Youth Crew meeting this year, with young unionists from the ETU, CFMEU, Plumbers Union, AMWU, and MUA coming together in Brisbane to discuss matters affecting all of our industries, particularly following the CFMEU being put into administration. There was a great turnout!
Electrical safety fortnight
We recognised Electrical Safety Fortnight between 2 and 14 September this year, and I’d like to make mention of one issue raised by the Electrical Safety Commissioner Keith McKenzie, or Macca. The Electrical Safety Office has released a booklet focusing on the importance of encouraging supervision and mentorship of apprentices You can read more at the link.
Charged Up campaign
There is a severe issue currently being experienced by apprentices across the country, a bottleneck with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), resulting from a shortage of trainers This means apprentices are ntly an eighteen o complete the 1A
The national ETU is running the ‘Charged Up’ campaign to advocate for more resources for trainers. As part of this campaign, one of our apprentice members, Ro, travelled down to Canberra with an ETU contingent to meet with federal MPs Workers spoke to MPs, answering the question “what does a good apprenticeship look like to you?” Read the Charged Up report at the link.
In Queensland, we are running a pilot program for licensed electrical workers to transition into becoming TAFE teachers, to solve this problem.
What we’re seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg, and things are going to get a lot worse across Australia if the issues aren’t resolved. It’s also a good time to remind all members that apprentices are not to be obstructed by their employer from attending offsite training or college. If you have any issues on site, speak to me or your relevant organiser.
Apprentice conference
We held our Apprentice Conference in the last week of October, where 23 apprentices from all industries and many regions came together to debate and discuss issues affecting apprentices in our union. Over 20 agenda items were raised, with excellent outcomes. Watch this space as we make progress on the resolutions members voted up
I’d like to say a huge thank you to union stalwart Uncle Bob Anderson who presented a Welcome to Country, and to state secretary Peter Ong, who opened conference and gave an informative update on our union and industry.
A huge thank you and shout out to all who attended and participated. All delegates who came along were great representatives for their
TOOWOOMBA
& SOUTH WEST
With 2024 fast coming to an end I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to all members who have continued to show support of our mighty union whether it be as a rank and file member, HSR or delegate your support is what makes our Great Union what it is!
Gatton Prison
With ETU membership peaking at 280 mid-year, the end of the project is in sight With completion dates continually shifting, we can expect to see limited numbers employed on the project in the new year.
With the challenges that have been faced over the past 3 years, I am sure many members employed on the project will be more than happy to see the project’s completion. Once again thank you to all the members for their support, in particular, to the hard-working HSRs and delegates
Toowoomba Hospital
The Toowoomba Hospital continues to see challenges to a firm start date for our members. John Holland and Klenner Murphy have had budgets held up which in turn has seen start dates blow out into the new year. We had hoped to see our members start on the project from mid-November but with a change of state government and the initial electrical works package reduced we hope to have positive news in the new year
Renewables
With many renewable projects planned for construction in the new year in and around South West Queensland, we hope to see projects adopt a distinct change in strategy with safety and electrical compliance a priority.
Gunsynd Solar Farm on the outskirts of Goondiwindi is only a baby at 160MWatts but will roll into construction at Bulli Creek Solar Farm west of Millmerran at 960MWatts Both are to be completed by Stralis Energy
BESS projects continue to be constructed at Ulinda Park and Bluegrass will start before the New Year.
Big T Pumped Hydro at Cressbrook Dam is back on the Radar with Stanwell looking to purchase the project from BE Power I hope to have more information in the New Year
Not 4 Sale
We may not have kept the LNP from winning government but we sure have reminded the community the importance of keeping publicly owned energy Assets in public hands. We saw local LNP MP’s try and discredit the campaign by promising ‘no asset sales,’ but we have a long memory.
After the first month of mayhem from the LNP we have more reasons than ever to continue to call out the LNP on behalf of our members. Thanks to all the members that took the time to attend Not 4 Sale activities.
To every ETU member I wish you a safe and happy Christmas break and to those on roster or on call, please stay safe.
Damian
MEET SOLO & LENNY MEET SOLO & LENNY
Meet the two new organisers who have joined the ranks in 2024 Scott “Solo” Sologinkin joined us early this year, organising the Bundaberg region, and Leonard “Lenny” Lane, who is covering the Electrical Supply Contractors, based in Townsville
SOLO
Early life
Growing up, Solo had no exposure to unionism nor activism. He says his was a ‘farming family through and through’. Being an immigrant family, Italian on one side, and first generation Australian on the other, he recalls becoming aware that families like his were treated differently at times. He says “there definitely were times where immigrants, including my family, were taken advantage of in their early years of settlement and weren’t in a position to do anything about it.”
Starting work
Solo says “growing up on a cane farm and coming from a farming family, that’s all I ever wanted to be. Dad was not a man of many words, but I often remember him saying that ‘you will need to get a trade before that happens, so you have something to fall back on one day’. This is due to his own experience - farming was it.”
Solo applied for many electrical apprenticeships across regional Queensland before getting a start with Wide Bay Burnett Electricity Corporation, the predecessor to Ergon, as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic in Maryborough. He says “our intake of three was enrolled in a new type of apprenticeship which also included linework and cable jointing. We did our training at the Energex Rocklea depot ”
“I spent my first year in the Maryborough transformer workshop playing in oil, rewinding cores and badly welding and painting TX tanks I then transferred to the Bundy depot in second year and was based there until starting with the union this year. Spent time in all the different Bundy crews during the rest of my apprenticeship and learnt plenty of good and not so good from the best tradies and TAs.”
Joining the ETU
When asked about the day he signed up to the union, Solo said “I remember this clear as day. It was 8 February 1999. I was just starting my third year as an apprentice Back then, apprentices weren’t usually signed up until becoming tradies. There was a major incident at work, and I was required to go into an interview with the Electrical Safety Office. I had no idea about anything and was shitting bricks Before going into the meeting, our Bundy delegate, now ETU Life member Steve ‘Listy’ List, grabbed me and said ‘look son, best you join up now to be on the safe side and I’ll look after things’. And he did, like he did for numerous other ETU members before and after that day.”
Becoming a delegate
Solo was voted up as a delegate in 2011, as Listy was edging closer to retirement. He had been working on bringing in some delegates as succession planning for senior delegates in Ergon - Wide Bay Burnett
Solo says “He came and spoke to me about it I had been supportive and got involved in union activities at work like our May Day marches, EBA battles and political campaigns, but the thought of stepping up to fill Listy’s shoes was daunting as f**k The decision to put my hand up was made a lot easier as Listy was still able to mentor while he was still around at work, and actively involved in the ETU. Locally, along with Listy, I was helped along the way by long time staunch ETU delegates Brad Shields, Viv Gees, Murray Kratz and Craig Hutchinson. I was also very lucky to have mentors (or tormentors?) like Chris McGaw and Greg Bloom when I was cutting my teeth outside the local issues into the broader Ergon dealings ”
From Delegate to Organiser
Solo was officially brought on board as an organiser in early 2024 He says, “I expected a steep learning curve, and got one. As I had spent all my time in the ETU in the supply industry and mainly in the Wide Bay region, working under the one agreement, having saturated member density, and easy access having either worked with or know all the members in the patch. I went to meeting members for the first time to understand the different workplaces, and varying agreements In some of these workplaces, electrical workers were the minority, many were hostile jobsites or employers, and we had limited access. Another challenge was getting up to speed with the various Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice that relate to our members and their workplaces.”
Proudest Union moments
“I have participated in a few over the years, but the recent Energy Queensland 2024 EBA has seen the greatest uplift of pay and conditions ETU members have seen in the industry,” says Solo “Outcomes like this one don’t just happen. To be involved both as a delegate and then organiser and see the years of planning, and then achieve a result that will flow on to benefit all supply industry workers and their families was a proud moment ”
When asked about other stand-out campaigns, Solo says “The Not4Sale campaign running into the Queensland 2015 state election It was a massive fight with everything on the line, particularly in the supply industry. We had the engagement and participation of ETU members and their families, along with different public groups, and fought off Campbell Newman’s LNP privatisation. That fight continues today.”
“Another proud union moment for me is the display of my family’s union involvement. My wife Kim is a longtime member of UWU, my son Ethan and cousin Will are ETU members, and my brother Craig who has stepped up as a delo with the IEU ”
What drives Solo?
“Doing my best to protect ETU members from enduring the safety and industrial horror stories that we still see occurring in workplaces right across Australia and the globe. “
“Another reason is to support my brothers and sisters in their efforts to do the same. All the ETU officers and delegates alike - from our current ETU leaders Ongy, Stuey, Lynchy and Youngy, to the organisers, industrial officers, media team, administrators, state executive, state councillors, life members, honorary members, elected delegates and our rank and file members that stand up every day ”
“Also, wanting to build on the achievements of those who have come before us and laid the path One person in particular is our past state secretary, Peter Simpson. I remember as an apprentice sitting in the Bundy depot smoko room, listening to Simmo speak for the first time The man had a presence and fortunately for me, down the track a bit, I was able to call him a mate. That same feeling didn’t go away for the 20-plus years I knew Simmo and is still with me today ”
What the future holds
“Fighting the good fight for our members! We can expect the environment we do this in to change significantly with recent change in state government, and the pending federal election in early 2025, along with the most undemocratic anti-union legislation introduced by the current federal government The ETU, as it has done for over 100 years will strategise, fight, and adapt to whatever hurdles are thrown in the way to ensure we are able to continue to represent our members ”
Quick-fire questions
Proudest personal moments
Being a dad We all lead busy lives and I know as much as anyone how easy it is to get frustrated and stress all the small shit. Have to take a moment now and again to stop and appreciate it all – memories of them growing up over the years to the next stage of them now becoming adults and moving on. Love em!
Favourite things to do
Spending time with family – I know how lucky I am to have them still around and close by.
Sports – these days it is following online, TV or in person when possible.
Cooking – all different types. Especially cooking the family Italian and Russian favourites for special occasions
Favourite holiday destinations
I have enjoyed family camping trips over to Cania Gorge for many years when the kids were younger. Further afield, Tasmania was great and looking to get back there soon. In the future, hopefully Europe will go to the top of the list once we get to holiday there one day
Something your comrades don’t know about you
I’ve been a Canberra Raiders tragic since I was a little fella – but never been to Canberra.
I try to do a sudoku puzzle every day as it seems to be the only time my brain totally switches off from the million other things that are going on in there.
