BY YO U R S I D E Spring /Summer 2020 - 21
Our members supporting Queenslanders during COVID-19 W I T H YO U E V E RY S T E P O F T H E WAY : Industry Updates & Campaign Wins 30T H WAY: Mental Health And Wellbeing In The Workplace S P EC I A L R E P O R T: Contracts Of Employment - What You Need To Know A U T H O R I S E D BY N E I L H E N D E R S O N, B R A N C H S E C R E TA R Y, A U S T R A L I A N M U N I C I PA L , A D M I N I S T R AT I V E, C L E R I C A L A N D S E R V I C E S U N I O N Q U E E N S L A N D (S E R V I C E S A N D N O R T H E R N A D M I N I S T R AT I V E) B R A N C H A N D T H E Q U E E N S L A N D S E R V I C E S, I N D U S T R I A L U N I O N O F E M P L OY E E S.
Mental Health
CONTENTS BY YO U R S I D E BY YOUR SIDE MAGAZINE www.theservicesunion.com.au PRESIDENT: Lindy Henson SECRETARY: Neil Henderson EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT: Jennifer Thomas Published by the Australian Services Union, Queensland (Services and Northern Administrative) Branch EDITOR: Neil Henderson PRINTED BY: Harding Colour Printing T: 07 3907 6500 SERVICES CONNECT T: 07 3844 5300 F: 07 3846 5046 E: general@theservicesunion.com.au BRISBANE OFFICE 32 Peel Street (PO Box 3347) South Brisbane Q 4101 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND OFFICE 178 Quay Street (PO Box 5160) Red Hill, Rockhampton Q 4701 NORTH QUEENSLAND OFFICE 485 Flinders Street (PO Box 135) Townsville Q 4810 INDUSTRIAL TEAM: INDUSTRIAL COORDINATOR: Rebecca Girard SENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Jack Donaghy, Merinda Foster, Michelle Robertson INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Sig Boman, Drew Cutler, Maddy McGinnity, Josh Maguire, Chris McJannett DEVELOPMENT TEAM: DEVELOPMENT AND SACS COORDINATOR: Justine Moran GOC LEAD ORGANISER: Danny Reeves LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEAD ORGANISER: Ben Jones ORGANISERS: Tracey Coorey, John Denny, Glenn Desmond, Eddie Dey, Craig Dunn, Lachlan Enshaw, Chiara Millard, Stuart Maggs, Jacqui Pedersen, Tom Rivers, Juliet Salmon, Imogen Smith, Darci Wanamaker, Jeremy Young MEMBER BENEFITS TEAM: GROWTH AND RETENTION LEAD: Zach Walsh MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS OFFICERS: Cianan Beaton, Tahlia Clowes Jayde Hagger OFFICE ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Jane Grey ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COORDINATOR: Cary Pollock FINANCE AND GENERAL ADMIN. OFFICER: Danny Cambow MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Belinda Hogan-Collis TRAINER: Holly Patterson ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS: Karen Davis, Debbie Draper, Chevaughan Grey, Diana Sparke
30th Way
IN T H I S I S S U E ... 03 W E L C O M E From The Secretary 2020 - A Year To Remember! 04 B R A N C H P R E S I D E N T R E P O R T Our members delivering services and standing up for workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic 05 E X EC U T I V E P R E S I D E N T REPORT Educating Mental Health and Domestic and Family Violence Leave policies in our workplaces 06 M E M B E R B E N E F I T S Find out more on how you can save on your petrol through our partnership with Freedom Fuels
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I N D U S T RY N E W S Local Government SACS Energy TANA
14 E M M A M I L L E R AWA R D VP for Rail Tehanne Denham-Jarvis recognised for her commitment to our Union & its members 15 K AT H N E L S O N AWA R D Senior Industrial Officer, Michelle Roberston honoured for her advocacy and achievements 18 S P EC I A L R E P O R T Contracts of Employment What you need to know
STUDENT BURSARY
Our Union Offices will be
Financial members of The Services Union with a child who completed Year 12 in 2020 are invited to apply for a Student Bursary worth $1000. The Bursary recipient will be judged on a combination of academic achievement and community involvement. To nominate your child, please send a photocopy of your child’s ATAR Certificate and a resume containing any evidence which shows community and extra curricular activities by Friday, 5 February 2021, via post or email to:
closed from COB
The Services Union Bursary PO Box 3347 South Brisbane Q 4101 Email: jane.grey@theservicesunion.com.au Please contact Services Connect on 07 3844 5300.
