Manufacturing Matters - August 2014

8/11/2019 Manufacturing Matters - August 2014

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August-September 2014

The AMWU, the CFMEU and the ETUhave been pushing for a new roster withLaing ORourke on Rio Tintos CapeLambert Project for the past four months.Unions and Bargaining Representativessubmitted an employee Log of Claims(LOC) which included a 3 and 1 roster anda site specic agreement.

The company has continually refusedto entertain the claims of their workforceand without consulting the Unions theyput out a State Based Agreement forballot in early June. That Agreement was

voted down 138 to 89. The Unions andbargaining representatives are continuingto meet with the company to see if we canprogress negotiations.

However, Union members frustratedby the companys intransigence have

directed their Unions to apply for aProtected Action Ballot (PAB) in order topursue their claim for a change to theirrosters. Monadelphous employees onCape Lambert have now commencednegotiations and are pursuing the sameclaim for a change in rostering.

The claim for roster change has supportacross the country and changes areforeshadowed for the current 26 and 9roster on Barrow Island where Unionmembers are pushing for a 20 and 10roster. At the same time we have our

comrades in Queensland pushing for a 3and 1 on Curtis Island.

Everyone associated with FIFO (includingthe resource companies and bosses)knows about the issues associated withthe lifestyle.

FIFO Workers and their families knowhow excessive amounts of time awayfrom home can cause problems. Theyknow about the problems with mentalhealth issues, they know of the alcoholand drug related issues, they know ofthe issues associated with dysfunctionalfamilies and they know of the suicides andhealth related risks.

But what they know above all else is it istime for change! We know an agreementcan be reached in good faith and membersand ofcials are doing everything we can

to bring about this necessary change.Its about need not greed!

- State President Tony Hall

INSIDE: What workers say about 3&1

FIFO AMWU Mining & Construction members tell bosses its about family time, not money

3&1FOROURFAMILIES

Our FIFO members tell the bosses they want...

Union members meet at Cape Lambertto discuss the way forward


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ACAMPAIGNINGUNION

STATE SECRETARYS REPORTI recently had the pleasure of headingdown to Komatsu in Welshpool to supportour members in their Enterprise Bargainingnegotiations. You can read the full report inthis edition of Manufacturing Matters, but Ithought Id take the opportunity to give youmy thoughts on what was a great day not

just for our Komatsu members but for thewhole union.

The impressive day of action was organisedoff the shop oor by AMWU delegatesLindsay Morton, Gordon Entwistle andRocky Versace in support of a 24-hourstoppage. It was a great atmosphere with

BBQs, kick to kick, mini golf and otheractivities. I think I even saw a couple ofthree-seater couches under one of thecanopies.

The tai chi and the Working Voices choirwere innovative touches that reinforcedgroup solidarity and sent the bosses a strongmessage that the workforce was united,relaxed and in control of their negotiations.

But it wasnt always that way at Komatsu.It was once a shop with low density whichtranslated to far less workplace power.Members who have been around a whilecan recall previous stoppages with lowermorale, lower turnout and poorer outcomes.

It is down to the strong work of determineddelegates and good organisers over anumber of years that turned this around.Wed love to see this atmosphere at everystop work action and really there is no

reason it shouldnt be the case at any shopanywhere in Western Australia.

While at the time of writing bargainingis ongoing, our Komatsu members arecondent they will get the best possible

result from a very protable company.

I hope this action serves as encouragementto anyone else who wants to put theirhand up as a delegate or generate someworkforce activism around the issues thatmatter at your workplace.

Our ofcials are always ready and willingto assist in whatever way we can - withmedia, promotion, legal advice, negotiationor whatever the situation calls for. But as theKomatsu story shows, the outcomes alwaysdepend on determination and leadership atthe workplace level.

In unity

Steve McCartney

...our Komatsumembers are

condent theywill get the bestpossible result froma very protablecompany.

Shipbuilders take campaign to Ministers doorHenderson shipbuilders keep pressure on Defence Minister David Johnston

In mid June our BAE and AustralianSubmarine Corporation members headedto Defence Minister David Johnstons ofceto protest the Liberal-National governmentsappalling lack of support for our local navalshipbuilding industry.