Raised in the small outback Queensland town of Winton, home to just 856 residents, Lenny learned early on about the significance of integrity, reputation, and respect, thanks to the invaluable lessons from his grandmothers, Joy and Audrey.
“They cared for me a lot during my childhood and taught me in their own way that integrity is everything. Treating everyone fairly no matter who they are, where they come from, or their colour is essential.” These principles resonate deeply with Lenny's worldview and his union values, which have played a crucial role in his journey.
Union in the Blood
Lenny's father, Leonard, is a dedicated trade unionist with over 20 years membership and serving as a union delegate at local councils, although it wasn't frequently discussed at home
“I knew my dad was a unionist and that being part of a union meant standing by your mates Growing up in Winton, I didn’t think much about it until I started working. Regardless of whether I was shearing, butchering, labouring, or whatever, I've always been involved with the union. When I was introduced to the electrical Industry that’s when things really changed for me being a part of the ETU.
At just 33 years old, Lenny has packed a wealth of experience into his work history since leaving school at 15. His journey includes three years as an apprentice diesel mechanic in Winton, time spent in local shearing sheds, trade in butchering and slaughterman, and working alongside his dad in concreting and various odd jobs before relocating to Townsville in 2015. In Townsville, Lenny took on a TA role at Downer EDI underground for six months before securing a permanent position with the same company It was at Downer that the teachings of his grandmothers came to light, revealing new opportunities.
“I was employed as a TA crane driver at Downer, doing sub divisions, Through networking with the guys I was working alongside, an opportunity had presented to become a part of Burton Power as a borer operator”
“It’s interesting how small actions can create a domino effect in your life.”
Reaching new heights
At Burton Power (later Powerlines Plus and now Genus Power), Lenny's union journey really took off After joining the ETU while working as a borer driver, Lenny also took on the role of ETU delegate. “When I first started at Burton’s, we had a union EBA, about six workers and a few union members, but no one was willing to step up to be the delegate The unionist in me took charge, and I was soon elected as the delegate.”
“In my time as the delegate, I was able to attend numerous conferences run by Brenton Muller this is where I learned that knowledge is power.” Lenny, eager for new challenges in his career, began to seek out further opportunities, a journey that would lead him to a new career as a linesperson.
“I started a mature age apprenticeship as a linesperson in 2019 Meanwhile the local company was taken over by WA company Genus Plus and increased in size to a 25 strong local workforce. I stayed on as ETU delegate and after about 6-12 months we achieved 100% union membership And such is the camaraderie and sense of community created by the members there, it is still at 100% now.”
Lenny reckons the culture and camaraderie at Genus was second to none. “It was the best place to work, with many of the workers from the bush like me We had common interests, we looked out for each other and created a sense of community that was really important when we were away from home for long stretches of time.”
After his time at Genus, Lenny again looking for a challenge, secured a position at Energy Queensland with Ergon, however after two months with the state-owned energy company, Lenny was offered a trial as an organiser with the ETU. After successfully completing the trial, Lenny was offered the job and accepted.
Making the transition from delegate to organiser
As we can see throughout Lenny’s working life, he has never been one to back away from a challenge, in fact he meets them head on
“Communication is the key thing. I think I’m pretty good talking to small groups, having a chat, that’s a delegate’s bread and butter But being an organiser is different, you have to be able to speak well in all circumstances, small groups, public speaking at conferences etc (was/is a challenge but I am working hard to improve this aspect) and also bargaining meetings where I am taking leadership roles.”
With bargaining and public speaking aspects it was a case of jumping in at the deep end.
“When I started it was a case of sink or swim really, I was going to cut it or I wasn’t, and thankfully I have been up for the challenge thus far noting I have had a wealth of knowledge guiding me in Stuart Traill, Hilly, Solo and Sharkey Having said that, if it was not for Brenton’s lessons I would not be where I am today, I have union knowledge, agreements, conditions, industry standards and safety “Having been to a few ESI contractors conference over the years the bush mantra of “just get the job done” has made way for “get the job done safely” and a greater understanding of the risks and responsibilities ”
Proudest union and personal moments
While Lenny acknowledges he hasn’t been in the organiser position long enough to achieve notable successes, his down to earth and informative communication styles have not gone unnoticed by members and colleagues alike
Lenny is proud of achieving 100% membership at Genus and cites this as a union highlight along with achieving two union EBAs at the same site While he doesn’t reckon he has been involved in many union campaigns per se We beg to differ - achieving 100% membership and EBAs are mini campaigns in themselves!
“I haven’t been involved in too many campaigns as such because I worked away a fair bit The 11/3 rosters made it hard with work-life balance, but I always spoke up I said ‘you’re getting union rates and conditions through the EBA, let’s keep it that way, get on board join the union!’”
Obviously, there would have been more to it, but it gives an insight into the direct and effective communication style Lenny brings to the job. When asked what drives him to get out and want to represent members every day Lenny doesn’t miss a beat.
“Making a difference and helping give workers a voice that they sometimes don’t feel they have when dealing with employers by themselves.”
“I am also proud that I completed the requirements to become qualified as a butcher/slaughterman and as a linesperson Two vastly different trades at two distinctly different times of my life and I am determined to have a successful career as an organiser with the ETU as well.”
Family matters and outside of work
From a personal perspective, Lenny cites being a partner to Alison, father to two-year-old daughter Oaklynn and stepdad to sons 19-year-old Brathye and 16 year Talen as personal highlights.
“My proudest moment would definitely be becoming a dad It has changed my life for the better and as well as my outlook on life”
Family, footy and fishing
In downtime Lenny likes nothing better than having quiet time with family, being present and soaking up what family life is all about. He says “having been away a lot during my working life, it is important to me to be present when I am at home.”
Lenny also likes NRL, being an avid Broncos fan, as well as reef fishing He reckons there is nothing much he can tell us that many of his comrades won’t already know. “What you see is what you get, I’m pretty much an open book ”
Being ETU means?
“Being part of a family, not only having the comrade beside you having your back as you have theirs, but a whole organisation that has it too.”
ELECTION SPECIAL
THE ELECTION NOBODY WANTED
A massive shout out to all the ETU members who turned up and campaigned to save our assets, jobs and services with the 2024 iteration of the Not4Sale campaign. In early June, we resolved to relaunch the Not4Sale campaign on the back of the LNP’s weasel words about electricity assets Who could forget when Deb Frecklington said that “it’s all on the table, and it’s all in the mix,” when asked whether the LNP planned to privatise our energy assets The LNP had already voted against public ownership and against the Energy and Jobs Plan We were committed to calling them out. We recived the obligatory “it’s not in our plan” letter from Crisafulli, who wrote promising that the LNP was not going to privatise if elected, but we don’t forget, and we don’t forgive
We produced TV ads, designed signs, banners, shirts, billboards and flyers We energised Not4Sale crews across the state It was not unusual to see hundreds of ETU members, families, and supporters decked out in Not4Sale shirts holding Not4Sale signs on any given Saturda,y as well as smaller but no less committed crews rolling up midweek
But this election was different In the middle of the campaign, the federal ALP betrayed its base with the dirtiest act of union busting many of us had ever seen. Labor passed its CFMEU Administration legislation and, it even worse, the state ALP administration followed suit with mirroring legislation within days This act of treachery meant that our campaign needed to stress the ‘Put the LNP LAST’ message rather than any overt vote for the ALP
The treacherous act by the ALP at both levels of government left many of our members rightfully livid, but we pressed on The Not4Sale campaign was about more than current politics, it was about protecting ETU members’ jobs and industries while sending the strongest possible message to ALL parties, that if you come for our assets, jobs and services, we will come for you
While it was always a one hundred to one shot that Labor would hold onto power, the LNP’s innate ability to shoot itself in the foot and very nearly clutch defeat from the jaws of victory was writ large with its inept response to Katter’s “Handmaids Tale” style abortion repeal promise and the LNP’s lack of any energy policy. Alas, on the issue of energy, the ALP failed to land killer blows despite having ample time and opportunities to do so
Given everything that was and has been going on, the election result was not a surprise The ALP needed to make up ground, but with saddlebags full of lead, they were left wanting, badly. Despite a late swing to the ALP, the election was arguably already lost with more than 60% of voters voting early
The final result shows the depth of the loss with the ALP losing 15 seats to finish on 36, the LNP picking up 18 seats to finish with 52, while Katter’s finished on 3 seats, the Greens on 1 and Independents on 1, the one bright light was there will be no One Nation MP’s in the state parliament.
The ALP is reduced to just 3 seats outside of the south-east corner, Cairns, Gladstone and Bundaberg, the same number it had when it was reduced to just 7 seats in total after 2012
We targeted 12 seats with varying degrees of success, the results are shown in the table below While overall the swings were big, on primary votes, the ALP was down 7 % to a total of just 32.6%, while on two party preferred it was down 6.7% to 46.5%.
TherearealsorealprospectsthattheLNPwillerodeVoluntaryAssisted Dying(VAD)rightsandrollbackabortionrights.Thereisnotaculturewar therightwingoftheLNPwillnottrytoexploit.Weareinforarockyfour yearsasweonceagainnavigatelifeunderananti-workerLNP government
It’s been an interesting year with some great wins in my patch, none more so then the Utilita members who stood up and fought back in the struggle for their EBA. The membership tripled, became active, and took protected industrial action for the first time in memory, for themselves and their legacy companies It was fantastic to see a group of workers bound in collective struggle, not just achieve a great outcome, but to understand their strength in union.
Our membership in the commercial construction space especially has seen the solidification of not just of activism, but intelligent militancy, ably lead by a team of strong delegates fighting from the front ensuring the ETU is well respected all round
Our delegates aren’t just representing the interests of their members, but they are learning to organise workers, and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.
It’s important to recognise the ongoing success of our collective action is eternal vigilance It’s all well and good being on the front foot but we mustn’t ever rest on our laurels, and I’m confident with the crop of current and upcoming delegates we are well placed to maintain and progress the ongoing fight against the forces of capital.
We recently had our contracting delegates conference and had an industry record of more than 60 attend. This is a testament to the hard work going on in our industry and I look forward to watching the continued growth and achievements
Conference heard from a range of speakers and included some good debate around issues in our industry.
I have included a great speech from a true trade unionist and mentor to all, John Cleary, who addressed conference.