members a safe
02 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
23 December 2020. We re-open 5 January 2021. We would like to wish all our and happy festive season.
F R O M T H E S EC R E TA RY
2020 - A Y E A R TO R E M E M B E R! BY N E I L H E N D E R S O N
2020 will certainly be a year to remember. So many people working from home for the first time. So many people working from home who would never in their wildest dreams have thought about working from home. That shift to normalise alternative working arrangements will not leave us now. This is because apart from anything else as it turns out working from home works! Other indicators that working from home has been and continues to be an effective alternative to the traditional model is the lack of urgency in getting people back into their workplaces. 2020 has also been the year where consideration of issues concerning mental health in the workplace have come to the fore. The Services Union has taken on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace as our 30th Way (as part of our ongoing 27 Ways and Growing Campaign) and we’ve been busy raising awareness of mental health as a workplace issue, as well as supporting members with mental health problems in the workplace. Not surprisingly, this has been prevalent as some members have had to grapple with workload issues, as well as isolation this year. While work for many of our members is now almost back to normal, our Airlines members are still stood down and experiencing very difficult times. There have been redundancies in QANTAS and the end is not yet in sight. One positive thing is how our Union has been the constant for our members at QANTAS. Our National Union the Australian Services Union has facilitated numerous national online hook-ups of Workplace Delegates, some of them jointly with other unions in the Aviation Industry. Through technology we have been able to have effective meetings with management with all Workplace Delegates involved. It’s unlikely that this will change into the future. Our Workplace Delegates in every industry have been magnificent in the way they have responded to a multitude of problems which the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up, often while experiencing their own difficulties through being stood down. I want to give a big shout out to our Workplace Delegates in QANTAS and Jetstar. They have been at the forefront since March and continue to represent members while being stood down and working at other workplaces to make ends meet. A special mention to our Workplace Delegates at Cairns Regional Council and the City of Gold Coast Council who supported their colleagues when our library members became the first Local Government workers stood down in almost living memory. We finish the year with the re-election of a majority Palaszczuk Government. The year certainly would have been worse for many of our members if fairness hadn’t been restored into our industrial relations system in Queensland. Our members in the Social and Community Services Industry will also start 2021 knowing that all their hard work will be rewarded from now on through access to leave under the new Portable Long Service Leave Scheme. Finally, in 2021 we will celebrate the centenary of the Municipal Officers Association (MOA). The MOA which was one of the significant components of the ASU, was a union not afraid to lead when it came to equal pay and rights at work including equal rights. We will be showcasing some of the achievements of the MOA in the 70 years that it operated and how those achievements laid the foundations of what we are today. I wish everyone a good end to the year and hopefully a well deserved break. PICTURED ABOVE: SECRETARY NEIL HENDERSON AND BRANCH PRESIDENT LINDY HENSON GET READY TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF THE MUNICIPAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF WHICH THEY WERE BOTH MEMBERS.
BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 03
FROM THE BRANCH PRESIDENT
ABOVE: PRESIDENT OF THE SERVICES UNION LINDY HENSON AND MEMBER ROMANA SHEPHERD FROM TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL, GET ACTIVE IN THE QUEENSLAND UNIONS I’M FOR WORKERS CAMPAIGN.
