Industrial disputes & news - 16 October 2024
RHH Cleaners; Grill'd; NSW public servants; Brockman; VIC TAFE teachers; BHP; Metro Tasmania; Ausgrid; FRV; Cross River Rail; Ampol; CFMEU & WA public school teachers
HACSU Tasmania - RHH Cleaners
Cleaners at the Royal Hobart Hospital held a one-hour stop work on Monday (14/10) following a vote of no confidence in management. Workers have grave concerns about chronic understaffing, a shortage of hospital linen for patients and the decision by management to introduce contract cleaners without consultation with workers. Workers have been raising issues with management for a long time, and feel that management is seeking to replace the workforce through contracting, rather than dealing with the real issues. This move would likely result in job losses, lower wages, and conditions to worsen.
UWU - Grill’d
Workers at Grill’d Flinders Lane (Melbourne) plan to walk off the job on Saturday. The workers are striking due to low wages and the dodgy traineeship program that has long been a feature of the chain. Workers are requesting support at a rally on Saturday from 11:30am at 83 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
PSA NSW - NSW public servants
PSA members have voted to accept the NSW Government’s salaries offer. 78% of the 12,000 members who voted were in favour of accepting the offer. The deal includes a 4% increase this year (backdated to 1 July 2024); then 3% increases in the next 2 years. The offer also includes a “safeguard mechanism” whereby if the Sydney CPI exceeds 3.5% in the March quarter in the 2nd or 3rd year of the agreement, a one-off cost of living adjustment payment of $1000 will be paid. The salaries offer also includes 0.5% superannuation increases in the 1st and 2nd year. A Bulletin on the PSA website announcing the vote on the offer, advised that workers in Child Protection; NSW Fisheries; NSW Police Grooms and Special Constables; Psychologists and Sheriff’s Officers would receive “more specific information” so I think it is safe to assume industrial action in those groups will likely continue.
AMWU Vic - Brockman
The dispute at Brockman in Geelong continues with workers holding a 2 day stoppage out the front of the Viva refinery last Thursday and Friday (10-11/10). Workers want a fair deal, but the boss is only offering a 2.5% wage increase. Scabby the Rat has reported for duty, so you know it’s serious.
AEU Victoria - TAFE teachers
TAFE teachers across Victoria started “rolling stop works” yesterday (15/10) which will be held over the next 3 weeks. The stopwork action kicked off with rallies at 2 Victorian MPs’ offices - Nathan Lambert and Anthony Carbines. It appears these MPs were selected due to their proximity to Melbourne Polytechnic campuses rather than them holding any relevant portfolio. In addition to the stopworks, TAFE teachers will continue and extend work bans including stopping recording student results and completions. TAFE teachers are fighting for a decent pay increase; workload reduction; and access to professional development.
AMWU QLD - BHP
Workers at BHP Operating Services went on strike for 48 hours last week in pursuit of a fair deal from BHP. Only scant details on this dispute… would love to know more!
RTBU - Metro Tasmania
Bus drivers with Metro Tasmania commenced a programme of “work to rule” last Thursday (10/10). In addition to working to rule, workers will also implement bans on meetings in personal time and some administrative bans, as well as distributing campaign materials to the general public. Workers are fighting for a decent pay rise.
ETU NSW - Ausgrid
Ausgrid workers rallied in Sydney and Newcastle yesterday (15/10) as part of their ongoing campaign for a fair EBA. Workers are fighting for 8% annual wage increases to keep up with the cost of living.
UFU Victoria - FRV
97.6% of corporate and technical staff at Fire Rescue Victoria voted in favour of taking protected industrial action. Workers will be implementing a range of activities that will likely drive management crazy but will have no effect on the general public. The actions include writing all emails in all caps; titling all meetings in senior executives’ diaries as just “Meeting”; cc-ing the Commissioner into all IT service desk emails; keeping cameras off in Zoom calls and forwarding all requests for policy, procedural and systems advice to Executive Leadership. Workers at FRV have not had a pay rise since 2019 due to the long dispute over their agreement.
CFMEU QLD - Cross River Rail
As the CFMEU continue industrial action on the Cross River Rail project, the union has alleged that CPB is sacking HSRs on the job. This is particularly alarming given the abysmal safety record on the job including a fatality late last year.
TWU - Ampol airport refuellers
After taking industrial action in August and 8 months of negotiations, airport refuellers at Sydney airport have reached an in-principle agreement with Ampol. TWU members have negotiated a 28% pay increase over 3 years; more permanent full-time roles; improved rates for weekend work and night shifts; and a consultation clause.
CFMEU - ALP
A rally is being held at the SA ALP State Conference demanding that the CFMEU be returned to its members and the administration ended. The rally will take place on Saturday 19 October at 8am at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Two CFMEU officials who were sacked by the administration have done interviews in the last week. Rita Mallia, the former President of the NSW Branch sat down for an interview with journalist Matt Peacock, and former National President Jade Ingham appeared on the Beetota Advocate podcast - both worth a listen.
SSTUWA - WA public school teachers
Way back in May I reported that the SSTUWA had recommended WA public school teachers accept the WA government’s deal of 12% pay increase over 3 years. Teachers did accept the deal, and last week received a 5% pay increase backdated to December 2023. Teachers will get another 4% increase in December, and a 3% increase in December 2025. Teachers had originally been arguing for the WA Public Sector Alliance claim of 12% over 2 years. In addition to their pay increase, there are some initiatives on workload, career progression and improvements to allowances and entitlements. I hope the teachers are happy with their new agreement.
Support a sacked Ambo
In the recent dispute with Ambulance Victoria, involuntary overtime was a massive issue as ambulance drivers and paramedics were being forced into working dangerously long shifts. In June, an ambo who had been working an 18 hour shift rolled his ambulance. Another ambo, Andrew Bishop, responded and rescued the driver. Once everyone was safe, Andrew (a delegate and HSR) took a photo of the rolled ambulance and sent it to his union and his employer (National Patient Transport). The photo went viral. Andrew was initially stood down, and then had his employment terminated. The Victorian Ambulance Union has put together a petition demanding NPT reinstate Andrew. Please help a union comrade out and add your signature.
Fundraiser for Joe’s family
There are many great things about the union movement, but one of the most admirable is the way workers support each other not just in workplace disputes, but in other times of trouble. Joe Koumera, an UWU member, tragically drowned on the weekend. Joe leaves behind his wife and four children. If you can, please contribute to the fundraiser set up by Joe’s union comrades. The proceeds will support his family.
That’s all I’ve got this week. There are a few disputes that I didn’t report on this week, but will look to update next week. If you’ve got any information to share on Saputo, WA public health sector workers, Qantas engineers or DHL, please get in touch!
In solidarity, Sarah