Industrial disputes & news - 28 August 2024
NSW Energy Industry; WA Public Sector; Vic Interpreters; Freo Port; TAS Catholic schools; NSW sheriffs; Ramsay Health; QUBE; Vic TAFE; CSL; ISS; Alstef; Alstom; Bolton Clarke; CFMEU; and many more
HACSU Tasmania - Child Safety & Youth Justice Workers
Child safety and youth justice workers in Launceston continued their industrial action with a 1 hour stop work meeting on 21 August. Workers are fighting back against the government’s inadequate and piecemeal response to a staffing crisis. Recently a child died, and it is believed the tragic incident is linked to a case that was unactioned due to staff shortages. Instead of implementing a comprehensive market allowance across the sector, the government is only introducing a market allowance for some workers - excluding child safety and youth justice workers. Workers are tired of waiting for an appropriate solution to the crisis.
ETU NSW - Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, Ausgrid & Transgrid
Premier Chris Minns has quite a problem on his hand with 4 major power companies in dispute. There are currently switching bans in place at Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy & Ausgrid. For Endeavour Energy workers, industrial action has been ongoing since February. Workers are all fighting for a 24% pay increase over 3 years. Endeavour has offered 11.5%; Ausgrid 12.4% and Essential Energy 14%. On 14 August, the FWC dismissed Endeavour Energy’s attempt to terminate the ETU’s switching bans. Endeavour is appealing the decision. Meanwhile, Transgrid workers have been protesting out the front of Transgrid HQ in Sydney for over 50 days. Earlier in August the FWC granted Transgrid a 3 week suspension of ETU bans, which has now been extended to October 18. While the ETU is likely to appeal this, the AFR points out that this will give Transgrid enough time to “push its contested application for unilateral arbitration orders under Labor’s new intractable bargaining laws.” The ETU appears committed to keep fighting for a fair wage for these essential workers.
MUA/AWU - Dampier-Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline
Panel operators on the Dampier-Bunbury National Gas Pipeline commenced 21 days of rolling stoppages and workbans on Friday (23/8). The workers are employed by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group and are fighting for industry standard wages and conditions. The union has stated that the protected action will not affect gas supplies to consumers, but that it will have “a significant impact upon DBNGP’s operating costs and day to day operations.”
Public Sector Alliance WA - Cook Government
Step aside hot girl summer, the WA Libs have decreed it is going to be a “summer of industrial chaos”. Workers under the banner of the Public Sector Alliance rallied in Perth on 21 August in pursuit of their demand for 12% wage increases over 2 years. Workers across the health, education, child protection, firefighting and emergency areas along with other public servants argue that by improving wages the government will improve retention in the public sector, as well as providing workers with a sense of dignity. Most recently, the WA Police Union rejected an “insulting” government offer of 11.5% over 3 years.
Professionals Australia - Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service (VITS) LanguageLoop
Interpreters at VITS LanguageLoop are fighting back against a new payment structure that was thrust upon them suddenly and without consultation. While not organising or endorsing the action, Professionals Australia advised interpreter members (who are contractors) that if they are unhappy with the new pay structure, they can refuse to accept new jobs for the service. Last Wednesday (21/8), interpreters gathered outside the County Court in Melbourne to protest the pay cut. They are rallying there again today. Interpreters have not had a pay increase since 2018.
MUA/AMOU- Fremantle Port
Pilot boat operators and vessel traffic service officers at Fremantle Port took 48 hours of strike action commencing on Sunday 18 August. The workers were fighting for an 18% wage increase over the life of the agreement, having rejected an initial offer of 12.5% over 3 years. Workers were due to strike for another 48 hours commencing Sunday 25 August, but an agreement was reached on Saturday (24/8) and the industrial action was cancelled. It is not clear what the new offer contains - it will still need to be endorsed by workers.
ANMF Tasmania - Public Hospitals
Nurses and midwives at the 4 major public hospitals in Tasmania commenced industrial action on Monday 19 August. ANMF members are working a strict regime of work to rule, no clerical duties, no cleaning duties and no other non-nursing duties as well as claiming all missed breaks and overtime. Nurses are fighting for improved conditions, in the face of “unrelenting unreasonable workloads, lack of resources and untenable working conditions”. New “transfer of care” procedures introduced by the government to address ambulance ramping have exacerbated workload and worsened conditions as no additional resourcing was provided to hospitals or nurses. Launceston General Hospital has been a flash point in the crisis with several unofficial “Code Yellows” called by the union. Nurses at the LGH were due to meet yesterday to discuss a coordinated approach to the ongoing industrial action.
