Industrial disputes & news - 18 September 2024
Mt Isa City Council; WA pharmacists; BHP; WA Child Protection workers; SRG; Don KR; TasNetworks; WA Public Sector; TAS pathology workers; Qantas; Sydney Trains; NECA; Wilmar Sugar; Marand; ACL; CFMEU
The Services Union - Mt Isa City Council
Workers at Mt Isa City Council walked off the job last Tuesday morning in pursuit of a decent wage increase. The Council made a new offer early this week, but the tiny 0.75% increase in the wage offer was rejected at the negotiating table. It is understood that workers at Mt Isa City Council will likely take further industrial action. The Strike Committee was due to meet early this week, so stay tuned for further updates. The Services Union also shared that some blue-collar unions that also represent workers at the Council were going to ballot members about taking industrial action as well.
HSU WA - Hospital pharmacists
Last week, pharmacists in public hospitals across WA held 1 hour stop work meetings. Workers rejected the state government’s second offer of 12% over 3 years. Pharmacists are also angry that the government has not addressed the need for modern career pathways, citing a lack of scope for career progression and recognition of additional levels of skill, accompanied by inflexible pay structures.
AWU/MEU - BHP Pilbara
The West Australian newspaper is behaving extremely calmly and normally about the prospect of re-unionisation of BHP in the Pilbara. The Western Mine Workers’ Alliance (AWU & MEU) are negotiating for a better deal for workers at BHP Area C and South Flank mine sites including annual wage increases of 5% or WA CPI + 1% (which ever is higher); a $10,000 retention bonus; more flexible roster options and fair allowances. According to The West Australian this is “the beginning of the return to the bad old days when cowboy unions held our country’s economy to ransom”, but perhaps it’s actually just a pathway for workers to access some of BHP’s reported $9.6 billion (USD) 2024 profits.
AMWU Vic - Marand Precision Engineering
Workers at Marand Precision Engineering in Geelong and Moorabbin started industrial action last Thursday (12/9) with a 4 hour stoppage. EBA negotiations have stalled and workers are fighting for a decent wage increase, skill recognition and a clear reclassification pathway.
CPSU/CSA - Child Protection and Family Support Workers
Child Protection and Family Support Workers in regional WA took industrial action last Thursday (12/9). Workers were taking action as part of the campaign for a fair pay increase across the state, as well as to demand urgent action on the lack of case workers.
UWU - SRG
Warehouse workers at SRG (Super Retail Group - which owns Macpac, BCF, Super Cheap and Rebel Sports) commenced industrial action last Tuesday (10/9). Workers are fighting for a fair pay deal, job security, and ensuring workers doing the same jobs get paid the same rate. Workers voted down the initial offer from the boss, but the company won’t budge. SRG had record sales of $3.9 billion in 2024, but aren’t willing to share that with the workers.
AMWU Vic/ETU Vic - Don KR
Workers at Don KR in Castlemaine will notch up 3 weeks on the grass this week. Unions are concerned that Don KR is planning on using workers without proper qualifications. Workers are fighting for a fair deal and to protect their working conditions. A strike fund has been set up to assist the workers.
CEPU Tasmania - TasNetworks
The CEPU is calling for a no vote on the latest offer from TasNetworks. The offer includes a 14% wage increase over 3 years and a one-off bonus payment of $6000. The union is fighting for pay parity with the mainland and demanding a 35% wage increase. The ballot on the new offer will close on October 2. Following recent wild weather in Tasmania, industrial action has been suspended by the Fair Work Commission, but it is anticipated more industrial action will occur once the suspension ends in early October. A rally in support of TasNetworks workers will be held on Monday (23/9) at midday on the lawns of Parliament in Hobart.
CPSU/CSU - WA Public Sector Civil Service Agreement
After receiving a second improved offer from the WA Government, the CPSU/CSU has decided to ballot members. An analysis of the offer from the WA Government shows more claims were accepted than rejected by the government, but the sticking point may be wages. While it is an increase from the first offer (11.75% to 12.5% over three years) it is still short of the aim of 12% over 2 years. It is the same as what the RTBU Transit Officers agreed to. Voting in the ballot opened on Monday (16/9) and closes on 30 September.