The snap protest was called after the Ministerannounced Australian rms would be bannedfrom even bidding for work on two new naval

supply vessels, worth more than $1.5 billion.While most would rather put their feet up andgrab a cold beer on a Friday afternoon, ourmembers instead travelled to Belmont to senda message to government and educate thepublic on why we must maintain Australian

defence capacity.

The 50-strong crowd used the opportunity tohighlight our campaign to the rush hour trafcon Great Eastern Highway, getting strongsupport for our message to design, build andmaintain our ships here.

Local Cockburn MP Fran Logan alsoaddressed the rally and media, saying localshipbuilding was essential to the Western

Australian economy.

Shipbuilding in WA supports hundredsof local workers and their families as wellas thousands more around Australia. Thisgovernment is shamefully ignoring ournational interest, he said.

Its Australian taxpayers money after all.

BAE delegate JonPrimrose spoke ofhis pride in the skilland capabilityof Australianshipbuilders.

A u s t r a l i a nshipbuilders have

proved ourselvesperfectly capable of doingthis work and doing it well, he said.

The pressue helped secured a Senateinquiry into Australian shipbuilding. Followalong and get your bumper sticker at

makeaustralia.org.auor on Facebook.

Tai chi participationwas mandatoryfor

unionofcials(andStateSecretaries)

Cockburn MLA Fran Logan talks to the rally


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AMWU Perth office: 121 Royal St, East PerthTelephone: (08) 9223 0800Fax:(08) 9225 4744

www.amwu.org.au

Apprentice cuts hitting hardLiberal-National Tools for your trade cuts hurt, writes RayI have just received an email from myapprentice training company stating thatthey will be cancelling my Tools for YourTrade payments.

What is more frustrating besides being onlow wages across the board is to try andbuy tools for future jobs, or now saving fortools when we nish to try to nd work inthis really tough job scene.

The $20,000 replacement loans aresupposed to help us, but I think is ridiculousas now it is teaching young people early toget a loan which we all know leads to moreproblems down the track.

Im in a class of 15 and all are as annoyedand feel ripped off. But there will soon behundreds more in other classes, and otherstates all starting to realise when theyreceive emails.

Im asking could you please bring thissubject up and nd more of a voice for meto stop this happening to me and the future

of the Needed Skilled apprentice workersto come.

Its extremely hard to stay in and nishyour apprenticeship while currently a lot oflabourer jobs get paid more which tempts

people away.

We will be the future high taxpayers andwith these grants it is like a light at the endof the tunnel to help drive you continue

on for what a better future is at the end ofapprenticeship.

- Ray, 24. Apprentice mechanical tter atUGL Kwinana.

Ray, we do have a voice for WAapprentices and younger members,called New Metals WA.

If you are an apprentice and beinghurt by the cuts in the tools for yourtrade scheme, or have any otherissues as an apprentice, let us know [email protected]

Chevron exposed at ITF forumSpeakers reveal whats really going on on Barrow Island

On Thursday July 24 a packed publicmeeting in Fremantle heard from thosein the know about whats really going on onthe Gorgon project. And heres a hint: itsnot what Chevron would have us believe.

The Maritime Union and InternationalTransport Workers Federation eventrst heard from WA MUA SecretaryChris Cain, who spoke of how Chevronsappalling industrial relations strategywas a smokescreen to shift blame formanagement failures.

He was followed by Dr Bradon Ellem, aSydney University Professor of IndustrialRelations and author of the landmarkreport, Whats Going on on Gorgon?

By interviewing hundreds of workers,Dr Ellum debunked many of the mythsChevron is peddling and revealed someimportant facts, including:

Chevron has failed to pay at least onelocal supplier; Wages are not responsible for massivecost blowouts, which have been caused bypoor management and logistical planning;and Workers take pride in their work and aresick of being run down by management todivert shareholder anger.

CFMEU State Secretary Mick Buchanspoke of accomodation capacity issues,

poor engineering decisions, workersbeing shafted after moving house totake up employment and the dire safetyconsequences of a rush to start production.

