ETU National 2021

ETU NATIONAL

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2

ETU NATIONAL !TOGETHER WE STOPPED 06

POWERING THE (OMNI)BUS
UP in 2021
10NOWHERE
NATIONAL
TO GO
03 Offshore Wind Bill will create massive opportunities if done right
04 ‘Mega Projects’ Greenfields campaign ! 14SAME JOB, LESS PAY
08 2021 Apprentice of the Year! WWEE SSAY
50 Special paid leave for miscarriage NO WAY
59 Would you let your boss read your private emails?
71 Contacts ETU CLEANS UP 26

SA »TH»E»DICRLTEAYNSIEDNEEORFGY

13 Fighting a war on wage theft 36
16 Members at SA Water fight to protect their hours
17 It’s time for Whyalla Steelworks to reward their workforce 2021 48
18 Why income protection is so important BNREWEAGKRSOUND

NSW & ACT for CEPU members in Communications

24 Switching ban delivered Endeavour Energy EBA breakthrough 56»_Ct_h»a_rmotuhagerhvaetrody»_e_e»r_nide
28 Next generation takes centre stage
30 Three-year campaign transforms Sydney construction Our energy
31 Macca beats shock to bat on for workers
f60gridINisCRISIS
WA
Jobs boom on 70
34 Wins in the north-west
38 Keeping up the pressure in electrical contracting major projects 1
40 ETU wins over $200k for apprentices in WA
41 The tides are shifting in the WA shipbuilding industry begins

TAS

43 May Day 2021
44 The light on the hill for Tasmania
46 Public utilities are no longer the best jobs you can get
47 Planting the seed of collectivism

QLD & NT

53 Renewables
54 Thor Anderson takes home NAIDOC Award
58 Vote NO to Zero% campaign

VIC

63 Fantastic contracting EBA outcomes
64 New faces at ETU Victoria
66 New and enhanced member benefits introduced in 2021
68 Continuing professional development for sparkies
69 The Centre for U: powers through the pandemic

The ETU acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and
recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our
respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Edited by Eimear O'Sullivan, ETU National communications coordinator

NATIONAL From the National Secretary

Another year is almost In his place the ETU and CEPU NSW/
finished, and we’ve come ACT State Councils passed a resolution
through it stronger than ever appointing myself as NSW/ACT Branch
as a Union and a community. Secretary. We’ve had a great year so
far in NSW and the ACT, achieving
This year was again dominated by great wins in the power, construction
the COVID-19 pandemic, especially and apprentice sectors, and I look
in the eastern states where most forward to continuing this momentum
people went through lockdown for into next year. I continue to hold the
several months. position of ETU National Secretary and
am committed to serving the interests
I want to thank every Union member of ETU members both in NSW and
who has made the decision to get nationally.
vaccinated. You have played a role in
protecting not just yourself but your The nuclear submarine AUKUS
fellow workmates, their families and deal announced in September will
communities. Because of your efforts, reduce Australian jobs and sovereign
we are now experiencing restrictions capability. We’re concerned that most
easing, and workplaces getting back to of the high-skilled electrical work will
a new normal. be done overseas. We are demanding
a role into a departmental review so
We acknowledge a few members we can advocate for a thriving, non-
expressed concerns about the vaccine nuclear, shipbuilding industry to be
and for some this has been a very kept in Australia.
difficult issue. If you still have concerns
about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, This year we launched our ‘Nowhere
please talk to your treating medical
practitioner. Ultimately the choice to Go’ campaign, aimed at ensuring
is yours but throughout this health
crisis, the ETU has been guided by workplace amenities and in particular,
verified independent public health
and scientific advice. We have been August 2021 workplace toilets, are
consistent in our messaging and our
position: we don’t support employer- hygienic, accessible,
mandated vaccinations, but we do
encourage all our members to get safe and suitable for
vaccinated after seeking medical
advice, if they haven’t already. all workers. This issue

In May we farewelled Justin Page, disproportionately
Secretary of the ETU NSW/ACT
branch, who resigned to spend more affects women, but
time with his family in Newcastle. We
thank Justin for all his work in the NOWHERE TO GOBifnoaoacrrdcrwiueeqporusamatteitoonenpiwanalormitrnikcadpiluplesaatdctrieooiemnasmirneeasntueiltdtieinsg from  many of our male
branch and for the Union since 1992. members as well.
We all need to

demand suitable

amenities as a basic health and

safety requirement, so we can lift the

standards for everyone.

Allen Hicks

ETU National Secretary
2

I congratulate our Apprentice of NATIONAL
the Year, Kate Lucas. Kate was an
outstanding candidate who, like Offshore Wind Bill
all the other applicants, undertook
a rigorous application and will create massive
independent interview process. We
are very proud to have her as part opportunities if done right
of our Union and we know she is an
inspiring leader to many electrical The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Electrical Trades Union
apprentices, with a very bright welcomed the introduction of an Offshore Electricity Infrastructure
future in the trade and the ETU. Bill to parliament in September after more than two years of
advocating for exploration of offshore renewables potential in
Lastly, I ask every member out Australian waters.
there to engage with apprentices
on the job and educate them about While the Bill is a step in the right The ETU appeared alongside the
the importance of joining the direction, we want to make sure it is done MUA and ACTU where we urged
mighty ETU. Our $50 ‘Sign Up an right. Our Union is urging the Morrison the committee to make three key
Apprentice’ campaign is still active Federal Government to make sure that amendments to the laws:
until March 2022, so please make there is support for additional training
the most of it. Apprentices are the and qualifications for workers that may 1. Require transparency around
future of our trade and our Union. need to get a start in this new industry. declaring specific ‘renewable
electricity areas’ so that project
I hope most of you can get together There are more than 10 offshore developers, state governments
with family and friends this wind projects, billions in investment and electricity planning
Christmas and New Year’s and and thousands of jobs waiting on this authorities
enjoy a safe and refreshing break, legislation. can request an area is assessed
and hopefully a holiday or two! by the Minister and
“Each offshore renewable project within a reasonable timeframe.
See you in 2022! can create thousands of construction
jobs and then hundreds of ongoing 2. Require minimum standards for
operation and maintenance jobs, and local jobs, local manufacturing,
the supply chain opportunity in creating community benefits and Just
manufacturing components for Transition opportunities as part
projects means this new industry could of the criteria for proponents to
play a much larger role in transitioning apply to build an offshore project.
workers and communities who are
currently being impacted by the energy 3. Apply a single set of uniform
transition, said ETU Assistant National work health and safety laws
Secretary Michael Wright. to offshore wind projects, so
workers aren’t forced to comply
“But to maximise local jobs and with three entirely different
economic benefits, the government sets of health and safety laws,
needs to ensure a good pipeline of creating confusion and making it
projects is created through an offshore harder to comply and stay safe.
wind industry package."
At the time of writing, we are waiting
"This should include investment in for the report to be handed down
offshore wind port terminals and from the inquiry and are urging the
manufacturing hubs, particularly in government to make these small but
areas like Gippsland, the Illawarra and critical amendments and then pass the
Newcastle. An offshore wind research laws so that these projects can start.
and development program is needed,
alongside measures for a Just Transition
to support skilled workers in getting
the additional qualifications they may
need to transition to this new industry."

The proposed laws were referred to
a Senate Inquiry which held public
hearings in October.

3

‘Mega Projects’ Barrow
island
greenfields regime would be
Barrow Island lies 50 kilometres
devastating northwest off Western Australia’s
Pilbara coast. It is home to Australia’s
for workers’ largest gas project, Gorgon, built by
American company Chevron. Around
mental health 3000 FIFO workers live and work on
this isolated island with 15,000 workers
Early this year as part of the Omnibus Bill, the Federal Government at the peak of the project. Workers
tried to introduce changes to greenfields agreements, extending were initially engaged on a 28 days
their length from four years (which is already too long) to eight years, on, nine days off roster. Some of the
effectively locking workers out from bargaining during major projects. accommodation workers lived in was a
converted prison barge.
Currently, greenfields agreements conditions and inedible food, plus the
are mostly used for construction and huge strain on family and interpersonal ETU member Mr Robert Smith, a
resource projects, getting negotiated relationships, and you have a recipe for FIFO dual-trade electrician who did
before any work actually commences. disaster. When the inevitable happens, 10 years of FIFO work, saw first-hand
They are supposed to include unions, be it anxiety or depression, relationship how rostering negatively impacted the
but the employers hold all the cards, breakdown or divorce, workers are workers on Barrow Island. He saw poor
getting to choose which union they often left with no mental health work-life balance lead to high instances
negotiate with and being able to run off support or work-life balance. of depression among his workmates.
to the Fair Work Commission any time People would go home completely
they want. These deals lock in workers’ We know these problems. We know defeated after a month at the remote
wages, employment conditions and that the only chance to change rosters site, only to re-enter ‘normal life’ and
working conditions including rostering. is through bargaining a new enterprise find that they were no longer part of
agreement every three or four years. their family’s routine. Workers would
Rostering is particularly important for It’s this chance to make things better miss important milestones, like the
fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) sites, like in the that the Government tried to abolish. birth of their children and even funerals.
resources industry. Working in this At one point there was a run of suicides
sector is hard. Many workplaces “Employer associations say that they and suicide attempts, including one
struggle with appalling rates of injury want this Mega-Projects regime because worker who tried to take his own life on
and high rates of mental health problems it will reduce uncertainty around wages the plane home. The roster was the root
and suicide. One of the key aggravators and conditions, but it’s a farce. To date cause of this, but it was locked into the
of poor mental health in these areas is they have NEVER been able to supply a greenfields agreement covering the job
antisocial rosters where workers spend single case study or any data around a and the company didn’t care about the
long stretches of time at work and not project that has not gone ahead for this effect it was having on its workforce.
enough time at home with their friends reason,” said ETU National Assistant
and families. Add to this poor camp Secretary, Michael Wright.

4

NATIONAL

“When we brought these issues to before. These improvements could only WHAT HAS HAPPENED
the company, they were completely be achieved via bargaining – the very SO FAR?
reluctant to make any changes that opportunity which the Mega-Projects
would benefit the workforce,” regime would destroy. In March the ETU led a coordinated
said Robert. campaign with the CFMEU against the
“Rostering doesn’t just affect each Omnibus Bill. Through our efforts we
“We even set up our own remote worker – it affects their whole family. managed to get the proposed changes
counselling program for workers Not to have had the opportunity to greenfields agreements knocked off.
because the company refused to to make changes through the Since then, the proposed changes have
provide one,” he said. bargaining process would have reared their ugly head again, as the
been completely devastating for Federal Liberal National Government
In 2015, it was time to renegotiate. our industry,” said Robert. attempts to push ahead with their anti-
After months of bargaining and worker changes.
concessions, the workers and the A 2018 report produced for the WA
employers finally agreed to reduce the Mental Health Commission into the We wrote to the Attorney-General
work swing by an entire week down mental health of FIFO workers said: and Minister for Industrial Relations,
to 23 days on and 10 days off, and to Michaelia Cash, in June, and met with
introduce domestic violence leave. “FIFO workers on even-time and politicians and crossbenchers in
shorter rosters (i.e. 2 weeks on/ Canberra to explain the need for workers
2weeks off, 8 days on/6 days off, to be able to make changes to their
5 days on/2 days off) reported working conditions before it’s too late.
significantly better outcomes on all
mental health and wellbeing We know the Federal Government
measures compared to FIFO workers will aim to introduce these changes
on longer rosters with less time for as soon as they can, so we need to be
recovery (e.g., 4 weeks on and 1 week ready to fight back, with all ETU and
off, 3 weeks on/1 week off, 2 weeks CEPU members beside us.
on/1 week off).” 1

An advertisement as part The report included other working Keep an eye out
of the Barrow Island EBA conditions such as shift times, camp for the campaign
campaign in 2015 conditions and job insecurity as launch and
contributors to declining mental actions that you
The new roster and the new leave health. These could all be addressed can take in early
provisions were locked into the new through workplace bargaining. 2022. Next year
agreement and it made an immediate mental health
difference. The work was still tough 1. 2018, Centre for Transformative Work Design, Report: will also finally
and mental health problems were still ‘Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental be properly
too common, but it was better than health and wellbeing of FIFO workers’, p.16, produced recognised in
for the Western Australian Mental Health Commission work health and
safety laws,
When we brought these issues to the company, which will help EBA campaign
they were completely reluctant to make any changes strengthen this Barrow Island
campaign.
that would benefit the workforce.