D E L I V E R I N G S E R V I C E S & S TA N D I N G U P F O R W O R K E R S D U R I N G C OV I D-19 BY L I N DY H E N S O N OUR MEMBERS CONTINUE TO DELIVER FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHILE ALSO BEING ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN STATE AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS. During this unprecedented time, our Social and Community Services members have remained on the frontline ensuring that the most vulnerable people in our society are well cared for. Our Rail, Ports, Energy, Local Government and Clerical and Administrative members continue to work hard to provide us with our goods and services each and every day. We have been sharing the stories of our ‘Services Stars’ from around the State on social media, promoting the amazing work our members do. Unfortunately, it’s been our Airline Industry union colleagues who have been the hardest hit with many of them still stood down. We continue to stand by their side, representing them and campaigning for Aviation Keeper at a national level. 04 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
In the lead up to the State Election, members got involved with the Queensland Unions I’m For Workers Campaign calling on political leaders to commit to an economic recovery which protects workers and creates good, secure jobs and working conditions. We have also been supporting the ACTU’s, For The Workers campaign which is lobbying the Federal Government to do the right thing by workers during the pandemic and into the future. In 2021, we will be hosting Workplace Delegates’ Conferences in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville. This will be a great time to come together to discuss issues affecting our members and their industries, as well as celebrating the centenary of the Municipal Officers Association. Finally, congratulations to Member Benefits Officer, Tahlia Clowes who has been awarded the AFL Sports Ready Trainee of the Year for 2019/20. Tahlia started with our Union as part of our Indigenous Trainee Program and is now a permanent union staff member. What an achievement!
F R O M T H E E X EC U T I V E P R E S I D E N T
ABOVE: EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT OF THE SERVICES UNION JENNIFER THOMAS AND PROJECT OFFICER SIAN TOOKER ARE LEADING IMPORTANT MEMBER AND EMPLOYER TRAINING AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND DFV.
M E N TA L H E A LT H & D F V T R A I N I N G F O R M E M B E R S A N D T H E I R E M P LOY E R S BY J E N N I F E R T H O M A S AS PART OF OUR ONGOING 27 WAYS AND GROWING CAMPAIGN – OUR 30TH WAY FOCUSES ON EDUCATING MEMBERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE AS WELL AS LOCKING IN POLICIES AND CLAUSES IN ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS. We are now in partnership with WorkCover and Queensland Unions to deliver workplace education and projects to employers around mental health and patient care initiatives. Through our partnership, we have now held mental health training for our Union’s staff, as well as 24 Workplace Delegates across Queensland. We have also delivered workplace training at Bundaberg and Gladstone Regional Councils to Workplace Delegates, management and their Health and Safety Representatives. During Queensland Mental Health Week 10-18 October, we ran an online educational campaign on social media, highlighting the work of the Palaszczuk Government and our Union in this space. Thank you to
our Local Government Workplace Delegates, Jenny Elphinstone, Scott McIntyre and Chris Wisnewski who acted as our social media Mental Health Ambassadors during the week, after their own training. We continue our important work in the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) space. Through funding from the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations and our partnership with Basic Rights, we have appointed Sian Tooker as a part time DFV Project Worker. With extensive experience in the Social and Community Services Industry, Sian has developed DFV resources and training which is now being delivered in workplaces to members and employers. This training focuses on DFV awareness and best practice in relation to workplace policies while at the same time building collaborative relationships. We are delivering this work with peak organisations; Queensland Unions, Community Legal Centres Queensland and DV Work Aware. BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 05
MEMBER BENEFITS
C H EC K O U T O U R E XC I T I N G N E W MEMBER BENEFIT PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H F R E E D O M F U E L S! T H E S E R V I C E S U N I O N N O W H A S A C C E S S TO G R E AT S AV I N G S O N F U E L A N D S TO R E P U R C H A S E S T H R O U G H O U R N E W F R E E D O M F U E L S D I S C O U N T C A R D AVA I L A B L E E XC LU S I V E LY TO M E M B E R S BY R E G I S T R AT I O N V I A O U R M E M B E R B E N E F I T S T E A M.
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Freedom Fuels discount Card holders are entitled to the following discounts: • 6c per litre (inc GST) off the full pump price of Diesel, ULP91 and E10 ULP; • 8c per litre (inc GST) off the full pump price for premium fuel (95 & 98) purchases; • No minimum purchasing volume limits to qualify for discounts but there is a maximum of 120 litres per transaction;
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5% off store purchases excluding newspapers, magazines, all Telco communication items including handsets, phone recharge vouchers and prepaid mobile SIM cards, credit or other prepaid cards, cigarettes and tobacco products, Go Via cards, trailer or equipment hire, and/or any other third party supplied product sold by Freedom Fuels as an Agent, and Additional periodic ‘over and above’ offers communicated through their nominated medium of either text or e mail.
