Industrial disputes & news - 27 March 2024
RMIT; Kangaroo Island Ferry; Coca-Cola Europacific Partners; NSW firefighters; Simpec; Transperth; Victorian nurses; Ambulance Victoria; Monash Uni; Ambulance Tasmania; WA Public Schools
NTEU - RMIT
Workers at RMIT commenced a week of industrial action on Monday. The current EBA expired more than 1000 days ago, and the bosses at RMIT have spent much of that 1000 days attacking the conditions of workers. If you’re in the Melbourne CBD this morning or tomorrow morning, head down to Building 1 on Bowen Street to join the picket line.
MUA - Kangaroo Island Ferry
An in-principle agreement was reached between the MUA and Kangaroo Island ferry operator Sealink in the FWC on Monday. Work bans were scheduled to commence on Tuesday (26/3) limiting work days to no more than 10 hours, and a maximum of two sailings per day. It would appear the threat of industrial action over the long weekend was enough to bring the bosses to the negotiating table for a decent wage increase to keep up with the cost of living.
ETU QLD/NT - Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Regional sparkies continue to hold protests outside coca-cola retailers. Workers manage the servicing and repair of soft drink guns, vending machines, and fridges; but workers in regional Queensland are earning substantially less than their metro counterparts.
FBEU - NSW Firefighters
Firies’ industrial action continues around NSW with workers wearing campaign tshirts instead of their regular uniform. Professional firefighters are fighting for a 20% wage inscrease over 3 years, as well as better health care and equipment upgrades.
CFMEU WA - Simpec
Workers at Simpec have entered their second week of strike action in their fight for a decent pay increase and better conditions.
RTBU - Transperth
Last Friday’s “Fair Wage Friday” where Transperth “Transit Officers” don’t check tickets or issue fines was not without issue. The RTBU posted on Facebook that contract scab labour was hired in an attempt to undermine the protected industrial action. We’ll have to wait and see if there is any escalation in action this Friday.
ANMF Vic - Public sector nurses
At a statewide meeting of members last week, 1500 nurses and midwives rejected the Allan government’s wage offer of an annual 3% increase over 4 years and a one-off payment of $1500. Nurses have directed the union to apply for protected action ballot, but to continue negotiating as a number of claims have not been addressed by the government. The meeting also directed the Branch Secretary to organise another statewide meeting as soon as possible after the declaration of the protected action ballot to discuss next steps in the campaign. You can read the ANMF’s campaign update for all the details.
VAU/UWU - Ambulance Victoria
Industrial action continues at Ambulance Victoria with paramedics putting ambulance flashing lights on if “ramped” for more than 40 minutes as well as chalking messages on ambulances. Fleet maintenance workers and administration staff are also covered by the EBA - I don’t know what if any industrial action they are taking: if you know, let me know!
NTEU - Monash report back
The 24 hour strike at Monash University included a well attended rally outside the Chancellery Building, where the Monash University Council was meant to be meeting. Due to the industrial action, they switched their meeting to a Zoom meeting, which is somewhat amusing when one of the workers' claims is the right to work from home. EBA negotiations were to re-commence on Thursday, and the campaign on university governance was promised to be “ramped up”.
HACSU - Ambulance Tasmania
Last week I reported on nurses holding stopwork meetings over a Liberal election pledge to “ban” ambulance ramping. On Monday, paramedics in Tassie commenced industrial action over government inaction over ramping. According to media reports, the industrial action will take the form of refusing to provide additional care to patients once they are inside hospitals. Tasmania has the worst ambulance response times in the country, and I think it’s clear to see both HACSU and the ANMF are responding to the crippling underfunding of public healthcare.
SSTUWA - WA Public Schools
The SSTUWA has advised WA public school teachers that if an in-principle agreement hasn’t been reached with the state government by April 19, workers should prepare for a half-day strike on April 23. Teachers have been undertaking work bans (refusing to attend out of hours meetings or participate in performance reviews) since the start of term. The union is demanding a pay increase of 7% in the first year and either 5% or CPI (which ever is higher) in the second. Teachers rejected the government’s first offer in March (4.75% immediate increase; 3% in December 2024 and 3% in December 2025).
That’s all I’ve got this week, but please send anything I’ve missed my way!
It’s Easter this weekend, and I am ready for a holiday. There won’t be a Disputes Report next week, but I will be back with a full report on 10 April. If anything groundbreaking happens in the interim, you’ll be able to find me on Twitter.
In solidarity, Sarah