Industrial disputes & news - 31 January 2024
Transdev; Wire drawn ferries; G4S; speed camera operators; BAE Systems; TasPorts; DP World; WA public schools; teacher vacancies in QLD; Transgrid; Metro buses Tasmania; PPTEU mass meeting; B&D Doors
TWU - Transdev
Bus drivers at Transdev depots in Redlands and Capalaba (QLD) took strike action on 29/1 from 7am - 5pm impacting an estimated 75% of regular services. Negotiations have stalled after six months, and workers felt they had no option but to take strike action. Workers are seeking a range of improvements to conditions, particularly around safety, and a wage increase to keep up with the cost of living. They are aiming to be on $35/hour by 2025.
MUA Sydney - Wire Drawn Ferries
Birdon is still not coming to the table with a reasonable offer, so the MUA’s campaign on Sydney’s wire drawn ferries escalates. Workers are implementing bans, and all ferries will be stopped by strike action on Saturday (3/2). The MUA is also organising a community BBQ for members to coincide with the strike action.
UWU - G4S
On 24/1, security guards at Long Bay Forensic Hospital (employed by G4S) walked off the job for 1 hour. The workers have not had a wage increase since 2022 and are now seeking a 6% increase in the first year of a new agreement, and 4% in the second year to keep up with the cost of living.
CPSU - Serco
Mobile speed camera operators (employed by Serco) will take 24 hours strike action today (31/1) in an escalation of their campaign for better wages and improved safety. The CPSU expects up to 200 workers to participate in the industrial action, more than half the workforce. Workers will rally outside Serco’s office in Tullamarine this afternoon.
ETU/AMWU - BAE Systems Henderson Shipyard
Over 100 workers walked out of BAE Systems (Henderson Shipyard) in WA on 24/1. It’s been reported that the unions met with BAE Systems on 18/1, but an agreement was unable to be reached. Workers want a 9% increase in the first year, and 5% in each of the following 2 years; BAE Systems is only offering 10% over 3 years.
AMOU - TasPorts Pilot
After two cruise ships cancelled stops in Hobart due to marine pilots’ industrial action, the AMOU and TasPorts have called a truce. The AMOU has called off all industrial action and EBA negotiations are to continue in good faith. The last offer from TasPorts was 12% over 3 years which was rejected by the AMOU.
MUA - DP World
The dispute with DP World continues. The latest notice of protected industrial action shows a range stoppages and bans through to 10 February.
SSTUWA - WA Schools
Teachers in WA committed to work bans prior to the school term starting today due to negotiations with the department dragging on. The SSTUWA’s directive advises members not to participate in performance reviews or to attend staff meetings outside of working hours. The teachers’ agreement expired in December. The union is seeking a 12% wage increase over the next two years.
QTU - North Rockhampton, Sarina and Biloela State High Schools
Three schools in Queensland will take one hour of stopwork action in the first week of February in an attempt to have the Department of Education act on teacher vacancies. The schools are each facing vacancies of up to 11 teachers. The QTU has asked for the support of parents and the community, but has warned that unless the department offers “effective solutions” QTU members will not be on duty during the stoppages.
ETU NSW - Transgrid
Another comprehensive update on the Transgrid dispute from the comrades at the ETU. In short, Transgrid are being difficult and the ETU is committed to escalating industrial action.
RTBU - Metro Tasmania
The RTBU’s January journal reports that the union has negotiated an MOU with Metro Tasmania which will facilitate a 10% “temporary” pay rise for bus drivers. The workers will start work on a log of claims and commence negotiating an EBA this year, but the MOU was seen as a quick way or workers to pocket a pay rise which would then be enshrined in an EBA.
PPTEU Victoria Mass Meeting
The PPTEU is holding a mass meeting on 7 February to kick of their 2024 EBA campaign. The CFMEU Construction & General Victorian branch will also be running an EBA campaign this year.
AMWU - B&D Doors
The AMWU announced on social media that they have reached an agreement with B&D Doors. The dispute had been running for several months, with industrial action starting in August 2023. I haven’t seen details of the agreement - I hope workers are happy with it.
Multi-employer bargaining - CSOA, HSU & AEU
Following the Albanese government’s changes to multi-employer bargaining, the HSU & AEU in Victoria have launched a contested bid for a multi-employer agreement with 19 NDIS providers. The Collieries Staff and Officials Association (CSOA - part of Professionals Australia) is also pursuing multi-employer bargaining for 216 supervisors working at five mines in NSW.
SafeWork NSW
The ABC has shared information from submissions it has seen to a review into SafeWork NSW. The CFMEU described the regulator as “unwilling and absent” and detailed horrific incidents where SafeWork failed to attend the sites. A submission from the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association details an incident where a nurse was assaulted by a patient resulting in a fractured orbital socket. When this was reported to SafeWork NSW, the person taking the call said there was nothing that could be done about patient violence; that a skull fracture was not a notifiable incident, and that the regulator would not look into the incident unless the union tried to resolve the matter with the employer first. Not a dispute - but important information for workers to know. Regulators as they currently stand are not making worksites safe - that crucial work is being undertaken by unions and HSRs.
That’s all I’ve got this week. If I’ve missed something, please do let me know!
In solidarity, Sarah