Amwu News Spring 2008

The magazine for AMWU membersSPRING 2008

Climate Change

Privatisation Premier fallsUnion apprentices win huge pay rise

National Conference focuses on growth

The industries that will give us a future

AMWUNEWSSPRING_908:SPRING 18/9/08 2:13 PM

Climate change is somethingthat affects all of us. TheAMWU must play a prominentrole in the debate about how tominimise the effects of climatechange and ensure thatmanufacturing workers andtheir families are notdisadvantaged.

The AMWU position is thatinvestment in technology and smart manufacturing is thesurest way to protect our planet and our living standards.

There are solutions available and we must act on anindividual level, in our homes, on a national level, across ourindustries, and internationally.

With the right government support and investment, tens ofthousands of jobs could be created in renewable energy andsustainable industries. We have an opportunity to rejuvenateour manufacturing sector and create the means for a cleanerenergy future.

A recent CSIRO report, ‘Growing the Green Dollar Economy’shows that we can address climate change and also retain aviable industry and workforce, contradicting the view thatjobs will be lost as a result of climate change mitigation.

According to the CSIRO report, the creation of at least33,000 jobs in manufacturing, 77,000 jobs in transport and145,000 jobs in construction over ten years is achievable.

A $20 per tonne price on carbon suggested in the FederalGovernment Green Paper would generate in excess of $8billion a year.

In order to generate jobs, this revenue must be used for thedevelopment of new manufacturing industries.

In tackling climate change, it’s also important to investigateproven solutions from other countries. Retro-fitting houses,the manufacture of sustainable energy sources and greencars all offer opportunities for job creation.

With the funds from the proposed Emissions TradingScheme, the government must focus on infrastructure,training, and investment in new industries. If the government

2 AMWUNEWS

Climate change providesopportunities wemust take

Tens of thousands ofjobs could be createdin renewable energyand sustainableindustries.

Dave Oliver,

AMWU National Secretary

doesn’t intervene, we risk losing the chance to supply theglobal market with the products it will need to be moreenvironmentally friendly. Not acting will mean workers infossil fuel based energy production, mining, aluminiumand steel will face a bleak future.

Market mechanisms alone won’t be sufficient to achievethe necessary environmental, social and economicchanges required. Government policy will be key indetermining whether we take full advantage of theopportunities presented by climate change or not.

The establishment of the Climate Change Action Fund(CCAF) by the government to assist business transition toa cleaner economy, must be directed to communities thatcurrently rely on jobs in greenhouse intensive industries.

While the AMWUwill fight to protect our memberscurrent conditions, rather than seeing climate change as athreat to the manufacturing industry, we should see it asan opportunity to create thousands of new jobs inrenewable energy, energy efficiency and new transporttechnologies.

This is not something that we can leave for the future.Climate change is happening now and we must act now.

Retro-fitting houses,the manufacture ofsustainable energy

sources and green carsall offer opportunities

for job creation.

DAVE OLIVERN AT I O N A L S E C R E TA R Y


AMWU News is the official publication of the AustralianManufacturing Workers’ Union, (registered AFMEPKIU) NationalOffice, 133 Parramatta Road, Granville, NSW, 2142.

Editor: Dave Oliver

Production Management:Essential Media Communications, Melbourne

Design: dcmc Design, Melbourne

All information included in this publication was correct at the timeof publication, but is subject to change at any time. Please contactyour union organiser for updates.

© AMWU National Office

Made in Australia by AMWU labour

3AMWUNEWS

Dave Oliver’s editorial ..........................................................................................2

Privatisation Premier falls ....................................................................................4

Union apprentices win huge pay rise ..............................................................4

Small things we can all do to tackle climate change ................................7

Wind farm powers half of Ballarat ....................................................................8

National Conference focuses on growth ........................................................9

AMWU National Conference ............................................................................10

AMWU News SPRING 2008

AMWU members have beenlobbying the Federal Government toimplement the positiverecommendations of the BracksReview of the Australian AutomotiveIndustry, and also campaigningagainst further tariff cuts.

The Canberra visit, in September, followedthe announcement of job losses at Ford,Kenworth Trucks and auto componentcompanies, Unidrive and PBR.

“The cut to hundreds more jobs in Victoriareinforces the need to keep tariffs onimported vehicles at 10% and not cut asproposed in the Bracks Review,” said AMWUNational Secretary Dave Oliver.

Mr Oliver said the government needs toact quickly on the report’s positiverecommendations.