IEU Tasmania - Catholic Schools
Workers in Tasmanian Catholic schools commenced industrial action yesterday (27 August). Workers are fighting for a fair pay deal, and pushing back against the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office’s anti-worker agenda which includes forced transfer of staff between schools; extending the school year and weaker consultative committees. The current agreement expired in 2021 and the TCEO have been dragging their feet in negotiations for years. IEU members are kicking off their industrial campaign with a range of work bans including no answering or responding to phone calls and emails, not attending meetings before and after school, and not doing work outside of the school day.
CEPU Tasmania - TasNetworks
On 20 August, workers at TasNetworks commenced industrial action. The action takes the form of a switching ban which means workers refuse to turn electricity back on after outages or doing repairs. The first big disruption was the AFL having to move the Hawthorn v North Melbourne game held in Launceston on the weekend to an earlier time slot to mitigate potential power loss at the venue. The second disruption followed storms over the weekend that left many without power. TasNetworks applied to the FWC to force workers back to work, but the CEPU agreed a severe weather event occurred and committed to return to work prior to the scheduled FWC hearing. The current wages offer from TasNetworks is 7% in the first year along with a $2000 bonus, followed by CPI increases in years 2 and 3. The CEPU however is fighting for pay parity with the mainland, as workers across the Strait earn approximately 30% more.
PSA NSW - Sheriffs
PSA members at the Sheriffs Office in NSW defied the Industrial Relations Commission to walk off the job on Thursday 15 August. The action resulted in some courthouses being closed for the day. Workers have been in negotiations for 2 years and are seeking a better pay deal. While on strike, PSA members passed a number of motions including for the continuation of industrial action through a range of work bans.
CFMEU/ETU NSW - Etex
The dispute at Etex continues with workers maintaining a daily picket from 5:30am - 2:30pm every day. Unions campaigned for a NO vote on it’s substandard offer of a 4.5% increase in the first year and a 4% increase in the second. Workers are determined to keep fighting for 6% annual wage increases locked in for 3 years.
NSWNMA - Ramsay Health
Nurses, midwives and carers at Ramsay Health Care facilities have stepped up their industrial campaign. In addition to ongoing work bans on non-clinical duties (answering phones, emptying bins, food and drink service), a series of 4 hour stoppages have been held including at Westmead Hospital on 16 August; Wollongong Private Hospital on 19 August and Albury Wodonga Private Hospital on 21 August. A revised “final offer” from Ramsay is currently being voted on which includes an improved wage increase of 12.5% over 3 years. The NSWNMA is demanding 18% as well as action on ratios. The union has also claimed that nurses employed by Ramsay Health in Queensland earn 14% more than their NSW colleagues.
MUA - QUBE
Workers at QUBE around the country have voted in protected action ballots, and industrial action has commenced in Melbourne, with Brisbane, Adelaide and Port Kembla expected to follow suit. Workers are fighting for a decent pay increase to keep up with the cost of living, particularly as Qube has increased their profits by 116% over the life of the current agreement. There have also been concerns about safety on Qube jobs, with ships not being inspected, and issues not being reported to AMSA.
AEU VIC - TAFE
On 21 August, TAFE teachers in Victoria took a 24 hour stopwork action in pursuit of decent pay and conditions. TAFE teachers in Victoria hadn’t taken a full day of strike action since 2008. Workers voted to escalate their industrial campaign by working to rule; bans on providing results to students; political and media campaigning; as well as a further program of stopwork actions across the state.
ANMF Vic - Boroondara Child & Maternal Health Care Nurses
Maternal and child health nurses and immunisers at Boroondara City Council commenced industrial action on 19 August. The workers are seeking an extremely reasonable 4% per annum wage increase as well as an additional week of annual leave to align with industry standards. The council has offered a one-off $650 cost of living payment and a 3 year agreement with a 2.75% wage increase in the first year, and won’t even say what the increases will be in years 2 and 3. Workers are wearing campaign tshirts and talking to clients about their industrial action, but I assume that could escalate if the City Council doesn’t come to table with a better offer.
AFPA - AFP
The AFP dispute continues with the FWC signing off on a 30 day extension of their protected industrial action. AFPA members are fighting for a greater wage increase that the 11.2% that is in the public servant agreement brokered by the CPSU. Despite threatening disruptions to AFP shifts at Parliament House and Canberra airport, thus far industrial action has been limited to low level bans and actions like writing messages on AFP vehicle windows.
