Industrial disputes & news - 24 January 2024
Coca Cola; Sydney Wire Drawn Ferrries; Vline; DP World; ESTA; Ambulance Victoria; Cross River Rail; The Hobart Clinic; Transgrid; TasPorts Pilots; Multiplex; Cruise Whitsundays; ABC; Perfection Fresh
ETU QLD - Coca Cola Euro Pacific Partners
Just prior to Christmas, ETU members who work for Coca Cola were poised to commence protected industrial action, when they were locked out by the employer. Workers subsequently took strike action and picketed outside Hungry Jacks’ restaurants in Townsville, Rockhampton and Maroochydore on January 8. I am assuming this is ongoing as the ETU NSW Branch posted a solidarity message on 19 January.
MUA Sydney - Wire Drawn Ferries
Despite a week of industrial action, Birdon have decreed they will not offer a single cent above the legal minimum to workers. The MUA is asking community members to sign an open letter and stepping up their industrial campaign. This Thursday, The Berowra Waters, Wisemans Ferry, Webbs Creek, Sackville and Mortlake Ferries will all be hit with 3 hour strikes.
RTBU - Vline
A reminder that Vline workers will be taking 4 hours strike action this Thursday 25 January from 3am - 7am. This will likely have a roll-on disruptive effect on services throughout the day. If this disrupts your travel plans, take it up with the Vline bosses!
MUA - DP World
Colour me surprised, because Tony Burke told DP World to spend less time on their media campaign and more time at the negotiating table and refused government intervention! The latest fear mongering by conservative media outlets is that the dispute has led to 50% of back to school stationery supplies being out of stock. The MUA continue their campaign with rolling 2 hour stoppages scheduled this week.
VAUI/CEPU/UFU/UWU - ESTA
Industrial action at ESTA (Triple Zero) in Victoria continues, with unions sharing worrying screenshots from workers showing evidence of times when there are no call takers available to take calls. Workers are fighting for pay increases; better staffing; and improved training.
VAUI - Ambulance Victoria
Also seems likely we will see industrial action from paramedics and ambulance drivers in Victoria. According to the VAUI, they have had 62 meetings with over almost 12 months to try and negotiate a deal, with the current EBA due to expire on 31 January.
CFMEU QLD/NT - CPB/Cross River Rail
On Thursday 18 January, workers on CPB’s Cross River Rail project in Brisbane walked off the job over safety concerns. Over the past month there has been one heat related fatality and several hospitalisations from heat stress. 250 workers on the job subsequently went on strike on Tuesday this week (23/1) over wage theft and underpayments- major subcontractor Rocktown has not been paying the correct rates. The Cross River Rail job has been thwart with safety and other worker issues. The CFMEU is calling for Premier Steven Miles to sort things out once and for all.
HSU - The Hobart Clinic
My reading of a FWC decision from 18 January, is that the protected action ballot order that was suspended by the FWC on 5 January, was extended by 30 days, and the earlier suspension is to be disregarded. Hopefully nurses at the clinic can start their campaign for a fair deal in earnest.
ETU - Transgrid
I missed this last week, but honestly a huge shout out to Allen Hicks at the ETU NSW & ACT Branch for this detailed update on the Transgrid dispute. In short, after an unsatisfactory meeting with Transgrid on 15/1, the ETU encouraged workers to think about escalating their industrial action with discussions to have taken place at a delegates’ meeting and a virtual mass meeting. The ETU was due to meet with Transgrid again on 22 January. Stay tuned!
AMWU/ETU - BAE Systems
It has been reported that BAE Systsems workers at Henderson shipyard in WA will walk out this morning after negotiations stalled last week. Workers have been participating in escalating work bans in pursuit of pay increases (9% in the first year, 5% in the subsequent two years).
AMOU - TasPorts Pilots
TasPort pilots commenced indefinite industrial action at 6am on Friday, January 19th. The action consists of a ban on communication with shipping agents and schedulers, with some exemptions for safety and boats carrying petrol, medical supplies or livestock. The pilots will also participate in 4 hour stoppages on Thursday 25 January. The pilots want the same pay as their interstate counterparts.
CFMEU WA - Multiplex
The CFMEU WA Branch has had a healthy 94.6% yes vote for protected industrial action against Multiplex. The union has been in negotiations with Multiplex for month, but the Tier 1 builder is refusing a fair wage increase or improved conditions. Stay tuned.
MUA - Cruise Whitsundays
A little fishing trip in the FWC website confirmed that the MUA dispute with Cruise Whitsundays has been resolved as an EBA was approved on 19 January and will come into effect on 26 January. The workers have negotiated 3% annual payrises, which might not quite have met expectations - however there are also sign on, retention and loyalty bonuses, and some other changes to conditions. I hope the workers are happy with their new EBA.
MEAA - ABC
More than 200 MEAA members at the ABC passed a vote of no confidence in managing director David Anderson on Monday. The motion passed says that “our leaders have consistently failed to protect our ABC’s independence or protect staff when they are attacked.” The most recent of these is the termination of Antoinette Lattouf’s employment. Lattouf claims her sacking was due to her political opinions, but the ABC denies terminating her employment saying shifts were “cancelled” and that she failed to comply with social media policy. #ausunions
UWU - Perfection Fresh
12 women, supported by UWU, are suing produce company Perfection Fresh over sexual harassment they experienced while working at Two Wells Glasshouse north of Adelaide via labour hire contracted by Perfection Fresh. The women claim the men’s alleged actions were in contravention of the Sex Discrimination Act, and that Perfection Fresh was liable as it let the conduct occur and did not have policies in place to prevent it. In early 2023, UWU spearheaded a boycott of Perfection Fresh’s broccolini in response to exploitation of workers on Vizzarri Farms in Victoria.
That’s all I’ve got this week. Please do let me know what I’ve missed and if there is a dispute brewing at your workplace!
In solidarity, Sarah