Industrial disputes & news - 14 February 2024

Maryvale Paper Mill; Network Aviation; BHP: Ambulance ramping in Tassie; Vline; Scotch College; Transgrid & Endeavour Energy; TasPorts; RFDS; University of Melbourne; John Setka

AMWU/UWU  - Maryvale Paper Mill

After being locked out for 5 days, workers at Maryvale Paper Mill have reached an in-principle agreement with the employer, Opal. Negotiations for a new EBA started in late 2023, and protected industrial action had been underway this year. The sticking point in negotiations had been the employer’s demand to remove “member quotas” which ensure full time workers are not replaced with contractors. It has been reported that compromises have been made around this clause, as well as the clause regarding the number of apprentices hired. While locked out workers were joined by the ETU on a picket line at the front of the mill, the Victorian Branch of the  CFMEU Construction & General Division alleges that the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division was crossing the picket line.

AFAP - Network Aviation 

After last week’s resumption of industrial action, AFAP have declared they will take weekly strike action if necessary.  Starting today, pilots will take 6 days of strike action. The pilots want the same entitlements offered to pilots flying for Qantas (of which Network Aviation is a subsidiary).

MEU - BHP

Iron ore train drivers in the Pilbara are once again poised to take strike action.  MEU members have voted in favour of industrial action and a 24 hour stoppage this Friday (16 February) is planned. Workers will also slow down some trains, starting from 17 February, and ban operating trains which transport maintenance material, construction equipment, or fuel. Workers were due to take industrial action in November, but it was called off at the eleventh hour after a revised offer from BHP. The MEU reports that while that offer was an improvement, it didn’t address “members’ priorities” and was rejected with a no vote of close to 70%.  The MEU and BHP met in January, but no further response from BHP has led to the escalation to industrial action.

ANMF & HACSU - Ambulance Ramping

HACSU paramedics are currently undertaking industrial action in Tasmania, and a government inquiry into ambulance ramping is also taking place. The state government is proposing a new “offload” policy which says patients have to be transferred from ambulances to the emergency department within 1 hour. However the ANMF has said they weren’t consulted, and the policy cannot be safely implemented “without strategies put in place to support improved access and flow in Emergency Departments.”  The ANMF has said if access and flow initiatives are not implemented prior to the “offload” policy, nurses will take industrial action and the union will lodge a case for arbitration if a phased approach is not agreed to.

RTBU - Vline 

Vline operations workers took industrial action on Monday from 3am - 7am, and will do so again on Friday. Pay, job security and work life balance appear to be sticking points in negotiations. A Geelong radio station reported that Vline CEO Matt Carrick had said that an agreement had been reached, but I can find no evidence of that elsewhere. The RTBU has said the program of industrial action will continue unless a breakthrough in negotiations.

IEU - Scotch College

The Herald Sun has reported that staff association reps at Scotch College recently quit. Staff at the school have had pay increases of less than 3% for years, and there have been no negotiations - the principal just decides what they think the increase should be. This year, workers asked for 4.5%; the principal counter-offered 3.5%. Teachers at Scotch earn between $91,000-$135,410; but the top 5 “managers” at the school collectively earn $1,731,160. Arguably, this is the sort of lesson the ruling class want their kids to learn.

ETU - Transgrid & Endeavour Energy

1000 ETU members, who work for Transgrid and Endeavour Energy, downed tools last Thursday in an escalation of their EBA campaigns. Workers are fighting for an 8% wage increase each year for 3 years and better pay when on standdown.

AMOU - TasPorts

The on/off/on/off dispute at TasPorts is OFF again with the employer issuing a statement on 7 February advising that an in-principle agreement had been reached with marine pilots. The release claims the agreement includes a 12% pay increase over 3 years, “productivity improvements and associated payments” as well as the retention of vehicle allowances.

QNMU - RFDS

After months of protected industrial action, the nurses at the Royal Flying Doctor Service have received an improved offer from their employer. The new offer includes improved pay, positive changes to rostering and recognition for years of service. Nurses will vote on the proposed agreement soon.

NTEU - University of Melbourne

A meeting of 640 workers at the University of Melbourne on Thursday 8 February voted up the proposed EBA.  Approximately 70% of attendees voted in favour of the EBA. The campaign for the EBA included 2 separate weeks of strike action last year.

John Setka not re-contesting

John Setka, Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU Construction & General Division, formally announced his retirement to a packed shop-stewards meeting last week. Elections for the leadership positions of the Victorian Branch will take place later this year.  Setka has anointed Assistant Secretary Derek Christopher as his successor, however the AFR reported that Joe Myles (currently Senior Vice President) was considering a challenge. “Gorilla” on 3CR’s Concrete Gang was quick to hose these suggestions down saying “don’t listen to the shit in the paper…what they put in the papers is all bullshit…Derek’s gunna be the man.”  The Concrete Gang also reported that EBA negotiations were going “reasonably well”.

The report feels a little light on this week, but that’s all I’ve got! Please fill in the blanks about what I’ve missed.

In solidarity, Sarah