99CEPU SA PROTECTS
APPRENTICES FROM DODGY
EMPLOYER TACTICS!
Nearly two years into the enterprise
agreement campaign SA Power
Networks decided to respond to
industrial action taken by workers by
standing them down, including some
first-year apprentices who weren’t
engaging in industrial action or weren’t
Union members.
The company tried to claim that there
was no useful work for them to do
despite having over seven thousand
distribution defects on the network
that needed maintenance and repairs.
Some of these defects included repairs
to ageing infrastructure that posed a
bushfire risk.
The CEPU lodged a case against
SAPN for breaching the apprentices’
contracts of training by not providing
them the required hours of training
each week during those periods.
SAPN quickly paid the apprentices for
the stand down period and said they
wouldn’t stand down apprentices in the
future before we even made it to the
South Australian Employment Tribunal.
The CEPU has shown time and
time again that it will stand up for
members and we won’t stop until
we win! The court cases in the South
Australian Employment Tribunal won’t
stop until we get every worker,
every dollar they are owed for
the illegal stand downs.
53
SA Subcontractor
RIPPED OFF
MIGRANT WORKERS
by at least $800K with
The Union started investigating
no repercussions underpayments in the company after
discovering a similar situation with the
same company in Western Australia.
Catalpa, a subcontractor While the company has slowly paid
to major construction back most of the stolen wages to the
company Downer was workers, nothing has been put in place
caught by the Union this year to stop them from doing this again.
underpaying its workers by
more than $800K. “Companies like Catalpa see wage
theft as a lucrative cost-saving method.
Multi-national construction contractor For every underpayment we catch,
Downer was contracted to build a there are likely many more instances
transmission line for the $300M 270km where companies like Catalpa pocket
Eyre link project that will run from the stolen wages as profits,” said CEPU
Cultana to Port Lincoln, via Yadnarie. SA State Secretary John Adley.
Around 40 workers on the project, “Temporary migrant workers are
who are all migrants from the frequently the targets of this type
Philippines on temporary work visas, of wage theft. They’re especially
were receiving lower pay than their vulnerable because they aren’t always
colleagues who are covered by an aware of their rights, and it’s incredibly
Enterprise Agreement (EA). The EA difficult for them to speak up when
has a contractor parity clause which their host employer controls their
means contractors must receive pay visa,” he said.
and entitlements equitable to those
under the EA. “This sort of wage theft is systemic,
and it needs to be stamped out on a
The workers received no overtime or nation-wide level,” said ETU Acting
penalty rates, and a lower hourly rate. National Secretary Michael Wright.
This resulted in a total underpayment
of an estimated $800K, plus an “The Albanese government must
ongoing top-up allowance for all future fulfil its promise to deliver strong
payments. One worker received an Same Job Same Pay laws soon so
extra $2,527 in his latest pay packet for we can finally see an end to the
a two-week period. exploitation of temporary migrants and
local workers.”
54
It’s stop-start By CEPU SA Organiser Simon Pisoni
for shipbuilding
at Osbourne Government to act in our national
interest and lock in the projects that
The military saying of “hurry up and wait” rings true for the will strengthen our national security
shipbuilding precinct at Osborne, South Australia. Workers are and ensure that an Australian skilled
prepared and ready to go but face delays from poor political workforce builds the most advanced
decisions above them. and reliable ships and submarines for
our navy to serve in.
When Naval Group was awarded Simultaneously, the Hunter Class
the AU$90B Collins Attack class Frigate project came to a stop, In better news, Marine Technicians
submarine contract there was endless amid questions about the defence Australia (MTA) which is a Naval
activity at Osbourne in South Australia, capacity of the boats and their design. electrical contractor with a presence
including preparing the ground work The project can’t continue unless in most Australian states, has finally
for the massive assembly halls. Sinking shipbuilding company BAE knows joined the Union at the bargaining
of pylons into the sandy earth went on what it is supposed to be building. The table for its first ever enterprise
day and night for well over a year. Then consequence of the previous Liberal agreement negotiation. MTA are
the sudden decision by the Morrison government’s incompetence is that the contracted to perform the electrical
Government to scrap the French deal high-tech, well-paid jobs in the turbo work on the offshore patrol vessels
and replace it with a nuclear option charged South Australian shipbuilding (OPVs). We hope to achieve parity on
brought the shipyard to a grinding halt. industry are on pause. The most wages and conditions with the rest of
It cost $5.5B to cancel the contract, technically advanced shipyard in the the workforce across all projects at
and Australia now has nothing to show world sits idle. Osborne. Increasing member density
except countless structural pylons at MTA will help ensure this happens,
dotted around the Port River. We don’t As current vessels have their life or the company risks protected
have the nuclear technology or the skills extended, our navy will also be industrial action.
base either to build the nuclear boats. expected to serve and defend in
vessels that are well past their rated
lifespan. We call on the Albanese
Structural pylons sit idle since the
Morrison Government’s decision to
scrap the French submarine contract.