Just call our Member Benefits Team at Services Connect on 3844 5300 and they will register you. Members can expect Freedom Fuels Discount digital cards to be sent via email within 24 hours of registration. Members simply present the digital card to the attendant at the beginning of service transactions in order for discounts to be applied.
Find Christmas presents and all yourTake summer shopping needs with advantage of the upcoming public holidays yourtobenefits program. enjoy travel discounts through your SPA Member Advantage benefits program.
Whitegoods & appliances Refit your kitchen, cool your house down and enjoy summer with discounts from The Good Guys Commercial.
Electronics & accessories Shop for presents or essential sport watching upgrade with commercial prices at the JB HiFi Corporate program
Attraction Tickets Take the family out on an adventure with discounted tickets to iconic Australian attractions, zoos and theme parks.
theservicesunion.memberadvantage.com.au For more information, email: customercare@memberadvantage.com.au or call: 1300 853 352.
BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 07
I N D U S T RY N E W S
ABOVE FROM LEFT: MEMBER NILS DAMM, ORGANISER EDDIE DEY, MEMBER JESSIE MYERS, MEMBER CHERIZZE AGAPAY AND WORKPLACE DELEGATE CRISTELLE ANDERSEN ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE GOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBRING POLICIES AT GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
BY T H E S I D E O F M E M B E R S W O R K I N G I N Q U E E N S L A N D LO C A L G OV E R N M E N T
CAMPAIGNING FOR WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROVISIONS IN NEW ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS (EBAS) HAS BEEN A FOCUS BY MEMBERS AT SCENIC RIM, HINCHINBROOK AND MACKAY COUNCILS IN THEIR CURRENT ROUND OF BARGAINING. Members at these councils are seeking provisions which include: establishing mental health policies and appointing trained mental health first aiders; facilitating better access to assistance for employees experiencing mental health issues; establishing employer-supported measures to foster better mental health of employees; and establishing mechanisms to support employees recovering from mental health issues. The Services Union is also working with several councils to achieve better workplace mental health outcomes outside of bargaining. Properly elected Workplace Health and Safety structures can play a crucial role in the maintenance of better mental health and we are having productive discussions with Mount Isa City Council regarding a new round of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) elections. We have also worked closely with Gladstone Regional Council and the Queensland Council of Unions to fund and participate in mental health and wellbeing training for HSRs, Workplace Delegates and management. 08 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
Our Union has had a huge wage claim win at Torres Strait Regional Council. After months of consultation, we received formal recognition from the Council that Stream A (indoor and supervisory) staff have regularly been working 38 hours per week instead of 36.25 and have not been paid appropriately. Council has agreed to go back five years and rectify this in full for all Stream A staff. This is a huge win for our Union and one that would not have been possible without the sheer volume of new members joining us over the last two years. Special mention to our army of new Workplace Delegates who have stepped up to facilitate proceedings on the ground. The repayments amount to thousands of dollars for many long-term staff. In Brisbane City Council, our members stared down the Lord Mayor’s wage freeze and achieved a four per cent increase in a two year agreement, with the first increase deferred by 12 months. A great outcome. Finally, our Union was successful in winning a tender for funding from the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations to develop and deliver training on the industrial relations system to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Regional Councils. Local Government Lead Organiser Ben Jones will commence work on this project in February 2021, with the first round of training commencing in June. This is a very exciting project for our Union to be involved in and we look forward to working with these councils.
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I N D U S T RY N E W S
ABOVE: STAFF FROM QLEAVE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STAFF FROM THE SERVICES UNION TO ENSURE THAT THE EDUCATIONAL ROLL OUT OF THE PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE SCHEME IS A SUCCESS. WINNING PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE FOR SACS MEMBERS IS A HUGE ACHIEVEMENT FOR OUR UNION AND ITS MEMBERS.
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R - LO N G S E R V I C E L E AV E I S P O R TA B L E F R O M 1 JA N UA RY 2021 IT’S AN EXCITING TIME FOR SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKERS BECAUSE PAID LONG SERVICE LEAVE IS FINALLY PORTABLE FROM 1 JANUARY 2021. This is a huge win for members who campaigned tirelessly to give frontline workers the break they deserve and to provide additional incentive to stay in the Social and Community Services (SACS) Industry. Portable Long Service Leave (PLSL) recognises a worker’s service to the industry rather than to an individual employer. As a worker moves from one employer to another their length of service at each employer accumulates (from 1 January 2021) and is carried with them, via the PLSL Scheme which is administered by QLeave.