AMWU State Secretary Steve McCartneydescribed Chevrons appalling commitmentto local content to the 300-strong crowd.Of the 395,000 tonnes of Gorgon steelfabrication, just 23,000 tonnes had cometo WA. Even that was down to the AMWUssustained public pressure through our WAJobs campaign.

Special guest Mike Smith from the USAsUnited Steelworkers rounded out themeeting, telling of American workers

struggles with Chevron. Of particular notewas the corporations maintenance at itsRichmond California refinery, leading to anexplosion resulting in 14,000 people beinghospitalised.

Follow the campaign and get involved atwww.mua.org.au/tags/chevron

Onya Graeme!

Steve talking local content at the forum


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MWU Perth office: 121 Royal St, East Perthephone: (08) 9223 0800

x:(08) 9225 4744

ww.amwu.org.au

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Unionwins!

Winning onWheatstoneThe AMWU secured a win on Wheatstonefor all Monadelphous workers. On the28thday of the work cycle, employees willnow be paid ten hours for that day. Someemployees had been on the project over18 months waiting for this.

After lengthy discussions with

Monadelphous, they have agreed on theAMWUs position and will pay the tenhours.

They had been only paying the hoursthe guys were on site but workers werebeing sent to the airport at varying timesdepending on where their point of hirewas. They didnt get a choice in thematter.

Also, Laing ORourke have now agreed topay welding allowances on Wheatstoneto welders, backdated to the day theytested. It also includes the allowancegoing forward.

So all in all, two good wins on theWheatstone project over the past coupleof months.

The Wheatstone Project

Now thats a

Super increaseFrom July 1 every worker must be paidat least 9.5% superannuation.This increase means millions of

Australian workers will retire withthousands of dollars extra in their superaccounts. And we are going to needit with Tony Abbott ripping throughpensions and trying to abolish top upcontributions for low paid workers.

The Liberals went to the electionpromising to scrap the increase, butpressure from rank and le unionmembers contacting cross-benchSenators (like Nick Xenophon fromSouth Australia and John Madigan DLP

from Victoria) convinced them to votewith Labor to keep it in place.

So check your payslips and get intouch if the increase hasnt beenpassed on!

Unions team up for NAIDOCUnions bring Midland workshops back to life for the kidsThe Midland Railway Workshopscame alive with music, dance, art andgames for the NAIDOC Hip Hop FamilyDay on Saturday. Sponsored by theBlue Collar unions, the AMWU, CFMEU,ETU MUA and RTBU, and presentedby the Community Arts Network WA,the event brought together families andcontemporary artists in the name ofcelebrating indigenous culture with amodern twist.

After elder Richard Wilkes ofciallyopened the event, the 300-strong crowd

was treated to some home grown hip hop

dance talent from the Beat Walkers, withStatic Crew and Little Sparks following

up. Local MCs Trooth and Bryte teamedup with DJ Zeke Ugle to keep the eventticking over and even deliver some tightperformances of their own.

Multiple Deadly Award-winningheadliners Last Kinection did notdisappoint, with a high energy set ofthumping bass and sharp lyrics gettingonlookers of all ages up and about. Itwas clear the bands inspirational lyricsresonated as much with the young crowdas their considerable stage presence andhip hop credentials.

In between sets, kids could take abreather while getting faces painted,

trying their hands at grafti art (withadult supervision of course!), having asausage sizzle or getting creative withcraft workshops.

State Secretary Steve McCartney said itwas important that the Labour movementstrengthened its community bonds.

Its a win-win for trade unions to supportthe communities where our memberslive. The labour movement has alwaysachieved good things when our industrialand community wings complement each

other, he said.Its great to be bringing this event toMidland, which has so much history forthe AMWU. Having worked here myselfback in the day, its very satisfying to seethe railway workshops getting back inservice for such a great event.

Mr McCartney said the entire not-for-prot sector was facing difcult times atthe moment.

Our communities are facing Federal andState governments stripping away publicfunding for support groups and servicesthat really are the glue that hold society

together.

Are your details up to date?As we change jobs and move around morethese days it is more important then everyou keep our membership team up to datewith your details.

