PPTEU December 2019 Update

DECEMBER 2019

In this issue

Premier opens world-class plumbing training centre in Beenleigh Stage 1 of the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) Beenleigh has opened for training.

PICAC Beenleigh is a Services Trades Training College, born from industry, owned by industry and run for industry.

The $12 million Beenleigh training facility will equip up to 700 apprentices with skills needed to secure jobs in plumbing, fire protection and mechanical services industries.

Melissa McMahon - MP for Macalister, Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, State Secretary Gary O’Halloran & Adrian Shackleton TSTCA

Opening the centre, Premier

Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) would help deliver superior training to apprentices in high demand industries.

Macalister MP Melissa McMahon, said the new facility had the ability to transform the lives of young people growing up in the region.

02 03

A Message form the State Secretary Hall Payne

04 05

CEPUTEC EBA 9 Negotiations Update

05 ‘ENSURING INTEGRITY’ BILL 06 07

Training Our Members CSQ

08-09 Apprentice Program 2019-2023 10

BUSSQ

10

Awards Night 2020

“The PICAC Beenleigh Training Centre will support the training of 400 to 500 fire protection and plumbing apprentices, 100 mechanical services or heating ventilation and airconditioning apprentices and 100 preapprenticeship trainees.

PICAC will also deliver accreditation for new mechanical services licensing requirements which come into effect on 1 January 2020. The new licensing requirements will ensure people installing medical gas and commercial air-conditioning systems are appropriately qualified and regulated.

11 KOKODA TREK 11 12

Vale Together We Win

Authorised Gary O’Halloran, Secretary, Plumbers Union Qld, 41 Peel St, South Brisbane 4101

A message from your State Secretary

I

t has been another massive year for the Union and for our Members.

-

Mechanical Service Plumbing

-

Medical Gas

Morrison has proven to be as anti-worker as any Liberal Prime Minister we have ever had. He tried and failed to get his oppressive laws through the Senate, but we know he is going to try again. Working people are standing together against these laws; but the fight is not yet over. We need to keep the hard work going and make sure the crossbenchers don’t change their minds.

-

Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Plumbing

Together in solidarity we can get this done.

In good news we have built and opened our own Training Centre. Premier Palaszczuk officially opened it and she was blown away by what we have achieved. Her Queensland Government is a true friend of Union members.

We have our own Centre now not just for the apprentices but also for our safety training and for our post-trade tickets. I hope to see you all out there over the course of the next year.

For over 20 years the Union has been fighting to make Mechanical Plumbing an equal trade with a licence, like Sanitary Plumbing and Sprinkler Fitting, and we have achieved it.

From June next year Contractors will need to have their ticket and over the next 2 years (starting 1 Jan 2020) Workers will have to transition and get their tickets.

The Union will be supporting members during this transition so please contact us if you have any concerns.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and New Year and I’m looking forward to another big year in 2020.

In Solidarity

In other news on 1 January our Mechanical Services Licence starts in:

Gary O’Halloran State Secretary

PLUMBERS UNION QLD STATE SECRETARY ORGANISER (North Queensland) Gary O’Halloran I 07 3844 8433 Jim White I 0448 880720 gary@plumbersunionqld.com jim@plumbersunionqld.com

APPRENTICE COORDINATOR Rian Kelso I 07 3844 8433 rian@plumbersunionqld.com

ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY ORGANISER Mick Wiech I 0422 831 175 Luke Barden I 0438 949 295 michael@plumbersunionqld.com luke@plumbersunionqld.com

TRAINING Office I 07 3844 8433 office@plumbersunionqld.com

LEAD ORGANISER Robbie Gould I 0448 822 048 robbie@plumbersunionqld.com

INDUSTRIAL OFFICER MEDIA Shannon Fogerty I 07 3844 8433 Office I 07 3844 8433 shannon@plumbersunionqld.com media@plumbersunionqld.com

ORGANISER Kieron Cundy I 0419 771026 kieron@plumbersunionqld.com

APPRENTICE MENTOR Justin Maxwell I 0488 556 222 justin@plumbersunionqld.com

41 Peel St, Sth Brisbane 4101 Qld I PH: 1800 653 118 I FAX: 07 3844 8233 I office@plumbersunionqld.com

The

Work. Life. Fairness.

H

all Payne Lawyers is a progressive Australian law firm with principles of fairness and equality at our heart. With offices in Brisbane, Ipswich, Rockhampton, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Hobart we’re known for giving expert advice on a range of legal issues to workers and their families.

We understand the legal process can be unfamiliar and stressful. For over 3 decades we have been there for everyday Australians after work accidents or other injury situations, for unions fighting to protect member rights, and for families going through change or upheaval.

We get great outcomes for clients in a cost-effective, timely and straightforward manner.

