Livewire Summer 2020/21

ETU NSW & ACT

SUMMER 2020/21 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION

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TOGETHER JUSTIN 04 TCEONNT
WE STEPPED UP TO SAYS ...

MEET THE CHALLENGE

As we mark the end of a year like no other,
I want to salute ETU members far and wide.

Your vital contributions have kept our communities safe, our economy CONSTRUCTION &
alive, and our essential services functioning. CONTRACTING

2020 opened with a summer of extreme weather that destroyed
electricity assets across NSW. Our members worked around
the clock far from home to repair the network.

When the pandemic hit and NSW and the ACT went 06 LICENSING
into lockdown, it was ETU members who continued CAMPAIGN
to perform their essential work, day after day. ETU
members kept our trains running. ETU members 07 RENEWABLE
kept the construction sector operating. ENERGY

In workplaces big and small, electrical workers stepped up to meet the 08 COMBINED POWER
greatest challenges faced in generations. EBA CAMPAIGN

To all our delegates: you are the heart and soul of our union. 11 RAIL NEWS
You deserve recognition for the many issues that you work on every 12 INDUSTRIAL
week. You solve problems, assist members and proudly fly the ETU flag.
For all that and more, I thank you. ROUNDUP

Our team of organisers has worked harder this year than 14 MEMBER
any year I can remember. The pandemic generated a BENEFITS
constant flow of problems that need to be solved and
members who need support. ETU organisers have UNION CONTACTS
put in long hours making sure the union is there
for our members. SYDNEY: 02 9267 4844
NEWCASTLE: 02 4968 2488
At the union offices, our team has worked CANBERRA: 02 6163 6666
throughout to support ETU members.
Thanks to all the dedicated people who [email protected]
keep the ETU engine humming — in member 3
services and administration, and our legal, IT,
communications and operations staff.

Together we have achieved much in this most
challenging of years. I extend Seasons
Greetings to each of you, to your
family and loved ones. To those
who get a break, I hope it’s
special. For those working
through, we appreciate
your efforts.

In unity

JUSTIN PAGE

SECRETARY ETU NSW & ACT

/SUMMER 2020/21

CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTING NEWS 23 UNION EBAS DELIVER

$49.79 PER HOUR + GREAT CONDITIONS

Union EBAs have delivered significant improvements for more than a thousand ETU members
at 23 contractors in Sydney construction, with several more agreements in the pipeline.

THE AGREEMENTS TYPICALLY INCLUDE:

12 % pay rises over three years SDF members at St Leonards

productivity allowance rising to
$3.50 per hour

site allowance phased in

all overtime at double time Grid members at Hornsby hospital

delegate & HSR rights.

ETU members have so far received three
pay rises under the EBAs, bringing the base
rate for a Grade 5 electrician to $49.79 per
hour. That rises to $52.10 in 2022.

The EBAs are the fruit of the ‘It’s Time’

campaign, launched in 2018 with the

goal of lifting industry standards. Stowe members at MacTel

The ETU campaign combined

organising, industrial action at

some companies, robust legal

support and communications into
a winning strategy.

Nearly all major electrical Star, Stowe and Goldline members at Crown Casino
contractors in Sydney construction
have accepted union EBAs. The
ETU is pushing to extend similar
benefits to electrical workers
across NSW and the ACT.

DELEGATE
POWER

ETU Sydney construction

delegates meet monthly

to discuss industry issues

including the ‘It’s Time’

campaign that has lifted THUENOIONNLYEBWAAY
standards across the sector.

The meetings are paid, thanks

to strong delegate rights clauses in the union EBA.

23 SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION UNION EBA COMPANIES

1 STAR 6 UTECH SYDNEY 11 GRID 16 CITY ELECTRICAL 21 CABLE INSTALL
2 HEYDAY 7 SDF 12 NCI 17 KSE SERVICES SOLUTIONS
3 FREDON 8 ABI SERVICES 13 DYNAMITE 18 JNI INFRASTRUCTURE
4 STOWE 9 PERIGON 14 RSGX 19 F.I.P 22 ABSOLUTE
10 NILSEN 15 NXGEN 20 DOWNER COMMISSIONING
45 GOLDLINE / SUMMER 2020/21
23 CJK

EBA SETS INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARD

A new EBA on the WestConnex ‘We aim to extend the benefits of union agreements to all
electrical workers in infrastructure. That includes the last
M4-M5 Link has set the standard for two stages of WestConnex – the M4-M5 tunnel and the
Rozelle Interchange – as well as future projects.’
infrastructure projects across Sydney.