Getting towards the end of the year and the hot weather, I encourage all workers on construction sites to make sure they look after themselves and their work mates. We all know that temperatures rise with frustrations and the pressure from the bosses leading into the break can lead to tensions on jobs especially on live decks Let’s never fall into the trap of thinking production comes before our lives, safety and solidarity Finally, I urge you all to look out for any of your mates who might be doing it tough leading into the break. We are One, we are Union, we are ETU!
The next contracting sub branch is 12 February 3pm in the ETU Training Rooms.
Have a great and safe break
I was honoured to be asked to address the ETU Queensland & NT contracting industry delegates conference in October 2024. What follows is that address which has been tidied up from the notes used on the day.
John Cleary
THE ATTACK ON THE CFMEU
Many unionists have told me that this attack on the CFMEU is the greatest attack on a union in history It may well be, with proto- fascist legislation that puts the union into administration, sacks elected officials, and removes the democratic rights of CFMEU members. While the administrator and the government claim their only aim is to remove corruption and criminality, it is clear that the aim is to neuter or destroy a militant union on behalf of the bosses If they are successful, we will have AWU-style union representation in the building industry That is basically the same as deunionising the industry
But it is not the first time governments and employers have tried to destroy a militant union that’s delivering results for its members.
I have been an active union member for over 5 decades. In that time there have been 3 times when the government and employers have tried to totally destroy a union that, in their opinion, was too militant
In the 1970s the NSW Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) was the most militant and progressive of any union branch in the country. They had won vast improvements in wages and conditions for building workers. They introduced radical changes: bringing women into the industry, having the first migrant and Indigenous organisers, and supported many community issues They also put green bans on about 5 billion dollars of work to save historic buildings, low-income housing, and protecting open spaces For example, the historic Rocks area of Sydney would not exist without the intervention of the BLF.
The Askin liberal government, on behalf of the developers and building companies, took them on. The most potent weapon was the intervention of the Federal office of the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF).
In 1974, the BLF was deregistered federally The federal office of the BLF was offered a deal: re-registration, minus the NSW branch The federal secretary Norm Gallagher accepted the deal.
The federal office of the BLF issued federal BLF union tickets, and the government legislated that that NSW BLF tickets would not be recognised. All members were forced to take out a federal BLF ticket to work There was a massive struggle by the NSW BLF and its supporters, but eventually the NSW BLF leadership recommended all its remaining members join the federal branch The only building industry union that supported the NSW BLF was the NSW branch of the FEDFA. The ACTU and the ALP were complicit, as they did nothing to prevent the destruction of a union, in fact, supported the federal takeover and attempted smashing of the NSW BLF.
The damage done by this anti-union attack was enormous Builders’ labourers suffered the most, as wages, conditions, and safety deteriorated without a strong union presence 33 democratically elected officials were blacklisted and refused federal tickets to work, and the community lost its only ally with the will and significant power to stop the rapacious developers and their puppets destroying that which the community wanted to protect.
The legislation used to destroy the NSW BLF was quoted as both an inspiration and, ironically, a justification when federal and state labor governments deregistered the BLF in 1986
I recommend you read “Green Bans Red Union” by Meridith and Verity Burgman to learn more about this struggle, and to watch on YouTube “Rocking the Foundations” by Pat Fiske, and “Taming the Concrete Jungle”, Pete Thomas, available online. Also check out “The Builders Labourers: Never Powerless” on labourhistorymelbourne org
VICTORIAN BLF
The BLF in Victoria had been a militant and progressive union in Victoria since they jacked up the Olympic Games build in Melbourne in 1956, and forced the bosses to treat builders’ labourers (BLs) with respect for the first time They were very successful in raising BL’s wages and conditions, and became a thorn in the side of developers and the Master Builders. They took direct action, such as the breaking of concrete pours, to win their struggles They were also often in conflict with the ALP as they sold out the working class to the bosses.
The Cain ALP government followed on the heels of a media beat-up claiming corruption in the BLF, took action to deregister the union, then colluded with the employers and other unions to destroy the union. BLF members were forced to leave the BLF and join other unions At one building site, the Hyatt in Melbourne, workers arrived at work to find the entire site surrounded by police. They let BLs enter and took them into the sheds, where there was a representative of the state government, a senior manager of the builder, the Grollo brothers Bruno and Reno (Became Grocon), and the police. They were told to sign a resignation letter from the BLF and join the union chosen for them Most general labourers went into the BWIU, and others, such as a bricklayers’ labourers, were forced into the bricklayers union. The government enforced compulsory unionism, but only if the union was approved by them - yellow unionism
This Grollo/Grocon site was the first of many arrests and imprisonments of one of this country’s finest unionists, John Cummins, happening on the very first morning of deregistration in 1986.
Stalwart BLF members fought back valiantly, such as in the famous dispute at 417 St Kilda Road, but eventually the combination of an anti-union government, the employers, and very little support from the wider union movement led to the destruction of the union The ETU was the only building union that actively supported the BLF.
With the removal of an effective union presence in the building industry, conditions of work deteriorated and safety issues abounded. From the deregistration of the BLF in 1986 until the CFMEU formed in 1995 (with some former BLF officials), all workers in the industry suffered from poor representation and the loss of a fighting union. Of course, the bosses were the big winners, now that they did not have to deal with a militant union.
Once again we see that it was disunity among unions around our values and the things that matter (not unity for its own sake), which led to years of brokenness, mistrust, bad union laws, and all resulting from government intervention in our union movement.
Some union leaders are making the same mistake again today!
For more information, read “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win! Builders Labourers fight Deregistration 1981-94” by Liz Ross Or watch on YouTube “The BLF Deregistration of 1986” by John Tognolini.
1998 MUA PATRICKS DISPUTE
This dispute was also a very real attempt to destroy a militant union. Patricks colluded with the National Farmers Federation and the Howard Liberal government First, they tried to build a scab workforce with ex SAS soldiers who were to be sent to Dubai to learn how to operate waterside equipment. They sacked the Patricks workforce and brought in balaclava wearing security guards
In this dispute the ALP and the ACTU acted more or less as we should be able to expect (Not so with the BLF) It was clearly seen that a successful destruction of the MUA was bad for MUA members, but was also a very real threat to the wider union movement. The ACTU led a campaign which involved most unions The full resources on the trade union movement were mobilised. The wider community became heavily involved. Well supported pickets were established at Patricks terminal all over Australia. The day when more than 5000 community and union activists stopped a very large police attack on the picket line was a day I will always remember.
The continual pressure of the union movement and the community, and a favourable court decision won this dispute and the MUA is here to stay. That remains a model of union solidarity in the face of Government and employer attack.
CFMEU 2024
The strategy to destroy the CFMEU follows the same steps as in the past
They create a media beat-up to put shit on the union. The channel 9 show, which was full of unproven allegations, set the conspiracy into action And the trial by media painted the entire union as corrupt and criminal.
Then they say that they have no alternative to putting the union into administration to rid the union of this alleged corruption and criminal activities. In the BLF disputes, they deregistered the union.
Clearly, the conspirators included the ALP and the ACTU. The ALP always wants soft tame, (and yellow) unions, so they can deliver a corporate agenda without union opposition They were prepared to introduce an extreme anti-union bill, with support of only the LNP, to prevent the union contesting a FWC appointment of an administrator. The ACTU joins them in accepting unproven allegations, and that the union and officials have no right to defend themselves in the courts, and supports administration. Within its ranks, the ACTU has two of the most corrupt unions ever, the SDA and the AWU, who consistently rip off workers for the boss, while the ACTU, let alone the ALP, take no action. The ACTU is dominated by these yellow unions and are prepared to attack a progressive union that is delivering for its members
It seems unclear what role the MBA and the bosses had in the early stages of this conspiracy, but they are all in now, as they stand to be the beneficiaries if the union is destroyed, turned into another AWU, or it leads to deunionisation of the industry.
Looking at these historical struggles shows the same players involved every time. The employers are involved every time. No surprises there! The government is involved It doesn’t matter if it is ALP or LNP Neither party likes strong militant unions. The difference is the solidarity, or lack of it, from the ACTU and the wider union movement. In the MUA dispute, we won because of the massive support from the trade unions and the community. This was the greatest show of solidarity on a union issue I have seen in my time. In the attacks on the BLF, The ALP was the instigator of the attacks, while the ACTU supported the yellow union
The ALP deserves condemnation for its actions, and will probably pay in the next election But we need to understand that whatever pressure we put on, the ALP will not change its anti-union stance in the near future. They have wedged themselves by attacking the union, and would be cut to threads by the LNP for any backdown The LNP will, of course, support any attack on any union. The ACTU also deserves condemnation, and hopefully we can create a new union central that is responsive to the needs of the working class That leaves the bosses Bosses have no principles except the pursuit of profit. If we threaten their profits enough, they will force their lackeys in government to move from its anti-union position to allow them to continue to profit
I am very proud that the ETU has been loud and strong condemning this anti-union attack There is great support from the other construction unions. A small number of other unions have also been solid. Our task is to build that solidarity among the 100s of thousands of rank and file unionists who have never supported government and employer attempts to smash unions, here and around the world.
It is our job to do everything we can to see that the CFMEU has a presence and survives in this industry. It is clear that if they are successful against the CFMEU, other fighting unions will then face the same anti-union legislation I am pretty certain that the ETU would be the next union they attack, by simply removing CFMEU and replacing it with ETU in the legislation. They will go after any union that is militant and successful. Because that is what they want - tame and compliant unions, here and around the world.
This attack on the CFMEU is of great importance to all unionists If they succeed in destroying the CFMEU, other unions will shy away from militant action lest they may be next. The whole movement will be weakened. We would face many years of shit union representation in the building industry. That will mean worse wages and conditions, a decrease in site safety and more deaths. Therefore, it is our responsibility to see that this does not happen
CONSTRUCTION
Over the past three and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of representing the apprentice members of the ETU QLD and NT branch. It’s been a fantastic experience standing up for the future of our great union, and I’ve loved working with our apprentice members to achieve better outcomes for the future of our industry That role has now been passed on to Joel Costa, who’s hit the ground running advocating for our apprentices. It’s been great to see him taking the reins and continuing to ensure our apprentice members have a strong voice and are using it!
I’ve now moved into the contracting space looking after the south-west Brisbane region along with continuing to represent our members in the manufacturing shops I’ve been organising for the last three and a half years
As far as new major construction projects go, Stowe has picked up the main electrical package for the $710 million dollar Ipswich Hospital redevelopment. At the time of writing this article, there are three sparkies on site with work set to kick-off on a larger scale come JanuaryFebruary 2025.