We even set up our own remote counselling program for
workers because the company refused to provide one.

If you do need to talk to someone
right now, please contact
one of the following:

► Lifeline 13 11 14

► Mates in Construction 1300 642 111
24/7 support

► MensLine Australia 1300 789 978

► Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

► Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

► Headspace 1800 650 890

► QLife 1800 184 527
5

TOGETHER
WE STOPPED
THE (OMNI)B

This year, the ETU worked with the CFMEU, ACTU and other unions
to run a national campaign against the anti-worker Omnibus Bill.
This Bill was Scott Morrison’s attempt to pave the way for wage
theft and entrenching casualisation of the workforce. But by working
together we managed to stop the worst of the Bill from going through.

The Omnibus Bill was nicknamed SCOTT MORRISON WANTED TO:
‘WorkChoices 2.0’, and in its original
form it allowed employers to use attack casual and part-time-workers by:
agreements to strip away basic award ► removing workplace rights for many casuals
conditions from workers. It aimed to ► giving employers more power to remove job security
change the definition of casuals ► removing overtime penalty rates for part-time workers.
meaning permanent employees
could be redefined as casuals, and it undercut the Better Off Overall Test (the Boot) by:
would stop workers on greenfields ► a llowing workers’ pay to be cut and conditions taken away
agreements from improving their ► r emoving the protection that every worker must be better off than the
pay or conditions for eight long years
– effectively ending bargaining in legal industry minimums (awards)
the resources sector. The Morrison ► k eeping these substandard agreements in force for an unlimited time
Government tried to argue that
these changes were necessary to (some WorkChoices agreements are still in force 12 years after
bring Australia out of the COVID-19 WorkChoices was repealed).
pandemic, but in fact the opposite
should have happened. The pandemic hand the bosses all the power on greenfields sites (i.e new projects) by:
highlighted the negative effects of ► r emoving the right of many FIFO and construction workers to negotiate
the casualised workforce, and the Bill
should have been aimed at increasing a collective agreement every four years, putting enormous strain on
job security in Australia. workers suffering under poor working conditions
► creating a class of workers with fewer rights than everyone else
► r efusing to address the health and safety risks of major projects and
FIFO work, such as issues with rostering.

screw over workers on awards by:
► c utting minimum pay and basic standards and conditions
► r emoving the right to have the independent umpire – the Fair Work

Commission – decide your case.

6

NATIONAL

BUS!

We ran our ‘Stop the Bus’ campaign “Morrison showed his true colours by
on national TV, national newspapers, attacking the casual workforce instead
online and through workplace of using this opportunity to protect
demonstrations. We asked Senators Australian workers and create more
Jacqui Lambie, Malcolm Roberts, secure employment,” said Allen.
Pauline Hanson, Stirling Griff, and Rex
Patrick to vote NO to the anti-worker Crossbench Senators Pauline Hanson,
Omnibus Bill. Malcolm Roberts, and Stirling Griff
provided the key votes that the
Almost twenty thousand Aussie Morrison Government needed to pass
workers sent over 108,000 emails to the changes for casual workers.
the crossbenchers.
“To the Liberal party and crossbencher
“Thanks to all Australians who stood politicians who supported this Bill, we
up and had their say. Because of you will not forget your lack of integrity
we were able to defeat some of the and your actions which have thrown
worst elements of this Bill," said Allen ordinary working people under the
Hicks, ETU National Secretary. bus,” said Allen.

Because of the efforts of Unions and A huge thank you to all Australians
working Australians, the ALP, Greens, who stood up and played a part in
and Senators Jacqui Lambie and supporting this campaign. Together
Senator Rex Patrick, we were able to we defeated the worst of this Bill and
block significant proposed measures. showed that Aussie workers are a force
Only the casuals changes passed, to be reckoned with.
which was a real blow but a much
better result than if the entire Bill
had gone through. The government
also shamefully removed the only
aspect of the Bill which was agreed
to by unions and employers – laws
aimed at reducing wage theft. This is
despite that aspect of the Bill having
unanimous support in the parliament.
When he saw the writing on the wall,
Scott Morrison threw the toys out of
the pram and, once again, failed to
follow through for Australian workers.

7

This year we are extremely
proud to announce that our

2021newest ETU Apprentice

of the Year is the brilliant
Kate Lucas!

Approef nthteiceKate,anapprenticeelectricianfrom

Victoria, was chosen based on her
outstanding application and interview.
She is a credit to the ETU and to her

cYear!trade, and a sign of the great calibre

of apprentices coming up through
the trade. Kate received an $8,000
scholarship as first prize.

“Kate’s application stood out to our
independent judging panel, and she
interviewed extremely well,” said ETU
national apprenticeship officer
Mark Burgess.

“Her passion for life and the Kate Lucas
commitment to her trade and the ETU 2021 Apprentice of the Year
shone through. Kate is an advocate
for other women in our industry and WINNER
maintains a high level of safety in
the workplace. She understands the This year there was not just one Finalists were chosen by an
importance of a strong electrical winner, but three prizes awarded. independent judging panel based on
licensing system and is a very A huge congratulations to Alison their answers to specific selection
deserving winner of the ETU 2021 Aberley from NSW who came runner criteria in the areas of:
National Apprentice of the Year. We up and was also a finalist in 2020.
know she will represent the ETU with She received a scholarship worth ► career and study achievements
pride throughout her career.” $1250. Apprentice electrician Jason
Constable from QLD was also highly ► communication, team and
2021AAlpisrpuorennnntAeicrbeueporf tlheeyYear commended and received a scholarship leadership skills
worth $750.
► ability to represent the ETU in the
Other finalists included Amy-Louise National Training System
Nakada from WA, Daniel Sear from
WA and Samantha Bennett from NSW. ► other pursuits and interests

We received applications from ► any other supporting
members all over Australia, and we documentation.
were so impressed by the calibre and
talent of our entrants. A big thanks to our independent
judging panel which included:

202J1haiAsgphoplnyrecCnootmicnmesoetfnatdhbeeldeYear “This is the fourth time we have ► Bob Taylor – CEO of E-Oz Energy
held the ETU National Apprentice of Skills Australia
the Year competition and year after
year we continue to see outstanding ► Christopher Watts – Social Policy
applications coming through from our Advisor for the ACTU
members. All applicants should be
congratulated on their outstanding ► Michael Cullen – Executive
contributions to their chosen trade and Officer of Future Energy Skills
to our proud Union,” said Mark.
Congratulations to all the finalists and
all applicants. You are the future of our
great Union and a sure sign of great
things to come for the electrical trades.

8

NATIONAL

Don’t be afraid
to ask questions
when you’re starting out

By Lachlan Peebles, ETU member

My name is Lachlan Peebles. One thing I wish I did better was to not I’m still asking questions
I’m 22 and I’m an apprentice sweat the small stuff, learn from my every day and I know
electrician in the electricity mistakes and do better next time.
supply industry in Queensland. plenty of tradespeople with
Joining the Union was an easy decision decades of experience
I was particularly nervous when I for me after hearing about all the great still asking questions.
started my apprenticeship. I had just things that they do for our industry,
moved towns the weekend before I such as continually fighting to improve 9
started work and was in an unfamiliar our conditions, making sure that we are
environment in a brand-new location paid well and fighting tooth and nail to
with people I had never met. However, renew our agreement and get better
everyone I came across in those first conditions every three years.
few weeks was extremely helpful and
accommodating. I believe this is what Any apprentice joining our industry
made my experience starting out easy should understand all the hard
and less stressful. work that the Union has done in the
past and continues to do to protect
For the first six months of my our conditions. We make a very
apprenticeship, not being able to do small sacrifice to allow the ETU to
much but be observant really taught continually have our backs.
me to be patient and ask plenty of
questions - talking was one thing I was At the moment I really like my job. I like
good at. the broad range of the work that we
do and I like the people I’m surrounded
If I could give one piece of advice by. Some say you hit ‘job lottery’ when
to other apprentices, it would be to gaining an apprenticeship for Energy
always ask questions. I promise it is Queensland and I truly believe this.
the best thing you can do. I’m still
asking questions every day and I know The next few months for me look like
plenty of tradespeople with decades study and plenty of preparation for
of experience still asking questions. a final capstone as I complete my
I understand there is a preconceived apprenticeship.
idea that you may look or sound silly,
but not as silly as not asking! In saying I’d like to take this opportunity to thank
that, sometimes the best lessons are all the Union members, delegates,
also learnt after making mistakes. organisers and board members for the
great work they do year in year out,
often without any appreciation. Stay
safe and thank you.

While I worked on wind farms - often there was
a complete lack of any nearby facilities.
For me, or for the men on site.

The transformer in this photo - was our toilet...literally.

– ETU member
on a wind farm in Victoria

NOWHERE TO GO

The ‘Nowhere to Go’ report, launched by the ETU in August, exposes unsanitary,
unsafe, inaccessible and unsuitable amenities faced by many workers in our
industry and how this issue is disproportionately impacting women. It also raises
deeper issues of many employers’ outdated attitudes towards women and blue-
collar workers in subjecting them to conditions which would never be tolerated in
the white-collar world.

“Why is it that the people who actually This was the sign on one of the stalls
build the buildings have worse conditions inside a toilet block for men.
than those who work in them after
they’re done?” said ETU National One stall was allocated to me and
Assistant Secretary, Michael Wright. the few other women on site.
There was also a urinal wall in
Ensuring workplace amenities, and
in particular workplace toilets, are the toilet block so we would always have to
regularly serviced, hygienic, accessible, knock and announce ourselves as entering –
and suitable should be a priority for
every workplace. All too often, for or yell out if anyone was coming in to
women in historically male-dominated let them know we were in there.
occupations, women’s amenities are
frequently treated as an inconvenience, – female electrical worker, VIC
an afterthought, or not provided at
all. For men with health issues such ETU member Sarah powerfully
as prostate problems, returning to shared her experiences to support
work can be impossible just because the Nowhere to Go' campaign
of where the bathroom is. When the
amenities do exist, they are often not
clean or hygienic, are far away from the
work site or in an unsafe location.

Women have many different needs
for bathroom amenities – they deal
with menstrual cycles, pregnancy,
post-pregnancy, breastfeeding, and
more. Not having adequate facilities is
both a threat to their health and safety
and a barrier for women’s participation
in the workforce.

ETU women from different industries
told their stories about the kind of
amenities they experienced.

10

NATIONAL

In some work sites women report My principal contractor refused
simply not drinking water at all on to provide the women
a 12-hour shift rather than leaving on site with amenities.
their post for a half hour round trip
just to use the bathroom. This is an When I brought this issue up on
unsafe practice that can leave workers site, he threatened me,
dehydrated and fatigued – but needing
to pack up a job so that one worker can a female electrical subcontractor,
be transported to the bathrooms also that I would receive no further
puts pressure on everyone to rush to contracts if I continued to
get things done quicker or delay the ‘complain’ and refuse to use
whole job. It’s an unfair choice that the men’s toilet.
workers shouldn’t have to make.
– ETU member
Additionally, women face major
barriers when attempting to address CAMPAIGN PROGRESS
these issues. They face employers who
believe that the provision of adequate We launched the report virtually in
amenities will somehow provide September with special guest and
women with ‘special treatment’. shadow minister for Sydney the Hon.
Tanya Plibersek. The report attracted a
This attitude contributes to workplace huge amount of media coverage, with
cultures that shut women out and stories on ABC, Channel Seven News,
encourage inappropriate behaviours, news.com, Women’s Agenda and more.
including bullying, aggression, and
the objectification of women. In September we held a follow-up
workshop which included helpful
The ‘Nowhere to Go’ report outlines information about how to approach
10 recommendations for change across politicians to start the process of
legislation, industry and regulation. legislative change. The workshop
These recommendations aim to lift the also established state groups who
minimum standards for all workers in discussed who their political target
our industries, not just for women. would be and when they would
approach them.
Substandard amenities have been a
long-standing issue in the industry for ETU members have been planning
all genders, with the Union having run meetings with their state politicians,
successful campaigns for over 30 years. supported by an official, asking for a
Now it’s time for legislation to change commitment to change.
to ensure it meets the needs of all
members of our Union, wherever they’re In November we also held a National
working, now and into the future. Day of Action to increase awareness of
this issue.

