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August-September 2014

The AMWU, the CFMEU and the ETU have been pushing for a new roster with Laing O’Rourke on Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Project for the past four months. Unions and Bargaining Representatives submitted an employee Log of Claims (LOC) which included a 3 and 1 roster and a site specific agreement.The company has continually refused to entertain the claims of their workforce and without consulting the Unions they put out a “State Based Agreement” for ballot in early June. That Agreement was voted down 138 to 89. The Unions and bargaining representatives are continuing to meet with the company to see if we can progress negotiations.However, Union members frustrated by the company’s intransigence have

directed their Unions to apply for a Protected Action Ballot (PAB) in order to pursue their claim for a change to their rosters. Monadelphous employees on Cape Lambert have now commenced negotiations and are pursuing the same claim for a change in rostering. The claim for roster change has support across the country and changes are foreshadowed for the current 26 and 9 roster on Barrow Island where Union members are pushing for a 20 and 10 roster. At the same time we have our comrades in Queensland pushing for a 3 and 1 on Curtis Island.Everyone associated with FIFO (including the resource companies and bosses) knows about the issues associated with the lifestyle.

FIFO Workers and their families know how excessive amounts of time away from home can cause problems. They know about the problems with mental health issues, they know of the alcohol and drug related issues, they know of the issues associated with dysfunctional families and they know of the suicides and health related risks. But what they know above all else is it is time for change! We know an agreement can be reached in good faith and members and officials are doing everything we can to bring about this necessary change.“It’s about need not greed!”

- State President Tony Hall

INSIDE: What workers say about 3&1

FIFO AMWU Mining & Construction members tell bosses it’s about family time, not money

3&1 FOR OUR FAMILIESOur FIFO members tell the bosses they want...

Union members meet at Cape Lambert to discuss the way forward

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A CAMPAIGNING UNION

STATE SECRETARY’S REPORTI recently had the pleasure of heading down to Komatsu in Welshpool to support our members in their Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. You can read the full report in this edition of Manufacturing Matters, but I thought I’d take the opportunity to give you my thoughts on what was a great day not just for our Komatsu members but for the whole union.

The impressive day of action was organised off the shop floor by AMWU delegates Lindsay Morton, Gordon Entwistle and Rocky Versace in support of a 24-hour stoppage. It was a great atmosphere with BBQ’s, kick to kick, mini golf and other activities. I think I even saw a couple of three-seater couches under one of the canopies.

The t’ai chi and the Working Voices choir were innovative touches that reinforced group solidarity and sent the bosses a strong message that the workforce was united, relaxed and in control of their negotiations.

But it wasn’t always that way at Komatsu. It was once a shop with low density which translated to far less workplace power. Members who have been around a while can recall previous stoppages with lower morale, lower turnout and poorer outcomes.

It is down to the strong work of determined delegates and good organisers over a number of years that turned this around. We’d love to see this atmosphere at every stop work action and really there is no reason it shouldn’t be the case at any shop anywhere in Western Australia.

While at the time of writing bargaining is ongoing, our Komatsu members are confident they will get the best possible result from a very profitable company.

I hope this action serves as encouragement to anyone else who wants to put their hand up as a delegate or generate some workforce activism around the issues that matter at your workplace.

Our officials are always ready and willing to assist in whatever way we can - with media, promotion, legal advice, negotiation or whatever the situation calls for. But as the Komatsu story shows, the outcomes always depend on determination and leadership at the workplace level.

In unity

Steve McCartney

...our Komatsu members are

confident they will get the best possible result from a very profitable company.

Shipbuilders take campaign to Minister’s door Henderson shipbuilders keep pressure on Defence Minister David JohnstonIn mid June our BAE and Australian

Submarine Corporation members headed to Defence Minister David Johnston’s office to protest the Liberal-National government’s appalling lack of support for our local naval shipbuilding industry.

The snap protest was called after the Minister announced Australian firms would be banned from even bidding for work on two new naval supply vessels, worth more than $1.5 billion.While most would rather put their feet up and grab a cold beer on a Friday afternoon, our members instead travelled to Belmont to send a message to government and educate the public on why we must maintain Australian

defence capacity.The 50-strong crowd used the opportunity to highlight our campaign to the rush hour traffic on Great Eastern Highway, getting strong support for our message to ‘design, build and maintain’ our ships here.Local Cockburn MP Fran Logan also addressed the rally and media, saying local shipbuilding was essential to the Western Australian economy.“Shipbuilding in WA supports hundreds of local workers and their families as well as thousands more around Australia. This government is shamefully ignoring our national interest,” he said.“It’s Australian taxpayers’ money after all.”

