Industrial disputes & news - 10 January 2024
Transgrid; Tassie Paramedics; Geelong Port; Mobile speed camera operators; Cleanaway; Gold Coast Trams; Vicpol; The Hobart Clinic; Moira Shire; TasPorts Pilots; DP World; CPSU elections
ETU NSW- Transgrid
Workers at Transgrid in NSW commenced industrial action on Friday (5/1) with a one hour stoppage, and 6 indefinite workroom stoppages. Transgrid operate transmission lines, substations, underground cables etc. The ETU is seeking a 17% pay rise over 3 years, Transgrid has offered approx 13%.
HACSU Tasmania - Paramedics
Paramedics in Tasmania commenced industrial action on 29/12. HACSU’s “first phase” includes wearing campaign tshirts; chalking ambulances and distributing campaign materials. This is happening at the same time as a Tasmanian Government inquiry into ambulance ramping which is due to report by 28 March this year.
MUA - Geelong Port
Workers at the Port of Geelong took 24 hours strike action on 2 January. The workers are fighting for a decent pay rise and to protect their rostering arrangements. This is the first industrial action in their EBA campaign.
CPSU/ASU- Serco Mobile speed camera operators
Mobile speed camera operators (CPSU members) in Victoria commenced industrial action over the holiday period with stoppages on New Years Eve and New Years Day. ASU members in camera HQ are also took industrial action. Both unions are demanding wage increases to reflect the cost of living and as well as minimum staffing levels. For the camera operators, there are also several claims around OHS - with multiple incidents of workers being abused, threatened and attacked.
TWU - Blacktown Bins
Over Christmas, there was media reporting about bins in Blacktown not being emptied due to strike action. I believe this is related to the long-running dispute with Cleanaway. In early December, the TWU was trying to get its 2 intractable bargaining cases with Cleanaway heard in tandem. The TWU put out a media release just prior to Christmas saying workers had no choice but to take industrial action, accusing Cleanaway of acting in bad faith. They will be back at the FWC this year.
RTBU - Gold Coast Trams (Gold Link)
On 22/12 Gold Coast tram drivers walked off the job in their first protected industrial action holding a mass meeting and resolving to fight for a fair wage increase. The workers have subsequently marched on Gold Link HQ on 3/1 to deliver a letter, but they locked the door and snuck out the back!
VPA - Vicpol
The Police Association won a significant concession from Vicpol before Christmas, thus cancelling their planned industrial action. Industrial action and bargaining will be paused for 6 months, while Vicpol attempt to introduce the 9 hour shift model that was at the centre of the dispute. 9 hour shifts mean the cops are paid to attend handover/briefing. After this is implemented, the VPA & Vicpol will then return to bargaining over wages.
ASU - Moira Shire
Council workers at Moira Shire in northern Victoria were poised to take industrial action prior to Christmas, but suspended action after a strengthened offer from the Council. ASU members will vote on this offer today.
AMOU - TasPorts Pilots
Tasports Marine Pilots are currently voting on a protected action ballot which closes tomorrow (11 January). Negotiations have been ongoing since June. The pilots want nationally competitive wages, which lag behind other pilots wages by up to 30%.
HACSU Tasmania - The Hobart Clinic
HACSU members at The Hobart Clinic are considering taking strike action after their attempts to take minor industrial action (handing out leaflets, wearing union merch etc) were shut down by the FWC as the clinic argued it was a risk to patient safety. If a pink tshirt is a risk to patient safety, good luck with no staff.
MUA - DP World
Now that the threat of ruining Christmas has passed, the MUA is now being accused by the Freight & Trade Alliance that their industrial action at DP World being is a bigger problem than attacks in the red sea. “Family businesses” and Liberal politicians alike have called for Federal Government intervention in the dispute. DP World is now moving to penalise workers a full shift’s wage if they slow down cargo with work bans. This is a severe escalation. MUA here to stay!
CPSU Elections
I missed this at the end of last year, but the incumbent Melissa Donnelly Team was successful in the CPSU elections. 13 days between the ballot closing, and results being declared by the AEC may perhaps indicate a close margin?
TWU - Gold Coast & Logan City Bus Drivers
After a long dispute, and over a month of refusing to collect fares, the TWU has declared a victory for Gold Coast and Logan City Bus Drivers. The state government has committed to investing $155 million to bring bus driver wages up to $35/hour.
That’s all I’ve got this week, and I’m sure I have missed a lot over the break. Please let me know if industrial action is likely to kick off at your workplace this year - I am keen to find out about more disputes - big and small.
In solidarity, Sarah