»»»»»» “Getting women into our industries campaign and create the necessary
and trades is not enough if we are not change for us all. Toilets and their
WHAT IS building structures and environments associated amenities should be a right,
that consider their needs as part of not a privilege.”
»N»EX»T»?»» normal business,” said ETU National
Women’s Officer Ellen McNally. The ETU thanks the many ETU women,
and in particular the ETU National
“We have a responsibility to make our Women’s Committee and Affirmative
workplaces safe for everybody at work, Action Representatives, for generously
now more than ever before and if one sharing their experiences and photos in
of us is not safe at work, none of us are the report, on social media,
safe at work. I hope our membership and in media interviews.
and governments can get behind this

Visit etunational.asn.au/women_have_nowhere_to_go for information
on how you can support this campaign, tell your story, sign our national
petition and spread the word about this issue.

11

no
From the State Secretary

CTHE FIGHT GOES ON
CEPU SA members are Lift industry Union members at Our Union has also been working with
currently fighting to improve or Schindler took strike action and Migrante Australia, a Filipino migrant
maintain wages and conditions instituted work bans in their fight advocacy organisation, at the Eyre Link
across several industries. to achieve an enterprise agreement Transmission Project.
that protects their current rostering
Members at SA Water are taking arrangements. Their solidarity and The Union believes Downer, who is
industrial action to fight against resolve have paid off! The company the principal contractor in charge of
changes to rostering arrangements were forced to capitulate and as a the construction project, is in breach
that would adversely impact on result our members continue to enjoy a of its obligations under the EA as its
personal and family time. 36 hour, four day week. subcontractor Catalpa is providing
wages and conditions below those
SA SA Power Networks and Enerven contained within the Downer EA.
members are still in their long-running
industrial campaign which has involved The Union, with the help of Migrante
taking action against proposed two- Australia, is reaching out to the
tiered wage rates. This scheme would employees of Catalpa, most of
have driven down wages and job whom are Filipino workers engaged
security across the whole electricity on temporary work visas, to ensure
supply industry. Our industrial action these workers receive the rates and
campaign has so far seen the company conditions we believe they are entitled
back down on their claims that would to under the Downer EA.
lower wages and job security, but
the fight for a fair and reasonable The ongoing pandemic has
agreement outcome is not over just yet. meant times have been tough
and our members have been
Members in the fire protection industry impacted across a range of
are having to take strike action to try industries but our Union fights
and achieve a fair wages outcome on for a fair deal regardless.
that maintains Union wage rates in
the industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant
that we have had to change the way
we fight for members. In July we
had to be agile and shift at the last
minute to holding an online rally when
lockdown orders prevented hitting
the street outside the SA Power
Networks/Enerven head office. We are
also holding more online and phone
conference meetings with members.

John Adley
CEPU SA State Secretary

12

By Jess Rogers, SA
CEPU SA Assistant Secretary and industrial officer

The CEPU SA branch has spent another year hunting
wage-stealing bosses and this year we’ve already
recovered over $100,000 in wages for members.
To add insult to injury the Branch has been making
bosses stump up court-ordered penalties (pecuniary
penalties), which added up to $23,000 in the last few
months of 2020.
The CEPU SA has been successfully using
underpayments as a recruitment tool because if one
employee is being underpaid, others usually are too.
We’ve gotten so good at running penalty cases that in
2021 we started teaching others unions in SA how to
run these matters.
In a time when the Liberal government has flipped
industrial legislation against workers, these
cases are a glimmer of hope and a source

waaFgIwGeHatTrhIeNofnGtofpowerforCEPUmembers.

Jess Rogers speaking at a
Wage Theft rally in Adelaide

13

By Benjamin Jewell, organiser, CEPU SA

SAME JOB, LESS PAYWorkers at SA Power Networks/

WWEE SSAYEnerven(SAPN/Enerven)have

been bargaining with their
employer for a new agreement
for over 15 months, while the
company has stubbornly tried

NO WAY!toblockanyprogress.
The company initially tried every trick remove contractor protection and alter The exploitation of power workers
in the book to avoid coming to the entitlements to dispute resolution and by greedy corporates is a pattern
bargaining table – including simply consultation. The company’s claims seen across much of Australia. These
declaring they wouldn’t bargain at all also included provisions that threaten workers are critical in providing
(which is not legal). We took SAPN/ employees job security by removing essential services and their employers
Enerven to the Fair Work Commission limitations and conditions around love to make good money off their
and were successful in forcing them the use of labour hire and contract work, yet they give no credit to the
back to the table. workers. workers who do the hard yards. The
workers at SAPN/Enerven deserve
Since then, our members have shown "The greed and oppression of this better and they’ll fight until they get it.
SAPN/Enerven that they’re serious company is unbelievable. They want to
about standing up for their rights. So take money away from workers they In September, our members had a
far, the workers have embarked on haven't even employed yet!" said CEPU significant win when the company
a comprehensive industrial action State Councillor Jason Lailey. withdrew four of their five worst
campaign including live work bans, claims. The withdrawn claims would
strikes and rallies outside head office. In 2020, frontline workers endured have seen a two-tiered wage system
The workers have voted down three incredibly tough conditions during the installed with new workers paid 20%
proposed agreements and in retaliation bushfires to restore power. They were less and they would have removed/
the company stood some workers praised by the company for keeping diluted the clauses that place
down. the lights on for their community, but limitations on the use and wage rates
when it came to paying fair wages of contractors and labour hire.
In their most recent offer, SAPN/ SAPN/Enerven turned the other cheek.
Enerven wanted to pay new workers The privately owned company makes This is great progress, but the struggle
20% less than current workers hundreds of millions in profits each is not over, yet.
(creating a two-tiered wage system), year, but it still doesn’t want to treat
employees fairly.

14

SA

CthEePlUigShtAs monemfobr ethrse hcaovmemkeupntity oSuAtsPidoewSerAwPoorwkeerrshoenadsqtruiakertaetrsa rally

CEPU SA State Councillors, officials
and some CEPU SA delegates 

15

o

n
oeMembers at SA Water nBySimonPisoni,organiser,CEPUSA SA Water delegate Paul
Grey at Swan Reach Town
Water Treatment Plant

FIGHT TO PROTECT

Our members at SA Water their hours
are fighting to preserve their
current workplace rights as We’ve worked with other unions Since then, with the assistance of the
the company tries to give including the Australian Manufacturing Commissioner, the two bargaining
them a worse deal in a new Workers’ Union (AMWU) and United meetings that have followed have been
enterprise agreement (EA). Workers’ Union (UWU) to achieve a more productive. The Commissioner
‘no’ vote to their proposed EA which made it clear to SA Water that they
SA Water wants to remove would cover over 1400 employees. The would not tolerate an attitude to
consultation requirements for major blue-collar workers are outnumbered bargaining which was not in good faith.
change in the workplace, including by office workers at a ratio of about 3:1,
varying the start and finish times of so we put a lot of effort into making It is a testament to our members at
workers. SA Water stated that the sure the office workers understood SA Water that they stood firm and
business requires employees covering the detrimental effect the changes continued the fight. Because of their
24/7, however it wants to avoid paying would have on their blue-collar united stand, we are confident of
penalty rates for overtime and out-of- workmates. To their credit, the majority achieving an outcome that provides
hours work by making ‘ordinary hours of them voted ‘no’ in support of their members with stability in relation to
of work’ anything between 6am and workmates. hours of work.
6pm. Workers' shift times could change
within these hours without much notice Eventually our members gave notice
and without their consent. to SA Water that they would take
protected industrial action. SA Water
Our hard-working members already retaliated by trying to force all of our
cover out-of-hours work through technical/trades members to sign
on-call and planned overtime shifts a deed that confirmed they would
(where they are paid extra) and so far not participate in industrial action. If
there has never been an issue with they refused, they were told to leave
labour shortages. their vehicles at the depot, leave
the depot and not come back until
These changes would put pressure they were ready to sign. We made an
on workers who need to coordinate urgent application to the Fair Work
childcare, family and social Commission to stop this and the
commitments, sport and more. SA Commissioner agreed to facilitate
Water has prioritised cost-cutting over a return to the bargaining table on
its employees’ wellbeing and pretends the condition that all sides removed
it is about lowering the cost of water industrial action.
for consumers.

16

n no
SA
nfIotr’sWthiymalela Steelworks toByJamesSmith,CEPUdelegateandLeighFewster,CEPUdelegateo
reward their workforce

In 2016 the Whyalla unions the CEPU, AMWU, AWU and the and dispute clauses which would
Steelworks in South Australia CFMEU to enter into EBA negotiations give them more power and remove
went bust, pointing to a bleak feeling confident. Taking the global independent dispute umpires.
future for the remote town’s pandemic into account, our Union
20,000 residents and workers. approach in March 2020 was simply a Despite continuing controversy over
rollover of the current two agreements Gupta’s reliance on failed finance
It was a bitter pill to swallow but (mining and steel) and pay percentage firm Greensill, the company’s senior
eventually the Steelworks was bought increases. management still refused our
by Sanjeev Gupta’s company GFG simple offer to roll over the current
Alliance. There was no Whyalla wipeout. The Whyalla EA modernisation team agreement. Instead they offered pay
declined and instead wanted full increases which fell below inflation –
The purchase of the company was renegotiation with the combined 0% for 2020, 1.5% for 2021 and 1.5%
made possible in part by workers who unions, that wouldn’t start until June. for 2022. Since 2016 the company
made big sacrifices including a 10% has had some record profits and seen
pay reduction to save their livelihoods. After 14 months of negotiations the favourable market conditions hitting
EA modernisation team were still both peak iron prices and production
Six years later however, ‘Whyalla’s intent on pushing through a condensed rates – while workers are not even able
Man of Steel’ Sanjeev Gupta is far singular agreement which covers to recoup the 10% sacrifice they made
from being the revered hero. The mining and steelworks manufacturing. for the good of the Steelworks.
transformation projects and transition Whyalla Steelworks wanted to
into ‘green steel’ have yet to eventuate. introduce salaries and grandfather At the time of writing, negotiations are
Projects such as a pumped hydro plant, some allowances which would create stalled and the Steelworks are still
rolling mill, coke ovens, furnaces, a wage disparity between current shift trying to push their unfair offer.
solar farm and more are nowhere near workers, those who will transition into
finished, and some haven’t even started. 12-hour shifts, and new employees to Our Union will continue the push to
the business and contractors who are keep the current agreements and fight
Nevertheless, operations have turned performing full time roles. They also for the protection of our conditions
around which allowed combined wanted major changes to consultation and entitlements, which leave us all
better off!

on
Whyalla Steelworks
17

Why income
protection is
so important
n

CEPU SA member Josh knows all too well how
things can change in an instant, and why it’s vital
to have good income protection.

On his last motorbike ride a few weeks Just two days later his partner Skye “I was shown a lot of support during
before his partner was due to have a went into an early labour and his one of the shittier times in my life,
baby, he had a terrible accident and first son was born. Josh was still which I was very fortunate to have,”
almost lost his life. in the ICU and attended the birth said Josh.
through FaceTime on his smartphone,
Josh was out riding with two friends on eventually meeting his little boy Xander It was the Union that reminded Josh
a backroad in Monarto, north-east of for the first time in the hospital. After a about income protection and let him
Adelaide when the accident happened. week in intensive care, he was moved know he should exercise his right to
He was unconscious and lost a lot of to other wards in the hospital for support if he was going to be off the
blood before paramedics eventually another few weeks, getting out in early tools for a while. Seven weeks after
arrived on the scene. His two friends February. the accident Josh applied for income
performed urgent first aid in that first protection and was successful. Having
30 minutes that likely saved his life. At this time Josh started to really a regular income helped put his mind
worry about his income. His partner at ease as he no longer had to worry
When the paramedics finally arrived, wasn’t working as she had just had about how to provide for his family and
they kept Josh stable for about three the baby and suddenly he couldn’t pay the bills. While it didn’t cover his
hours until a helicopter arrived to either. Josh works as an electrician in whole regular income, it was really
transport him to hospital where he the construction industry and while important in supporting them during
underwent a six-hour surgery. his boss Scott Mofflin and wife Helen those tough few months and allowed
Mofflin, had been very supportive after Josh to focus on his recovery.
Josh suffered blood loss, kidney the accident, creating a GoFundMe
failure, had his spleen and part of his fundraiser to assist financially, the “You never know what can happen
pancreas removed, a punctured lung, funds weren’t going to last forever. and when you’ll need life insurance or
four fractured vertebrae, fractured The Union also reached out to Josh’s income protection,” said Josh.
knee, ribs, hip and pelvis, muscular family as soon as they heard about the
issues and more. His partner was told accident to offer their support and they Now after six months Josh has made
to say her goodbyes as there was a also held a fundraiser to help support a gradual return to work, supported
chance he wouldn’t make it. the young family. by income protection via the 'EBA
Marsh (JLT) Electrical & Plumbing
Thankfully Josh pulled through the You never know what can Discretionary Trust Arrangement,
surgery and was put in an induced happen and when you’ll which also provided a third-party
coma to recover for the first 18 hours, need life insurance or service to assist him in getting cleared
before waking up in the intensive for work and returning in a safe gradual
care unit (ICU). income protection. way, without risking further injury.