The EnerMech agreement delivers industry-leading
conditions including $6.25 per hour site allowance, $112.50
per week MERT and Chifley Income Protection. ETU
members will earn a base rate of $52.85 plus allowances by
the end of the two-year EBA.

EnerMech is a UK-owned company that will employ
hundreds of electrical workers building twin 7.5 kilometre
tunnels between St Peters and Haberfield. ETU senior
construction organiser Fred Barbin said the EnerMech
agreement is the first ETU EBA on WestConnex.

‘It’s taken three years of hard work by ETU organisers and
activists, but this agreement brings home great conditions
that are appropriate for major infrastructure projects. Well
done by all involved! The ETU has now laid the platform for future
improvements across the infrastructure sector.’

Fred said the ETU is ‘in discussions’ with contractor Fredon and
builders Lendlease and John Holland about further infrastructure
agreements.

UNION ACTION BUILDER’S CONCRETE

RECOVERS $160K POUR BREACHED
FOR 16 UNDERPAID MEMBERS
PROHIBITION ORDER
ETU action has recovered $160,00 backpay
for 16 members in Sydney construction. Builder Hindmarsh Constructions faced potential
prosecution after a concrete pour breached a
Nine electrical workers at Hornsby Hospital were owed SafeWork Prohibition Order.
annual leave, RDOs and wages after their employer
Compass Fire went bankrupt. The site builder Watpac SafeWork NSW issued the Order in November, shutting level 4 of a
assisted in recovering the entitlements totalling $76,000. school building site in Lindfield. The regulator hit Hindmarsh with two
Prohibition Notices, two Improvement Notices and a Penalty Notice,
‘Getting paid what you are rightfully owed for after an ETU safety inspection.
your hard work is one of the many benefits of ETU
membership,’ said ETU organiser Antony Stegic. The following day ETU organiser SUBMAIN
Lawrie Duff again inspected the INSTALLATION
site, in the company of the project
manager. A fresh concrete pour was
identified on level 4 despite the
Prohibition Order banning all work.

The safety breaches identified at
the Lindfield school follows similar
problems with work by the same
builder on the Ultimo Public School
site in September 2019.

SafeWork issued Hindmarsh
with 10 Improvement Notices
and a Prohibition Notice on
that occasion.

The ETU continues to monitor 5
safety at sites across Sydney, NSW
and the ACT. Report any breaches to
the ETU Construction Team.

/SUMMER 2020/21

ETU LICENSING
CAMPAIGN
UsDpOnDaGqrYukTaiRelAisDfIiEpeSudt
GETTING RESULTS lives at risk