BAE delegate Jon Primrose spoke of his pride in the skill and capability of Australian shipbuilders.“ A u s t r a l i a n shipbuilders have proved ourselves perfectly capable of doing this work and doing it well,” he said. The pressue helped secured a Senate inquiry into Australian shipbuilding. Follow along and get your bumper sticker at makeaustralia.org.au or on Facebook.

T’ai chi participation was mandatory for union officials (and State Secretaries)

Cockburn MLA Fran Logan talks to the rally

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

www.amwu.org.au

Apprentice cuts hitting hardLiberal-National ‘Tools for your trade’ cuts hurt, writes Ray“I have just received an email from my apprentice training company stating that they will be cancelling my “Tools for Your Trade” payments.

What is more frustrating besides being on low wages across the board is to try and buy tools for future jobs, or now saving for tools when we finish to try to find work in this really tough job scene.

The $20,000 replacement loans are supposed to help us, but I think is ridiculous as now it is teaching young people early to get a loan which we all know leads to more problems down the track.

I’m in a class of 15 and all are as annoyed and feel ripped off. But there will soon be hundreds more in other classes, and other states all starting to realise when they receive emails.

I’m asking could you please bring this subject up and find more of a voice for me to stop this happening to me and the future

of the “Needed Skilled” apprentice workers to come.

It’s extremely hard to stay in and finish your apprenticeship while currently a lot of labourer jobs get paid more which tempts people away.

We will be the future high taxpayers and with these grants it is like a light at the end of the tunnel to help drive you continue on for what a better future is at the end of apprenticeship.”

- Ray, 24. Apprentice mechanical fitter at UGL Kwinana.

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

If you are an apprentice and being hurt by the cuts in the tools for your trade scheme, or have any other issues as an apprentice, let us know at newmetalswa@gmail.com

What are FIFO workers saying about a 3&1 Construction roster?“We value our time, we value our skills, and we value the contribution we make to the future through the application of our trades and services. We value our lives, our families and friends. We will not lower the standards of living for workers in this great country.”- Adam Mervyn-Jones

“I can remember the times when we did 13 weeks away then a week at home. That killed my first marriage. Now of course it’s 4/1 and that killed my second marriage. Then I went to 2/1 and I thought that was great, but 1/1 is awesome. Don’t let all these negative arseholes that say we don’t have to work here get under your skin, they have no idea.”- Graeme Roddick

“You fight for the next lot of guys. Like those that fought before us. I do it so my kid and her friends have workers’ rights.”- Glenn Bowley

Chevron exposed at ITF forumSpeakers reveal what’s really going on on Barrow IslandOn Thursday July 24 a packed public

meeting in Fremantle heard from those in the know about what’s really going on on the Gorgon project. And here’s a hint: it’s not what Chevron would have us believe.

The Maritime Union and International Transport Workers’ Federation event first heard from WA MUA Secretary Chris Cain, who spoke of how Chevron’s appalling industrial relations strategy was a smokescreen to shift blame for management failures.

He was followed by Dr Bradon Ellem, a Sydney University Professor of Industrial Relations and author of the landmark report, What’s Going on on Gorgon?

By interviewing hundreds of workers, Dr Ellum debunked many of the myths Chevron is peddling and revealed some important facts, including:● Chevron has failed to pay at least one local supplier;● Wages are not responsible for massive cost blowouts, which have been caused by poor management and logistical planning; and● Workers take pride in their work and are sick of being run down by management to divert shareholder anger.CFMEU State Secretary Mick Buchan spoke of accomodation capacity issues,

poor engineering decisions, workers being shafted after moving house to take up employment and the dire safety consequences of a rush to start production.AMWU State Secretary Steve McCartney described Chevron’s appalling commitment to local content to the 300-strong crowd. Of the 395,000 tonnes of Gorgon steel fabrication, just 23,000 tonnes had come to WA. Even that was down to the AMWU’s sustained public pressure through our WA Jobs campaign.Special guest Mike Smith from the USA’s United Steelworkers rounded out the meeting, telling of American workers’ struggles with Chevron. Of particular note was the corporation’s maintenance at its Richmond California refinery, leading to an explosion resulting in 14,000 people being hospitalised.Follow the campaign and get involved at www.mua.org.au/tags/chevron

Onya Graeme!