HACSU Tasmania - Pathology staff
Pathology staff at the Launceston General Hospital will escalate their industrial action today and hold a one hour stopwork action from 9am. This builds on a previous stopwork action in August. Workers are demanding more staff to cover severe staff shortages. According to HACSU, pathology staff have “absorbed” a 20% increase in activity.
ETU QLD/AMWU/AWU - Qantas Heavy maintenance workers
Last Thursday (12/9), Qantas heavy maintenance workers took industrial action for the first time in 19 years. As part of the action, maintenance workers walked out of a roadshow presentation hosted by CEO Vanessa Hudson. The workers are fighting for a decent wage increase to keep up with the cost of living.
RTBU NSW - Sydney Trains
As reported last week, RTBU members at Sydney Trains will start protected industrial action today in opposition to the conversion of the Bankstown line into a Metro. Actions will include a range of bans.
IEU VIC - NECA
Workers at NECA Education (National Electrical and Communications Association Education) have negotiated their first EBA. This follows an industrial campaign that included strike action on 9 May. Workers had not had a wage increase since 2022, but have now negotiated a 4% increase. This agreement appears to have fallen short of the aim of pay parity with TAFE teachers, but the IEU is still committed to that goal.
ETU QLD/AMWU/AWU - Wilmar Sugar
Wilmar Sugar put an agreement out to vote, and it was voted up. Scheduled industrial action was suspended during the ballot period. Not an overwhelming victory with only 55% of those who voted endorsing the deal. It is understood the deal includes a $2500 sign on bonus; 8% wage increase in the first pay period; 4% wage increase in December 2024 and 4% in December 2025. This does fall short of the reduced demand of 18% over 3 years that the union put forward in May. I hope workers are happy with the improvements they won in the offer, and can continue to build power to have another crack in their next agreement.
HSU WA - ACL
Last Thursday (12/9), workers at Australian Clinical Labs in WA walked off the job for 4 hours. The EBA at ACL expired in May, and the first offer from the bosses was rejected by workers. Workers and management participated in facilitated bargaining through the FWC, but negotiations broke down when ACL did not present a new pay offer as expected. Workers are fighting for a fair pay deal, and have not ruled out further action.
CFMEU Update
Last week on Tuesday (10/9), a worker was seriously injured on the Centenary Bridge upgrade project. He fell, and was then impaled through the neck on a piece of reo mesh. Head contractor BMD has been restricting the CFMEU entry to the site for months, but did allow union officials onsite on Wednesday (11/9) after the incident. BMD is the contractor that it has been alleged had bikies working as security to keep the union off building sites. These are the realities of organising in the construction industry - dangerous work sites, and reckless employers. A reminder of why a strong, organised union is a necessity.
Last Thursday (12/9), Grahame McCulloch, the “former communist” appointed by Administrator Mark Irving to manage the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU, resigned under a cloud of allegations he had acted “inappropriately” towards female administrative staff in the union. I can’t even imagine how angry CFMEU women - both staff in the office and members on worksites. My solidarity is with them.
Earlier on Thursday in Victoria, the Building Industry Group (AMWU, CFMEU, ETU & PPTEU) held a combined delegates meeting. The meeting agreed to endorse the “Line in the sand campaign” which aims to “support the CFMEU until it gets back into the democratic hands of the membership.” The campaign will include “Target 1000” which will audit building sites to continue the roll out of the 2024 EBA, and includes the potential for 72 hour strikes if EBAs are held up. The meeting also endorsed another rally which will be held this morning in Melbourne (11/9) targeting bosses who are walking away from agreements, and include a march to MBA headquarters. Predictably the FWO issued a statement trying to discourage workers from attending. Workers will also rally in Sydney today. And around 5000 workers rallied in Brisbane yesterday.
Administrator Mark Irving released Geoffrey Watson SC’s report to the media on the weekend. You can read the report here and make your own mind up. In my opinion it is telling that the report was released to the media, and not members. In an attempt to challenge some of the media narratives, my piece in Overland 10 things that workers need to know about the CFMEU is now available in a A4 printable format for sharing with workmates, friends and family. Thanks to the comrades who helped make this happen.
That’s all I’ve got this week. Please do get in touch if a dispute is kicking off in your neck of the woods so I can add it to the report. I’d also love to hear from any CFMEU members who want to share their thoughts on the Watson Report (or anything else!).
In solidarity, Sarah