Over at Logan Hospital, Stowe are nearing completion on the existing refurb packages and Logan City Electrical have picked up the next stage of the hospital redevelopment, valued at $530 million. Like Ipswich, this one’s in the early stages too, with just a few sparkies on-site but things are set to ramp up early in the new year.
The QEII Hospital expansion is also getting started, with a $620 million project value Built is the principal contractor, and SDF is handling the main electrical package It’s in a similar spot as the other hospitals, with early works going on now and work to gain momentum into 2025
Springfield Mater Hospital Stage 2 (Stowe, EntireFire, PMT, TES) is kicking along nicely with approximately 65 members on the job at the time of writing this article, as is Ripley Satellite Hospital (Q Electrical, GM Fire, Securecom, Procrest) and Wacol Youth Remand Centre (Perigon, All Data, MES, Securecom, GM Fire and Nilsens) with similar numbers on each of those projects
I’ve been spending a lot of time dealing with safety concerns raised by members working in the tier 2 and 3 space with the same blatant disregard for safety being prevalent in most cases. Non-compliant construction wiring, non-compliant amenities, falls from heights risks, inadequate access/egress, silica dust exposure and bullying and intimidation of workers by bosses is rampant Whether it’s a tier one job or not, there should be no difference in the standard of safety provided to workers If you are on a site where your safety is compromised, reach out to your organiser immediately.
Wishing all members a happy and safe holiday season, whether you’re at work or having time off with family and friends. See yas in 2025!
ETU SHIRT FRIDAY AT IPSWICH HOSPITAL
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Callide Power Station- CS Energy
After nearly a year of protracted negotiations, ETU members at CS Energy Callide filed for a protected action ballot due to the company continually going round and round in circles on the same unresolved issues that members wanted fixed in their workplace They commenced protected industrial action including bans and stoppages to bring matters to a head. After a few short days, the company folded and gave in to our requests to resolve the following outstanding issues:
4.5%, 4.5%, 3.5%, and 3% annual salary increases over the life of the agreement
Replacement of the Callide Employee Progression System (CEDS) with a time-based progression system to remove any ambiguity for the members
Introduction of CPI safety net clauses
Superannuation contributions increased to 14.75%
Windsor Income Protection for all EA employees
Indexed increases to most allowances
$4 an hour all-purpose attraction and retention allowance
$5000 tertiary assistance allowance
A new employee-friendly salary table
Many thanks to ETU Delegate Rob Elmes, Peter Leonard, and Ross Warren for the countless hours they put in to get this great outcome for their fellow ETU members at Callide
Gladstone Ports Corporation
We have been in negotiations with GPC for over 6 months and all I can really say is that the negotiating team for GPC have been anything but professional – cancelling meetings, withdrawing offers that they weren’t authorised to table, and basically running a shit show ETU members at GPC deserve better and certainly don’t deserve to have their working conditions held hostage by some want-to-be HR gunslinger for hire. Over the years, a number of work groups at GPC have sold off their 8-hour days and become 12-hour shift workers, the ETU members, understanding the need for work/life balance, skills transfer and development have always turned down offers to buy out this working
condition and now
Gladstone Regional Council
ETU members at Gladstone Regional Council recently concluded their EBA negotiations and achieved the following significant gains: 15% wage increase over 3 years
Weekly work hours were reduced to 36.25 for the same pay currently received.
Additional personal leave
Transition to retirement support
Pro-active insourcing commitment from Council
Increase to on-call allowance to be indexed moving forward and a number of other allowance increases.
A big shout out to Chris Sears who attended meetings on behalf of ETU members in his workplace
Orica and NRG power station
Negotiations are still ongoing – watch this space
ETU MERCH SCAN TO BUY
SHAWN HIGGINS
GPC is trying to hold them to ransom. Scabby the Rat is in the departure lounge at Brisbane airport headed for Gladstone – hope you’re on the same plane, Brett!
IS AUSTRALIA IS AUSTRALIA SLEEPWALKING SLEEPWALKING INTO WAR? INTO WAR?
That was the question posed at the 2024 Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) Conference
As I reflect on the conference and the wide array of speakers from current and former politicians, retired majors and career soldiers, teachers, professors, journalists, writers, diplomats, unionists, First Nations representatives, and international guests, I ponder the magnitude of the question
Sleepwalking suggests we are not fully aware of where Australia sits geopolitically, are we already at war, close to war? And who with? And most importantly, how do we stop it, if in fact we can? What became clear is there is evidence to say we are close to being involved in a war with China not to defend our shores but as a proxy for the US, there is further evidence to suggest that Australia is active in war planning due to our increasing strategic integration with the US military. Under AUKUS we will become the only ally in the world to host and support military operations by forward deployed US strategic bombers and SSN attack submarines.
Are we sleepwalking into war? Yes and no
Many Australians have no idea what AUKUS is, what it means and what it locks us into financially and militarily going forward So for them, yes, maybe we are sleepwalking into war. But as for the government, former government, military and arms dealers – they are all well aware, and in fact, they are wargaming what the AUKUS deal and increasing militarisation will mean. I would argue that those groups are not sleepwalking into war, they are actively planning for it. The Orwellian Defence “Industry” Minister title tells an obscene story of transition from defence as a national necessity to defence as an industry to be exploited for private multinational greed.
The conference – a collective resolve to listen, organise and win I represented our union at the conference where I spoke about the ETU’s 70 year opposition to nuclear power and nuclear weapons, and our disgust at the AUKUS deal being rubberstamped by a Labor government despite the real threats the deal poses to Australia and our sovereignty. Summarised by the quote “the nuclear door created by AUKUS and Morrison, left ajar by the Albanese and Marles, is being kicked in by the jack boots of Dutton ” My presentation also looked the inevitable link between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the impact of the AUKUS agreement on the increasing nuclearisation of Australia
The conference was an eye opener for me. There were so many outstanding speakers who shared their research and stories with the hope that the more we know and learn about the militarisation of Australia. It’s time to call it out and pursue an alternative path. One with independence, peace, sustainability and connection at its core
I was moved by the stories of people whose lands and lives were forever scarred by nuclear testing, wars, occupation and dispossession, deaths and disease.
I was angered by the stories of multinational corporate gun runners polluting young minds by infiltrating STEM courses, scholarships and science fairs.
I was shocked and saddened beyond comprehension to hear from a young Palestinian woman who spoke about the loss of 200 family members in the Gaza genocide, yet she shows extraordinary bravery and compassion representing and advocating for peace
I was inspired by stories of resistance and resilience, from First Nations People standing up and fighting back, from the ex-military calling out the futility of war, to the warriors for peace who never give up and never give in, to fellow unionists standing up and campaigning for peace and social justice in their communities
What became increasingly clear from all of the talk, facts and figures, stories and research, was there is a thirst for independence, sustainability and peace.
From the information shared, I saw that there is a growing backlash against Australia’s submissive approach to US military advancement. There is a general feeling that we are in fact sleepwalking into war by continuing to cower at the feet of the USA and its military corporations The secretive and expensive $368 billion AUKUS Agreement Pillars one and two were singled out as prime examples where Australia is locked into the USA’s aggressive military posturing without the consent of the Australian people, an agenda which directly threatens our sovereignty and the rights for us all to have a say in whether or not we accept toxic nuclear waste and how approximately $33 million per day of public money is spent And most importantly whether or not we go to war.
IPAN Conference Declaration
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network 2024 Conference Declaration 6 October 2024, Boorloo (Perth) The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), met on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people in Boorloo (Perth) from the 4th to 6th October 2024 to hold its national conference, Sleepwalking into War, opposing AUKUS, nuclear submarines, and the nuclear industry and nuclear waste. We seek a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
This conference, which attracted well over one hundred people, nationally and internationally, affirms its commitment to campaign for an independent Australia which pursues peaceful relations with all countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect. To this end, IPAN will work with all like-minded people and organisations in a broad-based mass campaign to drive the necessary political change In the name of peace, this conference calls on the Australian Government to;
Terminate the AUKUS agreement/treaty
Terminate the 2014 Force Posture Agreement between Australia and the USA, which sees a permanent rotation of 2500 USA Marines stationed in Darwin
Withdraw all ADF personnel from all areas of the world outside of Australia’s immediate territorial boundaries, except for those on UN peacekeeping missions
Terminate the AUKUS agreement/treaty.
Terminate the 2014 Force Posture Agreement between Australia and the USA, which sees a permanent rotation of 2500 USA Marines stationed in Darwin
Withdraw all ADF personnel from all areas of the world outside of Australia’s immediate territorial boundaries, except for those on UN peacekeeping missions
GET INVOLVED
Conference sparks decision to form ETU Peace & Social Justice Sub Committee
Over the years the ETU has a proud history of taking up issues that are loosely labeled social issues including; calling for an end to nuclear expansion, action on climate change, railing against the excesses of AUKUS, standing up for First Nations rights, showing up for refugees incarcerated in makeshift prisons, calling out racism and discrimination, demanding ceasefires and an end to occupations, standing up for a woman’s right to choose, championing voluntary assisted dying and many others. We walk the walk when we say Social Issues are Union Issues
After the conference, I met with state secretary Peter Ong to discuss what came out of the conference and what we could do to further the aims of IPAN and the ETU’s commitment to social justice and peace I asked if we could set up an ETU Peace and Social Justice Sub Committee, and he agreed
In early December we convened an organising group to look at some of the logistics of setting up the subcommittee The planning group consisted of 6 people with experience in setting up and maintaining sub committees and other groups both within the ETU and elsewhere.
Andrew Irvine IPAN and others Mark Gillespie Refugee Action Committee and others, Liam Keats, Unions for Palestine, Tom Campbell ETU Old School, Liam Reichman ETU Youth Crew & BTG Youth Crew and others, Ro Lyon ETU Women’s Committee,
At the meeting we resolved to explore and set up our social media presence, prepare a draft mission statement, logo and purpose for presentation at the first meeting in January. Research and present information on some initial peace and social justice topics to the meeting in January We also aimed to have two meetings prior to the Biennial Conference in May.