18

Seeing Josh’s workmates SA
and fellow Union members rally
Josh Matonia and The trauma of the accident is still with
workmate Kaed Whenan Josh, but he is glad there’s help and around him and contribute to
support available to help him process the fundraising makes me
what happened to himself and his family. proud to be Union.

“The income support was really - CEPU organiser Paul Scudds
valuable but also the mental health
support. The mental side of it is For now, Josh is happy being busy and
massive,” he said. back at work where he can get back
to a good financial level. He is also
“Getting help to process the trauma grateful for the support the Union and
has been really important, both others have shown him throughout this
through my doctor and through ‘Mates tough year.
in Construction’. Often friends and
workmates don’t quite understand “I’ve relied on the Union before and
these sorts of challenges because they they’ve always been there to support
can’t see them. The trauma and the me,” said Josh.
memory of it will stick with me for a
very long time.” CEPU organiser Paul Scudds says
Josh’s story highlights the importance
“I want people to know that there’re of having a union-backed income
places you can get help if you’re protection policy in your EBA.
struggling.”
“Some employers try to run with
self-insurance or claim to be able to
provide the same level of cover through
a different provider. But the reality
is, they don’t provide the additional
ongoing support members need when
they suffer major trauma.” he said.

“Being able to help members get the
support they and their families need is
one of the best parts of being a Union
organiser. Without union support,
services like ‘Mates in Construction’
wouldn’t be available. Seeing Josh’s
workmates and fellow Union members
rally around him and contribute to
the fundraising makes me proud to
be Union.”

Skye, Xander and Josh The income support
was really valuable
but also the mental

health support.
The mental side of it

is massive.

19

Shipbuilding Federal (Labor) member for the
seat of Adelaide Steve Georganas
CHAOS talks with members from BAE

in South Australia
Incompetent Federal Government By Simon Pisoni, organiser, CEPU SA
creates costly delays
and a capability gap

Shipbuilding in South Unions have been rallying against it was partly due to their commitment
Australia remains plagued these project failures, forewarning to including 58% Australian materials
with delays due to the Federal the nicknamed ‘valley of death’ as inside the ships, creating jobs within
Government’s failure to meet we predicted that a huge part of the the Australian manufacturing and
key deadlines on contracts and shipbuilding workforce would lose supply industry. The reality is closer to
plans. Normally government their jobs in these gaps. Unfortunately, 30% Australian materials in the ships,
contracts and decisions would because the government couldn’t do its far below their original commitment.
ensure that one shipbuilding job, that’s exactly what is happening.
project would follow another, For the remaining 30% materials, many
but instead we’re experiencing After over eight years of the Liberal Australian manufacturing companies
huge gaps between projects. National Party (LNP), we still do not have have invested in staff, products and
a definitive date for cutting steel for the materials to go into the ships. They’ve
Hunter class frigates that will replace been working to previously agreed
our Navy’s aging Anzac class fleet. deadlines for these ships, but now
these companies are worried they may
The true cost of the delays not get paid for another 18 months
is not just limited to until the project actually starts. The
employment opportunities Federal Government’s incompetence
in the shipyards. When leaves businesses vulnerable to
shipbuilding company bankruptcy and ultimately slashes jobs
BAE won the contract for in manufacturing and supply.
the Hunter class frigates

Hunter class frigate

The Federal Government’s incompetence leaves The Attack class submarines
businesses vulnerable to bankruptcy and ultimately will no longer go ahead

slashes jobs in manufacturing and supply.

20

AUKUS submarine deal will SA
destroy jobs and create
a nuclear-sized problem

The newly announced AUKUS deal will reduce Australian jobs and
sovereign capability and could be a dangerous step towards lifting
Australia’s prohibition on nuclear.

Shipbuilding workers in South Australia security risks, and two generations of ETU national industry
and French company Naval Group Australian workers will lose access to coordinator Matt Murphy
were blindsided by an announcement highly skilled, well-paying, secure jobs.
by Scott Morrison in September that That will be the disastrous result of Already there is strong support within
the $90B contract forthe Collins class the rushed decision,” said ETU national Coalition ranks for a homegrown
replacement Attack class submarines industry coordinator Matt Murphy. nuclear power industry. The Minerals
(of which at least $2.5B has already Council of Australia were quick to point
been spent) has been torn up in favour At its peak, employment on the French out the ‘opportunity’ the submarine
of a deal with the United States for contract of around 900 tradespeople announcement created for expanding
nuclear powered submarines. was scheduled to be reached by 2030. nuclear technology in Australia.
At least 5000 jobs in the supply chain
The agreement between the three were also likely to be created. In reality though, the USA will never
countries, Australia, United Kingdom share this level of technology and the
and United States (AUKUS), will go Our Union will demand a role in the work will be done overseas, regardless
beyond submarines and cover sharing review so we can advocate on behalf of our nuclear capabilities in Australia.
knowledge about advanced military of our members for a thriving, non- We won’t get anywhere near the jobs,
technology. nuclear, shipbuilding industry to be skills or expertise that we were going
kept in Australia. to get out of the French deal, and
Work, which was already delayed, was the delays will be far greater. The
due to begin on the diesel electric- NUCLEAR RISK nuclear lobby will simply use this
powered submarines in 2024. Now, announcement as a stalking horse to
the nuclear submarines (SSNs) don’t The submarines will be powered by try and introduce nuclear power into
even have a start date and will undergo nuclear technology, which betrays Australia.
at least 18 months of scoping before Australia’s non-nuclear policy and
any work commences. They won’t be opens doors to a dangerous and NEXT STEPS
operational until at least the 2040s. unnecessary domestic nuclear power
industry, weapons proliferation In the meantime, the Morrison Federal
The new deal means that Australia and regional arms race. Our Government has finally, at long last
will likely need to lease foreign SSNs regional neighbours, including decided to keep the existing Collins
and nuclear specialist crew in the Indonesia and Malaysia, have issued class submarine maintenance full-
interim. It means we will have a further statements condemning the surprise cycle docking jobs in SA. This is highly
dependence on the US and will lose announcement. specialised work, and the workers
a significant amount of our sovereign and skills are in South Australia
capability because we won’t hold the The ETU is strongly against the already. Whilst we are happy with the
high-tech skills or knowledge of how to deployment of nuclear power in outcome, it’s still the case that workers
fix and operate the SSNs. More (if not Australia because of the risks shouldn’t be tossed around like a
all) of the work will need to be done associated with the mining and political football. The existing Collins
overseas. The SSNs will also include extraction of uranium, the huge class submarines will have their life
20% less Australian materials compared build costs, the terrible and deadly extended to avoid a capability gap
to the previous French contract. consequences to environmental and before the new submarines are built.
human health when incidents occur
“This is likely to cost Australia much and its potential to take us down the We urge every member in SA, and
needed engineering, manufacturing, and path of devastating weaponry. every member who cares about
construction jobs,” said ETU National Australian manufacturing and
Assistant Secretary Michael Wright. “We don’t need a nuclear industry, and sovereignty, to think about the future of
we don’t need to be subsidising the USA shipbuilding in Australia when casting
“In our view, and regardless of the or UK in theirs. We have cheaper, more your vote in the next federal election.
method of propulsion, it’s likely that reliable and environmentally friendly
any decision of the Department’s renewable energy options that create 21
review will favour building any many more jobs,” said ETU National
new subs in the US or UK due to Assistant Secretary Michael Wright.

Erin Hennessey with CEPU SA
members from CHUBB

»Closing » By Erin Hennessy, organiser, CEPU SA
the pay gap
in our industries

Over the past year we’ve behind per week. Members at CHUBB there is some fear out there in the
made some great progress took industrial action to maintain their industry, workers need to have courage
with enterprise agreements current position and were locked out and take the leap together.
(EAs) in the sprinkler, for an entire week. Undeterred, the
electrical fire, sanitary sprinkler members have only become In the mechanical services industry
plumbing and mechanical more determined not to go backwards there is a new player in town – D&E
services industries. on wages. At the time of writing the Airconditioning. This company has
workers have been locked out again for come over from the eastern states
In the sprinkler industry we have been a further two weeks. and so far seems to be doing the
able to close the pay gap between right thing by the workers and their
most of the companies and bring back The electrical fire EA recently got unions. Any ruffles have been ironed
the 36hr week for some companies. voted through by one vote with a pay out quickly. They are steadily growing
Most EAs included pay rises of rise of 2.5%. This agreement is not a their workforce and have brought some
between 3.5%-4%. Union endorsed agreement. We know members from other states who have
these workers deserve more. now joined the CEPU SA.
However, one company, CHUBB Fire,
is resisting these increases and only In the sanitary plumbing industry, we
offering a 2% pay rise. Its workers are negotiated two of the three major
already at the bottom of the scale on company EAs last year, however there
wages so this would see them fall from is still a long way to go to regain any
approximately $25 per week behind position we once had in the industry.
other companies to a whopping $230 The only way we can do this is if more
employees get on board. Although
22

no13 months of negotiations and
16 weeks of industrial action. I want to
From the State Secretary pay credit to the strength and resolve
shown by all ETU members during this
dispute and pay special mention to the

emany delegates who went above and

Strong and smart beyondduringthisdispute.
delivers for ETU members Ausgrid had taken an aggressive
NSACW&T approach throughout, seeking to impose
The NSW & ACT branch, NSW & ACTBargaining overlapped at Ausgrid, a wage freeze and deep cuts to staffing
under new leadership, has Endeavour Energy, Transgrid, Essential and conditions. A key element of our
taken a strong but strategic Energy and Sydney Trains. A significant campaign was to name and shame the
approach to EBA campaigns number of ETU members are employed industry super funds – Australian Super
at the five biggest employers by one of the big five – so the outcomes and IFM Investors, that majority-own
of ETU members. will set the pay and conditions of most Ausgrid. These industry super funds
Branch members for the next few years. were created by a long-running trade
From the start, the Branch has been union campaign and prosper off the back
determined to fight hard to achieve the of workers’ capital. We demanded they
best possible results members need intervene to protect the rights of the
and deserve. Hard fought and honest workers they employ.
campaigns with and for ETU members
is the only way forward. We make no We won’t win everything we seek in
apology for taking industrial action every campaign we run. But I put every
where an employer fails to table an employer on notice: the ETU NSW &
acceptable offer. ACT branch is not going to roll over for
any of you.
Our strategies, developed and
implemented closely with delegates, When it comes to wages and conditions,
have aimed to cause maximum make a decent offer or expect a blue.
disruption to recalcitrant employers,
with minimum loss for ETU members. I want to thank every ETU delegate and
We have also focused heavily on legal, member for your hard work throughout
media and community engagement these EBA campaigns. You deserve to
strategies to complement our walk tall and take pride in your efforts.
industrial action.
I also want to acknowledge the
We’re getting results. Read on for continuation of the great work happening
our report on Endeavour Energy, in the construction sector. The results
where workers won a 7.95% pay continue to impress due largely to the
rise, an additional 1.5% increase in great work of our officials and delegates.
superannuation taking it to 16.5% over
the life of the EBA and a much-improved To all ETU members across the many
Electrical Licence Allowance. This was and varied industries in which you work,
achieved after nine days of industrial thanks for your continuing support. I look
action, including switching bans, after forward to working with every one of you
the company initially offered a 1.3% in the years ahead.
pay rise.
Proud to be Union.
At Ausgrid, ETU members are currently
considering a much-improved offer from We won’t win everything we seek
in every campaign we run.
management as I write this.
The dispute involved over But I put every employer on notice:
the ETU NSW & ACT branch is

not going to roll over for any of you.