“The Automotive Competitiveness andInvestment Scheme (ACIS) Fund increase to$2.5 billion is an excellent start, as is theGreen Car Fund allocation. The AMWU hasconsistently called for governmentinvestment in the Green Car Fund to beincreased to $1billion to ensure thatresearch and development practices putAustralia at the forefront of technology andmanufacturing.

“The key issue is that these funds areallocated and used appropriately. Of course,workers’ entitlements must also be secured.

“We cannot let jobs become the casualty ofindustry restructure, which is why thesefunds need to be properly directed and

reinvested in the industry.”

Mr Oliver warned that the industry neededcontinued support as it adapts to achanging global market.

“The proposal to further slash tariffs wouldput Australia out on a limb ahead of the restof the world. Australians are sick of havingtheir jobs martyred for the theory of freetrade,” Mr Oliver said.

“At a time when the rest of the world ismaintaining and freezing their tariffs, areduction in Australian tariff protections willhave serious trade implications.

No other vehicle-building country in theworld was considering lowering tariffs ontheir locally made cars.

A recent report shows that Australia’seconomy will not benefit from further tariffcuts on cars. Dr Nicholas Gruen from LateralEconomics and Peter Dixon from MonashUniversity argue that there is little to begained from further cuts as most of theproductivity gains have already beenachieved by cuts made in the 1990s.

Mr Oliver said the auto industry employstwice as many workers as the miningindustry and it needed all the necessarysupport from the government so that theindustry can thrive.

Mick Stirling from Geelong, was one of theAMWU delegates who visitedparliamentarians in Canberra.

He said he was pleased with the responseand support he received from a number of

Labor backbenchers on the issue.

“The trip was well worth it from that point ofview and as for the ones who didn’t agree –they ought to come down and meet the largenumbers of workers who are being affectedand see what sort of impact their decisionon tariffs will have.”

Power industry delegates newsAuto-workers rev up in Canberra

(L to R) Tansel Mehmet,

Craig Bald, Mick Stirling,

Joy Thiele, Mark Spyker

and Brendan Waye.


Apprentices employed by engineering outfit,Ausclad Group of Companies (AGC) won a 43% payrise after the AMWU campaigned for them to beincluded in the union collective agreement.

The company, based in Kwinana, West Australia, employs 46apprentices, the vast majority of whom have now joined theAMWU and have elected their own delegate, Ashley Blackburn.

Mr Blackburn said the apprentices were very happy andrelieved to get the pay rise, particularly with the increases inthe cost of living.

“Everyone’s a whole lot happier now and it’s good to be able tohave a job with wages you can afford to live on.”

According to WA AMWU Secretary, Steve McCartney, whocoordinated the campaign for the pay rise, the large numberof apprentices employed by AGC is due to the persistence andhard work of AMWU delegate, Ray Hall.

Ray said to the company, “You have to put apprentices on,and they said fine, we’ll put ‘em on, but you look after them.”

When Mr Hall began working with the company 11 years ago,there were no apprentices employed by the company and heset about doing something to change it.

“I couldn’t believe it when I first started here that there was notone apprentice. Every time you open the newspaper there’sanother article about skills shortages and yet so fewcompanies are taking on apprentices. It doesn’t make anysense.

“We need young people learning the trades and becomingskilled workers.”

Mr Hall has convinced the company to increase the numbersto 46 and he hopes to improve on that still.

“We have over 2,000 workers. We should have moreapprentices.”

AGC have won awards as a result of their commitment toemploying apprentices and the types of programs that they’rerunning.

As Mr Blackburn says, “It’s hard enough to get anapprenticeship, but it’s even harder to get a decentapprenticeship with proper training and where you’retreated well.”

Facing defeat on the floor ofparliament over electricityprivatisation, the NSW Governmentadjourned the debate and isexpected never to raise thelegislation again.

Instead, the then NSW Premier MorrisIemma called an emergency Cabinetmeeting and declared his intention toimplement regulations that would see thesale of the retail sector of the NSW powerindustry as well as generatordevelopment sites – a much watereddown policy than the one that heoriginally adopted.

Days later, Iemma dumped the Treasurer

and privatisation advocate, MichaelCosta, but it wasn’t enough to stop theLabor Caucus dumping him.

AMWU NSW Secretary Paul Bastian, whohas been at the forefront of the campaignagainst privatisation, said that thegovernment had paid a heavy price forattempting to force a situation that was anbetrayal of the democratic process.

"The people of NSW have consistentlyvoted against privatisation, the rank andfile of the ALP has voted overwhelminglyagainst privatisation and the NSWParliament does not support privatisation.

"The former Premier had absolutely nomandate for privatisation, and it was

ultimately his undoing."

"He didn't have the numbers to get hisown way in the Parliament so he tried tobypass the parliamentary process. In theend, it bypassed him."