If you change jobs, your contact details ormove house we need to know. Otherwise,you may miss out on being counted forprotected action ballots or risk not beingnotied of rallies and other special events.

We currently have around 1000members with incorrect details! If

you have any doubts, please contactour membership team by email [email protected] orcalling the Perth Ofce on 08 9223 0800or our national helpdesk on1300 732 698.

The Union is bound by the Privacy Act.Information is collected to enable the Unionto contact you about matters relating to yourUnion membership, and to ensure that we

have the necessary information to representyour employment and related interests.

The Unions Privacy Statement is availablefrom the Unions website or by contacting theUnion Ofce.

East Metro MP Alanna Clohesy with Steve

Midland workshops come to life


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ACAMPAIGNINGUNION

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Like your union? your union!We have a couple of new initiatives to help

you stay in touch with whats going on in your

branch right around Western Australia.

Weve just launched our new App for Apple

and Android, which you can nd by searching

amwu wa at either store.

Its got the latest events, member news,

media, benets, campaigns and more. Its free

too so get on it.

Weve also got a new Facebook page up and

running so head on over and like the AMWU

WA Branch to stay in touch.

We want your pictures and stories too - after

all you are the union. So send photos and

stories to [email protected] or

message our Facebook page.

Its all part of making sure we keep in touch

with our members and give you what you

want.

And if technology isnt your thing, well still

have printed copies of Manufacturing Matters

every couple of months!

AMWU and SEA keep Midland youth on trackMidland community group Swan Emergency Accommodation has been given a boostafter forming a community partnership with the Western Australian branch of the AMWU

WA State Secretary Steve McCartneyand State President Tony Hall wereat the SEA headquarters in June to hand

over the keys to a new AMWU-sponsored

Holden Cruz to the team, headed up by

Executive Director Don Tunnicliffe.

With the addition of the new wheels, SEA

will be able to expand into driver training

for disadvantaged young people, whichmeans better access to apprenticeships

and work experience opportunities.

The vehicle will also bolster SEAs

core activities of providing emergency

housing services, arranging assistance

for homeless and displaced people and

providing nancial counselling.

Well be able to use the car to assist the

young people we work with get to job

interviews and medical appointments

as well as driver training, Mr Tunnicliffe

said.One of the great hindrances to young

people getting into training or work is the

lack of a drivers licence.

Our young people are generally not

in a position to have family support or

nancial means to undertake driving

lessons or the money to pay for fuel to

get 100 logbook hours of driving.

Together we can provide a service

that will be of tremendous benet to the

young people we work with.

Mr McCartney said he and Mr Hall were

proud to represent the AMWU WAs

10,000 members in forming such an

important community partnership in an

area of strong historical importance to

the manufacturing union.

We believe opportunity is the most

important thing for young people and we

are proud to be part of a program thatcould be life-changing for disadvantaged

youth in the Midland area, State

Secretary Steve McCartney said.

Youth unemployment is currently at a

20 year high and we believe every effort

should be made to ensure everyone

has the opportunity to get into a trade or

training no matter their background.

Getting a drivers licence is just so

important for employment anywhere in

WA. This is a way our union is making a

real difference on the ground in an areawhere weve got strong heritage given

our historical connection to the Midland

Railway workshops.

SEA Executive Ofce Don Tunnicliffewith Tony, Steve and Youth DevelopmentOfcer Mike Milne


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WA LaborState Conference 2014Your AMWU delegates were busy over the July 5 and 6 weekend standing up for membersinterests. As an afliated union the AMWU is entitled to 12 Delegates on the 315-strong

Conference oor. Heres how we used our votes:

Workers compensation Oppose step-down arrangements which

cut out loadings to reduce injured workersweekly payments Limit employer controlled self-insurance

Remove caps from treatment and medical

costs

Privatisation

Reafrm WA Labors total opposition to the

sale of our public assets (ports, hospitals andLotteries Commission in particular)

Recognise the importance of publicly owned

services for a just society and strong economy

Condemn and campaign on the Barnett and

Abbott governments cuts.