55
SA By CEPU SA Organiser Alex Capper Black
Electrical contracting By CEPU SA Organiser Erin Hennessey
growing
in strength
The 2022-26 Electrical Contracting Campaign kicked off in South
Australia with a huge mass meeting with members from Infront, Ion,
Menco, Modcol, and Nilsen. Members endorsed the log of claims
which included much needed improvements for the South Australian
electrical contracting industry that will help close the gap between
South Australia and the other states.
Claims for the enterprise agreement The company also announced the need
include increases to hourly rates, to make workers redundant around
allowances, severance and overtime the same time one of their offers was
plus labour hire consultation clauses, rejected. Following those redundancies
the reintroduction of picnic day and Nilsen put the exact same offer to
more rights for delegates. another vote.
Since the campaign kicked off In their more recent offer Nilsen moved
companies Ion and Menco have closer to the rates we asked for but
formally accepted the template and still fell short. The main sticking point
we are in early negotiations with Q for Nilsen has been their refusal to
Electrics, Infront and Modcol but Nilsen accept the Union’s template agreement
is fighting hard against the Union’s instead of the NECA drafted agreement
proposal. So far Nilsen has put four they have been using for several years.
offers to a vote – all of which have been
rejected. I urge the members to stay strong until
we get the outcome our industry needs.
Members at Nilsen have begun an
industrial dispute, taking part in
numerous bans and stoppages. In
response Nilsen has locked them out
twice for a week.
Members in electrical contracting
are joining the campaign for a new
enterprise agreement.
56
raises awareness
for depression and
Dog ride suicide prevention
This year I set out on the seven day Black Dog ride from Adelaide to It was an amazing and humbling
the Northern Territory to raise awareness and funds for depression experience riding around small
and suicide prevention. Whilst I have had other experiences raising towns in Australia and talking
awareness of these issues with Mates in Construction, I had never
done something like this before. to anyone who would listen
about the cause! And those
The most time I had ever spent on a At the time of writing this, my group, conversations in themselves are
bike before was three days. I ended up including my sister and brother-in-law already spreading the awareness
doing 16 in total! Seven of those days from Darwin and Uncle Pete from QLD,
were for the official ride where the SA had raised almost $3000 to go towards that its ok to not be ok.
contingent went from Adelaide through grass roots organisations like the
Mildura, Broken Hill, Whyalla, Port Men’s Shed. Want to speak to someone about
Lincoln, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, all your mental health right now?
the way to Alice Springs. In Alice we It was an amazing and humbling
did the ‘Thunder Ride’ where 460 bikes experience riding around small towns Call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14
from around Australia rode together in Australia and talking to anyone who
around town for about 40 mins before would listen about the cause! And 57
holding speeches and taking a group those conversations in themselves are
photo in the shape of the logo for Men’s already spreading the awareness that
Shed - an organisation that raises its ok to not be ok.
awareness about men’s mental health.
SA 7Ibtepaaymsetmober
Winning agai
the odds in th
and mechan
By CEPU SA Organiser Erin Hennessy
By CEPU SA Assistant State Secretary Previously, at companies
and Industrial Officer Jess Rogers ‘Jordan Plumbing’ and ‘Smith
Brothers Plumbing’ workers
CEPU member Corey was working as an electrician at Solar Storage were faced with a pay freeze
when he checked his superannuation and realised his employer and a dodgy non-union
had not been paying anything into it. The company’s payslips listed enterprise agreement which
superannuation contributions, but Solar Storage wasn’t actually allowed for the introduction
putting the money into the workers’ super funds. of tiered rates. To make
matters worse, the employees
When Corey told his employer that he was owed $16K wouldn’t join the Union.
the employer said they had no plans to pay him.
He wasn’t the only one. Other workers were also However, I wasn’t going to give up. I
owed their superannuation too. kept persisting with the workers and
over the last 12 months an increase in
Once the Union got involved, the employer agreed to pay membership and the election of two
Corey but the promised money was never sent through. The delegates has given us the opportunity
CEPU decided to pursue the employer for pecuniary penalties to renegotiate with the company mid-
associated with the breaches of the Act for not paying. agreement term. The company was
Pecuniary penalties are like fines that penalise employers for prepared to actually bargain, which
committing things like wage theft. They act as a deterrent
to the employer for doing it again, but they also can bring in
important funds for the Union.
Six months later, just before the hearing on penalties,
the employer finally paid Corey the money he was owed.
The Union still took the employer to court and won penalties
against the director for the wage theft. Unfortunately for the
other workers who weren’t members, the employer liquidated
the company so none of them were paid the super they were
owed. It truly pays to be union.
Asking for pecuniary penalties is an important part of
teaching a lesson to employers who break the law. The CEPU
SA is leading the way among unions in the state and is sharing
the industrial knowledge with other groups so that they can
exercise this right too. So far, we have run training sessions
for non-profit group Working Women’s Centre, SA Unions,
AMWU SA and CWU on how to use pecuniary penalties.
Together we can make employers think twice before they
breach the Fair Work Act.