Mr Bastian said that the ‘Stop the Sell OffCampaign’ had been compared to the‘Rights at Work Campaign’ when it began,and the result had been the same.

"The whole saga underlines theimportance of unions and communitiesworking together. In the past 12 monthswe’ve had two government leadersbrought down by bad policies thatwere effectively challenged at thegrassroots level."

4 AMWUNEWS

43% pay rise forapprentices at AGCdelivers surge inunion membership

Victoryfor NSW

workers inelectricitystruggle:

governmentundone bydirty tricks

Env

AMWU delegate Ray Hall with apprentice delegate Ashley Blackburn

AGC apprentices

with Ashley

Blackburn (far right)


5AMWU

Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environ

The new Federal Government takes theissue of climate change seriously andis proposing a major restructure of howwe do business through the creation ofthe emissions trading scheme (ETS)currently being crafted by RossGarnaut.

At present workers’ rights must also be afundamental element of how climate changeis being approached. Once there is an ETS inplace - or a real price on energy (such as acarbon tax) - there will be major changesacross our energy and manufacturing sectors.

As unionists, we know that restructures oftendo not benefit working people.

If we don’t want a fight like the one that ragedover forests for two decades as middle class

environmentalists were pitted against workingclass people, then we must choose a differentpath – one that finds a common cause ratherthan diverting into the old conflicts.

This will require us, as unionists, to take theinitiative and help build a groundswell thatdemands a ‘just transition’ - a shift inproduction that ensures working communitiesaren't sacrificed for a 'higher' goal.

It will require the environment movementadopt a far more ‘political’ approach to theircampaigns - one that values solidarity asmuch as it does biodiversity.

The starting point on this process must be tolobby strategically for energy efficiencymeasures and renewable energy on amassive scale.

It will only be working people and their unionswho will be able to guarantee that justice is atthe core of Australia's response to thechallenge of climate change. The good newsis that we already have the technology tobring about the required changes and thatthese are incredibly job rich, especially whencompared with how we meet our needs atpresent.

A concerted campaign is needed to createour vision of a better, low carbon future andto generate the political power that will berequired to see it enacted.

Cam Walker is from Friends of the Earth and anactive member of the Australian Services Union.

Unions can ensure there is justicefor working people with climate change

Aerial view of the Amazon Rainforest © Greenpeace/Beltra.

Unionist and environmentalist CamWalker says protecting the environment must involve protecting workers’ rights to be effective.

In July the AMWU released a report outlining our approach tothe challenges and opportunities for manufacturing workersin response to global warming.

You can view the report Making our Future; Just transitionsfor climate change mitigation at www.amwu.org.au

AMWU report on climate change


6 AMWU

Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environm

The Australian Greens want tomaximise energy efficiency across thecountry, from huge industrialcomplexes to offices and to everyhome by 2020. Yes, it is a big idea. Itis a climate winner, an expansive jobsand manufacturing industry driver,and it is achievable.

The Greens have put forward a series ofpolicies that would, given sufficient investment,drive systemic change of this kind acrossAustralia. First, the Energy Efficiency Accessand Savings Initiative, or EASI, would retro-fitall of Australia’s 7.4 million homes over thecourse of a decade, rolling out home energyaudits, providing the service and paying the

up-front cost, which would be recoupedthrough savings on energy bills.

EASI would require an up-front investmentfrom the government that, at its peak, wouldreach $22 billion. But it would more than repayitself, not only through direct repayments butalso through deferred investment in new powerstations and electricity grid infrastructure,reduced emissions, and greater householdamenity.

We also have to drive energy efficiency incommercial buildings across Australia and inlarge industrial complexes, requiring them toimplement the energy efficiency opportunitiesthat they have identified in the audits that havebeen conducted to date.

Redesigning and revitalising Australia's majorcities into urban villages linked by rapid masstransit and cycleways is the Green's vision.

The Australian Green’s plan for a sustainableAustralia by 2020 is 'going with our own food'.Imagine if Australians produced more of our

own food and produced it sustainably. It is ahigh level goal because it goes to the heart ofour health and wellbeing, the interaction in ourneighbourhoods and our interaction with ourrural communities.

The world’s food production systems arebecoming increasingly frayed by ecologicaldegradation and human rights abuses. EveryChinese frozen vegetable that finds its way intoAustralian mixed frozen vegetable packs issubsidised by environmental destruction andlow wages. Extreme weather events will driveshortages as land is turned over to biofuels,cooking oils and plantation forests.

The climate will not wait for governmentswhich cannot imagine a different world andneither should the people, for it is anuncharted, different world that we are now apart of.