Industry leaders and safety experts have backed the Sydney Morning Herald,

ETU campaign for electrical licensing reform in NSW. 29 October 2020

The union is calling for the NECA also questioned the lack The ETU cautiously welcomes two
establishment of an Electrical Safety of resources for monitoring and related initiatives from the State
Regulator to oversee licensing and enforcement. NSW has only three Government, however both are in early
safety enforcement. electrically qualified inspectors policing stages and require further evaluation.
almost 70,000 licensed electricians and
A core ETU concern is the use of thousands of projects, big and small. One program targets electrical safety on
unqualified workers to perform work construction sites. The other is the ‘360
that by law is required to be carried out In 2019, the ETU stepped up the union’s degrees electrical safety’ pilot program
by a licensed electrician. long-running campaign for licensing aimed at household work.
reform. Secretary Justin Page gave
ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page evidence before the Parliamentary Justin Page said the ETU
says unlicensed workers are rife at Building Inquiry that employers were campaign is getting results.
every level of the industry – from major routinely advertising for unqualified
government-funded infrastructure people to do electrical work. ‘There’s a long way to go but our work on
projects to household wiring. licensing is making a difference. We are
That Inquiry’s report recommended uniting the industry around a common
Tony Palladino, who heads the NSW a more robust and resourced regime agenda. We are seeing some action from
Utilities and Electrotechnology Industry centralised within the new Building the NSW Government.
Training Advisory Body, backed the Commission, along with more specialist
union’s case in an interview with the electrical safety inspectors. ‘In our day-to-day safety work in
Sydney Morning Herald. the construction sector, we have
The ETU has since lodged detailed policy improved processes with SafeWork
‘Some training providers are cutting submissions to the NSW Productivity and Fair Trading.’
corners while employers are advertising Commission and again leading up to the
for unlicensed workers to do wiring recent NSW Budget. the etu licensing solution
work,’ Tony said, urging better regulation.
This consistent hard work in NSW should establish
‘Forty per cent of house fires pursuit of effective an Electrical
are electrical. We have to ask policy prompted Safety Regulator to
the question is somebody the NSW oversee licensing
going to die before we do Government to and enforcement of
something.’ ‘acknowledge electrical safety.
the Electrical
Employer body NECA questioned Trades Union’s An independent industry-
the ‘level of scrutiny’ applied commitment to wide test should be
by some vocational training improving skills required to obtain an
providers when and safety’. electrical license.
certifying electricians.
NECA general JUSTIN
manager PAGE
Tom Emeleus
proposed ETU NSW & ACT
a solution SECRETARY
similar to that
developed by
the ETU, where
electricians would
take an additional
independent test to
qualify for a license.

6 / SUMMER 2020/21

REGULATOR HITS SOLAR FARM ACTU REPORT WARNS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR
EXPLOITATION, DANGEROUS
WITH 20 NOTICES
PRACTICES IN RENEWABLES SECTOR
AFTER ETU ACTION
The ETU NSW & ACT Branch backs a new ACTU report
that calls for reform to create good, secure local jobs in the
renewable energy industry.

The ACTU report calls on government and the renewables sector
to work with unions to require ‘quality jobs with fair pay and
conditions’ – including union enterprise agreements for all large-
scale renewable projects.

ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page welcomed the ACTU report

which he said ‘demonstrates the scale of the problem and the urgency

SafeWork NSW issued 20 Improvement Notices to of major reform’.

the builder of Wellington Solar Farm after ETU action.

ETU JOINS HUNTER ALLIANCESite visits from ETU organiser Nick Bligh identified

multiple safety breaches related to wiring, water supply

FOR SECURE WELL-PAIDand amenities. Nick was later denied entry and forcibly

ETU ENERGY SECTOR JOBStaken to the local police station by a site manager.

Wellington Solar Farm employed more than 500

BACKSworkers during its construction stage. It is the first

Australian project for giant Indian-based company

SNOWY 2.0Stirling and Wilson.
WORKERS The ETU, with other unions and community
groups, has launched the Hunter Jobs Alliance
to ensure jobs and workers are protected as

ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page said the the region’s energy mix evolves.
episode sends a clear warning to the solar
industry. ‘We have a seat at the table so we can speak

‘Our union will monitor PAID JUST $26 PER HOUR ON up strongly for the interest of electrical
and pursue solar workers and our community,’ said ETU
projects that fail
to meet safety $5 BILLION PROJECT NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page.
‘The ETU stands for good, secure,
standards while well-paid jobs in all sectors

exploiting Electrical workers on Snowy 2.0 – Australia’s biggest of the energy industry. To
backpackers renewable energy project – are employed by labour hire firm build a prosperous future
and labour for the Hunter, we need a
hire NX Blue as casuals on a flat rate of just $26 per hour. government-backed plan

workers.’ ETU organiser Jimmy Darnton-Turner visited the $5.1 billion project several times. He was for regional and industry
warmly welcomed by employees keen to organise for an industry-standard EBA. investment.’

‘These workers are missing out on basic conditions like penalty rates and living away from home
allowance. Some have been employed as casuals for more than six months on shockingly low rates.