Allen Hicks
NSW & ACT State Secretary

23

The ETU negotiating team - Troy Fewings, Chris Tyrrel,
ETU organiser Brad Currey, Tony McCarthy, lead delegate
Noel Mahon, Nathan Gale, Pete Johnson, (Absent) Scott
Buckley, Jareth Woolsey, Dave Campbell and Ellen McNally

nno
Switching ban delivered

cEEnBdABeaRvEoAuKrTEHnReOrUgGy H
ETU members at NSW The list of legally protected industrial ENDEAVOUR ENERGY EBA
electricity distributor actions included bans, limitations and SNAPSHOT:
Endeavour Energy have won stoppages, but it was the switching ban
their best agreement in more that ignited the dispute. The switching ► pay rises 7.95% over three years
than 10 years thanks to a ban applied to planned work had an ► three annual 0.5%
powerful industrial campaign. immediate impact, drawing aggressive
retaliation from Endeavour Energy. superannuation increases
The outcome delivers a pay rise close ► E lectrical License Allowance
to 8% over three years plus significant The company notified workers that any ► s uperannuation paid on parental
improvements to conditions for around employee applying a partial ban would
800 ETU members. be docked an entire day’s pay. leave
► improved outcomes for defined
Workers will also receive three annual ETU delegates were set to launch a
0.5% superannuation increases – union support fund to help compensate benefit shiftworkers.
bringing their guaranteed employer any workers stood down – but after two
contributions to 16.5%. weeks of industrial action, Endeavour ETU organiser Brad Currey at
Energy tapped the mat. Endeavour Energy depot meeting
The Endeavour Energy package set
a benchmark as hard-fought EBA Management agreed to resume
campaigns continued across the NSW negotiations based on the most recent
electricity sector, with negotiations offer tabled by the ETU.
also in play at Ausgrid, Essential
Energy and Transgrid. The ETU agreed to suspend industrial
action after Endeavour Energy
Endeavour Energy initially offered a committed to repaying the wages of
single 1.3% pay rise, plus super, in a 1.5 any workers who had been docked.
year agreement.
Within days a draft EBA was endorsed
A non-union EBA put out by the in-principle at a mass meeting and later
company in June was strongly rejected accepted by 97% in the formal vote.
by ETU members because it would
have cut real wages and conditions. ETU organiser Brad Currey
congratulated all ETU members who
When the company failed to make an took part in the campaign.
acceptable offer, the ETU launched
a protected action ballot which was “The result was a stunning turnaround
overwhelmingly voted up. from the company’s original offer. A
unified workforce emerged victorious,”
24 he said.

IMPRESSIVE LEADERSHIP

iETU delegates say“IwasveryimpressedbytheETU
leadership from Allen Hicks and Brad

Currey. I’m extremely happy with the

outcome. UNITED AND STRONG COMMUNICATIONS

The campaign strategy was a change “This was the strongest the Union has WERE KEY

from the last 40 years. We had to take been at Endeavour Energy for many “As delegates we faced new challenges NSW & ACT
industrial action and that got a decent years. As a result, we got the best wages running an industrial campaign during

outcome. Without that, we’d still be outcome we’ve had in almost a decade. the pandemic.

sitting at 1.3%. We also got important clauses up

We quickly realised that

COVID forced us to change with including super paid on parental leave communications were key. We had

virtual mass meetings and delegates which is a first for the Australian power to adapt to new technology but that
meetings – but that will be a positive industry. actually enabled us to organise better

for the future. Technology enabled us We were united and strong and we and we learned a lot from it.
to communicate our message straight prevailed. I want to pay special tribute
from the Union leadership to the rank- to the amazing crews at Moss Vale and The Endeavour Energy delegate group
and-file.” elsewhere who stood strong against met frequently, even daily at the height
of industrial action. Our approach was

- Noel Mahon company threats. to inflict the maximum impact on the
technologist company with the minimum pain for
The aggressive tactics from ETU members. That was a popular
management are a sign of Endeavour strategy.
Energy’s future direction.”

- Ellen McNally Every night me and the other delegates
faults and emergency operator would email and call the members
about the next day’s action. The
members really got on board and
supported the campaign.

The final outcome was fair and
reasonable given the climate.”

- Peter Johnson
live lineworker

Ellen McNally

25

ETU CLEANS UP THE DIRTY

The renewables industry is experiencing a once-in-a-generation By Nick Bligh, organiser, ETU NSW & ACT
opportunity for investment and jobs in regional areas of NSW with
already established Renewable Energy Zones in the New England,
Central West and South West.

The ETU welcomes investment privately-owned to benefit private Solar farms present challenges for
into regional NSW but the labour shareholders? The Clean Energy unions as the construction phase, when
standards and the establishment of a Council promotes itself as the peak hundreds of electrical workers are on
Just Transition from coal-fired power body. How can they promote an site, typically lasts less than a year.
stations has so far been lacking. industry with a litany of safety issues The locations are remote where land
and questionable labour standards is cheap and adjacent to transmission
Numerous multinationals have that favour multinationals over local power lines.
invested into solar farms. Their lack of companies?
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Despite this, the ETU has made
procedures, inadequate consultation The industry is founded on bidding significant progress organising the
with unions and systemic failures to low for the project, then getting in solar sector over the past two years.
pay employees and subcontractors and trying to cut costs and exploit We have been visible on remote sites,
properly has seen the sector labelled a labour. Many are foreign workers who recruiting hundreds and beginning to
‘cowboy industry’. do not understand the award system build delegate and Health and Safety
and minimum National Employment Representative (HSR) structures.
The NSW Government and Safework Standards in Australia. We have exposed dangerous and
NSW have been asleep at the wheel exploitative practices, gaining wide
in properly regulating the solar farm Australians who speak up about issues media coverage that embarrassed
sector. They failed to develop a proper on these jobs are generally bound by major contractors and helped force
tender framework during a dramatic casualised common law contracts – if change. We have vigorously pursued
increase in development applications they raise issues, the companies can the industrial rights and entitlements
to fund, develop, construct and own fire them in a heartbeat. of solar farm workers, winning over
solar assets. $102K backpay at one site.
Many unlicenced or inexperienced
What is particularly concerning is that workers in the industry are also forced The ETU’s work continues. As workers
not one solar or wind plant in NSW to do tasks they shouldn’t be doing to move from one site to another, we
is under public ownership. Electricity cut costs on hiring of local licensed are increasingly able to maintain
generation is an absolute necessity electricians. The solar industry has the Union relationship, and we see
in Australia so why is it that the large a culture of intimidation and black others who we know as former ETU
majority of our renewable sector is banning of people who speak up urban construction and infrastructure
against these unsafe practices. workers coming into the sector.

26

SIDE OF »»» Major safety breaches
at the solar farm

CLEAN ENERGY NSW & ACT

We have also faced considerable Organiser Nick Bligh ETU CALLS FOR INDUSTRY-
resistance. In 2020 I was forcibly driven WIDE ACTION AFTER
to the Wellington police station by a SOLAR FARM WORKERS SOLAR FARM NEAR-MISS
solar farm site manager, but with some BACKPAID $102,082 AFTER
companies and contractors we’ve UNION ACTION ETU members working in the
built a better working relationship that construction of the Suntop Solar Farm
benefits all parties. Labour hire firm Spinifex backpaid site near Wellington documented
$102,082.53 to electrical workers at shocking safety, hygiene and
However, the serious issues I’ve Suntop Solar Farm after ETU action. amenities issues.
outlined are not going to be solved
by the ETU alone. Government, ETU organiser Nick Bligh, investigating Of most concern was vision of a crane
regulators, industry bodies and local after reports from members, found an lifting a large shipping container that
communities need to work together award breach left large numbers of barely cleared the roof of a lunch shed
with the Union to develop policy reform workers underpaid. full of workers.
and enforcement.
“Spinifex employees are employed The life-threatening incident was
That is the only way to clean up the as casuals, often working 11-hour picked up by the media as the ETU
dirty side of clean energy. days. They are not highly paid. It’s called SafeWork NSW, which issued
disappointing to see the company fail three improvement notices.
to meet basic standards,” said Nick.
“The ETU has identified dangerous
and exploitative conditions throughout
the industry,” said ETU NSW & ACT
Secretary Allen Hicks.

“An effective industry-wide solution is
needed before a worker is killed.’

ETU members at
the Suntop solar farm

27

Next generation

ctakes centre stage
A sustained organising drive
has seen apprentice numbers ETU NSW & ACT
double in three and a half apprentice officer
years at ETU NSW & ACT.
Tara Koot
Numerous workplace leaders are
emerging with seven apprentice Apprentices are the future
delegates supported by ETU of our trade. They will
apprentice officer Tara Koot.
always be an ETU priority.
“Our organising work has built a
platform for our industrial aims,” Mental health support and minimum At Sydney Trains, apprentices make
said Tara. supervision requirements are also on up 25% of nearly 1,000 ETU members.
the ETU apprentice agenda. Five apprentice delegates guided the
“There’s a constant need to get group through a successful PAB to set
basic information and support to While the campaign for apprentice up an industrial campaign.
new apprentices. Many had little EBAs continues, the Branch has
understanding of their rights and negotiated apprentice clauses into Zoom meetings engaged ETU
knew almost nothing about unions.” other industry agreements. apprentice members throughout the
EBA campaigns. The union’s $50 and
At the time of writing, the ETU had “We are proud to have supervision t-shirt incentive campaigns fuelled
negotiated its first apprentice EBA requirements for apprentices in a further recruitment.
with Electrogroup, one of 26 electrical growing number of EBAs. We’re
apprentice training organisations in pushing hard for the NSW State The ETU explored all avenues to
NSW and the ACT. Government and SafeWork NSW reach non-members, including an
to incorporate these requirements. ‘Apprentices and COVID’ survey that
The agreement, while awaiting Fair Apprentice safety is one of our top attracted widespread interest.
Work approval, was challenged by priorities,” said Tara.
Electrogroup’s main competitor, NECA “Connecting with and organising young
group training. This year has seen hard-fought EBA workers is the biggest single challenge
campaigns at five of the Branch’s facing the trade union movement,’ said
“It’s disgraceful to see NECA attempt largest employers across the Allen Hicks.
to stand in the way of decent and electricity and rail sectors. The ETU
long overdue improvements for ensured that apprentices were able “Apprentices are the future of our trade.
apprentices,” said ETU NSW & ACT to exercise their rights to vote in They will always be an ETU priority.”
Secretary Allen Hicks. protected action ballots (PABs) and
take industrial action.
“Our Union is determined to lift
industry standards not just at
Electrogroup, but at NECA, the
other group trainers, and wherever
apprentices are employed.”

Tara Koot said today’s apprentices are
more diverse in age, gender, ethnicity
and background compared to just a few
years ago – which makes retention a
high priority.

“The ETU is fighting for apprentices to
get a living wage – currently a first-year
junior apprentice can be paid 34.9%
lower than the national minimum wage.”

28

Other women in the trade have been Passion
my biggest resource and my biggest strength,
giving me the confidence to keep my head high, for people

and push forward to do what I wanted.
A good pair of boots also helps.

By Carlin Morton, Ausgrid apprentice delegate

I entered the trade straight out of high NSW & ACT
school and found a passion for the
industry and the people.

It was a big hurdle for many of us in
joining the Union, and in trying to find
help when we needed it. I saw that we
needed someone to help with that, and
I was glad to become an ETU delegate.

I’m a new delegate, but I’ve already
started an online group chat to help
send information to my peers, no
matter how spread out we are, from
different workgroups to different cities.

Other women in the trade have been

Carlin Morton my biggest resource and my biggest
strength, giving me the confidence to

keep my head high, and push forward

to do what I wanted. A good pair of

100%unionByToddWelsh, boots also helps.
100%activeSydneyTrainsapprenticedelegate
Trying to build a strong We have weekly apprentice meetings
apprentice Union presence in our group and that helps build a Todd Welsh
during a pandemic can be stronger bond between us. Creating
difficult, but I have been slowly a strong sense of solidarity has been 29
chipping away. amazing to see, and we can only get
stronger from here.
I realised when I took on the role that
communications between members I love to read about previous
needed to improve. I started collecting movements from all over the world. I
the phone numbers of my members and love the solidarity, the passion and the
reaching out. I’m always open for a chat. outlook that they can achieve anything
they want.
I’m keen to get involved with the other
delegates and help resolve disputes I’m keen to get involved with
for our apprentices. It gives me and the the other delegates and
members confidence that action is being
taken. help resolve disputes for our
apprentices. It gives me and
I am striving towards 100% Union the members confidence that
membership and getting my
members active. action is being taken.