Senator Christine MilneEnvironment SpokespersonAustralian Greens

Environment will not wait for government inaction

Australia is one of the hottest anddriest continents on earth, meaningour economy and environment willbe among those hit hardest andfastest by climate change if wedon’t act now. Without action on

climate change, Australia alsorisks being left behind as othercountries move towards lowerpollution economies.

In July, the government released its GreenPaper on the Carbon Pollution ReductionScheme (CPRS) – a scheme focused ontackling climate change and protecting oureconomic prosperity. The implementation ofthis scheme is a whole-of-economy reformthat will transform the Australian economy.

The government understands it is vital toget the CPRS right for Australian industry,jobs, exports, and investment. This meansgetting the balance right and acting in theinterests of the whole economy. For thisreason the government is taking a carefuland methodical approach, includingundertaking one of the biggest economicmodelling exercises in Australia’s history.

To maintain the environmental andeconomic integrity of the scheme, thegovernment proposes to provide some freepermits to the most emissions-intensive,

trade-exposed activities within industries.To assist businesses more generally, thegovernment also proposes to establish theClimate Change Action Fund. The purposeof this fund is to facilitate the transition ofbusinesses to a low carbon economy.

And we know that over the long term, thecost of doing nothing to tackle climatechange will be much greater than the costof responsible action now. And the longerwe wait to take action, the higher the costswill be.

The government has put in place a range ofmeasures to help Australians takeadvantage of these new opportunities,including the National Clean Coal andRenewable Energy Funds, each worth $500million. We have also committed to amandatory target of drawing 20% ofAustralia’s electricity from renewablesources by 2020.

Senator Penny WongMinister for Climate Change

Cost of doing nothing is much higher thantaking responsible action now


7AMWU

Australians are blessed with livingin one of the most biologically richregions of the planet. Thousands ofspecies are found here that areunique to this continent. If they arelost here, they are gone forever.

Humans depend on the Earth’s biodiversity forsurvival - for food, fibres for clothes andindustrial materials, for fertilising soils, eatingwastes, absorbing carbon dioxide andcreating oxygen. Without biodiversity we arefinished.

Loss of biodiversity denies humans access tomillions of potential sources of food,medicines and industrial materials.

There is no doubt that we are facing real andserious threats to our biodiversity frommodification of the landscape which hasreduced habitats. Introduced species anddiseases now threaten many of the restrictedand modified habitats that remain.

Climate scientists tell us that if the earth’saverage temperature rises much above pre-industrial temperatures, there will be seriousdisruption of the earth’s ecosystems andwidespread species extinction. We can seethis happening already in some vulnerablehabitats in Australia, like the Murray-Darlingriver system.

If climate change is not halted, the CSIRO,Australia’s leading scientific researchorganisation, predicts enormous changes tothe distribution and abundance of species andgreat loss of biodiversity. Bush fires, likethose that ravaged Victoria a few years ago,will become more frequent and more severeand add to these pressures.

The health of ecosystems, and the health ofpeople living within them, can collapse veryquickly. On the other hand, they can berestored by human actions. Governmentpolicy and investment has restored health torivers, like the Thames in England, which was

in long-term decline but now has fishpopulations growing after pollutants werecleaned up.

If we reduce greenhouse gases rapidly overthe next few decades, we can still maintain thehealth of the world’s ecosystems, protectvulnerable species and human communities,and maintain the foundations of a healthy life.

Geoff Evans is researching ‘CommunityVisions and Strategies for a Just Transition toSustainability in the Hunter Valley’, at theUniversity of Newcastle.

Healthy environments equals healthy people

Washington State USA © Greenpeace/Beltra.

vironment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment

Climate change is both a workplace and community issue – energy efficiency buildsjob security. Low energy use saves money and protects the environment

Things we can do to tackle climate change

Aznalcollar is a small village in SouthernSpain that was the site of highly pollutinglead-zinc mine. In the late 1990s, a tailingsdam at the mine broke exposing severalthousand hectares of farmland, and theDoñana National Park, a UN World Heritagearea, to a toxic slurry. The mine was closedand a long court case ensued. Following theaccident, a process was established to dealwith the environmental clean up and the highlevels of unemployment caused by the mine’sfailure. Eventually a decision was taken toturn the region into a solar power productionhub. Several companies have developed solarpower (both thermal and PV) plants in thearea since then, including Abengoa andIberdrola, and a new company AznalcollarSolar was established specifically to developand exploit solar power plants in the area.