Please accept this as an open invitation for all members interested in learning more about peace and social justice issues and how we as a union can contribute to creating a future Australia with social justice and peace at its core
First meeting to be held in the new year Details to follow
Please contract Andrew Irvine andrew@etu.org.au if you would like to be involved
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
G’day,
It has been as busy as ever in the Far North recently, with a lot of members having wins, but across the board, the struggle continues.
Cleanco
At the time of writing, I am unfortunately spending an inordinate amount of time dealing with repeated unfair, harassing-type behaviors from some lower-level managers in Cleanco against some of our members. The issues appear a hangover from a successful EBA campaign, where members stuck together and achieved better than expected outcomes, and since then there has been a concerted effort by some to break the back of the activism, but I think those managers underestimate the might of the collective ETU membership The message is clear, “Touch One, Touch All”!
Skyrail
After enduring an expired agreement for many years throughout the pandemic, and against the backdrop of the downturn in tourism, which has seen members at Skyrail only achieve minimum wage increases for the past few years, we have managed to organise and activate the membership, and drag a decent offer out of the company going forward. The collective members onsite have held firm to their fair and reasonable expectations and achieved uplifts across a number of entitlements which should go some way to shoring up the attraction and retention issues faced recently Well done one and all
Cape Flattery Silica Mine
We are in the middle of EBA negotiations with CFSM and whilst we are a long way off agreement, early indications are that the company remembers quite vividly the blue that we had at the last agreement to get a decent outcome Hopefully that translates to a fair and reasonable offer this time but reinforces the importance of rolling the sleeves up and having a dig, to achieve better, not only for the ‘here and now’, or the compounding affect of those gains into the future, but sometimes your action pays itself forward, for the next round of negotiations as well
Northpoint Power and Data
As I write this, Northpoint Power and Data are sending the ETU regional Construction EBA out to vote in 2 days’ time, and hopefully that will mean members will vote it up and we will for the first time ever have two local EBA electrical contracting companies in the construction space in Cairns. A massive thanks to all the construction sparkies that laid the foundation for this over many years in Cairns
Tyrones
It looks as if Tyrones will pick up the hospital expansion works For those that don’t know them locally, they are an EBA company out of Brisbane. They have a good relationship with the ETU and we have been in contact with them already about local expectations I will meet with the project manager as soon as he lands onsite.
Cairns Regional Council
CRC is about to head into its next round of bargaining soon, with achieving an outcome that not only keeps pace with the cost of living, but goes some way to make up for lost ground in recent years, and which goes some way to addressing the attraction and retention issues, needs to be our focus. Unfortunately, we have a far-from-worker-sympathetic Council and we must brace ourselves for a blue to achieve what is fair The
members at council are front and center when we need them, and we may need the rest of the movement in Cairns to turn out to support them when they need us.
QHealth
Cairns Hospital is going through a business case for change, and after many years of leading the charge against rampant contracting out of internal works that was going on in that hospital under previous management, we have forced them to comply with their industrial obligations and have been able to map the work hours and justify workforce uplifts This has resulted in multiple new trade positions being established and advertised. Well done to the CHHHS members who have forced this correction through their unified stances
MSF Mulgrave Sugar Mill
Mulgrave Sugar Mill is about to head into EBA negotiations and on the back of the good wins made in both Tully Sugar Mill and at Wilmar. Members are buoyed about the opportunity to level up their own agreement. History suggests that it won’t be easy, but history also suggests that members at this mill always step up and punch above their weight.
Kidston Pumped Hydro
Since my last journal article, we have had the electrical crew at Kidston Pumped Hydro jump across from McConnel Dowell and into RSGX, an EBA company from Brisbane RSGX were always coming into the project at a later point to work for John Holland as part of their works for the joint venture, but we negotiated an earlier entry point, which saw members wages and conditions uplift Thanks to all the members onsite for that seamless transition and support.
Cheers comrades
SUNSHINE COAST
Well, it certainly has been an interesting year. The CFMEU is in administration, we have withdrawn our support for the ACTU and QCU, and at the time of writing this, we are waiting to see what initial outcomes are of the high court challenge the ‘Your Union Your Choice’ campaign are running against the administration legislation. We’ve had a state election and in the first half of next year we will have a federal election
The most important issue I believe we are facing is what projects will be changed or cut in the years to come We had a state government that committed to renewable energy targets, record spending on renewable projects, and the infrastructure that connects these projects all the way up and down the east coast of Queensland With the new state government, we don’t know yet what will be axed. The Pioneer Pumped Hydro Project has already been scrapped, and I’m guessing BPICs will be scrapped as soon as possible by the incoming state government
Thanks to all of those that gave up an hour two on Saturday mornings to help out with letterboxing and high vis activities during the Not4Sale campaign It was great catching up with you all and I actually enjoyed that time.
Next year is shaping up to be a big year for construction with the train building facility at Torbanlea and Woodford Prison getting into full swing. Bundaberg Hospital is building a 300-person camp for that project, so that will be going next year as well.
Stay safe over Christmas. If you can afford it, donate to a charity that supports families at Christmas Have a restful break and see you next year.
In solidarity, Dan Bessell
WIDE BAY
Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC)
Lengthy EBA negotiations have been finalised, with the new agreement out to vote at time of writing Protracted industrial action by ETU members achieved an all-purpose Attraction and Retention allowance of 6% in additional to the yearly increases of 6%, 4%, and 4%. Well done to all the members that locked in to achieve this outcome
Bundaberg Regional Council (BRC)
We have been patiently waiting for EBA negotiations to get into full swing
There has been a delay due to the recruitment of the vacant CEO role and then a voluntary redundancy/restructure change put forward by council. BRC then in turn requested a 12 month roll over for a 3% increase, which was widely rejected by union members. Highlighting what has been put on the table by neighbouring councils, and that members aren’t totally
New Bundaberg Hospital
DAN BESSELL
opposed to an interim rollover, there still has not been any further movement by management. There are clear attraction and retention issues currently at the council and this won’t be helped with the current attitude
Work on site has still been limited to civils The electrical package is expected to be awarded shortly for work to commence hopefully early in the new year.
ETEX
We have been in negotiations for the last few months. The first offer put to a vote was voted down convincingly We are waiting for the company to submit a revised offer.
Yurika
In the past few months, a couple of Yurika’s sites have had water and sewerage issues that resulted in site down pending rectification works to members’ safety. A big thanks to the standing together to force these issu sorted adequately The company is n a lot closer with us to deal with item
Sunwater
Initial discussions have commenced with Sunwater for the upcoming EBA negotiation We are currently canvasing our membership for their log of claims. Meetings will ramp up early in the new year
GENERAL TRADES & MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE
Delegates from across the manufacturing and general trades section of our union gathered in Brisbane in mid-July for their annual conference Old and new delegates shared successes, struggles, and strategies. One of the great things coming out of our conference season has been the number of new delegates attending their first conference, the general trades space is no different, here are some of their observations.
For Tuuta Manu 35, from Coca Cola Richlands, the conference has been a great opportunity to meet with other delegates and hear their stories, good and bad and to listen and learn “I’ve been a member for five years and this is my first year as a delegate and my first conference. I didn’t have many expectations before coming to conference. But I have got a lot out of it, like some great information about super, rights and entitlements that I can take back to members. But some of the biggest things for me has been hearing how delegates deal with issues I have learned new strategies and approaches ” Being part of the ETU as a member and now stepping up as a delegate has had a big impact on Tuuta’s work life. “The ETU has been a lifesaver for me, it has given me the opportunity to channel positive behaviours, take responsibility, and has provided me with new perspectives on how to get results for our members.”
Chris Woods, 33, has been working as a shift electrician at Gladstone Ports for the past three and a half years. While he has previous experience as a delegate in other roles, he has taken on the delegate position at the port for the last five months.
GENERAL TRADES & M FA T G CONFER
His expectations of the conference were to gain insights into campaigns and strategies leading up to the state election “Working in a Government Owned Corporation, I am aware of the importance of saving assets from privatisation. Under the previous Newman LNP government, our port was on the block and only the Not4Sale campaign and the change of government saved us. I am paying careful attention to the fine details of our campaign this time around so I can effectively educate our members.”
I first met Fernando Alverez, a 58-year-old shift electrician, in 2012 while he was working with his comrades at the Brisbane domestic terminal under BCS. The band of brothers were thrown into a media frenzy when they took a stand against Qantas-type lockouts at BCS, picketed the terminal, and emerged victorious. The "Expect Delays" campaign garnered live news coverage and resolved the pay dispute, gaining national and international attention. Following negotiations, significant pay raises and a sound EBA were achieved Now, 12 years later, this staunch union member has stepped up to take on the delegate role
Reflecting on the past victory, Fernando shared, "It was a memorable win and a great little campaign. Although BCS is no longer in charge, we are now under Alstef, we are in the midst of EBA negotiations at the moment, so you never know ”
Since the time of writing, Fernando and his comrades achieved an outstanding result in the recent EBA after having the guts and determination to take on the company taking protected action and winning a pay rises in excess of 25%, with some members receiving pay increases of up to $30k
Fernando also attended advanced delegates training in October, further solidifying his union journey, saying “The training is awesome, getting background information and sharing experiences while developing my delegate skills.” He added, "Attending my first conference, I was seeking guidance and a deeper understanding of the delegate responsibilities since I am only two weeks into the role I received important insights and support, which more than met my expectations "
"I am pleased with the knowledge gained, especially regarding the essential interpersonal skills required as a delegate. Not all members share the same views. I am taking back great resources and feel reassured by the support available for me to perform this role. I enjoyed networking and socialising with like-minded people, sharing experiences, and realising that I am not alone.” To Fernando, being a member of the ETU means “doing what is right "
Luke Lauder 34, a shift electrician at Hay Point, has been an ETU member for 15 years after he joined as an apprentice back in 2009. Just four months ago, he took on the role of co-delegate and this was his first conference.
The first Manufacturing and General Trades conference exceeded Chris’ expectations “I feel more confident and knowledgeable reporting back to members on campaigns and super, income protection andother union benefits. I also gained valuable tools and understanding of psychosocial hazards to enable me to assist members going through mental health issues by knowing what resources are available and how to access them. Like many other delegates, Chris appreciates the camaraderie and networking opportunities the conference provided He values the ability to share experiences, both challenges and triumphs, with comrades who understand their shared struggles and achievements.