Our impressive track record of helping Australians from all walks

of life has seen us become one of Australia’s most well-respected plaintiff law firms.

Hall Payne’s reputation in the industry is unsurpassed.

We are home to some of Australia’s top-ranked lawyers and are pleased to be able to offer legal services in the areas of:

• • •

• • • • • •

Workers’ Compensation Personal Injury Law Organisational Compliance (law relating to the regulation of industrial organisations) Criminal Law Driving offences Wills and Estate Litigation Family Law Property Law Defamation Law

Our teams are led by trusted senior lawyers including accredited specialists in family law, personal injury, employment and industrial relations. The firm has more than 3 decades of experience and a reputation for giving in-depth legal expertise in a practical, plain English, no-nonsense and transparent manner.

Members of the Plumbers Union are entitled to a free initial consultation with Hall Payne Lawyers. If you require advice in relation to any legal issue, please contact the Plumbers Union to access your free initial consultation today.

The best way to stay up to date with your Union is to look us up

Find us on facebook @PlumbersUnionQLD

We’re on Instagram @ppteuqld

CEPUTEC is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 4612) and commenced operation in June 1997 with an aim of to provide flexible learning and assessment opportunities to the plumbing industry.

Short courses - Construction Skills Queensland Keep your skills up to date and stay in demand. Are you an existing worker in the building and construction industry looking to learn new and important skills that will help you to further your career in construction or re-enter the industry? Our Short Courses program could be right for you.

EWP Under 11 Meters

EWP over 11m and Under 11m

EWP Under 11 Meters - Boom Type

Health and Safety Representative (HSR) 5 Day

EWP under 11m - Scissor and Boom bundle

Training

Working at Heights

Health and Safety Representative Refresher

Confined Space

First Aid

Poly Welding

CPR

Forklift

CPCCWHS1001

EWP over 11m

Earlier for EB emplo

OFFICE (07) 3844 8433 qldtraining@ceputec.edu.au www.ceputec.com.au

QLD TRAINING MANAGER Rian Kelso 0434 383 777

TRAINER Tom Niesler 0419 146 914

Please

If you

‘Ensuring Integrity’ Bill

Union Busting the LNP agenda!

S

cott Morrison and his Government tried and failed to push his union-busting ‘Ensuring Integrity’ Bill through Parliament before Christmas. This Bill did nothing to ensure integrity. This was a Bill that would have stripped the right of union members to elect their own representatives, given non-union members the power to dismiss union officials and made it significantly easier for unions to be deregistered altogether. However, thanks to massive efforts from rank-and-file union members across Australia targeted at Senate crossbenchers, together with Labor, the support of a number of crossbenchers helped to make this Bill fail.

In the lead up to this Bill’s debate in the Senate, it became clear that its fate rested on crossbenchers from One Nation, Centre Alliance and Jacqui Lambie. Rank-and-file unionists across Australia contacted these crossbenchers, making countless calls and sending over 45,000 emails.

put workers’ lives in danger. This Federal Government has only one agenda, which is to bust unions and remove workers’ rights.

The ‘ensuring integrity’ Bill is all about finding any way to shut unions down and stop them from doing what we need unions to do, which is to fight for workers’ safety, workers’ rights, and workers’ entitlements. This Federal Government wants to stop us from doing that by draining our funds and resources with unnecessary red tape and paperwork.

Share the message about this undemocratic attack on workers, contact MPs and Senate crossbenchers, and keep up the fight to stop this union-busting Bill again

However, we are always under attack by this Morrison LNP Government. This Bill has already been reintroduced into the House of Representatives, not even a week after it was shot-down by the Senate. It’s obvious the Federal Government will stop at nothing to bust unions and remove workers’ rights.

Morrison and his cronies aren’t going after the banks.

They aren’t going after those who steal wages from workers every day. They aren’t going after those who

EBA 9 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE Earlier this year we held meetings across the state to discuss and prepare our log of claims. Since then, negotiations for EB9 have officially kicked-off, with the first meetings being held between the Union and representatives of major employers in each industry sector.

Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page and website for further updates.

If you have any further questions about your EBAs, please contact your Organiser.

TRAINING OUR MEMBERS

R

ecently the Plumbers Union has arranged several courses for our members. The Plumber’s Union sources the best funding outcome possible via funding providers such as Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), Services Trades Queensland (STQ) and BERT Training Fund (BTF).

We have provided after hours and RDO training sessions to better accommodate our members’ training needs.

This year the Plumbers Union QLD has assisted in 360 enrolments through the IDT structured to ensure members have access to as much funding as possible.

Training is funded through multiple

avenues BERT Training Fund, Construction Skills Queensland and Services Trades Qld provide our industry with funding that support your career and job requirements as well as advanced programs for apprentices entering our industry.