It doesn’t have to be jobsversus the environment

In the workplace:1. Develop workplace campaigns to get employers to reduce their contribution to global

warming, through energy efficiency in the workplace.2. Campaign for employers to install green building technologies and renewable energy

in the workplace.3. Establish workplace environment committees and add sustainability to the agenda of

workplace meetings.

In the community:1. Hold meetings with local, state and federal government politicians demanding they

turn talk into action on climate change, and enact policy options.2. Join an environment group and campaign to tackle climate change.3. Demand that governments make the investments to create new Australian jobs as we

make the shift to a clean energy economy4. Demand governments invest in public transport and bicycle pathways.

At home:1. Reduce energy consumption by changing hot water systems, installing solar panels,

choosing energy efficient appliances and using them sparingly, swapping lighting toefficient globes, turning off standby power, insulating homes, sealing drafts,installing smart meters, and swapping air-conditioning systems for fans and windowswhich open.

2. Reduce petrol consumption and air travel. Take public transport, bicycles or walkingpaths wherever possible. Choose an energy efficient car and look at car shareschemes or car pooling.

3. Go Renewable: Buy Green Power or have solar panels or other renewable energydevices installed. This makes home electricity use carbon neutral.

Environmental Scientist, Geoff Evans explains why intervening is necessary to stop climate change.


Greenhouse Solutions need Effective Government PoliciesThe two key strategies are capable ofreducing greenhouse gas emissionssubstantially and rapidly are efficientenergy use and the lower-costrenewable energy sources.

The huge economic savings from energyefficiency can pay for a large part of theadditional costs of renewable energy.

Efficient energy use comprises a vast arrayof technologies and process

improvements includingdesign of buildings,insulation, heating andcooling systems,electrical appliances,electric motors anddrives, boilers, kilnsand industrialprocesses. Within adecade, almost all such

equipment, apartfrom

buildings, has to be replaced anyway,creating great opportunities for new energyefficient technologies to be introduced.

Demand for energy could also be reducedby phasing out off-peak electric hot waterand replacing it with solar, gas and electricheat pump systems.

Renewable energies can provide bothbaseload and peakload power with the samereliability as the existing fossil-fuelledsystem. Because of their smaller scale,renewable energies can create several timesmore jobs in Australia for manufacturingworkers, electrical workers and plumbers.

An energy efficient, renewable energy futureis technologically and economically feasible,but will not happen without the rightpolicies. Under the Howard Government,these technologies were starved for fundsand their huge potential was denigrated withfalse and misleading statements.

Before the 2007 Federal election, Labormade excellent policy promises for

renewable energy, but they have delayedimplementing them.

For example, in the May 2008 budget, not asingle dollar was allocated from thepromised $500 million Renewable EnergyFund for development and deployment.

Furthermore, renewable energy received noresearch funding from the promised $150million Energy Innovation Fund.

For an effective emissions tradingscheme, it is essential to auction all carbonpermits and to use the revenue raised toassist renewable energy.

Dr Mark Diesendorf teachesenvironmental studies at theUniversity of New SouthWales. He is author of thebook ‘Greenhouse Solutionswith Sustainable Energy’.

8 AMWU

Wind farm powers half of Ballarat

onment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment

Waubra wind farm in the west of Victoria– Australia’s largest wind farm – createsenough energy to power the equivalent ofmore than 25,000 homes.

Wind power is limitless, non-polluting andsafe. Together with other renewables suchas solar, hydro and geothermal, wind willform an important part of the mix thatVictoria needs to reduce its greenhousegas emissions.

AMWU delegate at the wind farm, DaveWalmsley, said it’s the first wind farm toemploy metalworkers in Victoria.

“It should be the first of many. We powerhalf of Ballarat and there is great potential

for more wind farms to provide energy formore areas in Victoria.”

Mr Walmsley said he and the otherworkers feel good about working in a jobthat is a step forward for the environment.

Two new wind farms are also planned tobe built at Mt. Mercer, in Ballarat andMacarthur, in Hamilton.

“There should be more wind farms andmore jobs in sustainable industriesgenerally. Other countries are way aheadof us in this.”

“Anyone who thinks we can go onpolluting without any consequences isn’tliving in the real world.”


9AMWUNEWS

ment

The last superannuation article in theAMWU news talked about the volatilityin the world financial markets. Thecurrent unpredictable share marketmay be of some concern to manymembers as last financial year’sreturns, most of which will be showinga negative return, are reported throughmember statements.

Everyone’s financial situation is different,and we all need the flexibility to arrangeour finances in a way that is manageableand convenient. When it comes to yoursuperannuation and investment needs,the same considerations apply.