“I really had no expectations except that I would meet people and develop networks along with learning a bit about the role. It’s been a really good experience, listening to the guest speakers and hearing some strategies for managing meetings and conversations along with developing good interpersonal skills. As a co-delegate, I know I have workplace support, but meeting other delegates from similar industries such as the Gladstone Ports has been good I am hoping that my experience and willingness to stand up will spur others on to do the same, my aim is to have three delegates on site.”
“Being ETU is sticking together, one voice towards a common goal.”
This year’s conference covered a huge range of topics with presentation from the Electrical Safety Commissioner covering changes to the Electrical Safety Act and regulations, particularly in relation to the performance and definition of live work including fault finding that’s relevant to the work our members perform in the general trade/maintenance/manufacturing space.
We also heard from Hall Payne Lawyers who represent our members when they have to deal with injuries in the workplace and Workcover This information is invaluable given there are important steps to be taken and timeframes to be met when making a Workcover claim that delegates need to be across to ensure our wider membership is covered and, if necessary, compensated if they have the misfortune to have an accident in the workplace.
We also had extensive discussion around wages and conditions in our industries Companies expect electricians to hold post-trade qualifications or experience, work 12-hour shifts, often seven days a week, but wages don’t universally reflect these demands above and beyond the work performed by other electricians across the state. This needs to be addressed, and a market rate for an electrician in the manufacturing sector established to benchmark all agreements around the state. The conference discussed strategies to implement the above and make sure all members in this industry are recognised and paid what they are worth
Along with the above, delegates went through changes and new protections for workers in the Fair Work Act, in depth information about superannuation and options for members, along with many other topics nominated by members across these industry sectors.
Lastly, delegates resolved that given the importance of this conference to our industry, that they should be continued annually into the future This year was the biggest attendance at one of these conferences we’ve seen, with delegates from around the state representing members from many different employers.
Given the growing size of this section of the union and its importance as we head in to a ‘made in Australia’ future, along with ensuring fair wages in this sector of the union. The delegates resolved that members in this section should strike a levy of 50c per member, per week to fund future conferences, ensure that this sector continues to grow, and wages across the industry are brought to a standard that represents the skills and standards required to keep our manufacturing industry thriving.
COAL & CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Coal Industry
Plenty of EA negotiations still on-going across the industry We have secured some favourable outcomes with real wage increases and some new provisions, however, some operations have had to file for, and take, protected industrial action to further their claims to get real benefits from bargaining.
The industry is still holding steady, as yet there has been no major changes with the drop in the coal price, but as we get closer to Nov/Dec, I am sure the mining companies will start with a scare campaign for redundancies and mine closures, just like every other year.
Read about the coal conference on the next page.
Contracting
Mackay Hospital expansion - the early works are commencing This will be a decent job in the region, we will continue to engage with the contractors, to ensure we get the local workers on the job
With the changes to the state government after the election, the BurdekinPioneer Pumped Hydro project may no longer go ahead. This would have seen a large amount of work completed in the region, but I am sure we will find out in time whether the project will get started.
Other
Mackay Sugar EA negotiations have commenced for the three (3) mills Hopefully we see some decent results in the near future
A RICH SEAM OF TALENT COMING THROUGH
It was the first coal conference debut for 26 year old Dakota Williams from Peak Downs Mine south of Moranbah in Central Queensland. Dakota has been a member since 2018 and was elected co delegate at the last AGM after doing a stint as a crew/ area delegate for 12 months. Dakota expected to gain knowledge from the other delegates and was keen to hear how other delegates resolved issues and any tips and strategies they could share “I expected the conference to provide an opportunity to listen and learn, very much a training exercise for me ” Dakota reckons the conference more than met his expectations. “Apart from the networking and learning and sharing stories with other delegates, the guest speakers were great.”
There are a few things that Dakota can take back and use straight away in the workplace to enhance the outcomes for members.
“There were lots of similar issues across the board which gave us the opportunity to share strategies, I think we learned a lot from, each other, I certainly did.”
Hearing from the guest speakers gave Dakota a greater understanding of the benefits available to union members. “Things like getting your will done through the union, long service leave entitlements, superannuation entitlements and other benefits are things I can share with members. I was also interested in the presentation form the Mines Inspectorate, which clarified a few things for me ”
“It was a great conference where I learned a lot and I have some things I can share immediately with members ”
For Dakota, being ETU means:
“Standing up for what is right, representing workers who may not get their voices heard on issues. With training and conferences, I feel more confident talking to them and working with them to resolve the issues.”
Jason Goff, 43, works out of BHP’s Whitehaven Coal Mine in Blackwater, and has been an ETU member for 20 years and apprentice delegate for 5-6 years. He was recently elected vice president at the pit. Despite his activism, this was his first coal conference.
His expectations were pretty simple, “I expected to get industry updates, an overview of industry standards and some networking with other delegates from other pits to share strategies and issues ”
For Jason, the expectations were well and truly met and some.
“It was an eye opener. While much of it was what I expected, there were some standouts The industry standards around respirable dust exposure and safety was one of them.”
There were some things that Jason can take back and use straight away “Mining super information, some of the issues discussed by the inspectorate around supervision and electrical shocks, other stuff that I can now discuss with better knowledge include Hall Payne’s Workplace injury process. “It’s been a really positive experience.”
For Jason, being ETU means:
“Working together to make workplaces safe and ensure workers have a voice.”
It’s great to see new delegates and workplace leaders coming through the ranks among the 20+ strong contingent at this year’s conference!
Apprentices & training for the industry, by the industry
A DECADE OF ETU WOMEN’S CONFERENCES
Ten years on, many fights won, but some things remain the same
When gathering information for this article, whose origins date back to six years prior to my joining the ETU, words written by Pat Rogers struck a chord. Pat wrote:
I remember sitting in my office in mid-2014 and Hoggy (a union delegate and mate of mine) came in to tell me that there was a woman delegate at the contracting industry conference and that she was out the back at the bar and grill.
I went outside and met Sarah (Brunton) It was great to meet a woman delegate from the contracting industry and to hear about women activists in the NT.
I now sit not ten metres away from where Pat sat that day in 2014 and have been part of multiple identical conversations. Around about every two months, a delegate or union official will come into my office to tell me that there’s a woman out the back, at the bar and grill, a participant of X conference or Y committee meeting. It’s still a regular occurrence that a woman delegate or young apprentice is specifically mentioned to me by a member.
While we now have significantly more women members in our great union, almost 1000 as I write this article, a lot more delegates, and as a result, more women coming along to industry meetings and conferences, there’s no denying that seeing a woman in the industry is still not quite the norm Every woman who has been involved in the Women’s Committee, has been a delegate on site, or has attended any union conference, has done her part in advancing visibility of women in the industry and in the ETU
It’s been incredible to watch the support for women in our union by their workmates and comrades, many of whom champion the cause of increasing gender diversity in the trade, and will go to lengths to advance safety measures, with a focus on women in the workplace. For the past three years I have organised the ETU women’s conferences, and each year, delegates and officials have been keen to put forward names for the invite list.
Which takes us naturally back to the first ETU Women’s Conference, the idea for which blossomed after that first chat between Pat and Sarah ten years ago Sarah says:
“I ran the idea of holding a conference and forming a women’s committee past Pat who encouraged me and accompanied me to approach Simmo (the late great former secretary Peter Simpson), I asked if we could do this same ‘conference thing’ for women, and we should kick it off in Darwin as we at that time had a very active women’s ETU Sparkettes group Simmo was an immediate ‘yes,’ and the first ETU women’s conference was held at The Darwin Railway club in October 2014.”
Pat shares memories from the first Women’s Conference in 2014... The first conference was held in Darwin under Sarah’s mythical cone of air conditioning Sarah, Marnie (Scobie) and Paul Kirby (NT organiser) worked with me in the branch office to organise the conference. The conference was attended by women from the NT and Queensland, as well as Ash from national office and Vanessa from the Victorian branch
Vanessa from the Vic branch spoke about her involvement and role as the Vic branch women’s organiser and each of the conference participants spoke about their “journey” to working in the electrical industry.
The conference included practical sessions about the structure and decision making in the union; information from the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Working Women’s Centre about discrimination, harassment and bullying at work; Ash from national office spoke about the unfair dismissal provisions in the Fair Work Act; and Sarah facilitated a session about increasing the number of women in the trade
The final session at the conference focussed on the future and developed a series of recommendations including: The union running a women’s conference each year; Every industry conference should provide training for members on sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying; Union training clauses should be expanded to provide union training leave for women, Indigenous members and apprentices.
These recommendations were all accepted by the union’s decision-making bodies.
It is exciting (and personally satisfying) that the women’s conference continues to provide an opportunity for women to meet and discuss issues of particular relevance to women working in the electrical industry and hopefully provide a support network for those women
It is also worth noting that in recognition of the work of Sarah and Marnie in encouraging women to become active in the union, in 2018 they were nominated for, and received, an Emma Miller Award from the Queensland Council of Unions
Sarah notes the significant support the conference received My “stand out” memory is how everyone, including all the guys, got behind us and supported us in creating a safe space to allow women to meet and discuss their experiences at work.
The guys knew from the beginning that supporting us in making workplaces safer and improving facilities would make workplaces better for everyone
Toilets still a problem
When asked about the biggest issues facing women in the industry both in 2014 and today, the topic of facilities comes up again and again While the media will run a big story about the lack of access to women’s toilets, particularly on construction sites, around once a year, it’s an everyday issue for many women working in male-dominated trades
Pat Rogers and Assistant Secretary Chris Lynch, along with officials and delegates from the Building Trades Group (BTG) of Unions, have been working continuously for over ten years to try and bring legislation and employers into the 21st century with regards to this matter. As I write this, we are a few months out from improved WHS legislation being enacted that was fought for, tooth and nail, by Lynchy and the BTG. We also recently wrapped up the very first combined women’s conference with the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (AFULE) women’s committee, where delegates from both unions resolved to rehash the facilities issue once again. Our two unions’ women’s committees will be getting our heads together to build a campaign that we hope will continue the work that has been done by many up until now. While the work to advance workers’ rights is never done, we hope to see a significant improvement in the state of things over the coming months and years, combining the WHS improvements and another wave of concentrated efforts from blue collar unions.
Nothing worth fighting for is achieved in a hurry, and although it can be disheartening to be fighting the same battles ten years on, it is undeniable that the strength of ETU women continues to grow From less than 200 women members at the time of the first conference in 2014, to almost 1000 in 2024, women’s participation in the industry and in the union is growing exponentially, particularly in the past few years There have been initiatives by governments and employers driving women to enter the industry for many years, and have increasingly been adopted in the last couple of years. This means it’s more important than ever for us to have an engaged women’s committee and membership in the union. Below is a graph showing the exponential growth over the past two years.
