A pdf can be downloaded here.here.

TWUNEWS
TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION OF NSW
ISSUE 81 • WINTER 2015
DON’T TRASH
OUR JOBS!
SITA MEMBERS STAND TALL AT RYDE
TURNING UP THE
HEAT ON COLES
GETTING ON BOARD
FOR BETTER BUSES
REGISTER FOR DELEGATES
CONFERENCE 2015
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PRESIDENT’SPREACH
George Clarke • TWU President
CONTENTS
Stay radical!
2
Going straight to the top
3
Keep talking
4
Holding politicians to account
5
Garbos tell Ryde Council and
SITA - Don’t Trash our Jobs!
6-7
STAY RADICAL!
As winter falls across the transport industry the TWU is running red hot with
activity, keeping the pressure on bosses and governments that only care about
cost cutting and profits.
C
onservative governments and relentlessly
greedy bosses seem hell bent on
Turning up the heat on Coles
8-9
changing the way society works so they can
Yennora organising committee
makes Woolies listen
10 make more money and the working people
that keep the country moving can make
TNT blasting into action
11
do with less. Radical action is all some of
Getting On Board for
these people understand – I know that from
Better Buses
12-13
personal experience.
Cooking up a storm at
Back in 2006 when Lion Nathan/
14
Qantas Catering
Tooheys tried to get rid of myself and the
Delegates win on
other brewery owner drivers and withhold
custom and practice
15
our goodwill, it was only industrial action
2015 Delegates Conference 16-17 and the widespread publicity given to our
On the Waterfront
19 situation by the likes of Alan Jones that
made the brewery giant back down and pay
TWU pays tribute to fighters
20
up big $$$$$$$$.
Daily Telegraph
Brief: TWU
Friday
23/6/2006
Code Green for TWU Ambos
21
So it’s good to see the radical tradition is
Page: 2
Section: General News
alive and well in our branch in 2015.
Let us help – call the
Region: Sydney Circulation: 397,054
23 City Daily In Ryde, we dumped a truckload of
Members’ Service CentreType: Capital
Size: 189.41 sq.cms.
Published: 23
MTWTFSrubbish on the council’s doorstep and
Brian’s Corner
Sydney Sub-branch News
24
South Coast & Southern
Sub-branch News
25
Newcastle & Northern
Sub-branch News
26
ACT Sub-branch News
27
National Update
29
You said it on Facebook
30
Kids’ corner
31
CONTACTS
Editorial:
Rachel Kim 02 9912 0703
rachel.kim@twunsw.org.au
Barry Dunning 02 9912 0708
barry.dunning@twunsw.org.au
Advertising:
Rebecca Hopkins 02 9912 0700
Rebecca.Hopkins@twunsw.org.au
31 Cowper St, Parramatta 2150
Print Post Approved 100008176
2 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
When Tooheys tried to trash our
jobs in 2006 we told them to get
stuffed.
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“
IF WE NEED TO GET EVEN MORE
RADICAL THEN LET’S DO IT. IF
IT TAKES INDUSTRIAL ACTION
OR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TO
SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE, OR
SAFEGUARD THEIR JOB OR
CONDITIONS, THEN WE’LL BE
READY.
shouted them down in shame for the way they
planned to fleece our members. Our radical
action resulted in a backflip that wouldn’t
have been out of place at the Olympics and
the end result was that members’ pay and
conditions were protected.
In Melbourne in May and again in Sydney
in June we marched as a loud, proud and
angry force on Coles properties, to remind the
retail giant that contributing to road deaths in
the name of bigger profits is never okay.
If we need to get even more radical then
let’s do it. If it takes industrial action or civil
disobedience to save someone’s life, or
safeguard their job or conditions, then we’ll
be ready. Because that’s what the TWU has
always been about.
See you at the next demo or picket line.
George
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STANDTOGETHERWINTOGETHER
Michael Aird • TWU Secretary
GOING STRAIGHT TO THE TOP
Calling out Coles: The retail giant has been squeezing too many truckies for too long.
When you’re having issues with your electricity
meter or your car insurance you don’t want to be
stuck talking to some poor bloke in a call centre
somewhere, you want to be speaking to someone
who has the power to make decisions and fix the
issue pronto.
W
ell in the waste, bus and retail transport industry that’s
what TWU members have been doing, bypassing the
middleman and going straight to the top where the economic
power rests and where the decisions are made.
When we uncovered plans to sack some of our Garbos on
the Ryde Council contract and force them to reapply for their
jobs as independent contractors, we focused our attack on
the Council as their ultimate employer, instead of their direct
employer SITA. It is the Council who makes the decision on
the contract that is awarded, so we targeted them and forced
them to back down.
Instead of going company by company in the bus industry,
which would allow our strength and unity to be split apart, we
are focusing our Better Buses campaign on the Minister for
Transport. The Minister has the power to mandate standards
on pay, conditions and safety right across the industry. We’ve
been going to the top, lobbying the Minister and MPs, holding
events at Parliament House and in their local electorate
offices.
Our focus is the same in the road transport industry, where
we’ve been continuing to take on Coles and the big retailers.
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Because their economic power and ruthless demands not
only set the conditions for their own contracts, but also set
the standards in the entire market. We know that to win Safe
Rates for every driver we can’t just organise the transport
operators one at a time, we need those with the economic
power to be held to account.
In each of these cases members have been smart, strong
and strategic, but we’re also not forgetting to have some fun
along the way. We literally tipped a bucket on Ryde Council,
dumping a load of rubbish right outside their front door, we
“
SO IF YOU’VE NOT BEEN TO A TWU
ACTION BEFORE, NOW IS THE TIME TO GET
INVOLVED. COME ALONG TO OUR NEXT
EVENT, AND BRING ALONG A WORKMATE.
filled Coles flagship store in downtown Sydney with truckies
to call them out for their ruthless behaviour and we are
planning a family fun day as the next step in our Better Buses
campaign.
So if you’ve not been to a TWU action before, now is the
time to get involved. Come along to our next event, and bring
along a workmate. Talk to your TWU delegate or official for
more info and we’ll keep going to the top together.
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Michael
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 3
SECURETHEFUTURE
Richard Olsen • TWU Assistant Secretary
KEEP TALKING
While we’ve been busy taking action on the streets and getting in the faces of the politicians, simply
talking to your mates in the yard, especially those who aren’t yet in the union, can make just as big of a
difference.
Spread the word: whether it’s a protest or a safety issue in the yard the first step is to get talking to each other.
W
hat makes a union yard a strong
yard is the fact that when
everyone talks to each other and makes
a decision to act as one, we force the
bosses to sit up and take notice. They
can no longer pull a fast one on safety
issues, underpay us or change our
working conditions, because we have
the strength to tell them to get stuffed.
Take Qantas Catering as an example.
When management tried to go back
on promised pay increases for our
leading hands, members made a united
decision not to carry out the new work.
We forced management to back down
on their threats and the issue is now
winding its way through the courts.
Or take StarTrack, where our
delegates have been in constant
communication with TWU members
through a long negotiation process
4 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
and now we are finally closing in on
what we expect will be a strong new
agreement.