ETU Sydney construction
delegates

Three-year campaign transforms
SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION
A hard-fought three-year The campaign has seen huge growth in massive WestConnex roads project,
campaign has set good ETU membership and activism across and on the Metro rail project.
Union standards across the construction and infrastructure.
Sydney construction and Sydney organisers are working with
infrastructure sectors. ETU organiser Fred Barbin regional organisers to lift industry
congratulated all the members and standards across NSW and the ACT.
When the ‘It’s Time’ campaign was officials who have led and contributed
launched in 2018, the ETU had just six to the ‘It’s Time’ campaign. The ETU Canberra construction
construction EBAs based on modest team is negotiating EBAs with a
conditions. “We have raised the industry up to common expiry date that will create
fairer and safer standards through hard a platform for a strong campaign
Today there are around 30 ETU work and taking the members with us in 2024.
construction EBAs and three major every step of the way,” said Fred.
infrastructure tunnel agreements. The first round of Sydney construction
“Today the ETU has a great layer of EBAs expires in October 2022. Fred
The EBAs cover all major contractors workplace leaders, from delegates Barbin said the ETU is gearing up for
and deliver significantly improved rates to health and safety representatives a major industry campaign.
and conditions. to activists. We have organised EBAs
at a good number of medium-sized “We’ll be looking to consolidate the
Typically, the construction EBAs deliver: contractors. gains made for members, further improve
conditions, and extend the benefits
► p ay rises of 12-14% “We are now being approached by of Union agreements to workers at
labour hire firms who want to negotiate medium and smaller companies,
► $ 3.50 productivity allowance a union agreement. That confirms that including labour hire,” he said.
the industry recognises that improved
► a ll overtime at double time standards are here to stay.” “The timing is good. As the industry
stabilises post-pandemic, all parties
► s ite allowance matrix reaching The ETU’s tunnel agreements are will be well placed to plan for a
$6.25 significant. They cover hundreds of strong future.”
electrical workers at two stages of the
► a nd more.

ETU infrastructure agreements at
three major tunnels provide even
better conditions, including improved
MERT redundancy and site allowance
raising to $8.25 hourly in October 2023.

These good outcomes were built off
the back of an initial organising drive in
2018-19 and limited industrial action at
some major contractors. Seven Tier 1
companies attempted to stymie the
campaign by putting out a non-union
‘multi-enterprise agreement’ but this
was defeated by ETU legal action.

30

Macca NSW & ACT

BEATS

kSHOCK
to bat on
for workers

Organiser Peter McPherson dodged He remembers proudly the Union’s
Fred Barbin death to build a 47-year successful campaign against the Carr
career serving ETU members Labor NSW Government’s attempt to
parravote and regional workers. privatise the power sector in 1996-7.

The veteran Union official was a “I smuggled a big red banner ‘ETU says
16-year-old apprentice when he fell NO’ into the ALP conference. We won
10 metres from a power pole after the debate there, we won community
receiving an 11kV shock. support and we stopped the sell off,”
he said.
“I suffered third degree burns, a
fractured pelvis and a punctured lung Peter moved back to Newcastle in
– but I survived. After seven weeks in 1995 after the birth of his daughter
hospital, I was able to recover and live Lucy, and took up a vacancy in the
the life I wanted,” said Peter. ETU’s Newcastle office.

Peter served the working class as an In 2003 then Unions NSW Secretary
ETU shop steward, state councillor John (Robbo) Robertson asked Peter
and organiser and then as Unions NSW to take on a new role: northern region
northern region industrial officer, a industrial officer for Unions NSW,
position he still holds. where he coordinated campaigns in the
electricity and construction sectors.
He joined the ETU in 1974 as an
apprentice electrical fitter with the NSW Then came the ‘Your Rights at Work’
Railways, steeped in the values of his campaign which fought national anti-
father Donald who was an instrument worker laws introduced by the Howard
fitter and ETU state councillor. Liberal Government.

In 1987 Peter moved to Sydney to work “I travelled with Robbo all over
in contracting where he became an northern NSW in the campaign bus.
ETU delegate before being asked to It was a tremendous effort over three
work for the Union full-time in 1990. years, but the campaign played a key
role in defeating the Liberals at the
“I enjoyed getting out to sites that 2007 federal election,” said Peter.
hadn’t seen an organiser for years, just
helping workers organise themselves Peter is considering retirement, but he
into a collective,” he said. will always be a valued son of the ETU
and the broader union movement.
A highlight of Peter’s 13-year stint
with the ETU NSW & ACT branch “I’m proud to work to get decent
was winning $1 million backpay outcomes for genuine people. I think
for members at one company, and the key is being consistent with your
$25,000 for an individual worker. values,” he said.

31

From the State Secretary

By the time you read this the So, after looking at existing locations this pernicious wages policy which,
ETU WA branch will have which were all unsatisfactory for our for many public sector workers, is
moved premises to 3 Focal needs, we decided to bite the bullet much less than the inflation rate. The
Way, Bayswater (a short 5 min and build instead. It is a significant Government is fond of spruiking to the
walk from the new Bayswater investment but the result is a brand media that WA is the best performing
train station, just off the new Union office and a state of the art economy not just in Australia but on
Tonkin Hwy and only 7 km training facility. the planet, and yet continues a policy
from the CBD). With demand that has been in place now for more
for new training courses As you read on you will learn of how than five years, originally introduced to
outstripping our Balcatta busy your organisers and staff have assist the state coffers to balance the
premises’ capacity we needed been in fighting for better wages, books after the LNP term of office left
a bigger place to offer more conditions and safety standards for our us in debt. Now there is no justification
post-trade training. membership. We’ve had major wins in and they should remove that limitation
all sectors including: ECI (lifts, offshore and give unions and their members the
WA and commercial EBAs), general ability to reasonably negotiate without
trades (shipbuilding, water, rail and the cost of living reduction around our
workshops) as well as a major dispute necks.
in the supply industry with Western
Power. To Premier McGowan & Co
– do what you promised
While our fight is directly with Western to do and govern for
Power as the employer, indirectly the people of Western
it is also with the WA State Labor
Government due to their discriminatory Australia – NOT just for the
wages policy which limits all state big end of town.
public sector workers to just $1000 per
annum increases. Enjoy the rest of the magazine and
please don’t hesitate to contact me if
The WA State Government has you wish to discuss anything.
rightly been praised for following the
accepted science to limit our exposure
to COVID-19, which has ravaged
parts of the globe and since the Delta
variant, parts of the Eastern states
too. However, they need calling out on

Peter Carter

ETU WA State Secretary
32

Combined ETU WA's new office and Combined
Skills Training Skills Training Association
Association

The Combined Skills Training LOW VOLTAGE RESCUE (LVR) ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WA
Association (CSTA) was first registered AND CPR WIRING COURSE
in 1994, opening with only one course
on offer, the ‘Electrical Contractors In WA, although LVR-CPR is not This course is to provide qualified
Course.’ Over the years, CSTA has built a mandatory course, the code of electricians with additional underpinning
an impressive reputation within our practice for persons working on or near knowledge of the exact requirements to
industry as a quality post-trade training energised electrical installations says comply with AS/NZS 3012 complemented
organisation. As demand outstripped that if you act as a safety observer, with course notes and practical
our training capacities in Balcatta, we you must “be competent to rescue demonstrations. The main outcome
decided to build a new state-of-the-art the worker who is carrying out the is for participants to have an acute
facility in Bayswater to accommodate work if necessary, and must have been awareness of what is required as
both the ETU and CSTA. This facility assessed in the previous 12 months as opposed to the 'normal' standards
will give CSTA the space to expand competent to rescue and resuscitate used in industry when not on a
further, take on more instructors and a person.” construction site.
continue to carry the reputation and
quality training that our clients have ELECTRIC SHOCK AND WESTERN POWER SERVICE
come to expect from us. ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION APPARATUS CONNECTION
SCHEME (SACS)
Currently, there are six major This is a specialised course and is
courses on offer: always tailored to suit the client's This course is designed for Western
requirements. The main demand for Power authorised electrical workers
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING this training package is from network employed by accredited contractors to
COURSE operators, mining companies and be approved to connect consumers to
contractors working on behalf of the network.
Including both modules, the newly network operators and regulatory
reformed and rewritten Nominee bodies. By the time you’re reading this, we
Course (WAE200) and the Business hope for the facility to be up and
Modules, made up currently of EA102 CHECKING AND TESTING running with the addition of a new
and EA103B. The Business Module will ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS instructor. By early to mid 2022,
soon be overhauled to provide a more we hope to have all the necessary
relevant and up-to-date package with a This course can be delivered as a tools and equipment to deliver more
new title of WAB200. one-day theory course or a two-day new courses that we have planned,
course including practical testing. including Electrical Instrumentation
It’s a comprehensive course covering and Hazardous Areas, then we’ll add
general legislation requirements, the Renewable Energy including Battery
MEN earthing systems, explanation Storage Systems. Our new facility will
on how and why electric shocks give us the opportunity, ability and
occur, operation of RCDs and how space to expand and tap into all kinds
to fault-find, especially regarding of training courses in the future and we
'nuisance' tripping, operation of circuit will continue to deliver the high-quality
breakers, impedance theory, insulation training and professionalism that people
resistance testing and much more. have come to expect from CSTA.

For more information, please visit
https://www.combinedskills.com.au
or contact us on (08) 9440 3600.

33

WINS IN THE NORTH-WESTMembersatMonadelphous
at the BHP site, South Flank
By Paul Ferreira, Ash Bamford and Alister Robinson, organisers, ETU WA
Late last year organisers Ash to sign an IFA. Effectively this was per hour and increases to severance/
Bamford and Alister Robinson an individual action but presented PCBs in the north-west. Minimum rates
kicked off a campaign to lift as a collective to Monadelphous in the construction sector are now
wages and conditions in the management. This campaign brought between $46.00 and $49.00 and some
north-west by using Individual about a 3.52% wage increase plus a contractors are paying up to $330 in
Flexibility Arrangements 6% project completion bonus (PCB) for severance/PCB as a means to hold
(IFAs) contained in every hour worked. Other trades got a electrical trades to the job.
agreements. lower amount for their PCBs.
In addition to the IFA campaign we have
It began with the engineering company Both Ash and fellow organiser Paul also been highlighting sham flat rates
Monadelphous, working at the BHP Ferreira have then continued the IFA where we show comparisons between
South Flank Project, where our campaign with employers that are the flat rate and what would normally
organisers were able to persuade 300 paying the lowest rates in the north- be provided for in the Electrical
out of 320 electrical tradespeople west. As a result, the Union has now Contracting Award.d.
seen uplifts in wages of up to $5.00

Members at Clough at
the BHP site South Flank

Filthy conditions While the improvements to workers’ wages have
faced by been welcomed by construction workers in the
workers northwest of WA, the same cannot be said for
the conditions our members are forced to endure
By Paul Ferreira, organiser, ETU WA at the camps.

Mouldy and rotting fruit and vegetables, improperly cooked
meat and rooms that haven’t been cleaned (let alone to a
COVID-safe standard) are daily occurrences now. The big
mining companies, such as Rio Tinto, that own these camps
have sold the hospitality contracts to the lowest bidders with
no regard for those workers who helped them rake in multi-
billion dollar profits this financial year.

In fact, we see mining executives and their representatives
talking about a skills shortage and the need to bring in
imported labour at a cheap rate, while they do everything to
turn current workers off. These mining companies should
offer better wages, conditions, camps and food quality
to attract workers into the mining sector. The current
standards do not give workers any appetite to work in the
north-west of WA.