‘It’s a scandal that workers on a massive government-funded project
are insecure, underpaid and denied fundamental rights enjoyed
by union members throughout the industry.’

/SUMMER 2020/21 7

INDUSTRY
POWER INDUSTRY EBA CAMPAIGN
EBA CAM
POWER

PA I G N
AUSGRID MEMBERS
WILL FIGHT WAGE FREEZE

Ausgrid workers responded angrily to the company’s proposed
wage freeze which would last at least one year and possibly three.

The company’s wages ‘offer’ – 0 per This is despite Ausgrid’s inability to Justin said good results are not won at
cent in year 1, followed by CPI in years reconnect power to many thousands the bargaining table alone. Active united
2 and 3 – fails to meet the ETU’s core of homes after last summer’s extreme members are the key to winning a fair EBA.
demand for a fair pay rise. weather, due to being undermanned after
2,000 job cuts. ‘Our survey found more than 90 per cent
CPI, the inflation-measuring index, is of Ausgrid members are prepared to
currently negative due to deflation Discussions had opened on the CCR and take legal industrial action if required to
caused by the pandemic. Ausgrid continued on a series of other clauses, achieve a fair outcome.
employees face a potential three-year including consultation and contracting out.
pay freeze – on top of the four-year ‘If the company does not
freeze endured between 2015-18. ETU negotiators have rejected an Ausgrid address the core concerns
claim that would reduce annual leave of employees, then ETU
A survey of Ausgrid members found rights, halving the amount of annual leave members will consider a
93 per cent reject the pay freeze that can be accumulated. Protected Action Ballot leading
with 92 per cent prepared to take to industrial action.’
protected industrial action. ETU NSW & ACT Secretary Justin Page
thanked the team of 24 delegates who, The ETU continues to raise the issue of
Six weeks of Ausgrid EBA negotiations with organisers Darran Miller and Stuart job security with the owners of Ausgrid:
had failed to address the core Elliott, have worked hard to achieve a fair the NSW Government and industry
demands of ETU members, as Livewire outcome for ETU members. superannuation funds.
went to print.
‘As we move into the New Year, the ETU
Ausgrid rejected outright the ETU’s will continue to make every effort to
key demand for job security and negotiate an EBA that meets the key
confirmed plans to axe 500 positions, priorities set by our member survey: job
including 230 from January 2021. security and a fair pay rise.’

ESSENTIAL ENERGY GUYRA DEPOT

PROUDLY 100% UNION

Essential Energy’s
Guyra depot has claimed
bragging rights as the
first to be verified 100
per cent ETU.

The site near Armidale has

three employees. All are

proud union members.

Other Essential Energy

8depots are aiming to / SUMMER 2020/21

achieve 100 per cent
union status soon.

ENDEAVOUR TRANSGRID
ENERGY MEMBERS PAUL
REJECT O’MALLEY
ATTACKS PAY OFFER
ETU
BASIC CONDITIONS DELEGATE

ETU members at Endeavour Transgrid employees were waiting for
Energy are digging in for a fight management to improve a rejected EBA
after the company attacked a raft offer, as Livewire went to print.
of working conditions.
A mass meeting in late-November saw 81 per cent of employees
Endeavour lodged an aggressive log of claims in EBA support a Protected Action Ballot, if the company fails to make a
negotiations that began in November. The company aims to substantially better wages offer.
reduce overtime rights, force people to work weekends at
reduced rates, cease allowances and entitlements, put more Meetings were scheduled for December, however management’s
staff on contracts and wind back long service leave rights. response to the rejection was unclear at the time of writing.

In contrast, the ETU log of claims focuses on the three Transgrid’s proposed EBA was an advance on previous offers but fell
priorities raised by members in an ETU survey: job security, short of meeting the ETU’s core demand for a fair pay rise.
a fair pay rise and maintaining current conditions.
The rejected offer did boost job security and two important
‘The company’s moral compass need allowances. It included a 6 per cent pay rise over three years.
calibrating,’ said ETU organiser Brad
Currey. ‘This attack on a long list of basic However the ETU claim for 3 per cent per annum has been on the
conditions shows Endeavour does not table since June and remains a core demand. Union members also
care about employees.’ refused to accept a proposed switch to fortnightly pay.