Hy-Tec on the north coast is another
good one. A year ago there were three
non-union sites and the boys were about
“
SO TALK TO YOUR
WORKMATES, SIGN THEM
UP IF THEY ARE NOT YET
IN THE UNION AND THEN
LET’S TAKE ACTION.
to get screwed by management on a
new agreement. So the drivers signed
up to the TWU en-masse and elected
two delegates. Using this strength that
comes from unity, we’ve been able to
deliver a ripper of a new deal and we’ve
sent a message to the bosses that we
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won’t be taking any more of their bull.
Right across NSW and the ACT,
action is happening in transport yards.
It is delivering results and the two key
ingredients are talking and then taking
action.
So talk to your workmates, sign them
up if they are not yet in the union and
then let’s take action. If that means you
need to pull up a yard to get a safety
issue addressed, then let’s do it. If it
means you need to put on a dispute over
changes to work practices, then let’s
do it. If it means blocking the depot or
marching on the major clients, we’re up
for that too.
Start talking today and you’ll be
working in a stronger, safer and fairer
yard tomorrow.
Richard
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POLITICALUPDATE
HOLDING POLITICIANS TO ACCOUNT
We may not be close to those in power in Canberra or Sydney
right now, but that will never stop the TWU from getting in front of
politicians and holding them to account for the decisions that affect
our members and their families.
Daniel Mookey MLC
On board: ALP Transport spokesman Ryan Park is ready to fight in our corner.
T
he NSW Election has been run and
won and even though it wasn’t the
outcome we hoped for, we’re working
hard to influence the Baird Government
and the Foley Opposition to support a
variety of much needed reforms.
We recently took our bus industry
campaign into Parliament House at
Macquarie Street and had numerous
meetings with MPs, where we explained
the problems drivers are facing out on
the road and what needs to be done to
fix them.
We followed this up with a meeting
with the Transport Minister Andrew
Constance in early June. Even though
we provided solid written evidence and
first-hand accounts of the problems
caused by the competitive tendering
and the new Opal Card system, the
Minister decided against action and
we were fobbed off again to the
bureaucrats for more “talks” and
“investigation”.
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We won’t be accepting this and
the campaign is continuing to gain
momentum. Later in June, we’ll be
bringing Western Sydney community
groups together to highlight the impact
of the bus system problems and to keep
the pressure on the Baird government to
face up to its responsibilities.
In the waste industry, we’re using
the fantastic victory at Ryde to send a
message to other Local Councils about
the renewal of waste service contracts.
The next stop is the Central Coast,
where momentum is building in the
yards for decisive action. Approaches
to Wyong and Gosford councillors are
being planned amongst delegates right
now.
Federally, while we’re still waiting
on the Abbott Government to release
its politically motivated review of the
Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal,
we’ve been busy reminding the crossbench senators about the huge political
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n
pbelltow
en Cam
Greg Warr
Trish Doyle Blu
e Mountains
donations made by Coles and the lethal
consequences of any move to remove a
road safety body.
If you would like to speak to your
local politician about any transport or
TWU issues, call your TWU Members’
Service Centre on 1800 729 909 and
they can help you set up the meeting.
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 5
DON’TTRASHOURJOBS
GARBOS TELL RYDE COUNCIL AND
SITA Garbos on the Ryde Council contract had a
big win in April, when they forced the Council
and the company to back down on plans to sack
them and make them reapply for their jobs as
independent contractors.
W
aste industry workers help keep our communities clean
and hygienic. The work is dirty, dangerous and difficult.
Garbos deserve to be treated with respect and provided with
fair pay and safe conditions. But some Local Councils and
some waste industry operators think the easiest way to save
money and grow profits is off the backs of these hard-working
Garbos.
Local Councils have a legal responsibility to take into
account whether or not existing workers will be offered
employment or engagement on similar terms and conditions
when contracts come up for renewal or if the contract
changes hands.
“
On the march: Ryde Council told to get stuffed by TWU garbos.
United: The SITA boys on the Ryde contract.
Shortly after Ryde Council’s seven year waste contract
was awarded to SITA under an agreement that employment
conditions would remain unchanged, waste workers were
informed that they would be sacked and forced to reapply for
their jobs as independent contractors – copping a 30 per cent
pay cut.
SITA delegate and waste worker of 25 years Craig Ramaker
said the new arrangements didn’t add up and forcing them to
cover more ground for less money was a boneheaded idea.
“We already work non-stop to clear all the bins so to take
trucks away and pay us less is dangerous and unfair,” Craig
said.
“We don’t want to see Ryde garbage services suffer and
we definitely can’t afford a huge pay cut. If the Mayor and the
6 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
GARBOS SENT A POWERFUL MESSAGE
TO LOCAL COUNCILS AND WASTE
OPERATORS – THE TWU DOESN’T STAND
BY WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO TRASH OUR
MEMBERS’ JOBS. IF THAT MEANS STOP
WORK MEETINGS, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE OR
DUMPING A LOAD OF WASTE ON THE FRONT
DOOR OF THE COUNCIL, THEN SO BE IT.
MICHAEL AIRD
Council care about Ryde they’ll throw this plan into the bin
where it belongs.”
The TWU was never going to take this lying down. We
took the fight to Ryde Council, dumping a load of rubbish on
their doorstep to send a clear message that we wouldn’t let
them trash TWU members’ jobs.
Faced with some seriously angry Garbos and having been
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DON’TTRASHOURJOBS
D SITA - DON’T TRASH OUR JOBS!
called out on their legal responsibilities, Ryde Council saw
sense and confirmed that any tender with a waste service
provider would be on the basis of no substantial changes to
the working arrangements of employees.
TWU NSW Secretary Michael Aird said that this was an
important win for waste workers across NSW.
“Garbos sent a powerful message to local Councils and
waste operators – the TWU doesn’t stand by when someone
tries to trash our members’ jobs. If that means stop work
meetings, or civil disobedience, or dumping a load of waste
on the front door of the Council, then so be it,” said Michael.
If your contract is coming up for renewal and you’re
worried about your pay and conditions, let your TWU NSW
Members’ Service Centre know on 1800 729 909.
Members and officials cause a ruckus at the Ryde Council.
Chambers
It’s personal: Delegate Craig Ramaker gives the Council a piece of his mind.
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 7
SAFERATES
TURNING UP THE
From safety audits at Coles distribution centres, protest rallies at Coles’ stores and delivering trolley
loads of evidence to the door of the Coles head office, TWU members have been turning up the heat on
this ruthless retailer over the past few months.
W
“
e’ve been campaigning against the major retailers at
the top of the transport supply chain for many years
now, because the only way we can secure Safe Rates for
every driver is by holding those with the real economic power
to account. It is the retailers that are attacking good union
transport jobs across the industry and squeezing down rates,
conditions and safety standards.
While Woolworths are far from perfect, they have at least
shown a willingness to work with drivers and the industry to
make changes. In contrast, Coles continues to keep its head
in the sand, claiming it has nothing to do with the hundreds of
deaths and injuries on our roads each year as a result of truck
crashes.
These are the guys whose own transport manager’s KPI’s
demand he cuts freight costs by 5% each year. Yet they call
our Safe Rates campaign “malicious”?