The Plumbers Union has been working with industry and relevant RTOs such as The Services Trades College, Fire Industry to provide the best training and

funding outcome to meet the demandand we will continue to work with the relevant industry bodies to deliver on this. Stay updated on what training is available via the Plumber Union Qld Facebook page and website.

If you wish to be upskilled please submit your training enquiries on our website www.plumbersunionqld.com or contact the office on 07 3844 8433.

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INDUSTRY Our purpose is to provide the Queensland building and construction industry with the information and skills it needs to ensure a strong and sustainable future.

Our programs and services focus on attracting, developing and retaining new entrants and existing workers to underpin the future prosperity of building and construction in Queensland.

We do this by delivering programs and services to: • inspire and provide pathways for people to join the building and

construction industry • provide training solutions and leverage investment in skills to increase the

capability of the existing workforce • help the sector to develop strategies to keep talented people in the

industry.

HOW WE HELP INDUSTRY CSQ provides the Queensland building and construction industry with the information and skills it needs to ensure a strong and sustainable future. • • • • • • •

Subsidised Training Gateway to Industry Schools Program Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention Major Projects Industry Coordination Skills Program Apprentice Advance + Program Trade Start and Trade Ready

The Plumbers Union Queensland works in partnership with CSQ to provide industry insight and assist in coordination of CSQ subsidised training, contact our office to find out how to gain access to more information about CSQ, their services and how the we can help you access subsidised training.

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Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) is an independent industry funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry.

Ph. 07 3844 8433

PLUMBERS UNION APPRENTICE PROGRAM 2019-2023 The Plumbers Union Queensland in conjunction with The Services Trades College and Fire Industry Training (FIT) will be rolling out a new Apprentice Program for 2019 2023. The program accommodates up to 60 apprentices in Fire, Sanitary and Mechanical sectors each year.

WHAT DO YOU GET FROM THE PROGRAM? Training and Wage Reimbursement to Employers Each apprentice enrolled in the program will receive extra training in their 1st and 2nd year of their apprenticeship. Training that will be added to their apprenticeship as follows: Year 1

MIC Life Skills Training Confined Space Asbestos Awareness and Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials

1 week of wages for time spent completing extra week of training to the employer

Year 2

EWP over 11m/Forklift Poly Welding

1 week of wages for time spent completing extra week of training to the employer

In this year’s program we are also able to offer a wage reimbursement for 1 week in years 1-4.

The wage reimbursement is managed through the Plumbers Union and allocated to the apprentices that have attended the training listed.

In the 3rd and 4th year of the apprenticeship, the Plumbers Union Program accommodates for wage reimbursements for 1 week of time spent completing their apprenticeship training in each year.

iPads

The program funds the latest released iPad and durable cases. The iPad is provided to them on their induction day with all the relevant apps installed ready to go for use.

Uniforms

Each year apprentices receive 3 high vis shirts to wear while attending their training. This is all fully funded by the Plumbers Union Program.

Who is eligible for the program?

As BERT Training Fund provide the funding for this program, to be eligible apprentices must be having contributions paid to the Building Employees Redundancy Trust (BERT) made by their employer. The program does not have a certain number of allocations to each sector; it is based on the timing of the apprentice’s enrolment and if there are remaining spots available.

Apprentice Mentors

their

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The Program also funds 1 full time mentor and 3 part time mentors. Our industry mentors provide one on one support over the duration of their apprenticeship.

The full time mentor is responsible for ensuring that the apprentice has the support he needs to complete his 4 year apprenticeship while the 3 part time mentors provide ongoing support when needed, even after the completion of their apprenticeship.

Who do you speak to about the program for more information?

If you are not already contributing to BERT for your apprentice and wish to get started, you can contact our Apprentice Mentor Justin Maxwell on 0488 556 222 or via email Justin@plumbersunionqld.com to discuss how to get started.

If you would like more information about the program and the benefits of the program, please contact Rian Kelso on 0434 383 777 or via email rian@plumbersunionqld.com.

HAVE YOU LOST THE INSURANCE WITHIN YOUR SUPER? Sharon McEwen, Manager, Insurance Claims and Underwriting, BUSSQ Building Super The Protecting Your Super legislation that came into effect on 1 July 2019 includes changes that may impact the insurance you have within your super.

Super funds are now required to cancel your insurance if your super account has been inactive for 16 months (no contributions or rollovers received for 16 months). This will mean you will no longer be protected in the event of accident or ill health, unless you have insurance cover elsewhere.

This legislation change will ensure fund members are not paying for insurance cover that they do not know about, nor paying for premiums that are potentially eroding their retirement savings.

Before a member’s super account becomes inactive, a super fund must notify the member to give them the opportunity to take steps to maintain their insurance cover, if they wish. If the member chooses to do nothing, the insurance is cancelled once the account has been inactive for 16 months.