Steve talking local content at the forum

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A CAMPAIGNING UNION

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

www.amwu.org.au

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Union wins!

Winning on WheatstoneThe AMWU secured a win on Wheatstone for all Monadelphous workers. On the 28th day of the work cycle, employees will now be paid ten hours for that day. Some employees had been on the project over 18 months waiting for this.

After lengthy discussions with Monadelphous, they have agreed on the AMWU’s position and will pay the ten hours.

They had been only paying the hours the guys were on site but workers were being sent to the airport at varying times depending on where their point of hire was. They didn’t get a choice in the matter.

Also, Laing O’Rourke have now agreed to pay welding allowances on Wheatstone to welders, backdated to the day they tested. It also includes the allowance going forward.

So all in all, two good wins on the Wheatstone project over the past couple of months.

The Wheatstone Project

Now that’s a Super increaseFrom July 1 every worker must be paid at least 9.5% superannuation.This increase means millions of Australian workers will retire with thousands of dollars extra in their super accounts. And we are going to need it with Tony Abbott ripping through pensions and trying to abolish top up contributions for low paid workers. The Liberals went to the election promising to scrap the increase, but pressure from rank and file union members contacting cross-bench Senators (like Nick Xenophon from South Australia and John Madigan DLP from Victoria) convinced them to vote with Labor to keep it in place.So check your payslips and get in touch if the increase hasn’t been passed on!

Unions team up for NAIDOC Unions bring Midland workshops back to life for the kids

The Midland Railway Workshops came alive with music, dance, art and

games for the NAIDOC Hip Hop Family Day on Saturday. Sponsored by the Blue Collar unions, the AMWU, CFMEU, ETU MUA and RTBU, and presented by the Community Arts Network WA, the event brought together families and contemporary artists in the name of celebrating indigenous culture with a modern twist.

After elder Richard Wilkes officially opened the event, the 300-strong crowd was treated to some home grown hip hop

dance talent from the Beat Walkers, with Static Crew and Little Sparks following up. Local MC’s Trooth and Bryte teamed up with DJ Zeke Ugle to keep the event ticking over and even deliver some tight performances of their own.

Multiple Deadly Award-winning headliners Last Kinection did not disappoint, with a high energy set of thumping bass and sharp lyrics getting onlookers of all ages up and about. It was clear the band’s inspirational lyrics resonated as much with the young crowd as their considerable stage presence and hip hop credentials.

In between sets, kids could take a breather while getting faces painted,

trying their hands at graffiti art (with adult supervision of course!), having a sausage sizzle or getting creative with craft workshops.

State Secretary Steve McCartney said it was important that the Labour movement strengthened its community bonds.

“It’s a win-win for trade unions to support the communities where our members live. The labour movement has always achieved good things when our industrial and community wings complement each other,” he said.

“It’s great to be bringing this event to Midland, which has so much history for the AMWU. Having worked here myself back in the day, it’s very satisfying to see the railway workshops getting back in service for such a great event.”

Mr McCartney said the entire not-for-profit sector was facing difficult times at the moment.

“Our communities are facing Federal and State governments stripping away public funding for support groups and services that really are the glue that hold society together.”

Are your details up to date?As we change jobs and move around more these days it is more important then ever you keep our membership team up to date with your details.

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

We currently have around 1000 members with incorrect details! If you have any doubts, please contact our membership team by email at membershipwa@amwu.asn.au or calling the Perth Office on 08 9223 0800 or our national helpdesk on 1300 732 698.

The Union is bound by the Privacy Act. Information is collected to enable the Union to contact you about matters relating to your Union membership, and to ensure that we have the necessary information to represent your employment and related interests.

The Union’s Privacy Statement is available from the Union’s website or by contacting the Union Office.

East Metro MP Alanna Clohesy with Steve

Midland workshops come to life

A CAMPAIGNING UNION

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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 Welshpool thought our AMWU members were

going to take a backward step in their Enterprise Bargaining negotiations, they were proved comprehensively wrong at last month’s community protest outside the front gates.

With the barbies blazing, kick to kick in full swing, members decked out in sumo suits and stilts, the Working Voices choir performing and even a couple of t’ai-chi sessions thrown in for that extra element of serenity, our members made sure management knew they were relaxed and in full control of the negotiations.

Our members might have had to go without pay to further their cause, but they weren’t going to let the opportunity go to waste.