SYDNEY
JOHN WALTIS
LINFOX CHULLORA DELEGATE
ADELAIDE
All of Coles’ excuses were revealed to be total claptrap
when we uncovered 126 breaches of National Heavy Vehicle
Laws in an investigation of just three transport operators at
the Coles NDC in Eastern Creek in early June.
TWU NSW Secretary Michael Aird said that these findings
exposed Coles’ hypocrisy with drivers regularly being denied
rest breaks, forced to work excessive hours and forced to
mark loading time as rest time.
"This is only a snapshot of what's happening in one
distribution centre in the Coles supply chain - it’s a terrifying
snapshot, with more than 126 breaches identified. That’s 126
8 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
I’M CAMPAIGNING FOR
SAFE RATES FOR EVERY
DRIVER, BECAUSE EVEN IF
I GET A GOOD RATE AND
HAVE DECENT WORKING
CONDITIONS, THAT’S NOT
GOING TO PROTECT ME IF
A SUBBIE FALLS ASLEEP AT
THE WHEEL AND CRASHES
INTO MY TRUCK.
SYDNEY
cases where truckies haven't been allowed their proper rest
breaks and have then gotten out on the same roads shared by
everyone else."
To publicise our findings, more than 100 TWU members
joined Michael to take over Goulburn Street in downtown
Sydney to protest against Coles’ lethal squeeze. Michael told
the media that years of blaming the driver has not solved any
problems or stopped the carnage on our roads.
“If you just blame the truck driver you’ll never get
anywhere; there'll be another driver in the seat the next day,
doing the same run at the same low rates. To fix this we need
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SAFERATES
E HEAT ON COLES
Taking over Goulburn Street: marching on Coles.
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
IF YOU JUST BLAME THE TRUCK DRIVER YOU’LL NEVER GET ANYWHERE; THERE’LL BE ANOTHER DRIVER IN
THE SEAT THE NEXT DAY, DOING THE SAME RUN AT THE SAME LOW RATES. TO FIX THIS WE NEED THOSE
WITH THE REAL POWER AT THE TOP OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN LIKE COLES TO BE FINALLY HELD TO ACCOUNT.
those with the real power at the top of the supply chain like
Coles to be finally held to account,” Michael said.
“We also need truckies to be able to come forward and
speak about what’s happening, free from prosecution or
persecution. That’s why I’ve written to the authorities calling for
a time limited amnesty for all drivers who want to speak out.”
Our action in Sydney came hot on the heels of a safety
audit in Adelaide and the delivery of two trolley loads of
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evidence to the front desk of Coles HQ in Melbourne for CEO
John Durkan to read. We’re also calling Coles out for their cut
throat action in transport yards and courtrooms. We’ll keep
doing this until they see sense, because it’s our jobs and our
community that are under attack.
If you’d like to know more or want to get more involved in
the Safe Rates campaign, speak to your TWU official or call
the Members’ Service Centre on 1800 729 909.
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 9
SAFERATES
YENNORA ORGANISING COMMITTEE
MAKES WOOLIES LISTEN
Organising for power: Yennora DC Organising Committee: L- R - Mark Trevillian, Mark Smallwood, John Waltis, Alex
Wilson, Richard Olsen, Simon Bridge, Robert Dixon, Michael Collins, Paul Battese.
Our organising committee at Woolworths Yennora
distribution centre had a big win in April after
meeting with national Woolworths’ management.
O
ver the past couple of years we have been focusing our
Safe Rates organising activities at retail distribution
centres (DC). Dozens and in some cases hundreds of
operators run in and out of these DCs on a daily basis and the
challenges facing these drivers are the same no matter who
they work for.
At the Woolworths Yennora DC in Sydney, a crosscompany organising committee is leading the charge to win
Safe Rates in the retail sector. After months of surveying retail
drivers and identifying the issues they face, the committee had
practical solutions to help deal with the pressures of excessive
waiting time. They took their solutions out to the DC and over
150 drivers took action to endorse their ideas. The committee
presented these issues to Woolworths’ management and
Woolworths listened.
For organising committee member Alex Wilson it’s clear
that these changes only came about because of the teamwork
across companies that run in and out of the DC.
“These changes will make a big difference to our work
and it only happened because we worked together across
companies to show Woolworths why improving conditions
across the supply chain is important,” Alex said.
TWU NSW Secretary Michael Aird said that focusing on
10 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
DCs was a crucial part of the Safe Rates campaign.
“Organising across companies at distributions centres is
at the very core of Safe Rates. We need to hold those with
the real power to account to lift standards and conditions for
everyone in the industry from the biggest operator down to the
smallest subbie. The only way we’re going to achieve this is
through drivers taking action, so well done to the organising
committee for this first step,” Michael said.
If you would like to get more involved in the Safe Rates
campaign call the TWU Members Service Centre on
1800 729 909.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE DC:
T
to update the driver
 Commitment
notification system to help manage
Agreement to not schedule more trucks
than docks
timeslots
G Enhancements to driver facilities
AA Regular meetings with our Committee
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TNT
TNT BLASTING INTO ACTION
Men of action: TNT delegates unite to march on Coles.
It’s all happening right now at TNT – with a number Delegate team Jeff Payne, Brett Morgan, Adam Harper and
Wayne Richardson for the employees, and Bert Samuelson,
of yards merging into one, a potential takeover by
Clarry Gibbs and Mick Evans for the subbies.
US giant FedEx and our industry wide Safe Rates
campaign keeping everyone busy.
FEDEX
ERSKINE PARK
T
wo years after transport giant UPS’s attempt to buy TNT
was blocked by European regulators, another global
ver the past couple of months TNT has merged a number
transport giant is having a go. In April, FedEx Corporation had
of yards in the Sydney region into one mega yard at
a $4.8 billion offer accepted by the TNT board. The merger
Erskine Park. All of McPhees Homebush Bay and Riteways
Homebush, a big chunk of TNT Enfield and half of Mascot have still has to jump through all the same legal hoops that saw the
UPS bid fail so it’s far from a done deal.
moved in.
O
As with any move, let alone one where four separate
yards have come together, there have been lots of challenges
bedding everything in. Through it all, our TWU delegate team
has been working hard to make sure the nearly 400 members
at the yard come out on top. Delegate Scott Brinley said that
many of the issues were fixed or on the way to being fixed.
“There’s certainly been some challenges bedding into the
new yard, but we’ve stuck to our guns to make sure our guys are
not losing out because of the move or the merger,” Scott said.
Well done to Scott and the rest of the TNT Erskine Park
“
THERE’S CERTAINLY BEEN SOME
CHALLENGES BEDDING INTO THE NEW YARD,
BUT WE’VE STUCK TO OUR GUNS TO MAKE
SURE OUR GUYS ARE NOT LOSING OUT
BECAUSE OF THE MOVE OR THE MERGER.
SCOTT BRINLEY
But no matter who’s the main owner of the company, one
thing is for sure – the TWU will be making sure our members
have secure jobs, good pay and safe working conditions.
SAFE RATES
R
ight across NSW, TNT members have been putting their shoulder to the wheel on the Safe Rates campaign. The Safe
Rates campaign is about lifting standards for every transport worker, and that’s as important for drivers at TNT as it is
for subbies in the Coles supply chain.