Maintaining insurance cover is as easy as: • Making a contribution or rolling over

super; or • Electing in writing to maintain your insurance.

Please check your situation, if you’ve got more than one account with multiple funds, make sure the insurance cover you have is what you need, and don’t forget to make sure your super fund has your up to date contact details.

For more information, contact BUSSQ on 1800 MY BUSSQ (1800 69 2877).

The information supplied in this article is general advice only and does not take into account or consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, you should review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement to ensure you have all the information about the product and how it works and consider the appropriateness of the information to your needs or seek independent advice from a properly qualified professional. Prepared by BUSS (Queensland) Pty Ltd (ABN 15 065 081 281, AFSL 237860) as Trustee for BUSSQ (BUSSQ Fund, ABN 85 571 332 201).

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AWARDS NIGHT 2020 Nominations can be made before January 19th 2020 in the following Categories: Apprentice of the Year Safety Awareness 2nd Year – Best in Fire, Mechanical or Sanitary

3rd year – Best in Fire, Mechanical or Sanitary 4th year – Best in Fire, Mechanical or Sanitary

Please follow the links on our website www.plumbersunionqld.com to make a Nomination.

Young Activist Apprentice Mentor Trainer of the Year Union Recognition

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KOKODA TREK

T

he Kokoda Trek is a joint venture by Mates in Construction (MIC) and Aurora Adventures to both support and raise awareness for suicide prevention within the construction industry.

Construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide

re sure

than through a workplace accident and apprentices in construction are two and a half times more likely to suicide than other young men their age. MIC has developed a unique

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solution which allows them to train construction workers to recognise potentially suicidal behavior and gives them the simple skills needed to talk to that person until they can connect them with the appropriate assistance.

This year we have supported Michael Egan, who raised $12,169 for the cause.

The Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union was able to donate $8,810.50 thanks to all the Golf Day Sponsors and the Members who attended.

Thank you to the folowing members for their service and dedication and we wish to extend all the best wishes to thier families.

MORAY NEWLANDS

STEWART GALLAGHER

PETER GINNS

LLOYD HAUG

Dedicated Union Member of more than 21 years.

Valued Union Member of almost 10 years.

25 years of Membership held.

Valued Member for 47 years.

The Union and the industry has lost a valued mate in Moray, our thoughts are with his family at this time.

The Union was deeply saddened by the news of Stewarts passing, and our thoughts went out to his family.

A friend and mentor to many, Peters loss was felt thoughout the industry, and the Union movement.

Our thoughts are with Lloyds family during this difficult time. The Union pays tribute to the commitment made as a long time Member.

TOGETHER WE WIN

More Union members

More workers covered by collective bargaining More jobs

ON AVERAGE, PEOPLE WITH A UNION COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT ARE PAID $100 A WEEK MORE

Stronger Unions

$

Standards raised

By being a Union member you help win better pay and conditions through collective bargaining with your employer. The more workers that are in a Union, the bigger chance of getting a better deal.

$

Higher pay and better benefits

AND...

ACCESS TO FINANCIAL PLANNING

$12,000 FUNERAL BENEFIT

Financial Union Members are able to receive assistance with financial advice at no cost. To find out more go to skylight.com.au or call 1800 SKYLIGHT (1800 759 544) or contact BERT on 1300 261 114.

Members are covered by a funeral benefit of $12,000 in the event of death of either the member / the members wife, husband or defacto (up to the age of 75) / the members dependent children up to the age of 16.

ACCIDENTAL DENTAL COVER

FREE TRAVEL INSURANCE

Financial members and their immediate family (up to the age of 70) are covered for dental costs associated with any accidental damage caused to their teeth (conditions apply - contact the Union Office for details).

Travel insurance covers you, your accompanying spouse/defacto and dependent children when travelling for more than 250km from your usual place of residence within Australia or overseas for up to 90 days. Register online via the Plumbers Union website.

ACCESS TO THE UNION SHOPPER Union members can access huge savings on a wide range of goods and services through the Union Shopper. Save money on white goods, furniture, travel, security screens, movie tickets, cars and much more.

COUNSELLING SERVICE Members can access expert assisstance and advice at no cost from experienced counsellor who can help deal with personal/family relationship difficulties, drug and alcohol issues or any other problems members may be facing. Counselling is confidential and free to all members.

ACCESS TO AN EMPLOYMENT REGISTER The Plumbers Union has an established employment register for members who are struggling to find work in the industry; we endeavour to give members on the register the opportunity to connect with relevant employers and find work as quickly as possible.

WILLS AND LEGAL ADVICE Wills and legal advice are available for financial members of the Union and their partner through the Union’s solicitors.