Industrial disputes & news - 10 April 2024
Transgrid; Australian & Victorian public sector; Ambulance Victoria; Victorian nurses & midwives; City of Ballarat; air traffic controllers; RMIT; Adelaide trains; Victorian TAFE; Simpec; DP World
ETU NSW - Transgrid
More “innovative, effective and interesting” industrial action has been promised by the ETU as Transgrid “drags its feet” through negotiations. Bargaining update 11 says that a mass meeting voted to take a new offer to Trasngrid of annual 6.5% wage increases for 3 years and a 0.5% increase to super in years 2 & 3, contingent on outstanding items being agreed on. Transgrid refused this offer claiming it can’t afford the pay increases. The ETU had earlier this year been demanding annual increases of 8%. So with a compromise position being rejected outright…bring on the innovative industrial action! The union was scheduled to have another meeting with Transgrid yesterday, so another bargaining update will probably be available on the ETU FB page shortly.
UFU & AFPA - APSC
Aviation firefighters will take 4 hours strike action on 15 April. This follows the firies taking an indefinite ban on overtime from 5 April. The firefighters who work at airports across the country are just one of several “frontline” groups of federal government workers, who are disputing the Australian Public Service Commission’s service wide pay deal agreed to by the CPSU. Cops at the AFP are similarly unhappy with the pay deal, and have commenced industrial action in the form of chalking messages on AFP vehicles in strategic locations such as airports.
AIMPE & AMOU - APSC/Serco
But it’s not just cops and firefighters that are unimpressed with the APSC’s service wide pay deal. The crew who operate Australia’s icebreaking service in Antartica on the RSV Nuyina have voted yes to a protected action ballot that covers a range of potential work bans. The crew are the latest group of workers covered by the APSC deal who are not satisfied with the 11.2% pay deal given the “trade off” of working from home will be impossible to benefit from.
VAU/UWU - Ambulance Victoria
Industrial action continues at Ambulance Victoria. Maintenance workers from 8 regional stations took 24 hours strike action on Monday (8/4). The mechanics are fighting for a better pay deal and action on workload. Paramedics are also continuing industrial action by chalking messages on ambulances as well as turning their flashing lights on if ramped at hospitals for more than 40 minutes.
ANMF Vic - Public sector nurses and midwives
Last week the ANMF successfully applied to the FWC for a protected action ballot. The ballot will open before 14 April and close on 29 April, with any action to take place after the expiry of the current agreement on 30 April. 30 April will also be the next statewide members meeting where assumedly the results of the protected action ballot will be discussed. Stay tuned!
ASU Authorities & Services Branch - City of Ballarat
Workers at the City of Ballarat have voted down an EBA presented by management, and are now voting in a protected action ballot. The current EBA expired in September last year. The ASU claims the EBA put forward by management would make Ballarat council workers the worst paid in the state.
Civil Air - Air Services Australia
Air traffic controllers are undertaking a protected action ballot after 14 unsuccessful negotiating meetings with Air Services Australia. The ballot closes on May 1. Workers are concerned about staff shortages, work life balance and are seeking an increase in their wages and superannuation payments. If strike action takes place, it would be the first by air traffic controllers since 2002.
NTEU - RMIT
The NTEU’s three and a half day strike was not without tension as some union members were denied entry to a “town hall” staff meeting due to wearing union tshirts, and then tersely quizzed by the deputy vice chancellor as to whether the meeting was being filmed. The current EBA expired in 2021, and workers are fighting for secure jobs, decent pay and one agreement across the entire institution.
RTBU SA- Keolis Downer Adelaide (Adelaide Trains)
Train drivers in Adelaide were anticipated to take industrial action on the weekend in the form of strike action and a ban on wearing uniforms. However, on Friday the RTBU withdrew the action. Train drivers are fighting for a pay increase to keep up with the cost of living.
CPSU Victoria - Victorian Public Sector Agreement
On Tuesday, the CPSU advised members that a “heads of agreement” had been signed by the state government and the union for a four year EBA. The union’s initial demand was a 20% wage increase over four years (7%, 5%, 4% & 4%) but this agreement falls into line with the state government’s 3% wage cap. An update to members in March had said that “Government pay policy affects bargaining and the Victorian Government will not change its policy and has case law that confirms there strong position.” A range of improvements to conditions, including menstrual leave, are included in the new deal. Agency specific negotiations will now take place in order to finalise the full agreement prior to a ballot of all Victorian public service employees.
AEU Victoria - TAFE Colleges
In March, the AEU applied for protected action ballots at 12 TAFE Colleges claiming that “the government’s salary offer of 3% per year doesn’t address the needs of teachers, or the students, industries, and communities they serve.” The ballots closed on Monday and all have voted up protected action. Endorsed actions include a range of work bans and stoppages, including specifically stopping work when ALP members of the Victorian Parliament visit campuses. Stay tuned!
CFMEU WA - Simpec
No details to share, but the dispute at Simpec has ended with workers voting up an EBA with improved wages and conditions.
MUA - DP World
In the last week of March, the MUA held member meetings in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle to give members at DP World the opportunity to vote on the in-principle agreement. The EBA has now been endorsed by the membership. The MUA says the EBA provides pay increases as well as action on safety, job security and work/life balance. I’ll be curious to have a look at where they landed on rostering when the EBA becomes available through the FWC.
After a wonderful break last week, that’s all I’ve got from the last fortnight! If you know about a dispute that I’ve missed, or have further info to share about any disputes I’ve reported on - please get in touch!
In solidarity, Sarah