A big crew of delegates and members attended the recent rally on Coles stores on Goulburn Street. Well done all!
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 11
BETTERBUSES
GETTING ON BOARD
“
Hey pollies, Get on board! Bus drivers take the campaign to Parliament House on Macquarie Street.
TWU members and delegates have been busy
as the Better Buses campaign kicked into gear
across NSW!
T
he Better Buses campaign officially launched on May 14
at NSW Parliament House in Sydney as more than 40 bus
drivers marched into MP’s offices to talk to them about the
dangerous problems faced by the 4000 private bus drivers
across NSW.
The problems have been caused by impossible time
schedules enforced by the State Government which force
drivers to rush, skip breaks and drive unsafely. Drivers are also
more vulnerable than ever to physical and verbal attacks by
frustrated commuters.
There was a great response from Labor MPs and a number
of them signed on the spot to support the industry-wide
standards.
At the beginning of June we sat down with the new
PENRITH
12 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH; THE MINISTER NEEDS
TO STEP IN AND HELP US ACHIEVE A SAFER
AND BETTER BUS INDUSTRY.
DAVE POLA, BUS DRIVER OF 26 YEARS
Minster for Transport Andrew Constance. TWU NSW
Secretary Michael Aird said the delegates told the Minister it’s
time for the State Government to put a stop to the dangerous
pressure put on our bus drivers.
“The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure sits at the
top of the supply chain as the ultimate employer of thousands
of NSW private bus drivers, so he is responsible for setting the
standards across the entire bus network,” Michael said.
While the Minister didn’t sign up, palming us off to his
bureaucrats, we’ll keep working hard on the campaign trail for
a single set of enforceable industry standards to stop the race
to the bottom on safety and conditions.
GRAFTON
PORT MACQUARIE
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BETTERBUSES
D FOR BETTER BUSES
WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR:
Our community and our drivers need a bus service that is
safe, consistent and reliable. To secure better buses for
all of us, we call on Transport NSW to set standards that
support drivers to deliver that service. We support,
UNION PAY
► Fair pay for hard work
► Superannuation increases so that drivers’ can
afford to retire with dignity
UNION VOICE
Join the campaign: drivers signing up other drivers at
Liverpool Interchange.
But the biggest part of the campaign is what’s happening
in the yards. From Grafton to Londonderry, Wollongong to Coffs
Harbour members and delegates are speaking to mates in their
yard about the campaign and getting them to sign the Better
Buses petition.
If you’re a bus driver, speak to a TWU official today and
sign the petition. Find out how to get involved by calling your
Members’ Service Centre at 1800 729 909.
► A democratic voice on the job so that our
experience is used to make our jobs, our future
and our industry safer
► A fair and timely way to resolve disputes along the
supply chain
UNION WORK
► The training drivers need to work safely
► Safe and realistic timetables
► No more than 3 hours behind the wheel without a
paid break
► Portable entitlements and employment security to
assist drivers in building secure employment in a
dangerous and unpredictable industry
ACTIVIST PROFILE: CHERYL GORDON
C
heryl’s been a bus driver in the Blue Mountains for nearly seven years and there are
lots of things she loves about the job, especially getting out every day and meeting her
passengers – many are regulars and school kids.
But she’s been noticing big changes in the past couple of years. Nowadays, Cheryl and
her colleagues are stressed out trying to keep to unrealistic timetables. This leads to safety
compromises on the road – often pushing the speed limit and sometimes running red lights.
“It’s got to do with wages, it’s got to do with times on the runs. To get the contract
with the State Government, the bus companies keep having to make these cuts. This is the
government’s absolutely ridiculous plan for bringing in more revenue.” Cheryl said.
That’s why Cheryl and her depot are 100 per cent on board with the Better Buses
campaign.
“It’s about taking our fight to the state government. They have the economic power to
deliver a safe, fair and reliable bus system for drivers and passengers,” Cheryl said.
“Safety is what we’re fighting for.”
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 13
AVIATIONINDUSTRY
COOKING UP A STORM
AT QANTAS CATERING
When bosses go back
on their word we don’t
just sit and take it. We
stand together and
make sure they know
we mean business.
E
veryone knows there have
been serious problems
at Qantas in the past couple
of years. Their disastrous
management strategy attacks
their own workforce rather
than engaging them.
Our position as a union
is that we are always willing
to discuss how to make the
company work better – as
long as we were treated
with respect and the changes
don’t erode our jobs and
conditions.
Last year, management
pitched an idea to our
members and delegates
at Qantas Catering. They
wanted to merge their
transport and kitchen
sections into one which
meant that only one leading
hand was required at any one
time instead of two.
After discussions the 16
leading hands, who are all
TWU members, agreed to
the restructure on the basis
that they would receive a pay
level increase.
The restructure was
carried out but members
didn’t get the promised pay
14 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
In it together: leading hands at Qantas Catering Frank Crescenti (front), then left to right –
Peter Sansone, Alex Fernandez, Christy Anthony, Angela Bontzouklis, Anastasia Elia and Loita.
rise and management started
to ignore us on the issue. It
was clear they had gone back
on their word. Our members
weren’t going to stand for
this and together decided to
“
but our guys stood their
ground.
After a number of days,
management had no choice
but to take back the warning
letters and members made
ignored,” said Frank.
Their united action
has kept Qantas Catering
accountable. It has also
brought real change in the
workplace as staff saw that
I’M PROUD OF THE WAY WE STUCK TOGETHER – THERE’S NO POWER IN
ACTING ALONE – WE WOULD HAVE JUST KEPT BEING IGNORED.
FRANK CRESCENTI
refuse to do any work that
wasn’t their responsibility
before the restructure.
Qantas found themselves
massively understaffed at
Christmas, their busiest time
of year. Management started
to threaten our members
with letters and warnings,
the decision to come back to
work.
TWU delegate Frank
Crescenti said that unity was
the key to creating change.
“I’m proud of the way we
stuck together – there’s no
power in acting alone – we
would have just kept being
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
a united workforce of TWU
members had the power to
stick to their guns and stick
it to the bosses.
The fight is still ongoing
with a court date in July but
we’re united, strong and
committed to standing up for
our rights.
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
MEMBERSWIN
DELEGATES WIN ON
CUSTOM AND PRACTICE
Honour your word: Linfox Chullora delegates Erik Pickering and John Waltis remind Linfox to keep their word.
Custom and practice clauses are common in many
TWU site agreements – and the boss needs to
honour them whether they want to or not!
I
n many yards, there are
conditions and allowances
that haven’t been formally
written into an agreement,
but which have been carried
over for years. Since it isn’t
written down, your boss may
think he can swipe them
away if he wants to. But
if you’ve got a custom and
practice clause in your yard
agreement he can’t.
A custom and practice
clause in the agreement
means that those conditions
and allowances have the
same legal standing as if
they were written into the
enterprise agreement.
Recently, two of our
Linfox delegates had a big
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
blue and then a big win on
this issue.
John Waltis and Erik
Pickering, who both drive
Linehaul out of Chullora,
were surprised to find that
a phone allowance they had
been receiving since 2009
had suddenly been cut off by
Linfox’s senior management.