CPSU Tasmania - Forensic Science Services Tasmania
Forensic Science staff at FSST took strike action on Thursday (22/8). Workers are angry about the wage differences between them and their interstate counterparts and understaffing. To add fuel to the fire, the forthcoming Tasmanian state budget proposes to cut 4 positions from the agency - more than 10% of total staff.
UWU/AMWU/CPSU/ETU - CSL
Industrial action at CSL was due to commence on Friday (23/8) at least by CPSU members. CPSU members will be maintaining a ban on overtime, a ban on working more than their standard hours and a ban on on-call and emergency call back duty. I haven’t got any information about what UWU, AMWU or ETU members on site might be up to. If you know… please send me details! The dispute is a bit complicated - there are a range of pay and conditions claims, as well as issues around the move of CSL’s facility from Tullamarine to Parkville which I wrote about in a Disputes Report in November last year.
VAU - Ambulance Victoria
Following union members passing a vote of no-confidence in Ambulance Victoria’s Executive, the CEO has resigned. The industrial dispute continues with no agreement on wages and conditions, and workplace issues including ambulance ramping; problems with the dispatch system; involuntary overtime; safety and retention. Hopefully the new CEO will get back to the negotiating table and listen to workers.
UWU - ISS
Airport security screeners employed by ISS at Melbourne airport were posied to take protected strike action on 2 September stopping work from 6am - 8:30am, however late yesterday it was announced that an in-principle agreement had been reached with the employer. Workers have been taking industrial action in the form of uniform bans and 15 minute stoppages since August 19. The workers, who have been subject to a wage freeze and have not been receiving penalty rates at nights or on weekends were committed to fighting for a decent wage increase to keep up with the cost of living.
AMWU/ETU QLD - Alstef
Workers employed by baggage handling company Alstef held a 24 hour strike commencing on Monday (26/8) at 6am. The combination of the strike action and weather at Brisbane airport caused delays to both domestic and international flights. Workers are fighting for improved wages and conditions, with unions warning this could be just the start of rolling industrial action is Alstef doesn’t come to the negotiating table.
TWU - Ampol airport refuellers
Ampol airport refuellers at Sydney airport took strike action Friday (23/8). The stoppages ran from 1am to 5am, 7am to 11am, and 6pm to 10pm. The refuellers had been poised to take strike action at the end of July, but it was cancelled the day before after an improved offer from Ampol. The TWU says that Ampol have “refused to address outstanding items” which has left workers with little choice but to strike. Workers are fighting for a pay increase to keep up with the cost of living, more full time positions and improvements to leave entitlements.
MUA/UWU - Quantem Bulk Fuel
Workers at Quantem Bulk Fuel took strike action on 15 August in bulk fuel terminals at Geelong, Davenport, Pelican Point, Largs Bay and Fremantle. The workers are fighting for fair wages, and for all workers at all sites nationally to get the same pay. The bosses tried to sack a number of delegates but it is understood the unions fought back and won in the FWC.
ETU NSW/AMWU - Alstom
60 workers at Alstom, a Sydney Metro maintenance facility are currently locked in a dispute around wages and conditions. ETU and AMWU members have been putting on partial work bans as of last Friday (23/8), however Alstom is not recognising the work bans and treating staff who take them as refusing labour. There is discussion about the industrial action escalating. Stay tuned!
CEPU Tasmania/AMWU - Saputo
Workers at Saputo in Burnie have been on strike for 12 weeks. Workers rallied yesterday (27/8) outside the Saputo factory in Burnie. Workers are fighting with pay parity with the mainland.
ANMF Vic - Bolton Clarke
While industrial action continues at Bolton Clarke, management have put out a substandard EBA to be voted on by workers. The ANMF is running a NO campaign on the agreement. Not only are wages in the proposed agreement less than industry standards, it also represents a loss of conditions for some workers covered by the agreement. The access period for the agreement is underway, with voting from 2 - 5 September, so if you work for Bolton Clarke or have a comrade who does… get ready to vote!
HACSU Tasmania - Radiographers, sonographers & nuclear medicine technologists
Radiographers, sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists at the Royal Hobart Hospital walked off the job for 2 hours on 21 August. Like their HACSU comrades in child safety & youth justice, they are experiencing a staffing crisis with 30% vacancy rates. They are also requesting a market allowance to keep pace with mainland wages. The workers have been taking industrial action for 3 months including halting billing and most recently banning the use of a new CT scanner. HACSU members have not ruled out escalating to full day stoppages if the response from the government does not improve.