Brad said ETU members will need to stand strong and ETU delegate Paul O’Malley said the company faces
united to defend conditions. a vigorous ‘no vote’ campaign against any offer
which fails to substantially increase pay.
‘We call on all members to step up and actively
support the union EBA campaign. That is absolutely ‘We know Transgrid can afford 3 per cent. They have $6 billion worth
essential to achieving a fair EBA outcome.’ of capital works in the pipeline which will increase their asset base by
40 per cent.’

ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan said the experienced ETU delegate
team had ensured the EBA campaign stayed strong despite the
challenges of the pandemic.

‘Transgrid has moved a fair way because the company can see our
members are firmly united. If we stick together I’m confident we can
achieve a fair outcome that meets members’ core demands.’

ETU organiser Brad Currey with ETU senior delegates 9
/SUMMER 2020/21

Congratulations to Newcastle electrician Jason Dorney who won the 1st place prize in the ETU & NESS Super NRL
Footy Tipping Competition. Jason dedicated the $1,000 prize to his wife and to his Christmas Beer Fund.

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32 WORKERS APPRENTICE
BACKPAID DELEGATE

$332,199 RAVEN is chip

by Metro trains afteR off family block

UNION ACTION Sydney Trains apprentice
delegate Raven Maris
Thirty-two union members have received a total comes from a long line
of industrial workers and
of $332,199.87 backpay from Metro Trains Sydney trade unionists in her

after union action. home country Canada.

Fourteen ETU members, along with RTBU A former electrician at Metro Trains said The 33-year travelled 14,000
and AMWU members, were underpaid he was ‘pleased and relieved’ to bank kilometres to settle in Australia,
allowances and leave loading between $13,800 before tax. which she says is ‘the best country in
May 2019 and April 2020. the world’.
‘Our union did a great job.
Workers had been promised they would Without the ETU, we would ‘Coming from overseas, I can see the
be backpaid at EBA rates for work after have got nothing,’ great conditions built by Australian
May 2019, when shift work on the metro said the ETU member. unionists. The minimum wage here
project started. is close to $20 an hour. In Canada it’s
ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan just $14 per hour, but the cost of living
However the company later claimed welcomed the outcome but slammed is the same.
the backpay arrangement applied only Metro Trains Sydney for putting profits
to the base pay rate and shift penalties, before the rights of employees. ‘I believe ‘I think Australian workers
excluding allowances and leave loading. this is a consequence of the privatisation need to be vigilant about
of operations on the Sydney Metro.’ maintaining our rights and
The ETU and other unions took the case entitlements. That’s why
to the Fair Work Commission where the I want to be more active
dispute was resolved. Workers received a in my union the ETU.’
total settlement of $332,199.87.
Raven enrolled in a Sydney Trains
RAIL MEMBERS SURVEYED pre-apprenticeship course for women
AS EBA CAMPAIGN BUILDS which gave her the confidence to
apply for an electrical apprenticeship.
The ETU is surveying Sydney Trains members as the
first step in building a strong EBA campaign for 2021. As an ETU apprentice delegate, Raven
is on hand to support more than 100
Organiser Anthony O’Sullivan said the union log of claims
will be based on the priorities submitted by hundreds of electrical apprentices across the
members. Sydney Trains
network.
ANTHONY ‘We know that job security, privatisation,
O’SULLIVAN a fair pay rise and maintaining current RAVEN
conditions will be some of our core MARIS
ETU issues. Our delegates and members will
ORGANISER SYDNEY TRAINS
shape the priorities as we APPRENTICE
gear up for negotiations.’ DELEGATE

The current EBA expires on 11
1 May 2021. A key focus will
be the NSW Government’s
public sector wages policy,
which caps annual pay rises at
0.3 per cent in 2020/21 and 1.5
per cent in future years.