When they raised this
with their bosses they were
effectively told to get stuffed.
But a custom and practice
clause was in their Enterprise
Agreements. What’s more we
even had a letter from Linfox
acknowledging the allowance
they were now refusing to
pay! John and Erik took
their case to the Fair Work
Commission who ordered
Linfox to reinstate the phone
allowance and back pay from
its discontinuation in August.
John Waltis said that the
dollar amount doesn’t add
up to much but that Linfox
would’ve paid much more to
go through the legal case.
“
LINFOX ARE ALWAYS CRYING POOR, BUT
THEY SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH TO SPEND
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN
COURT CASES FOR WHAT? JUST TO PROVE
WHO’S GOT THE BIGGER PAIR?
JOHN WALTIS
“This is just a textbook
case of Linfox trying to show
us up and stick it the union,”
he said.
“Linfox are always crying
poor, but they seem to have
enough to spend tens of
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
thousands of dollars in court
cases for what? Just to prove
who’s got the bigger pair?”
Find out if the clause is in
your agreement – you may be
getting cheated out of what
is rightly yours. It’s not about
whether the money value is
big or small, it’s a matter of
principle.
If you want more
information on custom and
practice clauses and whether
it affects you, speak to your
TWU official or call your
Members’ Service Centre on
1800 729 909.
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 15
DELEGATESCONFERENCE
BIGGEST DELEGATES’
CONFERENCE EVER ON THE CARDS
Every August TWU delegates, Health and Safety Representatives, and Activists from all over NSW and
ACT and across the transport industry gather together to celebrate wins, applaud hard work and plan for
the future.
T
WU Secretary Michael Aird said that the Delegates
Conference was the highlight of the TWU calendar.
“Delegates, HSR’s and activists are the heart and soul
of this union. They are the men and women out there every
day in the yard fighting for TWU members’ rights. They are
the first port of call for members having problems and the
first person to approach the boss and say hold up, we have a
problem here,” Michael said
“It’s our HSRs who make sure that safety standards are
kept. In the most dangerous industry in Australia, that’s vital.
As a union we are lucky to have so many committed and
passionate delegates.
“This year’s conference is to be the biggest yet, with
delegates and activists from across NSW and the ACT already
signing up in droves and lots of events, speakers and prizes
locked in. So if you are a delegate, HSR or activist don’t miss
out!” Michael said.
Last year’s conference was an outstanding success. Over
600 delegates had a chance to come together to swap stories,
develop skills in how to deal with management and learn how
to gain wins in the workplace. They also heard from a number
of high-profile speakers on politics, finance and the transport
industry.
Bus driver Peter Farley
said that he learnt practical
skills to help him become a
more effective delegate.
“Delegates’ Conference
provides opportunities for
us to learn how to make
management listen – that is
the best thing about being a
Delegate,” he said.
Looking forward to the
conference: Peter Farley.
Jason Robbins,
who was a major prize winner last year, taking away a
$3000 holiday voucher, said how encouraging it was to be
surrounded by like-minded people.
“I have been to three of these conferences and I have to
16 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
“
Jason Robbins with TWU Secretary Michael Aird.
I HAVE BEEN TO THREE OF THESE
CONFERENCES AND I HAVE TO SAY THE
PASSION IS WONDERFUL, ALL DELEGATES
COMING TOGETHER FOR COMMON CAUSES.
JASON ROBBINS
say the passion is wonderful, all delegates coming together
for common causes,” he said.
If you are a delegate, HSR or activist make sure you don’t
miss out and come join us at Rosehill Racecourse in August.
HOW TO REGISTER:
out the application form, tear it out and hand
A Fill
it back to your TWU organiser
your Members Service Centre on
q Call
1800 729 909
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
Jump online at www.twunsw.org.au/delos2015
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
ut
Tear me o to
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n
and ha iser
n
your orga !
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
DELEGATESCONFERENCE
2015 DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE
THURSDAY 27th AND FRIDAY 28th AUGUST 2015
✂
As a TWU Delegate, Co-Delegate, Health and Safety Representative, Deputy HSR or Activist, we invite you to attend our
two day Delegates Conference for 2015, which will be held at the Rosehill Racecourse on Thursday August 27 and Friday
August 28.
Register your attendance now by filling in the details below and returning the completed form to your trainer or organiser.
Alternatively, send your RSVP to: Transport Workers’ Union of NSW, Reply Paid 649, Parramatta NSW 2124
A member of the TWU team will be in touch with you closer to the date to confirm your attendance and event details.
Name:
Address:
Mobile:
Email:
Workplace:
Union Role:
❏ Delegate
❏ Co Delegate
❏ HSR
❏ Deputy HSR
❏ Activist
*Delegates and co-delegates may be entitled to paid delegate’s leave by their employer under the provisions of their work place agreements.
I am a non-Sydney delegate and I require accommodation (please complete form below)
Accommodation charges are met by the TWU. You will be contacted via phone to confirm your accommodation. All
rooms are non-smoking with parking included. Breakfast is provided at the delegates conference each day.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
I, ........................................................................................... wish to apply for accommodation during the 2015 TWU
❒ Wed 26 August 2015
❒ Thurs 27 August 2015
Delegates’ Conference on the following dates: I, the undersigned, of (home address) ..................................................................................................................
acknowledge that all mini bar, room service, phone charges and other additional costs will be paid for by myself. I will
be charged for these items by the hotel and will pay them in full upon my departure. I accept the conditions set out by
the hotel regarding my accommodation, including any damages incurred.
signed ...............................................................................
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 17
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four coffees) you can get the peace of mind that
comes with knowing that, if the unexpected happens,
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18 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
PORTS
ON THE WATERFRONT
The Port Botany waterfront has been buzzing with activity in 2015 and the united TWU Ports Committee
has been leading the charge.
O
ur port-wide Committee, made up of
TWU delegates from a wide range of
companies, was formed in 2008. Since
then it has been single-minded in its
determination to lift standards for everyone
and put an end to dodgy practices at the
Ports.
TWU Ports Committee member Peter
Kritikos said that they have been working
hard to win changes on port-wide issues.
“Our goal is to cover all companies and
workers at the port so things can get better
for everyone. To win solid TWU enterprise
agreements, good working conditions and
proper safety standards, and make sure
issues that affect every driver at the yard
Mates on the waterfront: From L to R: Rob, Sam, Keith, Harry, Dennis, David,
are dealt with properly,” Peter said.
James, Ted, Tram and Robert
The Committee has also been recently
briefing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, shining light
on what it’s like for workers at the Port ahead of a Road Safety
Remuneration Order that is due at the end of the year.
TWU NSW Secretary Michael Aird said that providing the
Tribunal with the insider knowledge about the real challenges
at the port was crucial.
“Well done to all the committee members who covered
a huge amount of ground in their submission to the Tribunal,
including payment methods, working conditions, unsafe
practices and much more. Your firsthand information about the
real world in the Ports is crucial and clearly shows why we
need to lift standards for everyone,” Michael said.
On top of all this a number of new Enterprise Agreements
that have been long and hard-fought by members are currently
being finalised.