58
inst CEPU SA
dmoeumblbeesrsfhemip!ale
he plumbing
nical sectors By CEPU SA Assistant State Secretary and Industrial Officer Jess Rogers
was great, and we finalised a deal. In 2012, I started getting It creates a supportive space for
I plan to roll out similar structures women in our branch together women to help each other and talk
to other companies once this one to help them feel less isolated about the similar challenges they may
is approved. and to provide contacts for face of being a minority in a male-
female apprentices to call if dominated industry. Feeling like you
In the mechanical services sector, they had questions or to gain belong is a big part of being happy at
we are capitalising on lots of activity employment. work and unionism is about supporting
happening in construction. When the each other, so it made sense to form
Royal Adelaide Hospital was complete The catchups started out slowly with this little community where women
these members were fighting just to just two or three members coming can see that these are challenges they
hold onto the conditions they had at the along, but now ten years later it has don’t have to tackle alone.
time with employment opportunities grown into a big group of women who
few and far between. Now we have meet to discuss work issues and how A decade on, and the CEPU SA branch
secured a 16% pay increase over three to make workplaces better for women. has now doubled the number of
years, all hours outside of ordinary women members and has seen women
hours paid at double-time, paid empowered to become delegates,
delegate clauses and a 36-hour week state councillors and organisers for the
for those that didn’t already have it, first time.
plus more! Watch this space! Other
agreements are set to follow suit
across the industry.
Regular catchups with other female members
in the SA branch has helped women feel more
supported, and helped grow the number of
women members overall
59
From the State Secretary
NSW/ACT TIMES CHANGE BUT ETU Growth is changing the composition
VALUES STAY STRONG of the ETU NSW & ACT. In mid-2022,
construction and contracting emerged
All of us in the ETU stand on the as the largest category of membership,
shoulders of the generations who came overtaking the power sector, which has
before us. traditionally been the backbone in NSW.
In NSW, our Union was born 120 years In all our major sectors, we see new
ago at a meeting of 37 electricians in workplace leaders stepping forward
Sydney Trades Hall. which is a great sign for the future.
With the easing of COVID restrictions,
Much has changed, but the ETU’s core our branch has hosted comprehensive
values and aims have not. delegate training with 10 classes
for workers from all industries
In 2022 as in 1902 the ETU stands for and regions.
the safety, security and dignity of our
members and all electrical workers. COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We stand for the best possible pay
and conditions for the skilled work our The NSW & ACT branch introduced
members provide, the integrity of our two major initiatives related to families
trade, and the welfare of our families and communities.
and communities.
The ETU Community Support Program
As a Union we harness our collective offers grants to local organisations,
power to deliver good outcomes for such as sporting clubs, where ETU
members. Those good outcomes members are actively involved. We also
encourage more workers to join the launched ETU Community Connect,
ETU and so we continue to build a based on a model established by
bigger, stronger Union. ETU Queensland. That saw the Union
work with contractors to send crews
GOOD GROWTH to restore power to homes in flood-
devastated Lismore.
The ETU NSW & ACT branch has
faced challenges in recent years, most 2022 has been a year of growth,
notably the privatisation of much of the initiative and success for the ETU NSW
electricity sector, with thousands of & ACT. One more notable step in the
jobs cut in 2015-16. ETU’s proud history and strong future.
But this year we have added a net 800 Proud to be Union.
members – that’s a significant jump
and there is more growth ahead.
We are picking up members in
established sectors including
electricity, construction and rail, all
of which have seen major successful
industrial campaigns. Growth also
comes from new sectors and new
industries. Our branch will soon
appoint an organiser targeting the
contractors that work with and around
the electricity sector.
Allen Hicks
ETU NSW & ACT State Secretary
60
Rail reps ETU Bargaining Team Lucas
steer mammoth Dobosz, Michael De Marchis,
EBA campaign organiser Tara Koot, Jono Bell,
Alec Beville, Jesse Saville, Phil
Dawe, ETU President Glen Potter
Rank-and-file delegates are in recent EBA campaigns in other Government – with open conflict
driving one of the ETU’s most sectors. The list of 25 industrial actions between government ministers.
complex and long-running voted up includes actions found to be
EBA campaigns. effective in the power sector in 2021. The Premier threatened to terminate
the EBA if industrial action,
For more than 12 months, 50 Sydney The selective use of bans enabled ETU including ETU action, continued.
Trains delegates have met weekly to members to apply maximum pressure Combined Rail Unions asked the
plan strategy and guide high-impact on the company with minimum impact Fair Work Commission to issue
industrial action. on workers’ pay packets. good faith bargaining orders against
Sydney Trains.
Seven senior delegates have taken on Only ETU President Glen
even more responsibility – they sit on Potter had prior bargaining ETU organiser Tara Koot said she could
the ETU bargaining team with ETU not be more proud of her Sydney Trains
Organiser Tara Koot. experience. The other six delegates.
delegates stepped up to
It’s a huge commitment taking up at the challenge of juggling “They are an amazing team! They go
least a day per week since July 2021, multiple rail unions, hostile above and beyond. Always on the ball,
and several days a week in periods of management and attention ready and willing to do what’s required.
intense negotiations. to thousands of details. Nothing would have been won in this
EBA without our bargaining reps.