/SUMMER 2020/21

INDUSTRIAL ROUNDUP IMPROVED EBA OUTCOME

AFTER TOUGH TALKS AT SUNSHINE SUGAR

Workers at Sunshine Sugar mills have improved their EBA outcome after a campaign that
included a vote for industrial action followed by Fair Work conciliation.

The company had refused to budge from offer a 2.5 per cent pay rise in the second ‘The pay rise will keep members’ wages
its original claims that offered zero pay year of a two-year agreement that leaves in touch with inflation and the company
rises while seeking to reduce working conditions intact. backed off plans to reduce conditions.
conditions. Importantly, we have kept jobs.
ETU organiser Steve Magann said:
Members of the ETU, AWU, CFMMEU and ‘These were tough negotiations but ‘We’ve also gained a place on the peak
AMWU then voted to authorise protected with the assistance of Fair Work we consultative committees where we aim
industrial action. improved the outcome. to sort out classifications and some other
issues.’
A Fair Work conciliation process, initiated
by Sunshine Sugar, saw the company

DM ROADS 6.6% + $670 CREAM

below standards on FOR DAIRY WORKERS
NorthConnex
ETU members at dairy giant Lactalis have secured a
Maintenance electricians on NorthConnex
6.6 per cent pay rise after voting to take industrial action.
want their employer DM Roads to lift pay
Union delegate Satya Naicker said the company had improved the offer
rates to meet industry standards for similar after all workers voted to take protected action.

tunnel work. ‘It’s not a bad outcome. We’ve kept our wages ahead of inflation and
maintained all current conditions.’
That’s the key issue in EBA talks covering up to 20
highly-skilled ETU members performing a range of Management sweetened the offer with a $670 cash sign-on bonus to get the
often complex tasks. three-year EBA over the line. ‘Thanks to ETU organiser Anthony O’Sullivan.
He did a great job!’ said
‘The electrical team looks after everything from Satya.
signage, CCTV and tolls to water treatment plants
with motors and pumps,’ said ETU delegate Daniel Lactalis brands
White. ‘We’re also exposed to chemicals and include Pauls,
pollutants in a tunnel environment. Oak, Lemnos
and Vaalia.
‘Electrical workers on similar skills and duties are earning
more at other companies. DM Roads has underestimated 9.6% BOOST FOR CASINO
the industry standard rates required to attract and retain
quality electricians.’ MEATWORKS MEMBERS

DM Roads has an initial five-year contract to maintain ETU members at Casino meatworks have negotiated a
NorthConnex. 9.6 per cent pay rise in a four-year enterprise agreement.

As EBA bargaining continues, ETU negotiators have The EBA covers 12 ETU members along with process workers and various
provisionally secured the introduction of MERT and tradespeople. ETU delegate Scott Kemp said the ‘pretty good’ outcome will
Chifley Income Protection. help create a ‘level playing field’ across all trades at the plant.

Daniel White said another aim was improving conditions ‘This keeps electricians’ real wages in front, while improving the pay
for female electrical workers, now and for the future. structure for our colleagues.’

DM Roads is working towards joining other Tier 1

companies to successfully attract, retain and support

female workers. / SUMMER 2020/21

12

GOING UP: LIFTRONIC WAGES BY 6% LIFT INDUSTRY UPDATES

JUSTIN ETU members at Liftronic have voted unanimously to
CORNER approve an enterprise agreement that delivers a 6 per cent
pay rise over 18 months..
ETU
DELEGATE The 40-0 vote means the lift workers will ‘This is a rollover EBA that will see
receive three 2 per cent increases between us through the COVID period. It was
December 2020 and June 2022, plus a small a fast and smooth process with
increase in MERT. All current conditions delegates communicating with small
are maintained. ETU delegate Justin Corner groups of works throughout.’
said the outcome keeps wages ahead of
inflation while protecting entitlements.

KONE MAL HOY ETU delegate Mal Hoy said the vote reflected
MEMBERS several issues, including some frustration at the
ETU company ‘crying poor’.
accept 5%, plan DELEGATE
ahead for more ‘With annual increases of 2 and 3 per
cent, this agreement falls short of the
Kone lift workers will receive pay rises we usually expect at Kone,
a total 5 per cent pay rise more in the region of 4 per cent.
after a two-year EBA was
voted up by 99-52. ‘But we can also look at this EBA as the first stage
in a six-year plan. We now have two years to
prepare for a major campaign to secure a much
stronger outcome in the next four-year EBA.’