The Scheme also doesn’t replace an employer’s obligations under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 to pay a worker’s Long Service Leave entitlement. If an employer has an obligation under that Act, they need to pay the worker’s entitlement. In that case, a partial reimbursement maybe claimable from QLeave. The other great aspect of the Scheme is that it doesn’t matter if a worker is employed full-time, part-time or as a casual or if they are engaged under a contract for service, operate as a sole trader or work for either for-profit and not-for-profit organisations.
Each quarter, employers will report to QLeave the days worked by an individual. Employers will also pay a levy based on an worker’s wages. When an worker has seven years of service recorded with QLeave, they are entitled to 6.1 weeks of Long Service Leave paid by QLeave.
The Services Union has been working at length with colleagues at QLeave who have delivered training to our SACS Organising Team and some of our Workplace Delegates. Organisers are now starting to roll out member education sessions in workplaces and will continue to do this throughout the first half of 2021. The first quarterly return is due April 2021 and members will be able to ensure that they have been registered and that their service has been recognised.
The best thing about the PLSL Scheme is that there’s absolutely no cost to the worker.
This is an exciting time for our SACS members who have campaigned for many years to see this Scheme come to fruition.
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HESTA_Testimonials_Sarah Tooke no sector_200x250mm.indd 1
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I N D U S T RY N E W S
ABOVE: ENERGY QUEENSLAND LIMITED WORKPLACE DELEGATES AND MEMBERS DISCUSSING THEIR BARGAINING CLAIMS WITH SERVICES UNION SENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICER, JACK DONAGHY. MEMBERS WERE PROACTIVE IN THEIR APPROACH AND STARTED NEGOTIATIONS LAST YEAR DUE TO THE 2020 QUEENSLAND ELECTION.
B A R G A I N I N G P U S H L E A D S TO E XC E L L E N T O U TC O M E S I N T H E E N E R GY I N D U S T RY CONGRATULATIONS TO WORKPLACE DELEGATES AND MEMBERS IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY WHO HAVE ACHIEVED EXCELLENT OUTCOMES IN THEIR NEW ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS (EBAS). Members started their negotiations late last year to enable them to meet a key objective of avoiding the risk of having to bargain under a Liberal National Party State Government. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to the Government Owned Corporations Wages Policy earlier this year, members managed to lock in many of their In Principal Agreements prior to the recent Queensland Election. A returned Palaszczuk Government means that any EBAs which missed out on Cabinet Budget Review Committee (CBRC) approval before the Election, should now be approved. The Fair Work Commission has approved EBAs at both Energy Queensland Limited and NRG, with the Powerlink Agreement commencing on 23 October 2020. The new EBA at Swanbank (CleanCo) is also soon to be approved, whilst Callide Power Station narrowly missed out on approval before the Election, despite a mighty effort by our Workplace Delegates on site. 12 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
Workplace Delegate Troy Lonsdale is to be commended for his efforts in bringing the workforce together to reach an In Principle Agreement at Callide. We don’t anticipate any hold ups in the approval process from this point on. Successful ballots have also been held for replacement EBAs at Kogan Creek Power Station, Powerlink Managers and the CS Corporate Office. Some EBA highlights include: • Four 3% wage increases for CS Corporate Office (two of which are backdated) and a new Family and Domestic Violence Leave clause. • A four day week trial at Kogan Creek Power Station and allowances increasing along with wages (which was not previously the case). • Three 3% wage increases over the life of the EBAs for Powerlink and the two Energy Queensland Agreements. A temporary cashing out of annual leave provision will apply to both Agreements in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. These wages outcomes are an outstanding achievement at a time where the economic conditions are so difficult. The EBAs also maintain the important conditions and entitlements our members value.