Only ETU President Glen Potter had Congratulations to all.”
prior bargaining experience. The
other six delegates stepped up to The ETU delegate team has steered They are an amazing team!
the challenge of juggling multiple the ETU campaign to the brink of great They go above and beyond.
rail unions, hostile management and success. Credit also goes to all ETU Always on the ball, ready
attention to thousands of details. members at Sydney Trains who have
stuck together in a disciplined and and willing to do what’s
The ETU is not the largest union at effective industrial campaign. required. Nothing would
Sydney Trains, but with over 1,000 have been won in this EBA
members our Union has been pivotal However, the EBA dispute continued without our bargaining reps.
throughout the EBA campaign. to be bogged down by factors Congratulations to all.
outside the ETU’s control. Union
ETU members voted overwhelmingly negotiators have had to deal with 61
to endorse a range of industrial action conflicting approaches from Sydney
in two protected action ballots. Trains management and the NSW
The Sydney Trains campaign was
strengthened by the ETU’s experience
NSW/ACT777341
3
ETU members powe
More than a thousand ETU Secretary Allen Hicks said the “In 2022, with the Power Up campaign,
ETU members employed by Power Up campaign for 2022 EBAs we are building on those foundations.
over 30 contractors packed a will build on previous gains won by We need to ensure that our members
mass meeting in Sydney’s CBD ETU members. keep up with the soaring cost of living.
in August. We need to address the lack of work/
“In 2018, rights and conditions in NSW life balance in the sector. We need to
They endorsed a log of claims for the had fallen well behind the standards fight the exploitation of labour hire.
next round of enterprise bargaining in other major areas like Victoria and We need to stand up for apprentices,
agreements (EBAs) and pledged to Queensland. Electrical workers in NSW women in the trade and mature
back demands up with united action, construction were paid substantially age workers.
if required. less and had fewer rights than their
counterparts in other states. “If we remain strong, active and
With EBAs expiring on 31 October, the united across the construction sector,
ETU geared up for a major campaign “To fix the industry, the ETU had to I’m confident we can achieve great
to improve conditions and secure the start from the ground up. We built outcomes in this EBA and bring us
value of wages. Union membership, organised company closer to parity with electrical workers
by company, and created structures in Queensland and Victoria.”
The Union is seeking a three-year to develop and protect activists,
agreement that delivers a 17% pay delegates and HSRs.
rise and five weeks annual leave for
day workers. Other key claims include “Working with our members, the ETU
improved redundancy paid into the laid that foundation. The outcome was
Protect severance fund, enhanced job 33 Sydney construction EBAs and nine
security and stronger delegate and infrastructure EBAs that significantly
Health and Safety Representative improved conditions.
(HSR) rights.
62
3148er up for EBA 2022
3 77
3
ETU DELEGATES SAY STOP CASUALISATION IMPROVE WORK/
LIFE BALANCE
MATCH COST OF LIVING Job security is a big thing. We need to
push back against casualisation. The Five weeks annual leave will be a game
We laid the groundwork with our last new Labor Government must deliver on changer. These days most are working
EBA campaign. We need to maintain its promise to abolish the ABCC. That 10-12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. We
and improve on that. In particular, we goes hand-in-hand with the EBA. need to recognise that and get some
need to ensure our wages match the work/life balance back.
increased cost of living. Mick Walden, Enermech
Kyle Battye, Stowe
Andrew Whyte, Fredon
63
NSW/ACT the community
The ETU NSW & ACT
branch Community Support
Program offers grants to local
organisations in which ETU
members are actively involved.
ETU Education Scholarships
assist members and their
children with the costs of
further education.
BOOST FOR LOCAL SOCCER CYCLING CLUB ON TRACK SCHOOL’S NEW PLAY GEAR
Our rural and regional communities Thanks to an ETU Community Grant, a The students of Mt Keira
rely on dedicated volunteers like ETU local cycling club was able to purchase Demonstration School are one step
member Ryan Elphick. basic track maintenance equipment. closer to a new playground, thanks to
an ETU Community Grant.
Ryan, a live lineworker with Endeavour The Helensburgh Off Road Cycling
Energy, has been involved with Exeter Club (HORCC) immediately organised ETU member Reuben Viles and
Soccer Club for 20 years. a working bee to upgrade and enhance wife Stephanie are working with the
safety at the 2.5km track near school P&C to raise funds to replace
“I still play today, aged 40. My kids Wollongong. condemned play equipment.
played, and I’ve been a coach, an
official and now president.” HORCC is a vibrant community hub An ETU Community Grant got their
with more than 200 members, several campaign off to a great start.
An ETU Community Grant covered of them employed by electricity
purchase of a laptop and printer so the distributor Ausgrid. “We’re so grateful! The ETU’s
Southern Highlands club can centralise donation has lifted spirits and spurred
and share administration and records. Control room operator Huw Jarman, everyone on. We hope to have the new
who applied for the grant, said the playground in place next year,” said
“Thank you ETU! This makes a club is “very appreciative” of the ETU’s Stephanie.
real difference to our club and our assistance, which will ensure the track
community.” stays safe “for years to come.”