FWC - Diana Asmar
The Fair Work Commission has launched legal action against embattled HWU Branch Secretary Diana Asmar. They allege Asmar approved $2.7 million in “phantom” printing invoices, pocketing the money. In addition to the phantom invoices there are allegations that member numbers have been inflated; staff have been underpaid; pay deals have not been finalised and the branch is dysfunctional. Would love to hear what HWU members think about all this. Any HWU members reading this - my DMs are open!
New CEO at Professionals Australia
Professionals Australia have a new CEO, Sam Roberts. Roberts was formerly at United Workers Union, and its predecessor union NUW. Roberts was a National Vice President and Director of the Logistics Division at UWU. Will this lead to a shake up of industrial strategy at PA? We’ll have to wait and see. One other question remains, do any other unions, aside from MEAA and Professionals Australia have a CEO instead of a Secretary?
CFMEU - ALP/ACTU/Administrators/Bosses
The CFMEU has responded to the Albanese government’s legislation and the swift appointment of an administrator to the union by taking to the streets. Yesterday (27/8), the largest union mobilisations since Change the Rules rallies in 2017-2018, took place around the country in support of the CFMEU. Rallies were held in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Cairns. The rallies were well organised and orderly, though workers anger towards the ALP, the ACTU and the administrator was palpable. Members of the CFMEU, ETU, CEPU, PPTEU and AMWU downed tools to attend the demonstrations despite warnings and encouragement to bosses to “dob in a worker” from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Thanks to rank and file Disputes Report readers for sending in these reports:
Melbourne: Tens of thousands (some estimates are as high as 50,000) rallied outside Trades Hall in Melbourne including large contingents from the CFMEU, ETU, Plumbers Union and AMWU. Rank and file from many other unions were in attendance. Speakers included Earl Setches (PPTEU); Troy Gray (ETU); Ralph Edwards (former President of the CFMEU Victorian Branch); Tony Piccolo (AMWU); Vik Sharma (RTBU) and Christy Cain (former National Secretary of the CFMMEU). The rally marched to the Fair Work Commission before dispersing.
Sydney: Approximately 10-15,000 rallied with the crowd stretching from Parliament to Hyde Park. Speakers included Darren Greenfield (CFMEU); Rita Mallia (CFMEU); Allen Hicks (ETU); Paddy Crumlin (MUA) and Paul Keating (MUA). Paddy Crumlin summed up the feeling of the crowd describing events as “an attack on every working man and woman.”
Canberra: Around 600 rallied in Canberra, mostly CFMEU and ETU members, but also rank and file workers from UFU, CPSU and UWU. Speakers included Josh Bolitho (CFMEU); Ros Read (CFMEU); Grg McConnville (UFU); Michael Hiscox (CFMEU); Dusty Miller (CFMEU) and Zach Smith (CFMEU). The rally moved a resolution to disaffiliate from the ALP.
Brisbane: Thousands rallied in Brisbane, and sacked CFMEU State Secretary Michael Ravbar used the platform to announce he is launching a High Court challenge against the new laws. Other speakers included Peter Ong (ETU); Max Chandler Mather (Greens); Peter Allen (RTBU); a rank and file construction woker, Millie, who was harassed by the ABCC; along with CFMEU officials Jade Ingham and Kane Lowth.
Adelaide: Hundreds of CFMEU members rallied on the steps of Parliament in Adelaide chanting “Hands off our union!”
Perth: Around 1500 workers rallied in Perth including contingents from CFMEU, ETU, AMWU and MUA as well as rank and file from TWU, HSU and RAFFWU. Speakers included Mick Buchan (CFMEU); Peter Carter (ETU) and Steve McCartney (AMWU).
These demonstrations show that construction workers are prepared to fight back against the administration and that some other unions (ETU, CEPU, PPTEU, UFU, RTBU, MUA) are willing to support CFMEU members in that fight. The real work of this dispute though, is probably yet to begin. While legal strategies and political machinations play out, workers on construction sites are going to have to stand up and fight back to protect their wages and conditions. Some companies have already reverted to 2020-23 wages as 2024 EBAs move through the FWC approval process at a glacial speed. Other bosses are refusing to sign EBAs at all, hoping to strike less worker-friendly deals with the administration, or attempt to pull out of EBAs they have already signed. And of course, without the same level of access to organisers and OHS teams, workers will need to rely on themselves and their workmates to shut down jobs when they are not safe. Governments can put unions into administration, but they cannot stop the rank and file from organising and sticking together. It’s up to all workers to support CFMEU members as they respond to this crisis.
And that, my comrades, is it for the week. An absolute bumper edition of Disputes Report. Thanks to comrades all around the country for their assistance putting the report together. Like all good things, this is a collective effort.
In solidarity, Sarah