To cater for people’s differing needs,industry super funds allow members tomake a selection as to how theirsuperannuation savings are invested.Member Investment Choice allows you tochoose the superannuation assets youwould like to invest in, helping you stayon track with your long-term savingsplan. Members can choose from a mix ofinvestments in different asset classes.

When it comes to choosing the mix ofinvestments for your superannuationsavings, there are a number of basicquestions you need to answer beforemaking a decision, including thefollowing:• How much risk do I feel

comfortable with?

• What level of return do I want?

• How many years will myinvestment last?

The answers to these questions will helpguide you in choosing the investmentmix or options for your superannuationsavings.

It is important to remember that allinvestment strategies involve a degree ofrisk. In general, the higher aninvestment’s potential return, the greaterthe risk associated with the investment.Similarly, lower risk investments usuallyprovide lower returns. Growthinvestments are generally considered ahigher risk over shorter periods, but theyhave the potential for higher long-termreturns. The trade-off between risk andreturn will play an important part in yourinvestment decisions.

It is also important to balance the risk ofshort-term fluctuations in the value ofyour superannuation investment againstthe long-term retirement benefit that awell-diversified investment strategy,including an investment in growth assets,can provide.

When considering investment options atany time, you need to take into accountyour own financial circumstances, goals,objectives and any particular needs youhave. In other words, financial advice canvary from person to person.

The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)from your super fund provides detailedexplanations of the investment optionsoffered by your fund and their earningsover a period of time. You should readthe PDS to understand the investmentoptions, including objectives and level ofassociated risk, offered by your fund.

In the current environment of sharemarket volatility it is important toremember that superannuation is a longterm investment. If you wish to reviewyour investment options it is advisable toseek the assistance of a licensed financialplanner. Each of the industry funds belowoffers members access to fee-for-servicefinancial advice from licensed financialplanners.

KNOW YOUR SUPER has been prepared by the major industry funds covering the AMWU’s membership.This article was prepared by Media Super Ltd (ABN 30 059 502 948, AFSL 230254)

Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only. For more information you shouldobtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) from your relevant industry fund. Investment returns are

not guaranteed and past performance gives no indication of future returns.

Investment choice and your super fund

Neil Robertson: [email protected] orphone 1800 640 886

Colin Ormsby: [email protected] orphone 1300 300 273

Lisa Zanatta: [email protected] orphone 1300 361 784

Sue Schlesinger: [email protected] orphone 1300 362 415

For more information about this article, pleasecontact one of the representatives listed below.

The joint union campaign to restore rights to workers in theconstruction industry is well underway. Most people have seenthe ads on television which are aimed at raising awareness ofthe harsh laws pertaining to construction workers.

The AMWU is backing the campaign which has focussed on the plightof construction industry union official Noel Washington, who iscurrently facing six months jail over his refusal to reveal details of aunion meeting.

Unions launched the campaign in Canberra where they addressed alarge number of government back benchers about the need to abolishthe Australian Building and Construction Commission.

In the construction industry, workers can be forced to faceinterrogation by the ABCC over their union activity.

The campaign is demanding that construction workers have the samerights as workers in any other industry.

For more information about the campaign please go to

www.rightsonsite.org.au

Construction workerscampaign underway


10 AMWUNEWS

Union growth was the focus of theAMWU National Conference whichwas held in Newcastle this year.Delegates to the conferenceparticipated in a great deal ofdiscussion and debate regardinga range of policies and the futuredirection of the union.

It was agreed that a concerted efforthad to be made to lift the membershipof the union in areas vital to the unionsfuture including new industries andamong young workers and apprentices,women and migrant workers.

Delegates at the conference weremoved by an address from Cochlearworker Lily Yin, who was featured in thelast edition of AMWU News. Ms Yingave an emotional account of herjourney from China, her experiences ofexploitation in various jobs and how sheeventually found the courage to join theAMWU and become a delegate.

Other speakers included IndustryMinister Kim Carr, unionists from Brazil,the Philippines and Vietnam as well asrank and file activists from the AMWU.

Other major issues discussed at theconference were the continuingcampaign to restore our rights at work,the campaign for manufacturing jobsand climate change.

National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said thisyear’s conference was characterised byunity and a common purpose.

“It was good to see unity among thedelegates over the future direction ofthe union. It gives me a great deal ofconfidence to go forward andimplement the policies and programsadopted by the conference.”

Visit www.amwu.org.au forconference videos and highlights.

Stores workers at a vehicle spare parts warehousein western Sydney are celebrating a new pay dealthat gives them a significant pay rise, increasedsuper and a generous sign-on bonus.

The new union agreement at Mitsubishi Motors Granvillewas only finalised after a three month stand-off, saysdelegate Luca D’Angelo.