64
y union
HELPING COUNTRY KIDS SIDNEY’S NEW WHEELS FAMILY PRESSURE RELIEVED
ETU delegate Dave Bender reckons its Vet Medicine student Sidney An ETU Education Scholarship came
harder for “country kids” like his son Mulholland has a new set of tyres to at “exactly the right time” after Sophie
Riley to complete a tertiary degree. make her journeys over rough rural Cowan had her modest car stolen.
roads safer and smoother. Sophie’s father, Marcus, who works
“Kids from the regions often have to for Essential Energy in Forbes, said
leave home to study. They don’t have Sidney has faced substantial rising the Scholarship “removed a bit of
mum and dad there every day.” costs since she moved to Adelaide pressure” off the family.
three years ago for study. Despite Sophie has won two Dean’s Awards
Riley has a lot on his plate with a full- working two jobs, it is a financial during three years studying Medical
time engineering degree, part-time struggle. Radiation Science at Charles Sturt
work and rent to pay on the Gold Coast. University Wagga. But her course
Her father Ian — a 39-year ETU comes with high costs including
“We were both ecstatic to receive help member on Nilsen’s engineering accommodation and textbooks.
from the ETU Scholarship. That just services team – said an ETU In 2023, Sophie will live away from
takes some pressure off. Scholarship had “helped Sidney home for the entire year as she
immensely”. completes a hospital placement.
“It’s fantastic to see the union backing “We’re very proud of Sophie’s
blue-collar families like ours.” “Her life is a little less stressful. It’s achievements. Thanks to the ETU,
great to know Sidney is on safe wheels we’ve had some timely help with the
when she drives from farm to farm.” expenses. These scholarships are a
great thing for country families.”
GRANT FOR LIFESAVER
65
Thanks to an ETU campaign, every truck in the electricity sector is equipped with a
life-saving defibrillator.
Endeavour Energy employee Joel Ward wanted to see the same at Wollongong
University Junior Soccer Club where he and his family are closely involved.
Joel applied for an ETU Community Grant to fund a defibrillator and was “stoked” to
hear the grant was approved.
“This has been on my mind for 16 years. It makes me so proud to be a Union member
when I see the ETU’s good work.”
NSW/ACT
ETU sparkies ‘A GREAT
EXPERIENCE’
re-connect
flood-damaged ETU members John Elefantis and
communities Florian Steckel jumped at the chance
to assist flood-ravaged communities in
ETU members arrived in Lismore and the region had 6,100 northern NSW.
Ballina to help reconnect homes inundated with water and 4,500
power across the flood- homes without power for weeks. The Sydney-based sparkies work
devastated region. for FIP, one of five contractors
The ETU and contractors worked participating in the ETU industry
The ETU’s ‘Community Connect’ together to provide a basic electrical initiative Community Connect.
initiative was backed by five electrical installation that includes at a minimum
contractors. a safety switch and power point. “We wanted to help the locals. There’s
a desperate shortage of electricians up
“We will do everything we can to Community Connect coordinated there,” said John.
assist our members and communities priority work with power distributor
who have suffered massive damage,” Essential Energy. “The whole group met in the morning
said ETU NSW & ACT Secretary to plan work, then caught up for a beer
Allen Hicks. “We made a difference. We re- and shared stories at the end of the
connected homes and vital community day. It was a good experience.”
“The ETU congratulates Stowe, FIP, centres,” said Allen.
Fredon, Downer and PM Electrics The visiting electricians, working hard
for contributing skilled workers Community Connect is inspired by 10-hour days, were warmly received.
and resources to the Community the Queensland branch of the ETU’s
Connect project. successful ‘Operation Energise’. “We found a great community spirit.
The NSW & ACT branch thanks former People living in sheds were so glad to
‘”We brought the industry together QLD ETU President Keith McKenzie for see us. It was satisfying to know they
on this because thousands of people his assistance. would get their power restored.”
urgently needed our expertise.”
66
MUDGEE VETERANS FROM DELEGATE’S FAMILY LIZ REBUILDS
FIRE TO FLOOD DRAMATIC RESCUE ROOM-BY-ROOM
ETU delegate Simon Davis and his The flood hit Codrington, population ETU delegate Liz Couch is rebuilding her
Essential Energy crew had seen the TV 68, like an “inland tsunami”, said ETU Woodburn home room-by-room after flood
pictures but nothing prepared them for delegate Craig Roder. waters inside reached
the reality of flood-hit northern NSW. 3.8 metres.
Craig’s family home by the Richmond The instrumentation technician employed
“It was misery. Like a warzone. Dead River was inundated along with his in- by Sunshine Sugar’s Broadwater Mill was
animals and dead crops. Two-story laws’ place just down the road. forced to evacuate with her dogs Frankie
houses destroyed with the family’s and Katie.
possessions piled out front. The army The extended family – nine adults She returned after a few days to find
picking it up by hand,’ said Simon. and five dogs – was evacuated by an “everything trashed” and has since ripped
SES boat under chest high water and out the walls, bathroom and kitchen.
The ETU Mudgee crew travelled from driving rain. Liz’s employer provided temporary fencing
Mudgee and spent two weeks working to protect her canine companions.
