PM Scott Morrison wants unions and employers 鈥渢o put down their weapons鈥, claiming this is the way jobs will be created. However, history聽shows otherwise, writes Mary Merkenich.
Enterprise Agreement (EB, EBA)
The RTBU announced on February 28 that its delegates and members had unanimously endorsed an in-principle agreement for a new enterprise agreement with Yarra Trams, writes聽Leo Crnogorcevic.
Members of Melbourne's tram and bus division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) are campaigning for a new enterprise agreement.
Following the re-election of the Coalition government, Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged the need for industrial relations (IR) reforms. Under the fa莽ade of 鈥渆nsuring integrity鈥 and 鈥渋mproving productivity鈥, these reforms seek to once again attack trade unions and workers.
Up to 2000 waterfront workers at DP World container terminals across Australia have gone on strike to oppose the multinational company鈥檚 attacks on working conditions.
About 1600 members of the Australian Worker鈥檚 Union (AWU) employed at various ALCOA Aluminium refineries and bauxite mines throughout Western Australia again sent a strong message to the American multinational to negotiate a fairer Enterprise Bargaining Agreement after the company鈥檚 EBA was voted down on March 2.
Staff and employers of the Murdoch University Student Guild have reached an in-principle agreement in the latest round of bargaining after four weeks of negotiations.
Despite the short time frame, the negotiation team for the workers, which constituted an NTEU Industrial Officer and two Murdoch Guild staff members, were able to keep members in the loop throughout the entire process.
It is a basic right of working people to organise collectively through our unions
We own our own labour and should have the right to control our labour by organising collectively through our unions. Workers and our unions should not be prosecuted or penalised for organising our labour.
Our current industrial laws are anti worker, anti union and simply unjust and make it harder for workers to organise to defend our wages, conditions and living standards.聽
Both of Victoria's daily newspapers, The Age and the Herald-Sun, had front page articles on March 6 attacking the proposed enterprise agreement covering firefighters employed by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB). This agreement is currently being voted on by MFB staff.
Firefighters employed by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) have begun voting on a new enterprise agreement, which includes a pay rise of 19% over four years.
The previous agreement expired in 2013.
MFB management resisted including clauses in the new agreement requiring it to consult with the United Firefighters Union (UFU) on a range of questions, such as equipment and uniforms, and clauses clearly specifying the rights of workers in relation to issues such as rosters.
Delegates to the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) National Council, the union鈥檚 annual conference, condemned Murdoch University and Victoria University managements鈥 anti-union attacks and called for enterprise agreements to be terminated only where workers and unions agree.
Western Sydney University (WSU) staff went on strike on September 20 over stalled negotiations on their pay and working conditions. The half-day strike and rally, called by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), took place at WSU鈥檚 Parramatta City Campus.
University management has delayed the bargaining process by unilaterally removing core entitlements from the NTEU鈥檚 enterprise agreements, while resisting members鈥 key demands. Staff at WSU say they are concerned about looming job cuts, the downgrading of classifications, increased workloads and job insecurity.
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