Following the expiry of their previous agreement in April,management offered a new deal that shifted pay from weekly tofortnightly with an 8-9% pay rise over three years.

“It was unanimous that we voted the offer down,” said Luca.“We are currently paid weekly and we stuck to our guns – we

didn’t want to give that up without getting something decent inreturn.”

When management finally agreed to the workers’ ask of 12%,the next sticking point was back pay to the date of expiry of theprevious agreement.

During the course of negotiations, which took the parties twiceto the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, unionmembership at the workplace of 45 went from around 90 to100%.

Finally – after significant pressure from the members – theparties agreed on an agreement with a 12% pay rise, a rise insuper, a $600 sign-on bonus in lieu of back pay, and acontinuation of weekly pay.

“Everyone is feeling good,” says Luca. “With advice from theAMWU and a good clear mandate from the workforce, thenegotiating team were able to achieve a victory.”

Pay and conditions across vehicle dealerships and spare partswarehouses are generally poor, making the Mitsubishi workers’success even sweeter, says AMWU NSW Vehicles Secretary,Sean Morgan.

“Workers in warehouses and dealerships in the vehicle markethave a powerful bargaining tool,” he says.

“Any suggestion of protected industrial action by members inthe warehouse means dealerships won’t have the spare parts toservice their customers’ cars,” says Mr Morgan.

“These workers know that their company is making a gooddollar in the parts distribution business, they deserve a fairshair of the pie and have fought for it.”

Conference focuses on growth

Left to right:

AMWU negotiating

team at Mitsubishi.

Vijay Balram,

Luca D'Angelo,

Arun Kumar,

Larry Suluape.

Solidarity pays for Mitsubishi workers


11AMWUNEWS

Why do economists alwaystalk about the ‘Doha round’For international trade tofunction, there has to be a setof rules that participatingcountries adhere to.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO)develops those rules and every decadea new set of rules are negotiated.

The WTO has been hosting the latestround of negotiations for the new rulesat Doha in Dubai and an agreementwas due in late 2007, which didn’thappen, and then in 2008, which alsodidn’t happen.

The breakdown in negotiations at Dohacentred around the issue of agriculturalsubsidies – basically the US wouldn’tagree to a safety net for developingcountries in case of a surge ofagricultural imports into thosecountries from other places.

This issue would affect countries likeIndia and Bangladesh, for example,much more than Australia. Fiftypercent of Bangladeshis rely onagriculture, whereas only 3% ofAustralians do.

This means that the global set of trade

rules that are currently in place willcontinue and this affects Australia’smanufacturing industry because of ourcomparatively low tariffs. We aretrading with countries that have doublethe tariffs that Australia does, whichputs us at a disadvantage.

If a new set of rules had beendeveloped, it would have led to alowering of tariffs among our tradecompetitors and this would haveput us on a more even level playingfield than the one in which we’reoperating currently.

Arrest warrants have been issued againstseveral leaders of the Korean Confederationof Trade Unions (KCTU) for taking part inprotests against the importation of beeffrom the United States.

The government issued arrest warrants forseveral leaders of the KCTU whileMetalworkers Union Chairperson, Yoon Hae-mo and six other trade union officials are alsobeing pursued by the government.

The warrants follow mass protests in the formof candle light vigils that have been takingplace in South Korea since May againstimportation of US beef and the privatisation ofpublic broadcasting, health and other publicutilities.

There is fear among South Koreans that USbeef is in danger of being infected with madcow disease due to lax health inspections.

The protesters came from all walks of lifeincluding students, senior citizens, workingpeople and parliamentarians. More than amillion people in the greater Seoul area alonegathered in June for a peaceful candle lightprotest.

The government responded with forcerepressing the peaceful gathering. The policedischarged fire extinguishers and watercannons, wielded shields and batons, andbeat people up. Police Commissioner EoCheong-soo is leading what he proclaimed

in the mainstream media as ‘the real 80smilitary dictator style’, violent repression.

Fire extinguishers have been dischargeddirectly at mothers with babies in strollers anda parliamentarian has been struck with a baton.At one point, a video of policemen violentlykicking a female college student who wasdown on the ground was released in the mediaand met by a public outcry.

Since early July, the government has closed offthe assembly area, infringing on the basicdemocratic rights of assembly and protest.Police have arrested more than 1,000 people –all ordinary citizens who participated in apeaceful candle light march.

The government is now repressing theCoalition Against Mad Cow Disease which hadbeen leading the protests. The coalitionconsists of more than 1,700 civic groups,political parties, trade unions, and socialmovement organisations.

AMWU National President, Julius Roe, saidthat the government’s actions have beencondemned by Amnesty International and heis asking people to get behind the Koreanpeople’s right to protest.