12-hour days out of Maclean and “We just threw the dogs in like Despite the catastrophic damage, Liz says
Ballina. footballs,” said Craig, a delegate at “I’m feeling good”.
Essential Energy’s Casino depot. “Woodburn is a strong little community.
“We started by de-energising affected We’ll get through this together.”
premises. By the second week, The neighbours refused to move. They Liz thanked the ETU for personal and
we were re-connecting. That felt had to be rescued after dark from their material support.
good. People could turn their noisy roof.
generators off.” STEVE’S HELPING HAND FOR
Days later, Craig returned home to find FLOOD-DEVASTATED LISMORE
The same Mudgee crew had been an anxious cow on his deck.
despatched to Kempsey and Bega to Lismore-based ETU organiser Steve
restore the network after the massive “The smell of mud and manure, the Magann pitched in as the local community
bushfires in 2019-20. sight of our photos and furniture began the slow recovery from flood
destroyed – it was hard.” devastation.
“We do whatever we can to assist “Lismore has faced great challenges in
our communities in time of need,” Even harder was the family’s lack of its history. This is next level, but our proud
said Simon. flood insurance, which at $30,000 per community will get the town back on its
annum was unaffordable. feet,” said Steve.
Around Ballina, local Essential Energy
workers used their own boats to access “We’ll fix it up and stay. Can’t walk 67
flooded properties. away from a mortgage and, anyway,
who’d buy it?” said Craig.
Craig thanked the ETU for support
and assistance.
NSW/ACT
Tramway overhead ETU NSW Member’s
repair team c1910 Subscription Book 1924-1938
1928-45 ETU FIGHTS FROM
BUST TO BOOM
1902 ETU NSW 1906 ETU ACHIEVES FIRST The Depression brought economic
FOUNDED ELECTRICAL AWARD collapse with massive unemployment.
Hundreds of electrical workers lost
The year 1888 saw Tamworth become The young ETU NSW soon developed jobs and others faced work rationing.
the first NSW town with electric street a log of claims covering pay, hours In 1931 the ETU joined a general strike
lighting. By 1899, Sydney had its first of work and conditions. In 1906, with against a proposed 10% cut to wages.
major power station. Electrical workers the Electricians &c (State) Award, As the economy improved, the NSW
discussed forming a union and on 28 the Union achieved substantial ETU led a successful campaign for
October 1902, at Sydney Trades Hall, improvements for members. Some the 44-hour week, achieved in 1935.
the Electrical Trades Union (NSW) ETU members are still covered by The Union then began to demand
was born. The ETU had 37 founding an updated version of this award a 40-hour week. In 1936 the State
members who elected an executive today! The Union overcame employer Government took control of electricity
which in 1903 appointed Donald Black resistance to win recognition and supply and established Sydney County
as organiser. Black became the Union’s establish boards to oversee wages and Council as Supply Authority. ETU NSW
first secretary the following year. the electrical trade. By 1907 the ETU membership in 1945 stood at 12,755.
had a Newcastle office and in 1911 a
monthly journal.
1997-2015 THE FIGHT AGAINST
PRIVATISATION
The NSW ETU fought relentlessly for 20
years against moves from both sides of
politics to privatise the power sector. A
1997 privatisation attempt by the Carr
Labor Government was defeated by the Women and men assem
ETU on the floor of ALP conference with toasters c1935
support from fellow unions and ALP
members. In 2008 the Iemma Labor
Government again sought to sell off the ETU members rally in Sydney
electricity sector, only to face a second against Greiner Government
massive rejection by the labour movement industrial laws, 1989
at ALP conference. In 2014 the NSW
Coalition Government, under Premier
Baird, announced that, if re-elected in
2015, the entire power sector would be
privatised. The ETU launched a massive
‘Stop the Sell Off’ campaign, mobilising
members and winning widespread
public support. The ETU campaign kept
Essential Energy in public hands, but a
re-elected Coalition Government sold
Transgrid and part-privatised Ausgrid and OF
Endeavour Energy.
120 YEARS68
PROUD HISTORY, EMTaUrcfhlo1a9t 6L0asbour Day
STRONG FUTURE
Workers in front of turbine, 1960-81 FROM STRENGTH
Ultimo Power Station 1960 TO STRENGTH
2018-22 CHALLENGES The NSW ETU had been part of a
AND GROWTH federated national ETU since 1920,
however legal questions emerged
mbling regarding the Union’s ability to represent
members working under State Awards.
In 2018 the ETU launched the ‘It’s In 1961, to address this, a separate
Time’ campaign aiming to raise Trade and Industrial Union was formed
standards across Sydney construction and registered and operates in tandem
and infrastructure. EBAs signed at with the ETU’s federal body. In 1963 the
more than 30 companies delivered ETU NSW won four weeks annual leave
significant improvements. In 2022, the at Sydney County Council after a major
Union seeks to build on those gains. campaign. In 1968 NSW electricians were
In the electricity and rail sectors, granted a $3 per week advantage over
the Union ran significant extended other tradespeople. In the 1970s, the
industrial campaigns that achieved ETU placed a ban on the use of asbestos
good outcomes for members. During and demanded its removal from the
the pandemic years 2020-21, the workplace. The ban was supported by
ETU successfully lobbied to protect industrial action where necessary, and the
the rights, income and job security ETU helped develop safe practices for the
of thousands of members. 2022 saw removal of asbestos and campaigned to
significant membership growth in the assist members who were already ill. In
1981, 6,000 State Electricity Commission
THE NSWETUNSW&ACT. workers achieved a 35-hour week after
a six-week strike. ETU members in
electrical contracting won a 38-hour week
soon after.