As more women enter the industry, progress will slowly be made, and as more women are elected to delegate positions and take an active role in our union, we will go from strength to strength.
The fight for workers’ right, and indeed, those specific to women workers, must be continued from generation to generation. The fights that started at the first women’s conference in 2014, and of course prior to that, will be continued on by women currently in our committee, and will be carried on long after those women retire.
It’s not always easy to fight the good fight, so a huge shoutout goes to all women, past, present, and future, who have dedicated enormous amounts of time to women’s issues in our union
NORTH
QUEENSLAND
As we approach the end of another year, it’s good to see the long, destructive Wilmar dispute come to an end after 18 months of grueling negotiations A result that saw workers in Wilmar see real wage increases, which equated to about a third more than Wilmar initially offered. The deal included an initial 8% pay rise on a successful ballot in early September, a further 4% in Dec 2024 and 4% Dec 2025 – for a total of 16% over the 26 month life of the agreement. They also secured a $2 500 sign-on bonus and, a first of its kind at Wilmar, $25p/w Electrical Licence Allowance The agreement also created provisions for the conversion of a number of seasonal workers to permanent employment
The ballot was only successful by a slight margin, with 55% of employees voting in support of the offer, making it evident the workforce was greatly divided, with Wilmar just offering enough to scrape the deal over the line. While the outcome fell just slightly short of what members ultimately wanted, they recognise the outcome is a substantial amount higher than Wilmar initially offered, and it also represents the biggest ever pay increase achieved at Wilmar
Make no mistake, this was not an easy win with the multinational living up to its infamous global reputation for poor industrial relations, employing a variety of deceitful tactics to obstruct fair outcomes for its employees. These include breaking promises, consistently presenting substandard agreements, and threatening indefinite lockouts if workers participated in debrief meetings They also tried to leverage the upcoming crush season to provoke conflict between workers and growers, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in vain on Fair Work Commission cases to stop lawful industrial actions, and harassed members and delegates. These actions only scratch the surface of the unethical strategies used by the foreignowned multinational that tried and failed to divide the sugar communities.
The only reason we achieved this outcome was on the back of the sheer determination, grit, and willingness of union members to stand together in solidarity and make a stand Our density across the mills has seen massive growth, and it sends a clear message to the brutal sugar industry multinationals that workers will no longer be walked over, and when we as a union collective stand together and fight together, we can win respect and decent outcomes.
The members at Wilmar should hold their heads high and be proud of their achievements It’s been an honour being front and centre of this campaign, helping steer such a committed group of members in achieving better conditions in their workplace. I have no doubt this dispute will be talked about for years to come, and look forward to improving on this in the next round of bargaining!
Incitec Pivot Limited negotiations at Mt Isa is now at the final drafting stages While agreement in principal was reached back in September, we have only now received the proposed draft document There are many wording changes in this document, so this process can’t be rushed, although we are working through it and hope to have the document ready for ballot by the end of November.
Following a round of tense, high pressure negotiations which spanned over 10 meetings in five months, the package itself represents the highest remuneration package ever achieved at IPL Mt Isa, with ETU members expected to see increases between 26% and 27% over a four-year agreement This unionised workforce, with 100% union density, and an extremely committed group of delegates, they were never going to sell themselves short of the outcomes they expected to see in their agreement. While the current cost of living is affecting everyone, we are working hard to get this document finalised, and look forward to members receiving these increases.
Glencore Copper Refinery is also expected to begin negotiations shortly, this agreement has not been a union negotiated agreement previously, although we have a number of members in the workplace and an elected delegate who we will be negotiating on behalf of workers for the new document. We have been spending some time out on site, discussing what a log of claims may look like, getting prepared for bargaining to commence.
Construction
The Townsville Hospital is very slow going, the enabling work and early works are still underway, though there are only a handful of electrical workers on site at this stage.
The change of government may slow the process down a little more, as the main contract did not get awarded before the government entered caretaker mode It is still expected that the project will ramp up early in 2025, although we will have to wait and see what happens with the contract. I will keep you posted on the status of this one as I get information.
Copperstring 2.0 camps have now begun construction. Work is underway at Hughenden and Richmond, which are the first two camps to be completed, with seven in total to be built Atco has been awarded the contract for the first two camps, with Corefields winning the electrical contract I have been out to site a number of times already, I will continue regular visits as the job ramps up. Negotiations are also underway with Corefields, to ensure these workers are receiving the correct rates and conditions for the project.
Woolams Private Hospital in Townsville has come to a standstill due to redesign issues There are currently no contractors on site, or any work being completed It is expected that it will resume in the new year
Stage 1 of the FKG Kirwan police station is well underway, with CV Services being the electrical contractor on site. I am still yet to receive any information on the next stage of the job being the training facility, but I am keeping an ear to the ground for any movement
The new shopping precinct at North Shore is also ramping up, with Hutchies getting the main contract and CV Services also getting the electrical contract for this one.
You have also probably heard the Hilton project has been put off again, and at this stage is no longer going ahead. Although given the track record of this project I wouldn’t be surprised if it pops up again
I hope you all have a great Christmas and get to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Stay safe and I look forward to hitting the ground running in 2025.
As always if you have any questions or concerns about the above, feel free to contact me directly
TOM CAMPBELL TOM CAMPBELL STARTS WITH CIRT STARTS WITH CIRT
“It’s a natural extension from delegate to the new job, it’s all about looking after members.”
Tom Campbell is a familiar face to many, especially those who have attended state conferences in recent years. He is known for his advocacy on behalf of the Old School committee, fighting against ageism, and promoting fairness for older members. If you've been to a May Day event in Toowoomba in the mid-2010s or listened to the skirl of the bagpipes at various events from IWMD to anti-Newman rallies, Tom was likely the piper A skilled musician, he has achieved many accolades and awards including the world Juvenile championships at just 16, and the Australian Grade One Championships He has travelled globally, and passed on his knowledge to new talents during his time with the College of Piping in Glasgow. His dedication to music, life, and purpose is deeply rooted in working-class values
He who pays the piper pays the workers
From an early age, Tom was exposed to the union values of solidarity, community, and taking a stand against tyranny. He was also exposed to government brutality and bastardry meted out at the behest of the despised Margaret Thatcher
“Unionism is in my blood. My union values all came from my dad who was a Convenor with the National Union Of Mineworkers (NUM) in Fifeshire I saw strikes and hard times, along with many marches and solidarity… It’s also where I learned to play the pipes. I used to go around the pubs, play the pipes, and collect money for the strike fund ”
In 1984, when Margaret Thatcher targeted miners and their communities, the lasting impact deeply affected Tom
While in Sydney on a bagpipe tour, he saw images of police on horseback charging picketing miners with batons drawn, those images of state violence ignited anger and concern for his family back home.
Tom vividly remembers the toll it took on the working class – lives were lost, some suicided, many were coerced back to work through threats of eviction for mortgage defaults, coal was rationed, and people were even arrested for gathering wood to heat their homes It was a grim period When Thatcher passed away in 2013, Tom celebrated, viewing her as a tyrant who destroyed countless lives.
After leaving school at 17, Tom faced the common choices of working at the docks or in the pits, typical for those raised in working-class Scottish regions during the early 1980s After a brief stint as an electrician in the mines, Tom received news of his acceptance as a shipwright at the Rosyth Naval Dockyard.
Following on from the Dockyard, Tom, by now an accomplished piper, took his passion to new levels and pursued a full-time piping career, taught at the College of Piping, embarked on global tours for over a decade, and started a family with his wife Maria on the outskirts of Glasgow. During one of his world tours in 2005, Tom was approached by the Queensland Police with an offer to take up a full-time bagpipe teaching position, which he found interesting but ultimately left after a two-year stay. However, his love of the pipes and teaching continued to provide him with international success, and by 2012 he had been world champion three times and cited one of his proudest moments to be playing solo at the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2006.
“I was able to play solo pieces with family in the crowd, then I was given the honour of leading the entire massed pipes and drums down the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and down the Royal Mile in the city It was a massively proud moment.”
Electrical career, ETU, and standing up for members
In 2007, at 42, Tom commenced an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter mechanic with Nilsens, before transitioning to a union job in Tipton near Dalby With his natural knack for craftsmanship, the shift to becoming an electrician was a smooth one. The decision to become a qualified sparky has been a rewarding one for Tom.
With a philosophy based around the core beliefs of fairness, equality, and standing up against injustice, with the ETU in his corner, Tom was destined to have a successful career and union journey that has taken him across industries and positions. Here’s a snapshot of Tom’s ETU journey since 2012.
Pre-2012 – 2014
Like many Queensland-based sparkies, Tom ventured out bush to work on the gas boom projects. He worked on a six site CSG hub based out of the Ruby Jo’s camp, out past Roma where he was the ETU infrastructure crew site delegate for the hub. “There was a good union team out there, Josh Baker was the safety rep. But motelling and a 3/1 roster was tough on the family Pressure from the companies to complete work also led to safety issues and incidents. “It highlighted for me the importance of safety checking and testing verification,” says Tom.
2014-2015 – Legacy Way tunnel ETU site delegate and HSR role. Tom says “it was great working closer to home, and the family. There was great union strength, particularly with the We’re All In EBA campaign But there were lots of issues around diesel particulate readings, and high pressure to get the job done on time so the companies could avoid penalties It was really important to have strong union safety reps and procedures in place. We demanded daily DPN readings and when it was too high, the companies needed to move workers to avoid exposure.”
2015-2017 – Labour Hire work in various areas across Brisbane and the South East
“It was rough Sometimes the only job would be in Toowoomba where we were put up in a dodgy Bed and Breakfast, and other times there was no work at all, creating financial stress on the family. And the wages and conditions were poor, there was no Same Job, Same Pay back then, the industry was rife with dodgy labour hire companies.”
2017-2021 - Apselec – Safety Rep
“I worked at 300 George St, voted in by the leading hands. It was a good job with a great union presence and a great factory for new upcoming ETU activists I’m proud of the work we did on that site mentoring young workers. To see some of them developing into leaders is great, quality people like Hayden, Ariah and new organiser Joel Costa came through 300 George St, along with others who have stepped up into delegate roles after their time there.