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BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 13
I N D U S T RY N E W S
ABOVE: WORKPLACE DELEGATE AT QUEENSLAND RAIL EMMA GREENHILL AND ORGANISER JACQUI PEDERSEN EDUCATE MEMBERS ABOUT OUR 30TH WAY CAMPAIGN AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE. TOP RIGHT: GLADSTONE PORTS WORKPLACE DELEGATE GARY BUCKLE, MEMBER LINDSAY ROBSON, ORGANISER EDDIE DEY, WORKPLACE DELEGATE DARON FOSTER AND MEMBER ROB LOWRY, CAMPAIGN FOR A FAIR EBA. BOTTOM RIGHT: QR WORKPLACE DELEGATES ANDREW SOMERVILLE, ROB SILVERS AND ANESTI KARAGIORGI GET ACTIVE IN THE QUEENSLAND UNIONS STATE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
C A M PA I G N I N G & B A R G A I N I N G I N TA N A IT’S BEEN AN EXTREMELY BUSY TIME IN THE TRANSPORT, AIRLINES AND NORTHERN ADMINISTRATIVE (TANA) INDUSTRIES WITH CAMPAIGNING, BARGAINING AND DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT OF THE COVID-19 AT THE CORE. Queensland Rail (QR) Workplace Delegates met recently in Brisbane, and spent the day discussing our Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace campaign, current issues, policy development as well as goal setting and strategies that will enable union membership to grow. They have also been reviewing the Stations Rostering Principles to improve new rostering arrangements to ensure stability. QR has also recently proposed an organisational redesign to establish a Rostering Centre of Excellence at the Rail Management Centre. The transition to the Train Service Delivery (TSD) is underway with commitments to advertise all vacancies in the rostering team and the provision of new rostering software. This will open up significant career opportunities in TSD and is welcomed by members. We will now work with Roster Officers to have the classification of their roles aligned. 14 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
Workplace Delegates also got active in the Queensland Unions Election campaign, signing pledges to ensure elected leaders focus on an economic recovery by investing in secure jobs. Meanwhile, the Gladstone Port Corporation (GPC) have excelled in their attempt to frustrate the bargaining process culminating with our Union writing to the Palaszczuk Government (pre-Election) in respect to the management’s belligerent attitude to our Workplace Delegates and lack of good faith bargaining. GPC continues to pressure Workplace Delegates representing Salaried Officers who are staying strong in their pursuit of having hours of work standardised to ensure members are not disadvantaged financially. We’re continuing to meet with members on a regular basis to advance their claim. It’s extremely clear that having defined hours of work is a workplace right and now that the new Queensland Ministry has been sworn in, we will continue to represent our members at a political level.
I N D U S T RY N E W S
A I R L I N E S M E M B E R S - C A M PA I G N I N G F O R C E R TA I N T Y As we enter the seventh month of the COVID-19 shutdown in the Airline Industry, The Australian Services Union nationally continues to campaign for Aviation Keeper and rostering remains the biggest industrial concern to our branch members.
Operations which is where our members are located in Cairns and Townsville. It doesn’t look like international flying will be back to normal anytime soon but it looks like domestic flying should be returning to some sort of normality by February.
The issue is notice of stand up to work. For those who have been able to source other work, the last thing they need is to be told on a day’s notice is to report to work. Many members are now accessing special leave without pay which gives some certainty, but the argument continues at both QANTAS and Jetstar.
QANTAS has also recently announced a major restructure of its airport operations. So far we know that this affects sales, ticketing and baggage desks at all Australian Airports. These changes will have flow on effects for other airport employees.
Members at Jetstar are now signing a petition calling on their management to not recall workers from special leave without pay until such time as they can guarantee the minimum hours required under the terms of the Agreement. Members are angry that Jetstar seems to want its employees to carry the burden of reduced flying and are calling on their employer to engage with the workforce to put in place fair arrangements for everyone. We continue to met with Jetstar and support our members there. A number of redundancies have occurred at QANTAS and discussions are continuing about workforce demand for the Airport and Lounge
It’s clear to us that QANTAS hasn’t thought through all the implications of their restructure. They refuse to answer basic questions about the restructure and seem unaware of the impact it will have on airport, contact centre and corporate employees. Our Union is concerned about QANTAS’ approach to this restructure and is pressing the company to reconsider. Adding to the burden for our members, the QANTAS Enterprise Bargaining Agreement has now expired and we are gearing up to negotiate a replacement as soon as possible. Our Union will work closely with members during this process.