Kone has had 27 redundancies among
construction installers.

2.5% COVID PAY RISE NSW ETU
@ THYSSENKRUPP
BACKS SACKED
ETU members at lift company Thyssenkrupp received
a 2.5 per cent Christmas pay rise. NORWEGIAN DELEGATE

The increase came in a 12-month EBA voted up in-principle by 33-20 at a The ETU NSW & ACT Branch
December mass meeting. has written to Schindler’s
The agreement maintains all current conditions for around 50 ETU members. Australian management to
protest the sacking of a senior
‘We got a pay rise but not as much as we wanted,’ union delegate in Norway.
said ETU delegate Tim Cusack. ‘This EBA gives us some
certainty in the uncertain times of the pandemic.’ ‘The ETU NSW stands in solidarity with
union members and elected delegates the
ETU organiser world over. We call on Schindler to reinstate
Steve Bankes Alexander Jordnes, the Vice President
with delegates of the Norwegian Elevator Constructors
Tim Cusack & Union,’ wrote organiser Steve Bankes.
Aaron Traynor

/SUMMER 2020/21 13

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RadfTifsocHoreduaanlbttheledohsfefeeravrlstichEeTisnUasnumdraesnmpcebece,iarlsoffers. Branch publishes Livewire three times
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2020/21
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DELEGATE AARON ALWAYS
UP FOR A CHALLENGE

It’s no surprise Aaron Abela embarked on an electrical career
— both his parents are sparkies. His mother was apprenticed
to his father in the family’s electronic security business.

‘It’s a well-paid trade with interesting Aaron can also read and interpret an EBA — a
technical challenges. Electrical work skill he had to develop as an NECA apprentice.
felt like the right choice,’ said Aaron,
who started his apprenticeship with ‘NECA paid me according to the Nilsen EBA,
Nilsen Engineering immediately after but NECA didn’t really know that EBA as there
finishing school in Wollongong. were only two apprentices on it. So I had to
understand and explain the document.’
Seven years later Aaron stepped for-
ward as an ETU delegate representing Aaron’s day-to-day delegate’s role includes
around 30 workers at the company. resolving ‘grey areas’ and disputes, like when
workers are placed on a new shift. He’s looking
‘I’m a good mediator and a good forward to negotiations when the current EBA
communicator. I can listen to both expires in 2021.
sides of an argument. I think those
qualities will be useful as a delegate.’ Outside work, Aaron has a taste for epic
adventure. In 2018, he and a mate rode
motorbikes from Sydney to Ireland.

BRUCE SAILS OFF AFTER 40 YEARS FLYING UNION FLAG

The ETU thanks delegate Bruce ‘He’s a humble bloke who does not seek Bruce said ‘the ETU has been great all the
Schofield who is retiring after accolades but deserves recognition,’ said way through. I got an almost immediate
40 years in the union and 20 ETU organiser Brad McDougall. response whenever I needed support’.
years as The ETU thanks delegate
Bruce Schofield who is retiring ‘Bruce’s vast experience and knowledge After a period of long service leave, Bruce
after 40 years in the union and has been invaluable in negotiating looks forward to more family time and
20 years as a delegate. agreements and representing members.’ crewing a 40-foot racing boat in coastal
racing weeks.
Bruce started with Gosford Council, now Bruce Schofield said the highlight of his ca-
Central Coast Council, in 1981 and has reer at Council was ‘the camaraderie with Enjoy your retirement,
outlasted countless managers and my fantastic colleagues at council, especial- Bruce, you’ve earned it!
CEOs. ly the electrical team’.

‘As a local government electrician,
you work on everything from lights
and power to sophisticated treat-
ment systems in water and sewer-
age plants. I enjoyed the challenge
of keeping up with technology
and developing new skills.’

Farewell drinks for Bruce Schofield (right)

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