“I want to congratulate the guys at Qube, MCS and Patrick’s
who never gave up or backed down. A big well done to the
guys who at ACFS too, they fought hard for their new strong
agreement. We are now closing in on having every single
transport worker at the ports covered by a TWU agreement –
that’s something to look forward to,” Michael said.
If you drive in and out of Port Botany and want to know
more about the Ports Committee speak to a TWU delegate or
Rob Pirc on 9912 0700.
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 19
VALE
TWU PAYS TRIBUTE TO FIGHTERS
Every campaign needs fighters who battle on and constantly think up new ways to make a difference.
The TWU salutes two legendary fighters who sadly passed away this year.
JUDY PENTON
J
udy Penton kick-started the Concerned Families of
Australian Truckies in 1999 in response to the carnage on
our roads involving truck crashes.
As the wife of Bruce Penton, former TWU NSW Assistant
State Secretary and truck driver, Judy became the voice of
trucking families and spoke from the heart about the stress
and anxiety you experience when your loved ones are out on
the road.
“
JUDY WAS A CAMPAIGNER, A FIGHTER AND
A FRIEND. WE ARE ALL SADDENED BY HER
PASSING AS SHE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO
US ALL.
MICHAEL AIRD
Her heartfelt words were always backed up by cold-hard
facts. When asked in the news program A Current Affair what
price companies put on the life of a truckie she replied, “20
cents. That’s the cost of a call to replace them”.
She tirelessly lobbied all levels of government, industry
and politics to get the message out about the need for a
safety focus in transport.
TWU NSW Secretary Michael Aird said that her tireless
work contributed to getting the Safe Rates legislation in place
and the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal up and running.
“Judy was a campaigner, a fighter and a friend. We are all
saddened by her passing as she was an inspiration to us all,”
Michael said.
Judy is survived by her husband Bruce and her children
Wayne, Vanessa, Natalie and Craig.
ROSE PACE
I
n April 2015, the TWU NSW lost a legend when Rose Pace
passed away in Sydney after an illness.
Rose spent almost 30 years working in the TWU NSW
legal department and over that time she helped thousands
and thousands of transport workers stand up for their rights,
in everything from underpayments to unfair dismissals.
Her tireless dedication to the TWU was recognised last
year when she was made the first female life member of the
TWU NSW branch.
Michael said that Rose was a stalwart for the union and a
true warrior on behalf of transport workers.
“Her intelligence, tenacity and skill made the difference on
countless occasions. She will be greatly missed by everyone
who had the chance to get to know her,” Michael said.
Rose is survived by her partner Charles, daughter Cathie
and her three grandchildren.
20 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
“
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
HER INTELLIGENCE, TENACITY AND SKILL
MADE THE DIFFERENCE ON COUNTLESS
OCCASIONS.
MICHAEL AIRD
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
ACTAMBOS
CODE GREEN FOR TWU AMBOS
It’s been a huge year for our ACT Ambos with a landmark report into management culture and a top class
EA – both big wins for TWU members.
T
he ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) is one of the most
highly skilled and professional services in Australia.
However, as the Ambulance Service expanded over the
years, the management culture within the service has failed
to meet the standards. Our Ambo’s life-saving work was being
undermined by high levels of unresolved conflict between
managers and employees, which resulted in low morale and a
dysfunctional working environment.
Members reported many complaints including abusive
and intimidating behaviour, threats of physical violence, racial
discrimination, gender discrimination, and cronyism.
After compiling a litany of complaints and problems, our
delegates and ACT officials demanded a formal review of the
entire ambulance industry culture. TWU ACT delegate Steve
Thompson said that the cultural problems were a big issue for
the entire community.
“In a service where life and death decisions are made in
every shift, this culture is not just toxic, it’s potentially lethal,”
Steve said.
Following the pressure from our members and the wider
community, the ACT Government had no choice but to agree to
conduct an independent review.
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
Ambos in good hands: Our TWU team at ACTAS. Bottom
left to right clockwise: Matt Garvin, Michelle Blewitt,
Kelly Green, Josh Mundy, George McDermid, Steve
Mitchell, Rob Trevillion, Sarah Gray, Jim Arneman,
Adam McCoy, Chris Wiid, and Justin Hockley. Not
pictured: Darren Neville and Steve Thompson
The ACT Government needs to be congratulated for being
the first state or territory government in Australia to conduct
a review of their ambulance culture. Recommendations
from the review, published in February this year, have been
endorsed by Minister for Emergency Services Joy Burch which
includes setting up a committee of workplace leaders and
implementing a Leadership Framework.
We’ll be working closely with the ACT Government to
make sure the recommendations are fully carried out.
In other news, the new Enterprise Agreement is bedding
down nicely. It is a four year agreement that includes a wage
increase of $2090 in the first year and a 3% wage increase per
annum. On top of this, the agreement includes employing a
TWU Project Officer to identify weaknesses and deficiencies in
the industry’s processes and procedures and this Officer will be
on board to help resolve the harmful culture within the industry.
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 21
Get in the fast lane for
Get
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a comfortable retirement
a comfortable retirement
No one understands the
importance of a fuel-efficient
No
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low fees
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entitlements and costs and any exit fees that may
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checks. We suggest you do this before closing
your
super accounts and rolling your money
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weekdays on 1800 222 071 from 8am to 8pm
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This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your objective`s, financial situation and needs. A copy
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of TWUSUPER’s current Product Disclosure Statement should be obtained from us (by calling 1800 222 071 or visiting twusuper.com.au) and considered carefully before you make a decision in connection with TWUSUPER. TWU Nominees Pty Ltd ABN 67 002 835
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TransPersonal are divisions of TWUSUPER.
22 |is TWUNEWS
WINTER
2015
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
MEMBERSSERVICES
LET US HELP – CALL THE MEMBERS’ SERVICE CENTRE
Are you receiving the right pay? Need to talk about
bullying in the workplace? Do you have a Workers’
Health and Safety concern? Call 1800 729 909!
T
he Members’ Service Centre (MSC) exists exclusively for
you – the members of the TWU. Open every weekday, the
MSC are waiting at their phones, ready to help you on the go.
As a union member, the MSC is your first point of call
for information and support. They can help you with a wide
range of industrial advice and give you access to a wealth of
member services.
“
WHETHER YOU NEED INFORMATION
ON UNION BENEFITS OR ACTION ON
INDUSTRIAL MATTERS, WE’RE THE PEOPLE
TO CALL. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON IT.
TONY WOOLGAR
When you encounter workplace issues, such as
underpayment of wages, penalty rates or redundancies, you
can give them a call for advice and representation. Easy and
simple. Every call is treated with confidentiality and care to
ensure you are provided with quality advice.
At your service: L – R Craig, Adam, Jackie, Herbert and Tony.
The MSC has helped over 2000 members already this year
and has a resolution rate above 90 per cent.
Not sure if we can help with your particular issue? Why
not give them a call and see!
Phones are open 7.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday:
q 1800
729 909.
@ Email them at any time: info@twunsw.org.au
BRIAN’S CORNER
The TWU Vets have been hot
on the campaign trail fighting
for fairness and justice.
W
e’ve been busy supporting
transport workers and working
people across NSW at a number of
actions and campaigns.
We stood proudly as we fought for
worker’s rights at the #March4 Rally, at
the May Day March and recent bus and
waste member actions.