ETU anti privatisation
protest 1996-97
ETU 69
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NATIONAL What does a day in Canberra lobb
on behalf of ETU members look li
By ETU National Policy Officer Trevor Gauld
The ETU National team lobbies hard on behalf of all
our members to encourage change to national policies,
legislation and regulations to improve the lives of
electrical workers, their families and their communities.
As a national union with members in a huge range of
sectors, we make sure that your voices are heard by
many different decisionmakers in Canberra. Here is what
a recent day in the nation’s capital included.
8:30AM Catch up with Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, an old
friend of the ETU, to check which ministers have responsibilities with uranium and
nuclear issues. We need to ensure the government understands the problems with
the proposed radioactive waste dump and educate them on issues with the lack
of proper rehabilitation programs for uranium mining. We also need to remind the
government that they committed to sign up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty
in Government and understand how this interacts with the proposed nuclear-
powered submarines.
9:00AM Discuss a charter of rights in the Queensland Government’s Queensland Energy
Plan with the Qld Energy Minister’s office. The ETU National Office is assisting the
ETU QLD branch develop a charter of rights to maintain job security and rights for
workers who may be impacted by the Plan.
9:30AM Meet with Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s office. We discuss a wide range of issues
including the feasibility of the proposed Marinus Project, how the federal government
may be able to assist state governments with energy policy announcements and
our concerns with the energy regulators. We seek assurances that the ETU will be
consulted following recent announcements about adding emissions reductions and
jobs and social licence objectives to the National Energy Objective.
10:00AM Discussion with ALP Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) representatives and
some fellow unions about motions and platform amendments for the upcoming NSW
ALP Conference where we want commitments from NSW Labor around national
licencing, just transitions and improvements to electrical safety.
11:30AM Meet with Immigration Minister Andrew Giles’ office to discuss our concerns with
Australia’s immigration program and in particular an issue with a dodgy labour
agreement signed off by the former government for a new transmission project. We
also discuss the ETU’s views on increasing the minimum pay temporary migrants
should be paid to avoid them being used as cheap labour in our industry.
12:00PM Meet with the Prime Minister’s new Stakeholder Relations Advisor. Having a point of
contact to assist in finding out who to speak to and which Minister has responsibility
for what is really handy as it’s not always a straightforward answer.
72
bying politicians
ike? 1:00PM Meet with Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh’s
office to find out about an ABS consultation that has had no union involvement
that references introducing ‘micro-credentialling’ to ABS statistics. This is a really
problematic term that employers are increasingly using to undermine genuine skills
and qualifications in the migration program.
1:30PM Meet with Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil’s office to
discuss Australia’s broader migration program and to seek an update on the Security
of Critical Infrastructure laws which passed earlier this year, also known as the
‘SLACI’ bill. We raise our concerns about the need to protect our members’ privacy.
2:00PM Drop into the new Senator David Pocock’s office to provide a copy of the ETU’s
Powering Australia Skills plan policy proposal and to set up a follow-up meeting with
the Senator to go through it in detail.
2:30PM Meet new key staff in Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek’s
office on behalf of our members at the Bureau of Meteorology and also to discuss
uranium and nuclear matters.
3:00PM Meet with Matt from Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor’s office to
discuss the meaning of micro-credentialling. He agrees that it is not what some
business associations have been claiming which would undermine Australia’s
training framework and we discuss a process to settle on a definition.
3:30PM Meet with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ office to discuss the Government’s
priorities in the Attorney General’s department. We receive a short briefing on the
government’s proposed new anti-corruption laws timing and also find about an
upcoming review of the operation of the Administration Appeals Tribunal. We also
receive a contact for an advisor with oversight of the Dept performing a review into
privacy, another key issue for members.
4:00PM Arrange a formal meeting with Senator Jenny McCallister to discuss skills and
training needs in energy efficiency projects and what the future hydrogen licencing
framework may look like.
4:30PM Catch up with a former advisor from Kristina Kenneally’s office who now works in the
Prime Minister’s Office and manages the government’s work in the Senate. A useful
contact for understanding the passage of laws through the Senate.
5:00PM Meet with Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing Tim Ayers to thank him for
recent work with DFAT and assistance he gave the ETU. We discuss the government’s
view on the Indo Pacific Economic Framework that US President Joe Biden has
established and how unions will be consulted going forward. We also flag some
issues with “fast tracked” skills assessment programs being advertised on the
DFAT website.
6:00PM Meet with Energy Skills Australia’s new CEO Mark Burgess about a skills mapping
program to identify pathways, time and costs for electrical licence holders to dual
trade into other electrical trades - and have a cold beer to finish off the day!