34

Staying strong Work Commission to draw proceedings substantial improvements in pay WA
and united out for as long as possible. Resistance (upwards of 25% over four years) and
pays off ultimately proved futile, as we are now conditions that far outstrip the baseline
well into negotiations with all three agreements they have replaced. These
By Damian Clancey, organiser, ETU WA companies. results have been achieved through
excellent member density and our
The past year has been a It took two MSD applications to get members’ willingness to fight for their
challenging and rewarding offshore contractor Legeneering to claims.
time securing quality EBA the table. In what turned out to be an
outcomes in the offshore eighteen-month battle, we managed to These weren’t easy
industry. achieve a 26% increase in wages over journeys. Monadelphous
four years, as well as vastly improved employees on the Prelude
In many cases, getting the relevant conditions around travel time, paid facility completed 78 days
company to the bargaining table in the training, cyclone stand down/stand of rolling stoppages, and
first place was the first big hurdle. It by provisions (to name a few), and Legeneering employees
took Majority Support Determinations a genuine pathway to permanent took 30 days of protected
(MSDs) to get Shell, Chevron and Inpex employment. action in pursuit of their
to the bargaining table, with Inpex claim. The results were well
mounting several challenges in the Fair This year combined unions also
negotiated outstanding EBAs with worth it though.
Monadelphous Group for the workers
on the Shell Prelude platform and the I applaud the incredible efforts of the
Woodside rigs, as well as Trace JV ETU members in this industry that I’m
(Broadspectrum) on the Inpex offshore proud to represent.
facilities. Again, these EBAs include

RAISING THE BARBy Damian Clancey, organiser, ETU WA
IN THE LIFT INDUSTRY

Speaking of members that instil Members at Schindler
pride, the Schindler Lifts WA crew took strike action
have recently reached an in-principle
agreement on a new four year EBA 35
that will deliver a total of 14% in wage
increases, and maintain their overall
conditions. Incremental increases will
apply not only to the base hourly rate
of pay, but to all-purpose allowances,
weekly severance accruals and stand-
by/on-call rates.

Negotiations began in April and were
tedious and frustrating, culminating
in sixteen consecutive days of strike
action. Out of 68 shop floor employees
at Schindler WA, 66 are ETU members,
and those 66 members were rock solid
right to the end. We fought for and won
an outstanding improvement on what
was already a very decent EBA. It is a
fantastic result, and a clear illustration
of what can be achieved through
collective action.

Members at Geraldton voted
to support communities
affected by Cyclone Seroja

Commencing mid-2020, the nasty dispute with Western

h hPower and the WA State Energy Minister is still ongoing
but we’ve made steady progress thanks to our members
who have had the guts to take industrial action.
By Brendan Reeve, Then in a bizarre twist, straight after
organiser, ETU WA the vote by members to isolate the
cyclone affected area, Western Power

BATTLING THE ELEMENTS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS decided to lock out a large part of the
workforce for two days, specifically
Since January 2021 Western Power Western Power eventually put out a in the cyclone affected area and
had refused point blank to meet with weak offer for a vote but our members especially the Geraldton Depot, the
the ETU until notices were lodged were well aware that this offer would depot at the centre of the cyclone area.
to take a range of industrial bans screw them so they voted it down This was designed to humiliate those
and strikes in March. Members had by 98% – not bad considering we workers in their own community.
decided to put off protected industrial
action (PIA) until that point due to the hhave 94% density of the 813 workers It backfired spectacularly. The media
worst bushfires Perth had seen in a covered by the EBA. were now interested to hear the truth
decade. Fires swept through the hills from the ETU and the community was
around the city causing widespread Then we had a resounding vote of furious that Western Power had taken
devastation and our members were support for strike action with a 91% to grubby low tactics. Western Power’s
simply not prepared to leave affected participation rate – much higher than Facebook page was bombarded with
residents without power. It is testament our previous ballot. abuse towards the company and their
to the character of our members that credibility took a hit which they deserved.
they care about the communities they A SMEAR CAMPAIGN Western Power is a corporate utility
work in. Once the affected areas had owned by our very own Labor State
been restored we submitted the The Western Power executives then Government. They had the full support
notices of bans and actions but Western began a strong smear campaign of the WA State Government to treat
Power managed to stop us due to a against the Union and the workers, the workers and community like this –
legal technicality in industrial law. spreading lies and misinformation. and then our Energy Minister had the
They said that the cyclone recovery audacity to come out in the media and
On our second attempt to take action would be delayed by months because order the ETU back to the bargaining
the worst cyclone in 100 years, Cyclone of strike actions and that the ETU were table. He seemed to have forgotten
Seroja, swept through the mid-west using the community’s hardship for we were taking strike action to get
causing huge devastation to small political gain. Western Power back to the table, as
towns and the city of Geraldton. With they hadn’t been interested in
the mix of natural disasters and COVID In fact, the Union put in a two-hour stop speaking for five months.
lockdowns in the first part of 2021, work meeting across the state to discuss
taking action was proving difficult. We with all members how to strike and
persevered but our second attempt take action without affecting people
to take PIA was stopped again by who had been without power for six
industrial laws. These weeks due to Cyclone Seroja. Union
laws are one thing members have heart and they care
we’ll be demanding about the communities they live and
be changed at the work in. They’re not thugs. The members
next election as voted to take widespread action but
they are a threat agreed they would put any disaster

affected customer back on power.

to workers’ rights. Meanwhile, our Union delegates

were doing a great job of

galvanising their depots and

Western Power ETU member Kelly the membership grew up fast.
Rodrigues speaks at a rally in WA Everyone was up for the fight.

36

h Union members have heart and they care about
MAKING PROGRESS the communities they live and work in. They’re not thugs.
The members voted to take widespread action but agreed
Our efforts worked. Western Power they would put any disaster affected customer back on power.
came back to the table, if only to pay
lip service which failed to convince the Pinjarra depot picket line
workers. The CEO then met with the
ETU delegates and made an empty WA
promise about job security. That also
failed. More strike action followed Pinjarra members
along with a COVID-safe limited
rally of 500 members on the steps The Union has now put a repackaged “The ongoing and protracted bargaining
of Parliament House, calling on fair offer on the table and, failing with Western Power is a prime example
the Government to act as a Labor acceptance, the gloves will come of the need for law reform around
Government and stand up for off and the fight will continue. enterprise bargaining,” said ETU National
the workers. No job security, no deal. Legal Counsel Cassandra Taylor.

Finally, we started to get offers from We also know there’s a lot of big “Notwithstanding there being 94%
the company that were more serious. changes needed from our State union density and a workforce
Government. In June we rallied committed to bargaining in a
At the time of writing, we’ve had alongside construction unions on the respectable and reasonable manner,
the following progress: steps of Parliament House calling brazen employers and their expensive
out the Labor State Government for lawyers are able to take advantage
► regional employees have allowing the degradation of pay and of the current legal framework by
now been offered real conditions in the supply sector. They continuously stalling bargaining and
allowances for being in have the power to stop this but they hindering the exercise of workplace
remote areas with lack of do nothing. The State Government’s rights by their employees. Instead of
support, also receiving an wage policy needs to be changed productive bargaining, the process
extra week’s annual leave immediately as it may be the last becomes a war of attrition. However, it
stumbling block to finalising this is also an example of what courageous
► A full public May Day holiday dispute. We won’t sit back and allow union members can achieve when
for all employees on the flat rate baseline agreements to they are united and stick to their guns.
first Monday in May. take over the industry. When it comes to employment, there
truly is power in numbers,” she said.
There’s still a lot more to be done: When it comes to
employment, there truly
► Western Power still refuses
to address missed meal is power in numbers.
breaks and the increased
risk of having to work in Cassandra Taylor
inclement weather at times ETU National Legal Counsel

► t he award rate Electrical
License Allowance on offer
still falls short by $10 a week

► w ording around job security
is not strong enough.

Watch this space.

37

Keeping Fredon and Mizco crew
at Chevron Tower
up the pressure Perth City block

in electrical contracting ByIanGill,
organiser, ETU WA

While 2021 has been constantly visiting TES sites pushing Oil & Gas Solutions are a company
very much defined by the for an EBA, and TES employees are on this job that offer flat rates and
COVID-19 pandemic in slowly realising they are being screwed common law contracts. The Union will
Australia, it has luckily been by TES and moving to companies with challenge these contracts because of
business-as-usual in the better pay. This has forced TES to how they ‘progressively’ pay annual
electrical contracting space. increase their rates to keep workers. leave and sick leave entitlements in
However, the new rates are still the fortnightly pay. If this billion-dollar
We’ve been successful getting various thousands behind Fredon, Everett project had a Union site agreement
EBAs over the line including at Everett Smith and Nilsen, and include no with decent rates, the project would
Smith and Nilsen. At Mizco the crew RDOs, inclement weather provisions, be much further advanced with far
upped their yearly income by over site allowance, leave loading, income less turnover than it is currently
$8000k straight off the bat. These protection or severance payments. experiencing.
wins are setting the benchmark We will continue to push the TES
for contractors around Perth and employees to join the fight and win a The common message for all of these
elsewhere. proper EBA. pay disputes is that a strong, united,
unionised workforce will always
Our regular sparring partners, TES There is also still plenty to do fighting win a better deal. If we agitate as a
Electrical, who were ordered to bargain against electrical companies that use collective, we can win a better deal,
with the ETU late last year, have baseline EBAs with contracts sitting whatever the state of play is with
continued to stymie genuine bargaining on top on a project-by-project basis. current agreements. If you don’t fight,
but have run into issues of late. The The Kemerton Lithium project in you lose!
ETU has kept up the pressure by the south-west is a prime example.

At Mizco the crew upped their yearly income
by over $8000k straight off the bat.

These wins are setting the benchmark for
contractors around Perth and elsewhere.

38

Working with the ETU WA
to bring you the best
employment benefits
in the country

Australia’s leading industry
severance scheme

tax-free genuine
redundancy payments

hardship payment
provision during
stand downs

superior income
protection insurance

free counselling service
for members and families

www.protect.net.au

39

By Ash Bamford, organiser, ETU WA » Austal

ETU WINS OVER $200K » BAE
FOR APPRENTICESIN WA systems

This year the ETU WA has fought hard on behalf of its electrical » ASC
apprentices to win back $200K in wages. The wages were stolen by
some of the biggest companies in the state, and these examples reveal
just how many ways there are for them to underpay their workers.

Companies tried to siphon money off
our youngest members in the following ways:

► paying some apprentices junior rates when they were
entitled to mature age rates

► failing to pass on legislated increases to the minimum
award rates for apprentices

► paying a working away allowance that was less than the
minimum in the award

► not paying working at height allowances despite
apprentices working at heights

► paying apprentice rates when the worker should have
been paid as a trades assistant

► p aying below the award base rate of pay for apprentices.

These examples show us two things;

One: Even large companies will try to rip off workers,
especially apprentices if they think they can get away with it.

Two: it pays to belong to your Union.

In many instances, it just took one Mark Burgess, ETU national apprentice
apprentice contacting the ETU officer, agrees:
for us to then uncover systematic
underpayments within a whole “It’s not always easy to know when
company. Once we undertook you’re being treated unfairly, or to
investigations, we approached stand up for yourself when you’re an
the companies to resolve the apprentice. It’s actually the best time
underpayment or commence legal to be a part of the Union because you’ll
proceedings to recover the monies know that you have that support and
owed to the apprentices. knowledge there to back you when you
need it,” he said.
“These examples show us two things;
One: Even large companies will try to “If you have apprentice mates at work
rip off workers, especially apprentices who aren’t part of the Union, encourage
if they think they can get away with it. them to join up. We’re all stronger
Two: it pays to belong to your Union,” together,” he said.
said Ash Bamford, ETU north west and
apprentice organiser.

Make sure to contact the union if you think
you’re not being paid correctly.

Check the current minimum award rates ETU national apprenticeship
for apprentices on the ETU National website: officer Mark Burgess
etunational.asn.au/apprentices

40

The tides are WA
shifting in the WA ByAdamWoodage
shipbuilding industry

This year, through a constant presence of the ETU in the way from getting Austal to the bargaining table but Rome
shipbuilding sector the past few years, we have seen wasn’t built in a day and nor was a good EBA, so we won’t be
employees in shipbuilding company Austal start to realise going away!
their worth. While they are still highly undervalued in our
opinion, we have seen a steady increase in their pay packets Furthermore, the ETU’s work in helping the Filipino visa
over this year. At the moment an Austal employee is paid workers employed at Austal last year was successful
$363 per week less than an equivalent qualified electrician at after the Fair Work Ombudsman investigated and ordered
rival shipbuilding company ASC. However, four months ago backpayment of wages. We’re currently applying through
it was even more – upwards of $450 per week. We are a long Freedom of Information laws to find out how much the
exploited visa workers were backpaid. Watch this space.