Vets in action: our Vets with President George Clarke taking action on the streets.
On May Day we celebrated and
honoured our forefathers who struggled for better working conditions, safer workplaces and better pay.
Today we pay tribute to them for their contribution to improving our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren.
Lastly we wish our TWU VETs president Peter Cooley a speedy recovery and thank everyone who passed on their well
wishes.
We also want to pass on our condolences to Bruce Penton and family for the loss of his wife Judy and also to Rose Pace’s
family on Rose’s passing.
Hope to see you all at the Delegates’ Conference in August.
The TWU Vets
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 23
SYDNEY
Mick Pieri • Sub-branch Secretary
ALL WINS AND NO LOSSES ON
THE CARDS AT STARTRACK
After securing top class deals for subbies at
StarTrack, we’re very close to doing it again for
StarTrack employees in NSW and ACT.
W
ith well over 1000 StarTrack TWU members across
Sydney, strong TWU agreements have delivered for our
members over many years and we’re focused on building to
achieve even more.
Over the past couple of months, metro and rural delegates
from NSW and ACT have been locked away in meetings with
management and have come out with a great in principle
agreement.
TWU delegate Jasen Benson said that no ground was
given and only gains were achieved.
“The company tried to push us to make changes on our
dispute and demarcation clauses, but we weren’t about to go
Driving EAs forward: StarTrack delegates.
backwards. We stayed strong and united and didn’t budge an
inch,” Jason said.
The next stage is for the agreement to go up to a vote of
all members which should happen in the next few weeks. A
huge well done to the members and delegates for driving this
forward!
NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER BACK DOWN
A new Dnata Enterprise Agreement has finally arrived thanks to our negotiating committee and members.
O
ur Dnata negotiating committee and members stayed
strong and united through nearly two years of negotiations
– persevering through company restructure, management
changes and broken promises – to win a great three year
agreement.
From the beginning, Dnata told us they would never give
us backpay and were insistent on split shifts. The bosses also
tried to include a flexibility clause that could change their
conditions at any time. Members were never going to take this
and voted down management’s dodgy deal.
The bosses quickly got the message and backed down
after lots of hard yakka from the committee. Members were
able to secure backpay and get improvements on a bunch of
other conditions such as paid meal breaks. At the member
vote, 96 per cent voted ‘Yes’ – bringing our agreement
negotiations to a close.
TWU delegate and committee member John Allen said
that while negotiations were hard and took a long time, it was
worth it in the end.
Strength in unity: Dnata negotiating committee.
“We’ve come out of two years of negotiations with a great
outcome – we’ve lost nothing and gained a whole lot – I’m
proud we stuck it through together,” John said.
DNATA AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:
O
O
O
O
O
Wage increase of 2.5 per cent per year
Back pay to July 2014
All conditions maintained (e.g. 8 weeks annual leave)
Labour hire conversion after 9 months
No split shifts
If you have an issue or want to get involved contact your Sub-branch on: 9912 0700 or email info@twunsw.org.au
24 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
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SOUTH COAST&SOUTHERN
Nick McIntosh • Sub-branch Secretary
BULKTRANS MEMBERS WIN
Bulked up: members at Bulktrans stand together.
New management can sometimes mean new
trouble. But our members at Bulktrans are sticking
together and standing up for their rights.
F
ollowing the recent sale of Bulktrans to K&S Freighters,
the company has been attempting to meddle with longstanding custom and practices across the yard.
One day, without any discussion, management barked their
orders that our members were going to be forced to take some
of their accrued annual leave.
This was no small matter – many members had specific
plans for their hard-earned annual leave. For some, it meant
long-awaited family holidays hung in the balance.
Truck driver Garry Avnell said that they spoke to the bosses
in a united voice.
“
WE WEREN’T HAVING ANY OF IT – IT WAS
UNACCEPTABLE. SO WE GOT TOGETHER
AND SPOKE UP. WE KNOW THAT WHEN
YOU UNITE TOGETHER, MANAGEMENT ARE
FORCED TO LISTEN.
GARRY AVNELL
“We weren’t having any of it – it was unacceptable. So
we got together and spoke up. We know that when you unite
together, management are forced to listen,” Garry said.
Confronted with a united crew, management backed down
and learnt to always sit and talk with our members before
making changes to work policies in the future.
Well done guys!
SOUTH COAST EQUIPMENT
A
new agreement is currently being negotiated by our members at South Coast
Equipment.
What these negotiations have highlighted is the urgent need for Safe Rates in the
Illawarra. Bluescope are at the top of the supply chain but they have not come to the
negotiating table, instead they have been dictating to our members the pay rates and
conditions they will be receiving.
Safe Rates would force those at the top of the supply chain, in this case Bluescope but
Coles in the retail industry and Qantas in the Airline industry, to come to the negotiating
table. Only then will our voices be heard. Only then will our hard work be rewarded with
fair pay and conditions.
Stay tuned on this one.
BFB AGREEMENT
C
ongratulations to our
members at BFB in Temora
who have secured a new
Enterprise Agreement!
The new agreement
recognises the importance of
Safe Rates, contains our TWU
model consultation and dispute
clauses and provides a fair
wage rise in each year of the
agreement.
Good work everyone!
If you have an issue or want to get involved contact your Sub-branch on: 4229 1753 or email wollongong@twunsw.org.au
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 25
NEWCASTLE&NORTHERN
Mick Forbes • Sub-branch Secretary
HY-CLASS RESULT AT HY-TEC
Hy-Tec concrete drivers
at Port Macquarie,
Kempsey and
Nambucca Heads are
toasting a top class new
deal that shows the
difference you get by
being union.
T
his time last year there
were no TWU members
in these yards and drivers
were being railroaded into a
new agreement with wages
and conditions all set to go
backwards. But the drivers,
led by our now delegates
Jim Arnold and Gerard Prior,
reached out to the TWU.
Hy-Class! TWU delegate Jim Arnold celebrates with
official Ray Fitzpatrick after a job well done!
After signing everyone in
the yard up to the union, we
re-entered negotiations with
management and told them
the yard was now 100%
TWU and that unless a fair
deal was on the table there
would be trouble.
Well done all – stay union
and stay united!
After a few months of
hard yakka the boys
have negotiated a
new agreement with
management that
includes:
O TWU major change
and dispute resolution
clauses with
guaranteed access to
arbitration.
O Wage increases of
4.8% + 3% + 3%
bringing them into line
with wage rates in
other sectors.
O Backpay to Sept 2014.
O Delegates leave and
training clauses.
HARASS NO MORE
Members at Borg Manufacturing are building a strong and united yard from the ground up in response to
harassment from one of the company owners.
B
org Manufacturing
produces melamine
panels, fibre boards and other
components for private and
commercial use. The Borg
brothers own and manage
the company which has three
sites in NSW.
On top of all the hard
work on the ground, workers
at Borg have also had to take
daily harassment from one
of the owners and his gang
of managers. Workers are
called degrading names and
are victims of groundless and
abusive rants.
Every time someone stood
Not backing down:
John Martin, Matthew
Yeo, Katherine King and
Steve Diduszko.
up to the boss, they would
be singled out and would
eventually leave. Aware of
this ‘revolving door’ work
culture they concluded that
the only way to stop this was
to unite and stand together
as part of the TWU.