While t’ai-chi isn’t something you’d usually see during protected industrial action, it proved a big hit, with members and officials enthusiastically getting involved.

Maybe it shouldn’t have come as a surprise though, after all Chinese Kung-Fu and T’ai-Chi Academy’s Blake Griffin did have everyone up and about and moving in unison for collective benefit. According to participants, it was a great counterpoint to the pressure the company was trying to exert on members too.

The Working Voices Choir led by Bernard Carney opened with a rousing round of Solidarity Forever, following on with their repertoire of working class anthems and songs of social justice to inspire the 120-strong crowd.

Long-time delegate Lindsay Morton was upbeat about reaching a decent outcome in the near future.

“Look we knew that the only way we’ll get what we we’re worth is to stick together and present a united front.”

“We’ve done that today and it really

reinforces to the company that we are a united workforce and they have to deal with us collectively.”

“We want to get back to work but the group is united in our goal to get a fair day’s pay for it.”

State Secretary Steve McCartney said the event set a great example for the union movement.

“It’s fantastic to see employees bringing their families down and members of the community lending their support to a very worthy cause.”

“We’re proud of our delegates and organisers down here at Komatsu. They set a great standard for our union and our movement and I have no doubt today will go a long way to getting them the Agreement they deserve.”

A big thanks goes out to the WA National Union of Workers for their support on the day too.

Flying the flags for the union

United we stand indeed Lindsay!

The State Secretary addresses the troops

T’ai chi on the picket: unorthodox but effective!

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WA LaborState Conference 2014Your AMWU delegates were busy over the July 5 and 6 weekend standing up for members’ interests. As an affiliated union the AMWU is entitled to 12 Delegates on the 315-strong Conference floor. Here’s how we used our votes:

Workers’ compensation● Oppose “step-down” arrangements which cut out loadings to reduce injured workers weekly payments● Limit employer controlled self-insurance● Remove caps from treatment and medical costs

Privatisation● Reaffirm WA Labor’s total opposition to the sale of our public assets (ports, hospitals and Lotteries 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 government’s plans to make us work until we’re 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 where Court ignored a history of domestic violence against spouse

Health and Safety● Support a national OHS law● Increase resourcing and independence for Worksafe to be proactive in pursuit of safety breaches

Heritage● Commit WA Labor to constructing a Midland Railway workshops interactive Museum to recognise their contribution to WA and provide a modern link

Attacks on unions● Condemn Heydon Royal Commission as a narrow, anti-worker, anti-union waste of taxpayer dollars

● Unequivocal support for workers’ right to protest without fear of being fined or hauled before the courts

Training and apprentices● Condemn WA Liberals support for dramatically increasing TAFE fees● Condemn the Abbott’s government’s 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 file vote in local preselections; ● Improve engagement from Shadow Ministers and MPs in policy development; ● Support secret ballots in internal Labor votes.

AMWU Conference delegates and friends with WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan

If you want to have your say in our union’s political activism or even be a delegate yourself, we can provide all the training you’ll need. But you have to be a Labor member too.Join up to our Manufacturing Branch today, either online at walabor.org.au/join (select Manufacturing Branch on the drop-down menu), call the office on 9223 0800 or ask your Organiser. Planning for 2015 starts now!

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

www.amwu.org.au

A CAMPAIGNING UNION

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Like your union? your union!We have a couple of new initiatives to help you stay in touch with what’s going on in your branch right around Western Australia.

We’ve just launched our new App for Apple and Android, which you can find by searching “amwu wa” at either store.

It’s got the latest events, member news, media, benefits, campaigns and more. It’s free too so get on it.

We’ve 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 tom.palmer@amwu.asn.au or message our Facebook page.

It’s all part of making sure we keep in touch with our members and give you what you want.

And if technology isn’t your thing, we’ll 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 boost after forming a community partnership with the Western Australian branch of the AMWU

WA State Secretary Steve McCartney and State President Tony Hall were

at 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, which means better access to apprenticeships and work experience opportunities.

The vehicle will also bolster SEA’s core activities of providing emergency housing services, arranging assistance for homeless and displaced people and providing financial counselling.

“We’ll 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 financial 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 benefit to the young people we work with.”

Mr McCartney said he and Mr Hall were proud to represent the AMWU WA’s 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 that could 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 area where we’ve got strong heritage given our historical connection to the Midland Railway workshops.”

SEA Executive Office Don Tunnicliffe with Tony, Steve and Youth Development Officer Mike Milne