Members at shipbuilding company BAE in June partook in From the stoppage we went back to the bargaining table and
their first industrial action in well over a decade, endorsing I can now report the agreement has been endorsed by the
a 24-hour stoppage. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ ETU. Some key improvements were job security, redundancy
Union (AMWU) and Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) were provision to ensure labour hire and sub-contractors are let go
also involved in this action. We stood shoulder to shoulder in before permanents, wage increases of 2% per year, backpay
very wet weather from early in the morning. The Boss from expiry in the previous agreement and all electricians moving
BAE called in the police to stop the strike, and our members up a job classification. We know that the action taken from
stood strong and now have experienced the power of being our members resulted in the company significantly shifting
united. By 8.30am BAE capitulated and declared the site shut their position on some of our key claims.
for the day. They had not expected the stoppage to shut the
site down.

The ASC agreement was ratified on 8 July. Some key We will continue to campaign in the shipbuilding space and
inclusions of the agreement were a $4500 productivity bonus, never give up on educating, organising and unionising, even in
1.67% increase for the first year of the agreement, inclusion the most hostile workplaces.
of a new all-purpose special industry allowance, penalty
provisions applied where payroll errors have not been rectified
and purchased leave limits increased to 8 weeks.

41

From the State Secretary

for more than just

fFIGHTINGwages and conditions
The last couple of years of absolute mayhem have brought out
the best in our members. One in three members applied to take
industrial action and, while not all of them made it to the starting
line due to legal challenges (for example at Australia Post), the
boldness and discipline they showed not only to stand their ground
under attack but also increase their entitlements and rights has
been amazing.
TAS
It seems like the long-term attacks on financial cost, but for the workers who
rights and services has finally sunk in have been devalued, disempowered,
for a lot of well-meaning members who and undermined, while trying to
are realising that the good old days are perform their critical work. Recent
well and truly over. We remember in surveys we ran on mental health
our own working lives the jobs or sites showed that workers are suffering
we worked on where the quality of the terribly under the management of
finished product gave workers a sense these GOCs.
of pride in their efforts, but that’s the
case less and less. One challenge for the next few years as
a collective Union is going to be having
Take our essential services like energy, open, honest conversations about how
water, rail and post – a generation ago, decisions we make off the job can still
politicians and corporations thought affect our workplaces, for example,
that public services were inefficient, how we vote in political elections.
so turning them into Government
Owned Corporations (GOCs) would As employer propaganda gets stronger
make them run better with an imagined and stronger to suppress wages and
‘corporate efficiency.’ conditions, and divide working people
any way they can, our best remedy is
But what is efficient about three people always going to be sticking together,
in management being hired for every regardless of our differences. At the
field worker? Or CEOs on $600k a end of the day, we’re all workers, and
year? Or no apprentices being trained? we all vote on wages and conditions
It is simply bullshit – worse service and inside and outside the workplace.
higher costs for consumers.
There’s going to be no shortage of
This is the same as the myth that industry campaigns we’ll need you on
lowering labour costs would make board for in 2022, so please have a safe
companies compete fairly in the and refreshing Christmas period. All
contracting industry. In reality the things going well, see you back at it in
corporatisation of our essential the new year, and if things aren’t going
services has been extremely damaging, so well, get in touch anytime – that’s
not only for communities who pay the why we’re here!

Mick Anderson
CEPU TAS State Secretary

42

CwaEtitPMhUaMyTaADttSaMyocergenalzeniebisraaentrdioCnJhsaricsoCblMariknty CEPU TAS members TAS
and family march in
Chifley’s speech describes the the May Day parade
struggles and aspirations of
JoorgrdanaSnisteTaroteuCsChsroaiusinnCtcliaallnrokdr
working people in 1949 but his
message about making life better Proud CEPU TAS
members march in
for working people is just as the May Day parade
important today.
43

In 2021 we’ve experienced
highs and lows and wins
and losses, but one thing is
becoming clear: there is a
growing understanding of a
worker’s power in defining
their future. Many workers
are embracing the fact that
their individual power is
stronger in the collective
– in a shared space.

Gary Laycock
Life Member

Dr John Falzon
OAM

Michael Andersonn
CEPU TAS State Secretaryo

Amanda Coleman
Affirmative Action Officer

n The Light

By Neil Gillham, CEPU Tasmania President

Neil Gilham
President

44

When Dr John Falzon AOM, Senior It’s hard not to reflect on the internal Honorary member
Fellow, Inequality and Social Justice at woes of the 2021 Tasmanian Labor Zola Peters with
Per Capita, spoke at our 2021 Biennial Party this year. To say that the political organiser Paul Sutton
Conference in August he explained party of the worker could do with a
that this shared space can be a room, a healthy dose of solidarity in its ranks Chifley’s speech describes the
state, a country or even the planet we is an understatement. It’s been an struggles and aspirations of working
stand on. When a space is shared with interesting 12 months for our political people in 1949 but his message about
a comrade, it is in the acts of solidarity committee members, navigating the making life better for working people
that our futures are defined. One of CEPU Tasmania’s re-entry into the is just as important today. We hope the
the key messages that also resonated political space with enthusiasm and current members of the Labor party
strongly with us was the importance focus on positive future outcomes for can rise to the values of that speech
of not punching down but lifting those the broader CEPU membership. (our political committee certainly will),
among us. Punching down is an act of but one thing is for sure: if there is to
division. It is the tool of those who seek Former President of the ALP’s be a version of Chifley’s ‘Light on the
to exploit. Tasmanian branch, Ben McGregor, Hill’ in a 2022 Tasmania, then it should
spoke at our conference about the be powered by publicly owned power.
The CEPU Tasmanian membership importance of workers occupying the
is driving this trend and taking on political party of the workers and drew
more and more active roles in the on former ALP Prime Minister Ben
organisation of their workplaces Chifley's 'Light on the Hill' speech as a
and more broadly in the community, comment on the current state of play
especially in the north-west of the in Tassie.
state. In this area the battle over
who owns our electricity generation TAS
is heating up with the interest of
privately-owned wind farm operators.

Our State Council and Executive have
continued to provide the membership
with the required governance and
oversight the membership expects.
Representing the membership from all
corners of the state, State Councillors
ensure the Union continues to be
driven by those on the shop floor –
an important, proud, and continued
aspiration of CEPU TAS.

on the Hill for Tasmania

CEPU TAS members
at the conference

45

By Lee Archer, organiser, CEPU TAS CEPU members
at TasWater with
Public utilities organiser Lee Archer

are no longer the best jobs you can get

By Lee Archer, organiser, CEPU TAS Meanwhile, the power industry
continues to stack middle
Corporatisation has put enormous pressure on the workers at management to hide the number of
Tasmania's publicly owned utilities, negatively impacting on unqualified and incompetent leaders.
their mental health. Driven by the constant and increased wave Sad as it is, the management at
of members at breaking point, we conducted surveys which our public utilities doesn't care
confirmed the increasing prevalence of mental health issues when workers go the extra mile to
among workers in these industries. restore service to communities or
customers. They instead rule by fear,
Since disaggregation in the power ► double standards on safety drowning workers in red tape and
industry, and since water went from using them as a scapegoat when
local councils to TasWater, the shift ► blacklisting of workers – anything goes wrong. The apparent
in priorities from community service TasNetworks and TasWater effects on these skilled workers
to cost cutting for profits has made both have a monopoly in their are frustration, loss of identity and
workers the meat in the sandwich. industries in Tasmania, which underutilisation of their skills.
Gone are the days that our public gives them the power to treat
utilities are the safe, secure and workers unfairly, including But, this is the industrial world
quality jobs that are the envy of other blacklisting them workers have voted for. Everything
industries. they’re doing is legal and they don’t
► more paperwork than care about workers. It’s time for the
Our members' well-honed skills in productivity – these companies system to change, and we need to
maintaining wages and conditions are hiring more people in work together to make that happen.
through good EBAs will continue, but management and in the office We’ve got to unite and campaign for
gaps of three or four years between than workers out on the field change ourselves. Together workers
workers being active together when fixing the issues, and they and the Union will create the future
there is so much that needs to be have different standards for workplaces we all want.
fixed isn't good enough. To attack their employees compared to
the problem head-on, restoring the contractors on the same job So, let’s turn the frustration and
fundamentals of COLLECTIVISM is seemingly hopeless individual
essential. ► Tasmania's only water situations into collective action and
corporation refuses to hire have a crack at making our public
Instead of putting out spot fires, we plumbing apprentices. Instead, utilities places where we’d be happy
need to ignite actual campaigns based they offer three-year traineeships to send our kids to work one day, and
on the issues facing our workers and and place them on call within the services that every Tasmanian can
our industries, such as: first six months at trainee rates, be proud of.
to save money.

46

Planting a seed of

COLLECTIVISM
By Chris Clark, organiser, CEPU TAS

Members at FIP Electrical As Bob Crow once said: and a battle that should be fought to TAS
“if you fight you won’t always preserve what has been achieved by
MCreamnebserasnadtNSytorswtaer, Kone win, but if you don’t fight, those that came before us and to pass
FCMIoPenmEtalbecectrtEsrilcaeatclCtraoincoadkleC, Dh&eugDbrboewesCe,tt, you will always lose.” on a better future to those that come
cCaappttioionnccaappttioionnccaappttioionn after us.
Campaigning this year for a new
Frontline Electrical members electrical contracting EBA has taught Planting a seed of collectivism and
many lessons, not just to myself, but watching it mature with the help of
also to the broader membership in rank-and-file members will be key to
construction in Tasmania. While we’re all the future of my patch, a future that
used to bargaining for EBAs, I have been looks brighter ever day.
struck by the attitudes and behaviors
of our members that have been A big thanks to all those people who
essential in forging the path to victory. have shown not just me, but other
members support throughout the year.
Hearing members say things like Without your passionate unionism, wins
‘it’s our turn to take the lead in the wouldn’t have been possible without
industry’, ‘we need to think of future your support. Stay safe and see you all
generations’ or ‘we haven’t built what again next year.
we have, to watch it go backwards’, is
music to an organiser’s ears. However,
what I’m most proud of is members
taking responsibility for the outcome
of their agreements and putting in
the hard yards to get the result they
deserved.

Because of the fighting spirit of our
members, we had a successful EBA
campaign and achieved a 36-hour week.

It’s not easy fighting for better wages
and conditions, and with the odds
and rules stacked against workers
by Liberal/National governments,
it’s no wonder it’s an uphill battle.
However, it’s a battle that can be won,

2021 Contracting dispute
BBQ breakfast at the Derwent
Entertainment Centre

47

Members stand in solidarity
against pay cuts

2021
BREAKS NEW GROUND
for CEPU members
in Communications ByPaulSutton,organiser,CEPUTAS

It has been a ground-breaking keep wages below the inflation rate. follow the national line, but to direct
year to be a member of Members have been flooded with text their Union to apply for protected
the CEPU in Tasmania. messages, visits from managers they action as soon as possible. They’ve
Many members in the usually rarely see, emails, toolbox talks watched on as Australia Post tried to
Communications patch have – any avenue the company has – to try stop Tassie members from putting
seen the real advantages of and convince the hardworking rank and their foot down about wages.
being part of a merged branch filers that they don’t even deserve wages
that fully supports them in the that keep pace with the cost of living. After experiencing the “In Principle
fight for a fair deal at work. Agreement” declared in other states,
Workers have had a gutful of this our Tassie AusPost members are
This year the focus has been very approach and our members at going to remain united in a push for
much on EBAs. Corporate profits have Australia Post have become more proper independence so we can push
continued to rise as essential service organised this year than they have our own agenda of fighting for a better
workers have been out getting the been for a long time. The effort that deal. Changes are coming in the postal
job done. Good EBA campaigns are AusPost management has spent industry but what will never disappear
essential to ensuring members get a fair trying to silence them simply proves is unionised workers continuing to
share of the wealth they are creating. how effective a collective effort in a fight for wages and conditions that will
workplace can be. provide for them and their families.
Members at Australia Post have been
targeted with a massive propaganda Other postal unions from interstate
campaign by their employer to try and have looked on in envy as CEPU TAS
members have had the freedom not to

Every member needs to remain
accountable to themselves and their
colleagues as the custodians of these jobs
and workplaces for the future generations.

48