So that’s what they did – in
their very first meeting, workers
eagerly volunteered and
elected a delegate, co-delegate
and HSR for their yard.
Since then, members have
been gaining skills in how to
deal with management and
how to support one another.
TWU Delegate John
Martin said that a lot has
changed for him and his
mates since they decided to
unite together.
“Management has to take
us seriously because we’re
sticking together and we’re
not backing down. Not only
do we have more say, but we
support one another and it’s a
great group we’ve got going,”
John said.
The fight is ongoing and
management is refusing to
own up to the problem. Our
members are resolute, united
and pushing back – keep up
the solid work guys!
If you have a bullying
and harassment issue in
your workplace, speak to
your delegate or contact our
Members’ Service Centre on
1800 729 909.
If you have an issue or want to get involved contact your Sub-branch on: 4969 3900 or newcastle@twunsw.org.au
26 | TWUNEWS WINTER 2015
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ACT
Klaus Pinkas • Sub-branch Secretary
ALL ACTION IN THE ACT
It’s been a busy couple of months for members in the ACT sub branch. Here’s an update on a couple of our
campaigns.
STANDING STRONG AT
HOLCIM QUARRIES
I
n the face of last minute shenanigans by Holcim Quarries, TWU
members stood together and told management to get stuffed
until they’re ready to bring a fair deal to the table.
After knocking back several bad deals from management
and negotiating for several months, Holcim and TWU members
were finally closing in on a new two year Agreement. In an effort
to do right by a company that’s doing it tough, there were only
moderate pay increase in the deal. However, at the last minute,
Holcim tried to pull a fast one on our members by adding clauses
around no back pay and lengthening the agreement with no extra
dollars.
Needless to say, our guys were not impressed and a meeting
was recently held at 5:30am outside the Cooma Road Quarry.
Despite blistering cold winds and snow, members were hot with
anger about the way they had been treated by management.
As we go to print, members are voting on taking protected
industrial action. Unless management sees sense, there may be
nothing coming out of Cooma Road soon.
EQUIPPING OUR
DELEGATES
T
WU Delegate Training has always given proof
to the saying “Knowledge is Power”. We have
consistently seen great wins from our delegates as
a direct result of TWU training.
Delegates from across the transport industry in
ACT gathered together in May and gained a wealth
of knowledge and practical tools to build strength in
their yards.
Legislation such as the Fair Work Act and Work
Safety were covered in the two days of training
and delegates enjoyed sharing stories about what
worked and what didn’t from each other.
INTERESTED?
CONTACT YOUR OFFICIAL OR TWU
TRAINING SUPPORT ON (02) 9912 0700.
ACTION BUSES UPDATE
A
fter intense lobbying and public pressure
by ACTION delegates, the Chief Minister,
Andrew Barr, and Minister Shane Rattenbury
have agreed to ignore the recommendations of
the Treasury review into ACTION buses.
The Review, which in my opinion was
poorly researched, came up with the
recommendation that the entire ACTION
operation be outsourced. Thankfully the ACT
government has listened to reason and for
the foreseeable future ACTION will remain in
Government hands.
Klaus
If you have an issue or want to get involved contact your Sub-branch on: 6280 9353 or email info@act.twu.com.au
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 27
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NATIONALNEWS
National Secretary Tony Sheldon
AUSTRALIA, LET’S TRAIL-BLAZE
FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AGAIN
Growing income inequality and exploitation of migrant workers show that Australia’s hard fought
egalitarianism is under attack.
A
ustralia has always rightly prided itself on being a trailblazer for equal rights. It was this desire for fairness
that saw the Victorian stonemasons fight for and win the
eight hour working day back in the 1850s. It also saw South
Australia give women the vote for the first time in the 1890s.
We have trail blazed in recent times too with the setting
up of the superannuation system to give people dignity in
retirement and through the National Disability Insurance
Scheme to allow the disabled the care and services they need
to live their lives to the full.
The TWU can take credit for trail-blazing with our
campaign to get Safe Rates legislation in place and for setting
up of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal – a world first in
ensuring companies throughout the transport supply chain are
held to account for safety on our roads.
But our egalitarianism is under attack. This can be seen
when the chief executive of Qantas earns $4 million a year
but an Aerocare worker in the Qantas supply chain is forced
on to just 15 hours a week at just $412.95.
The attacks can also be seen when foreign migrants are
exploited and abused. The latest figures from the Fair Work
Ombudsman show almost one in five migrant workers on 457
visas were not being paid the correct salary or working the job
they were originally brought in to do.
This is WorkChoices by stealth bomber with the
government bringing in hundreds of thousands of migrant
workers to be exploited while our unemployment rises and
wages and conditions are driven down.
We need to claim back Australia as a trail-blazer for
equal rights and campaign to ensure all workers are treated
with dignity and respect. When any member of our society is
exploited and undervalued then we all end up suffering.
By agitating and winning for our members we are
delivering for the entire community. Such an achievement will
only make Australia a better and fairer place.
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TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 29
YOURSAY
You said it on Facebook:
James Richard Hansen
Mark O’Donnell
Corporate Australia does not give a s#@t .....
Unite and strike back drivers!
Mark O’Donnell
By unity and a call for a nationwide stoppage by
the TWU is the only way the corporate world will
ever take any notice, otherwise while the wheels
keep turning any amount of complaints will fall
on deaf ears.
Well said Dave, we can only hope now that
the people of this state realise that this
government does not have their concerns or
welfare where they are suppose to be, but only
pretends, and we should let them know at the
ballot box, and as for competitive tendering,
like anything else, the cheapest is not always
the best, it is what it suggests, CHEAP, and we
all deserve better than that.
Avis Williamson
Harry Schwarz
Yep. Time for Coles to join
the National Road Safety
Partnership Program.
It’s not just on the roads it’s
also in the stores where Coles
have no regard for their staff.
A friend of mine, is suffering
in silence because they are too
afraid to say something, for
fear of losing their job.
Robert Samuelson
The more we can do for our
Union, the more our Union can
do for all of us.
Amrit Sidhu
Coles aren’t a safe place for
truckies, so that’s why ain’t
working anymore for them.
Find out what’s happening around the yards, check out great
photos and join the conversation with other members @
facebook.com/TWUNSW
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KIDSCORNER
rs R
nne
Wi e Toys to
rs
eiv
rec ouche the
v
n eir
s
o
U end f th
sp ies o !
d
e
goo choic
Congratulations to
these great winners
from our last edition!
Simona
Aged 9
Wattle
Grove
Alessandra
Aged 9
Haberfield
Ryan
Aged 5
Rooty
Hill
It’s winter and we are all FROZEN! Colour me in for your chance to win!
Winter fun - find the six differences
Name:________________
_____________________
Age: _________________
Phone: _______________
Address:______________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Pom pom added to boy’s hat, snow pile behind boy added, glove on second boy missing, snowball missing,
added frill on mother’s scarf, curtains have extra dots.
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Send entries to Kids Corner
c/o TWU News, PO Box 649,
Parramatta 2124.
TWUNEWS WINTER 2015 | 31
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