“This is outrageous treatment of ordinarycitizens who are voicing their views. We urgeeveryone to state their opposition to what’sgoing on in South Korea by writing letters orsending emails.”

Violent protests in Korea over US Free trade policiesWrite protest letters to President Lee Myung-bakand Police Commissioner Eo Cheong-soo andsend them to the following addresses.

President Lee Myung-bakOffice of the President1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu,Seoul, 110-820, South Korea

Email: [email protected]: +82-2-770-4735

Police Commissioner Eo Cheong-sooKorean National Police AgencyEuijoo-ro 91 (Migeun-dong 209)Seodaemun-gu,Seoul, 120-704, South Korea

Email: [email protected] send copies [email protected].

Write solidarity messages and send [email protected].

Organise your own action or protest in solidaritywith the candle light movement in your local areassuch as protesting or having a press conference infront of the Korean embassy or consulate office.Please send a report [email protected].

What you can do:

1.

2.3.

UNDERSTANDINGG

LOBALISATION

Nixon Apple - AMWU National Industry and Economic Advisor


I have been a union member since 1994. It is well known that more than50% of the workforce are women and most are still not paid the equivalentrate as men, despite equal pay laws being passed many yeas ago. Womentraditionally are less inclined to be union members which places them at adisadvantage. My catchcry has always been fairness across the workplace,whether it be equal pay,discrimination, unfair dismissalor advancement in accordancewith competency. At times I haveseen my newer peers be a littleless respected and frequentlytaken advantage of, mostlythrough their lack of knowledgeof workplace rights. I saw a needfor someone to be a spokesperson in order to educate themon their rights and to remindothers of their obligations, soI became a delegate last year.I have thoroughly enjoyed thetraining that goes along with itand sharing the knowledge I gainon the course with my peersgives me great satisfaction. I amcommitted to my continued service to the members by broadeningtheir understanding of workplace issues, speaking out against unjustconditions and representing those who are voiceless. If you’re afemale member of the AMWU, I highly recommend that you become adelegate. It’s a very rewarding experience.

AMWU National OfficeLocation: Level 4,133 Parramatta Road, GranvillePostal: PO Box 160, Granville, NSW 2142............................................................(02) 9897 91332nd Floor, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South,VIC 3053 ............................................(03) 9230 5700NSW BranchLocation: Level 1, 133 Parramatta Road, GranvillePostal: PO Box 167, Granville, NSW 2142............................................................(02) 9897 2011Albury/Wodonga ................................(02) 6024 1099Newcastle ..........................................(02) 4929 2644Western Region ................................(02) 6337 7162Wollongong ........................................(02) 4229 7611VIC Branch1st Floor, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South,VIC 3053 ............................................(03) 9230 5700Albury/Wodonga ................................(02) 6024 1099

Ballarat ..............................................(03) 5332 2910Bendigo ..............................................(03) 5442 5101Corio ..................................................(03) 5274 2844Dandenong ........................................(03) 9701 3044Geelong ..............................................(03) 5229 9358Latrobe ..............................................(03) 5134 3306Portland ..............................................(03) 5523 2525Shepparton ........................................(03) 5822 2510QLD BranchLocation: 366 Upper Roma Street, BrisbanePostal: PO Box 13006 George Street, QLD 4003............................................................(07) 3236 2550Mackay ..............................................(07) 4953 0550Rockhampton ....................................(07) 4927 1487Townsville ..........................................(07) 4771 5960SA Branch1st Floor 229 Greenhill Road, Dulwich,SA 5065 ............................................(08) 8366 5800

EssentialContactsWhyalla ..............................................(08) 8645 7115

WA Branch121 Royal Street, East Perth,WA 6004 ............................................(08) 9223 0800Bunbury ............................................(08) 9721 7933Henderson ..........................................(08) 9410 1400Port Hedland ......................................(08) 9140 1885

TAS Branch28 Station Street, Moonah,TAS 7009 ............................................(03) 6228 7099Devonport ..........................................(03) 6424 7177

ACT OfficeCanberra ............................................(02) 6273 2412

NT Office1st Floor, 38 Woods Street, DarwinNT 0800 ..............................................(08) 8941 1511

for news and views www.amwu.org.au email [email protected]

At times I have seenmy newer peers be alittle less respectedand frequently takenadvantage of,mostly through theirlack of knowledgeof workplace rights.

Del Backhouse - Confectioner, Cadbury Claremont, Tasmania.

My catchcry has always been‘fairness across the workplace’


Amwu News Spring 2008

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Transcript of Amwu News Spring 2008