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The opinions expressed and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the QSuper Board. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of any of the information supplied and you should seek advice for your circumstances. © QSuper Board. SPON-505. 10/20. BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 15
W O M E N - E M M A M I L L E R AWA R D S
ABOVE: CONGRATULATIONS TO VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE RAIL INDUSTRY TEHANNE DENHAM-JARVIS WHO IS THE SERVICES UNION’S EMMA MILLER AWARDEE FOR 2020.
S TA N D I N G U P F O R H E R W O R K M AT E S T E H A N N E W I N S E M M A M I L L E R AWA R D HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO TEHANNE DENHAM-JARVIS WHO IS THE SERVICES UNION’S EMMA MILLER AWARDEE FOR 2020. This very special award is in honour of Emma Miller who was a strong advocate for workers’ and women’s rights in Queensland. She contributed to the political and social changes which took place during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, notably campaigning for the first vote for women in a Federal Election in 1903. Recently, The Queensland Council of Unions hosted the Emma Miller Awards as a tribute to the pioneering spirit of this woman and to celebrate the achievements of contemporary union women. This year a smaller celebration was held due to the COVID-19 restrictions. It was an excellent evening attended by a number of our union’s members and officials including Secretary, Neil Henderson and Executive President, Jennifer Thomas. Tehanne is a trailblazer and is a most deserving recipient of the Emma Miller Award. Not only is she the Vice President of our Union’s Rail Industry Division Committee she is also a Workplace Delegate committed to assisting and representing members collectively and individually. A union activist for many years, Tehanne campaigned during the Your 16 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
Rights at Work Campaign against the Howard Government and their Work Choices legislation as well as many of the campaigns run by Australian and Queensland Unions’. She says as a member of our Union Executive it has been the localised campaigns that she is most proud of. “I think one of the greatest things we have been able to do, is help implement programs such as the 27 Ways and Growing Campaign and from there initiate the 28th and 29th Ways around Natural Disaster Leave and Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Leave,” Tehanne explained. “Our 30th Way, Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace, has been incredibly important this year due to COVID-19 and the numerous issues surrounding mental health and DFV due to lockdown restrictions.” Tehanne said being a union member and activist gives her the confidence and courage to speak up for what she believes in. “I generally just go with the flow. However, when I see someone being wronged in their workplace, watch out! I will not allow anyone to be walked over by their employer,” Tehanne said. “To be awarded the Emma Miller Award is an absolute honour. With people like Emma Miller, and my fellow female comrades in our Union, we can ensure that all people, including our sisters have a voice. If someone needs help, I assist without a second thought. It is just part of what makes me…me.”
W O M E N - K AT H N E L S O N AWA R D
ABOVE LIFE MEMBER OF THE SERVICES UNION LURLINE COMERFORD, TSU SENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICER MICHELLE ROBERTSON AND EX ASU NATIONAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND LIFE MEMBER NOELINE RUDLAND.