Read the last edition of the journal for the rundown on Tom’s job on Queens Wharf
Triumphs and family ties
Tom takes pride in being part of the ETU, and has contributed to numerous successful campaigns and initiatives over the years. He holds a special regard for the Old School Committee, which successfully brought together and advocated for older ETU members, as well as creating connections with younger ones from the Youth Crew.
"It's truly fulfilling to pass on our rich history to the next generation of our union. Beyond the Old School, I have extended my involvement as a connector for young workers and a mentor for apprentices on the 300 George St project Among the 55 apprentices, I witnessed the rise of many talented young unionists, like Ariah and Hayden who have taken on leadership positions as site delegates and within the union, while others are coming through as well, it’s great ”
Tom is passionate about teaching apprentices and has a healthy respect for young workers’ needs and expectations
“I have three sons who are tradespeople and members of a union, and my daughter Emma serves as a UWU delegate representing Teacher Aides My family's involvement strengthens my fundamental union beliefs, which emphasise my core union beliefs of respect, honesty, and a commitment to workplace safety I have an expectation that those people who are training my kids, send them home in good shape mentally and physically, that’s the standard I set for myself when working with young people.”
The New Role
With lived experience across many sectors of the electricity industry; FIFO, major projects, infrastructure, labour hire, high rise construction, tunnels and gasfields and with his experience as a delegate, teacher, HSR, and various other union roles, Tom is uniquely positioned to hit the ground running in his new role as Client Services Manager with CIRT JETCO.
The Contracting Industry Redundancy Trust (CIRT) is a redundancy trust and a worker entitlement fund operating under the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) legislation. CIRT was established in 1991 to preserve the redundancy entitlements of workers in the electrical contracting industry
“I’m familiar with many of the issues faced by members when it comes to redundancy and training, so I’m excited about using my skills to improve the lives of our members and their families.”
I want to be able to dispel many of the myths and misconceptions around the Contracting Industry Redundancy Trust (CIRT) and members rights, one such area of confusion is how to calculate tax implications.
Available to most members who have a CIRT account.
Thebalanceacross bothjobs=$15300
The Joint Electrical Training Council (JETCO) is CIRT’s associated training fund JETCO offers eligible employees who complete training related to the electrical contracting industry subsidies to assist with in the costs of completing these courses. Visit the CIRT website by scanning the code below
Tom is genuinely excited about the new role because it keeps him in the industry In true Tom style, he is most looking forward to helping members having issues with access, being able to go in and help them.
“It’s an extension of what I did as a delegate, HSR etc, my job is to provide solutions for members ”
Tom is looking forward to growing the patch, expanding the reach and effectiveness through education and face to face meetings
“I want to ensure members are educated about the schemes and above all else I want them to get what they are entitled to have a greater understanding of how they work ”
In a nutshell – the best part of this new role is helping people. Sometimes I meet young people in a bit of a spin experiencing redundancy for the first time, not knowing where they stand or how the system works. I can have a calm chat, calm them down and help them through to the others side, that’s the best part ”
As well as making site visits, Tom can be contacted by members by calling 0406 764 142 or email tom campbell@cirt com au
In 2018 at a pipe band competition in Brisbane, I was approached by the councillor from Dysart. He told me that he had found it impossible to get anyone to play the pipes at the Dysart Anzac Day ceremony due to the remote location. He had travelled all over Queensland trying to find a piper. I agreed to travel up for the Anzac Day ceremony in 2019 Once I agreed, he then went to the army in Townsville and got a commitment that they would send some diggers, and then organised a bugler, etc. It was a great experience to be honest, and the people up there were incredibly grateful.
TREKKING KOKODA
Two mates Aaron “Frosty” Self and Jason “Spud” Constable trekking together raising funds for Mates.
Their social media bio and GoFundMe page had a simple yet valuable message:
Hi we're Frosty & Spud, AKA Chilly Chips
We're going to challenge our physical and mental strength by walking the Kokoda track, we'll be raising money for Mates in Construction. This great organisation educates and supports people in our industry around suicide and prevention, please help us support them to support us.
The Kokoda Challenge has been a staple on the ETU calendar for close to 10 years, with a mixture of officials, organisers, delegates and members all taking part over the years.
Leading up to this trek, as well as lots of training, Chilly Chips, like all the other participants, was busy fundraising for MATES, an organisation and network that makes real difference across the construction, energy and mining industries MATES in Construction is a charity that was set up to reduce the high numbers of suicide among Australian construction workers. MATES provides courses to workers, empowering and equipping them to assist their work mates when needed, as well as providing access to professional support when needed via the 24/7 helpline.
The final total raised by the two mates topped $13,100 a fantastic effort.
We caught up with the Chilly Chips team to hear about their experience on the trek
Why was it important for you to do the Trek?
Aaron – “Raise money for Mates in Construction who are a great help within the construction industry and do great work raising awareness about mental health issues, any chance to help them help us, I’m in. Second having the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who trekked the track so many years before us. And as stated to test our physical and mental strength.”
Jason – “The trek was important to me because it was an opportunity to raise money for an awesome industry-based organisation called Mates in Construction MATES is vital for education about mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. And as frosty says test our physical and mental strength.”
The Kokoda Track was the location of the 1942 WWII battle between Japanese and Allied primarily Australian – forces in what was the then the Australian territory of Papua, it is 96 km long and includes some testing terrains. Along the trek after completing day two, trekkers visit the Isurava Battleground here they listen to a beautiful service and battle brief standing amongst the pillars of the campaign - Courage - EnduranceMateship -Sacrifice. Such a moving tribute to those that fought there.
FROSTY&SPUD
96KM – how tough was it, physically and mentally?
Aaron – “Probably the hardest things I have ever done, training is one thing but doing the same thing again and again in the heat, mud, rain without rest takes its toll ”
Jason – “It certainly was physically challenging at various times; the legs and body were constantly sore for the most part It was mentally challenging at times as well, but with the camaraderie from fellow likeminded trekkers we found the strength to push through any challenges Kokoda dished up to us ”
Previous trekkers over the years have pointed to particular points along the track where feelings almost broke them, for Aaron It was the infamous Brigade Hill.
“It really broke me – to understand what happened there to see the area and know how hard it would have been, overwhelmed me.”
Brigade Hill was the site of one of the most horrific battles the Australians were forced to fight while withdrawing over the Owen Stanley Range.
Over two days’ fighting in September 1942, Japanese forces engaged the forward Australian elements at Mission Ridge, before flanking and sending an attack force up Brigade Hill Despite fierce resistance, the Japanese exploited gaps in the line and forced the Aussies off the high ground and into the jungle. (Australian Defence)
The trek is testing both mentally and physically.
What was the hardest times and why?
Aaron – “After a full day of rain, it rained again on day four, nothing was dry, I sat in the tent and realised getting changed into anything dry from my dry bag was a waste of time, it would be wet, sweaty and dirty within minutes So, I put on the same wet clothes as the day before and realised I couldn’t bend my legs due to seizing and aching, I wondered for a moment, ‘what the hell am I doing here’?, That was a hard day ”
Jason – “Day seven almost broke me, my legs didn’t want to work anymore, after seven days of trekking through the steep ups and the steep downs of Kokoda my muscles and joints were shot I remember saying to my porter ‘who put this bloody hill in my way.’”
What kept you going?
Aaron – “I knew I was doing the right thing when I dug deep and committed to pushing through and finishing the trek, like those before us. I wanted to truly know how they did it What really kept me going was laughing with our local walking buddies, the crew and mates, keeping up the spirit, shouting, singing, letting our down to earth larrikin ideals shine, cementing the collective attitude, to not let each other down and continue on together ”
Jason – “A lot of what kept me going was Frosty’s stories, I’d stop focusing on the walk and dialled in to the many stories frosty had Also, the motivation as to why we were all out there trekking in the first place. Raising money for Mates in Construction.”
Who were your porters, how did they help you and how did you engage with the local communities along the way?
Aaron – “Porter sounds demeaning, they were our walking buddies, some of the most selfless, incredible people I have ever met. We talked about families, their villages and lifestyles. The villages were some of the nicest places I have ever been And the villagers were some of the most welcoming people I have ever met. Some of the most memorable moments were playing footy with the kids and having singalongs with our walking buddies and villagers at night They have almost nothing, but they are happy ”
Jason – “My porter’s name was Chacoh (Charlie) He was a local from the village of Segere Charlie was a huge help, giving me motivation and stopping me from falling over, and believe me there would have been heaps of times I would have fallen over without his help to steady me We stopped
Three words to describe your experience at Kokoda?
Aaron – Overwhelming, Relentless, Amazing
Jason – Incredible, Humbling, Camaraderie
How did it feel to finish?
Aaron – “I was emotional, to reflect back to when we started which seemed an age ago, and yet had flown by once we completed the trek, it seemed hard to comprehend.”
Jason – “Absolutely amazing, after eight days I was happy to see all of our porters clap us through the finish line.”
Advice for members thinking about doing the track ion the future?
Aaron – “If you are thinking about doing it. Do It, you won’t regret it, your legs won’t thank you but the rest of you will forever be grateful ”
Jason – “Do it! But the best advice I got was from a fellow delegate who had completed the trek previously, the simple advice was “wear double socks”. That was an absolute game changer. I didn’t get a single blister.”
Why is MATES so important?
Aaron – “The work they do, in educating the workforce to see signs of mental health issues to support those who need help, to teach us the tools to help and support each other is invaluable And if we can help support them supporting us – all the better.”
Jason – “Mates is vital to the industry as it helps workers struggling with mental health issues to reach out while also providing onsite volunteers to help workers when they need it. Too many construction workers have thought about suicide or suicided over the years Mates has a range of courses available to workers on site including general awareness, connector and Asist training to help improve mental health and suicide prevention knowledge while also providing help and connection if needed. I strongly encourage all workers to take part in any of the courses on offer.
Mates also has a support line and case managers available to work with workers who need help and support.
Final Note from Mates as posted on their Facebook page at the conclusion of the trek...
We had an overwhelming response again this year, with 17 trekkers taking on the Kokoda trek.
To date, they have raised an astounding $126,661 and counting! MATES in Construction can’t thank the trekkers enough for their hard work in both preparing physically for the trek and raising such an incredible amount of funds.
Our message might become tired, but it is never far from the truth The funds you have raised will mean we can continue to save lives in the construction industry.