Pension age

Condemn the Abbott

governments plans

to make us work until

were 70

Call on Federal

Labor to restore

pension age to 65

Local Content Improve local content in

government contracts Support WA Labor local

content policies, particularly

Local Content s 15 of Gorgon

State Agreement

Condemn WA Liberals for

failing to enforce legislation for

Australian labor and materials

Domestic violence Support a review of

old convictions whereCourt ignored a history ofdomestic violence againstspouse

Health and Safety Support a national OHS law

Increase resourcing and

independence for Worksafe tobe proactive in pursuit of safetybreaches

Heritage Commit WA Labor to

constructing a MidlandRailway workshopsinteractive Museumto recognise theircontribution to WA andprovide a modern link

Attacks on unions

Condemn Heydon

Royal Commission as anarrow, anti-worker, anti-union waste of taxpayer

dollars

Unequivocal support for

workers right to protestwithout fear of being

ned or hauled before the

courts

Training and apprentices Condemn WA Liberals support for dramatically

increasing TAFE fees

Condemn the Abbotts governments replacement

of the $5,500 Tools for Your Trade grant with a$20,000 loan

Commit a future Labor government to reinstating

the Tool allowance

WA Labor Party rules Increase rank and le vote in local preselections;

Improve engagement from Shadow Ministers andMPs in policy development;

Support secret ballots in internal Labor votes.

AMWU Conference delegates and friendswith WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan

If you want to have your say in our unions political activism or even be a delegate yourself, we canprovide all the training youll need. But you have to be a Labor member too.

Join up to our Manufacturing Branch today, either online at walabor.org.au/join(selectManufacturing Branch on the drop-down menu), call the ofce on 9223 0800or ask your Organiser.

Planning for 2015 starts now!

MWU Perth office: 121 Royal St, East Perthephone: (08) 9223 0800

x:(08) 9225 4744

ww.amwu.org.au


8/8

ACAMPAIGNINGUNION

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Determined but relaxed at Komatsu strikeOur Komatsu members took a novel but effective approach in their recent EBA negotiations

If the bosses at Komatsu Welshpoolthought our AMWU members weregoing to take a backward step in theirEnterprise Bargaining negotiations, theywere proved comprehensively wrong atlast months community protest outsidethe front gates.

With the barbies blazing, kick to kick infull swing, members decked out in sumosuits and stilts, the Working Voices choirperforming and even a couple of tai-chisessions thrown in for that extra element

of serenity, our members made suremanagement knew they were relaxedand in full control of the negotiations.

Our members might have had to gowithout pay to further their cause, butthey werent going to let the opportunitygo to waste.

While tai-chi isnt something youdusually see during protected industrialaction, it proved a big hit, with membersand ofcials enthusiastically getting

involved.

Maybe it shouldnt have come as asurprise though, after all Chinese Kung-Fu and Tai-Chi Academys Blake Grifndid have everyone up and about andmoving in unison for collective benet.

According to participants, it was a greatcounterpoint to the pressure the companywas trying to exert on members too.

The Working Voices Choir led by Bernard

Carney opened with a rousing roundof Solidarity Forever, following on withtheir repertoire of working class anthemsand songs of social justice to inspire the120-strong crowd.

Long-time delegate Lindsay Morton wasupbeat about reaching a decent outcomein the near future.

Look we knew that the only way well getwhat we were worth is to stick togetherand present a united front.

Weve done that today and it reallyreinforces to the company that we are aunited workforce and they have to dealwith us collectively.

We want to get back to work but thegroup is united in our goal to get a fairdays pay for it.

State Secretary Steve McCartney saidthe event set a great example for theunion movement.

Its fantastic to see employees bringingtheir families down and members of the

community lending their support to a veryworthy cause.

Were proud of our delegates andorganisers down here at Komatsu. Theyset a great standard for our union andour movement and I have no doubt todaywill go a long way to getting them the

Agreement they deserve.

A big thanks goes out to the WA NationalUnion of Workers for their support on theday too.

Flyingtheagsfortheunion

UnitedwestandindeedLindsay!

TheStateSecretaryaddressesthetroops

Tai chi on the picket: unorthodox but effective!

Documents

Manufacturing Matters - August 2014