2004
Energex electricians strike for 24 hours
Date: 24 November 2004
To rebuild the Queensland electricity industry we need to rebuild our workforce quickly. According to ETU Qld Branch Assistant Secretary, Peter Simpson, offering competitive wages would be a start. As part of their EBA campaign workers at Energex and Ergon Energy also want agreed staffing levels, with a max of 6 months an employee can be casual, part time or on labour hire.
more...
Ergon Dispute Update
Date: 17 November 2004
Electrical Trades Union (ETU) members at three major Ergon Energy depots have voted to strike for 24 hours as part of a major campaign aimed at securing a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) before Christmas.
more...
Be Angry about James Hardie
Date: 01 November 2004
It is a national tragedy that Australia has the highest rate of mesothelioma in the world - the incurable and deadly cancer caused by asbestos. James Hardie, the maker of asbestos, refuses to pay up and fully compensate the victims of its deadly product.
If you're angry about the way James Hardie has treated workers and want to send an email to the Prime Minister go to http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm
more...
More Hands to the Wheel in WA
Date: 23 October 2004
ETU in WA has two new organisers whose work will be concentrated in the electrical contracting industry.
more...
The Facts about Apprenticeships
Date: 22 October 2004
A chronic nationwide shortage of apprentices is threatening the long term viability of the electrical trade. The Government is making policy on the run with ill-thought out policies which will create poorly trained electrical workers who will be used a cheap labour.
more...
Major employer group agrees there is a skills shortage
Date: 15 September 2004
A just released Australian Industry Group (AiG) Report has found that one in two companies are having difficulties in obtaining skilled labour. The AiG says Australia faces a skills crisis in the next five years. But we say the skills crisis is here now and unless urgent measures are taken now to address the crisis, 5 years down the track will be too late
more...
Apprentices lose out as power companies look for workers overseas
Date: 14 September 2004
Assistant Divisional Secretary, John Ingram, has spoken out against Australian power companies poaching workers from overseas to fill chronic skills shortages.
more...
Tighe Welcomes ALP IR Plan
Date: 18 August 2004
Under a Labor Government the Building Industry Taskforce would be abolished and replaced with a Construction Industry Council comprising representatives of unions, employers and the Government. The idea being to bring about cultural change in the industry through cooperative means.
more...
Building Task Force Powers Strengthened
Date: 28 June 2004
Failure to comply with Building Industry Task Force's directions may result in a jail sentence
more...
Government Dumps Building & Construction Improvement Bill
Date: 24 June 2004
The Federal Howard Government has been foiled again in its attempt to destroy unions in the building and construction industry.
more...
Industry rife with occupational health & safety abuses
Date: 23 June 2004
The Senate Review of the Cole Commission Report into the building industry echoed union concern over the widespread lack of compliance with occupational health and safety laws and laws relating to WorkCover contributions.
more...
Senate rejects Howard Government's proposed Building Industry Laws
Date: 23 June 2004
"Vindicated is how we feel, said National Secretary, Peter Tighe, on hearing about a Senate Committee's rejection of the Howard Government's Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill.
more...
|
