Latest ETU News

Crackdown on unsupervised apprentice electricians

• The ACT's work safety authority has announced that it's cracking down on bosses not providing proper supervision for apprentices.  The ETU applauds this long overdue step - this problem is rife throughout the country and other states and territories must follow this example. Read more here.

Federal Budget must focus on jobs and investment in Australia's future.

"The Electrical Trades Union joins the Australian union movement in calling for tonight's Budget to deliver on jobs and infrastructure investment. See the ACTU's statement here

Union raises NBN asbestos fears

"The NBN is a great opportunity for our nation and will place us at the forefront of the 21st Century, but it can't be built at the expense of workers' lives.  Recent discoveries of asbestos pits during the build phase are unacceptable.  The NBN should be built, but not at a risk to workers' lives.  Read the full story here

• Want to know what to expect from privatised electricity

Just look to America.  The investment bank, JP Morgan, is being investigated for massive rorting of the energy markets.  Senior executives lying under oaths but still raking in massive salaries, millions of taxpayers' dollars spent by the Government in the investigating and prosecuting, millions of customers ripped off - now that's what I call market efficiency. Read the full story here

• Vale John Keogh

John Keogh, the Monument of Gove, passed away last week. John had devoted his life to the betterment of his family, his community, his union and his comrades. Read the piece by his son, Kris at this link

• Queenslanders claim a small victory against the state government's plan to sell major public assets.

Whether it full blown privatisation, like under Kennett, or privatisation by stealth - State Coalition governments are continuing to attack and undermine the public infrastructure that supports us all.  The Queensland government has today confirmed that they will continue to massively outsource work that has been and should be done by the State Government itself. Simply despicable.Read more here

• Workers Memorial Day 2013: a time to mourn the dead and fight for the living

A new national memorial to Australians who have died at or because of work will be a lasting reminder of the ongoing battle to make our workplaces safer. Read more here

•  Unions react to WorkCover office closures

State governments continue to slash job and shut services without caring for the consequences.  Now the Queensland government is closing regional WorkCover offices - making it harder for working people to get the assistance they are entitled to and the help they need. Read more here