73
NATIONAL77441
WIMDOI returns
IN FULL FORCE
In September this year access to amenities in the electrical Aunty Pat Anderson gave a moving and
the Women In Male Dominated trades, particularly for women. Too inspiring speech about the importance
Occupations and Industries often bathrooms are too far away, of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
(WIMDOI) conference returned unhygienic, locked, or without basics She spoke about her experiences
with a bang bringing together like soap, toilet paper, a sanitary bin as a First Nations woman and was
192 women from over and running water. We want health and welcomed by the New Zealand sisters
20 unions. safety laws in this country to mandate who sang a welcome in their own
minimum standards for workplace language. Minister for Women Senator
Created 25 years ago, WIMDOI is amenities to ensure they are regularly Katy Gallagher spoke about what
an important collective that brings serviced, accessible, suitable, and open the Albanese Federal Government is
together women who work in male- – for every worker. doing for women. Australian writer
dominated industries. Sometimes these and activist Van Badham spoke about
women are the only women in their Director and founder of the Touched online bullying which has morphed into
workplaces, so coming together helps By Christopher Foundation, Patrizia the incitation of gender-based violence
them realise they are not alone in their Cassiniti, talked about safety on the and the danger this causes to society.
industries. WIMDOI aims to empower job and emphasized the importance of
these women, and many participants speaking up when you see something Participants then workshopped issues
go on to become delegates, union that’s not right. We’re all responsible together to share ideas and solutions
leaders and politicians. for making sure that we all come for addressing workplace problems
home safely at the end of the workday. and later the women joined a protest
Key themes of the two-day conference The women also visited the workers march to support the general service
included discriminatory policies, the memorial site and thought about those officer workers who are some of the
importance of personal protective lost in workplace accidents. lowest paid workers in Canberra.
equipment and the lack of suitable
amenities for women in many It’s really refreshing
workplaces. Other themes were about meeting ‘your people’.
improving superannuation and parental You get to connect with
leave, helping more migrant women other people having a
access the correct TAFE training to similar lived experience to
have a career in male-dominated you and build up a support
industries and making clauses in network of people you
agreements more inclusive for people can shadow or mentor.
from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds.
The ETU Women’s Committee gave
a presentation on the ‘Nowhere to
Go’ campaign, which aims to improve
74
“WIMDOI challenges these incredible “It’s also a really good opportunity to
women to step up and make things network with other women outside of
better for those coming after them as your own union and your own industry.
well as the importance of supporting We all have so much in common.”
one another,” said CEPU SA State
Assistant Secretary Jess Rogers. She hopes more women will be able
to join for the next WIMDOI conference
ETU member Hannah Watts found and keep the group growing.
the support and networking the most
valuable part of the two days. “It’s such a positive experience. If you’re
thinking about coming next time, do!”
“It’s really refreshing meeting ‘your
people’. You get to connect with
other people having a similar lived
experience to you and build up a
support network of people you can
shadow or mentor.”
ETU women spoke about
the ‘Nowhere to Go’
amenities campaign.
WIMDOI attendees visited the
Workers Memorial Site, to remember
those lost in workplace accidents.
75
NATIONAL We want to
hear from
YOU!
LET US KNOW!
What would you like to see more
(or less) of in your Yearbook?
Follow the QR code to let us know, so we
can give you more of the stories that you like.
76
CONTACTS
NATIONAL OFFICE Divisional President: Troy Gray
Suite 408 Divisional Vice Presidents: Peter Ong
30-40 Harcourt Parade Michael Anderson
Rosebery NSW 2018
National Secretary: Allen Hicks National Assistant Secretaries: David Mier
Mailing Address: PO Box 380 Michael Wright
Rosebery NSW 2018
Phone: (02) 9663 3699
Fax: (02) 9663 5599
Enquiries: admin@etuaustralia.org.au
VIC QLD & NT
Level 1, 200 Arden Street 41 Peel Street
North Melbourne VIC 3051 South Brisbane QLD 4101
State Secretary: Troy Gray State Secretary: Peter Ong
ETU Assist: 1800 134 835 Toll Free: 1800 388 937
Phone: (03) 8329 0000 Phone: (07) 3846 2477
Fax: (03) 8329 0066 Fax: (07) 3844 9851
Email: etu@etuvic.com.au Email: info@etu.org.au
NSW & ACT SA
Level 5, 370 Pitt Street 87 St Vincent Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Port Adelaide SA 5015
State Secretary: Allen Hicks State Secretary: John Adley
Phone: (02) 9267 4844 Phone: (08) 8234 2130
Email: etunsw@etunsw.asn.au Email: webmail@cepusa.com.au
TAS WA
105 New Town Road 3 Focal Way
New Town TAS 7008 Bayswater WA 6035
State Secretary: State Secretary: Peter Carter
Michael Anderson Phone: (08) 9440 3522
Phone: (03) 6228 0098 Fax: (08) 9440 3544
Email: info@ceputas.com.au Email: etu@etuwa.com.au
77
JOIN TODAY!The ETU is a mighty union of more than 60,000 electricians, apprentices
and electrical workers around Australia.
Join today, and be part of the movement to raise wages, improve working
conditions, increase safety standards and improve life for all Australians.
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