A DVO C A C Y & A C T I V I S M - M I C H E L L E H O N O U R E D W I T H K AT H N E L S O N AWA R D S E N I O R I N D U S T R I A L O F F I C E R AT T H E S E R V I C E S U N I O N M I C H E L L E R O B E R S TO N I S T H E 2020 R E C I P I E N T O F T H E K AT H N E L S O N AWA R D. C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S! This award was established by the Queensland Council of Unions Executive in June 2014 to honour an inspirational former Secretary of The Services Union Kath Nelson who died at 43, after a battle with leukaemia. Each year it is awarded to a woman who demonstrates a fundamental commitment to the principles of unionism and social justice – and in particular gives practical expression to Kath’s innovative leadership, vibrant spirit, creativity and passion. Michelle totally fits the bill and is a very worthy winner of this award. Michelle has been active in the Australian union movement for more than 35 years, working across varied industries. As an experienced advocate for our Union, Michelle has continually pursued improved wages and working conditions for community services workers, among others. Her extensive achievements in the sector included the making of first awards and pursuing pay equity. As the Senior Industrial Officer focussing on the Local Government Industry, Michelle provides expert advice and advocacy to members across Queensland both individually and collectively. She has also run
many cases in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and the Fair Work Commission on behalf of members. Over the past couple of years, Michelle has taken the Local Government Association of Queensland and regional councils to task over the continued desire to rely on Campbell Newman’s industrial relations reforms and the lack of consultation with employees in response to COVID-19 restrictions within Local Government. Michelle successfully saw decisions of the employer reversed and the rights of members protected. She has taken up the fight for female employees at Mareeba Shire Council for the retention of Paid Maternity Leave which is ongoing and was successful in her arguments which saw the removal of a two-tier wage structure at Moreton Bay Regional Council and Somerset Regional Council. Michelle said the Award is a wonderful recognition of the commitment she has made and her achievements over time. “I first met Kath in 1992. Over 20 years I got to know her very well and it was devastating news when she passed away,” Michelle said. This award is a way of recognising Kath and her legacy, and the ongoing achievements of women unionists. Winning it has made me proud of my work and of my union.” BY YO U R S I D E |S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au 17
S P EC I A L R E P O R T
CONTRACTS OF E M P LOY M E N T W H AT YO U N E E D TO K N O W BY S E N I O R I N D U S T R I A L O F F I C E R, M E R I N DA F O S T E R
AT SERVICES CONNECT, WE RECEIVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT. THESE CONTRACTS CAN SOMETIMES BE HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND NAVIGATE. HOWEVER, WE ARE ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE TO ASSIST. BELOW ARE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED. WHAT IS A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT? A contract of employment is a legally binding agreement between you and your employer which sets out the terms and conditions of your employment. It is distinctly different from your Award or Enterprise Agreement and only pertains to you and your job. A contract can be in writing or verbal. Most often the contract is the letter of employment. CAN A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT PROVIDE FOR LESS THAN MY AWARD OR AGREEMENT? No, a contract of employment cannot override an Award, Enterprise Agreement or the National Employment Standards. A contract of employment must either contain the same or better entitlements. This applies whether you have signed the contract or not. WHAT SHOULD A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT CONTAIN? Some Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) stipulate what should be set out in the employment contract but as best practice, your employment contract should contain: • Your name and employer details; • Your commencement date with the employer; • The Award or Enterprise Agreement that you’re covered by; • Your classification; • Your job title and description; • The number of hours that you are engaged for; • Your pattern of hours; • The location of your position; • Your salary; and • Any other benefits or entitlements that are above your Award or EBA. 18 BY YO U R S I D E | S P R I N G/S U M M E R 2020-21 | www.theservicesunion.com.au
MY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS OUT-DATED OR DOESN’T REFLECT MY POSITION, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Your employment contract should always reflect the work that you undertake with your employer. If your position has changed, your contract should change to reflect this. In the first instance, contact our Union for assistance. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I DISPUTE MY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT? You should never feel pressured to sign your employment contract without reading and understanding the terms and conditions. You always have the right to tell your employer that you wish to speak to your Union to get advice on this before signing. I DON’T UNDERSTAND A TERM IN MY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Contact our Union for advice as our Industrial team can interpret and explain this to you. It is not uncommon for employment contracts to use complex language that may be difficult to understand and it never hurts to have someone with expertise look over this. HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF YOUR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT? You should be provided with your contract of employment and a copy of the National Employment Standards when you commence employment with your employer.
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Great deals for members at The Good Guys As a valued Union Shopper member you can now get exclusive access to a new online shopping site with The Good Guys Commercial. You will be able to see ‘live’ discounted pricing on the entire The Good Guys range – that’s great deals on over 4,000 products! And you will be able to make your purchases online – saving you time and money.
To register for online access to The Good Guys Commercial website, visit www.unionshopper.com.au/the-good-guys/ or phone 1300 368 117
1300 368 117 unionshopper.com.au
THE FAIRER HEALTH FUND FOR ALL UNION MEMBERS Union Health is a 100% member-owned, not-for-profit health fund. We’re here to support the health and wellbeing of union members and their families, with affordable, quality health insurance. As a member of The Services Union, you’ll get a BONUS $100 eGift card when you join!* If you’re ready for your health to be treated fairly, talk to Union Health today on 1300 661 283, visit unionhealth.com.au/tsu or scan the QR code. *Terms and conditions apply.