CHANGE AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

WHILE THERE IS ENORMOUS CHANGE OCCURRING IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY OFF THE BACK OF THE QUEENSLAND ENERGY AND JOBS PLAN (QEJP) WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER 2022, THERE IS ALSO ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR UNION TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR OUR MEMBERS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY IN UPCOMING ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

The QEJP was announced at a fortuitous time, as there are several key Enterprise Agreements due to expire within the next twelve (12) months, including those at Energy Queensland, Powerlink, and Callide Power Station. The intentions and initiatives outlined in the QEJP and the Worker’s Charter will be key considerations at the forefront of the agendas for these upcoming bargains. As a result of the QEJP, both Energy Queensland and Powerlink are now in growth phases and need to expand their skilled workforce considerably.

The upcoming negotiations will be key in both these corporations meeting the requirements of the Plan. The Services Union recognises that in a job market with increasing competition for skilled employees, it’s critical that energy employers offer conditions that make their workplaces the envy of the industry. We believe, employers in the energy industry should be looking to meet the demand for additional skilled workers through appointing and training Queenslanders into these roles. In addition, workers already employed should be provided with development opportunities by way of either further education or training to meet the demand for skilled workers. Further, Government Owned Corporations (GOCs) should be also providing pathways for people who are demographically not well represented in particular jobs within their organisations.

We recognise we are in a unique position to improve conditions for our members. It will be a priority for our Union to: protect existing jobs, particularly those most likely to be impacted by the transition; ensure wages grow and meet the cost of living; ensure our members employed in GOCs are paid wages that are competitive with the private sector for comparable roles; ensure conditions are improved to attract and retain the right people to the industry to support the initiatives of the QEJP; ensure employers are developing and providing opportunities to their existing workforce by way of further education and training; and importantly to facilitate female worker transition into roles that have been traditionally male dominated.

Although the QEJP is bringing about significant change for the Energy Industry, it’s an exciting time for workers employed in the sector.