
Issue No 11		30 April 1999

News

Skill Shortage Leads to Tiling Crisis

A skills shortage in the roofing industry is at the heart of the ongoing roof crisis in the wake of this month's savage storms across Sydney.

The CFMEU says with low wages and no apprenticeship system, there is a chronic shortage of tilers needed to repair hundreds of rooms damaged in the fierce storms.

It says the industry, which employs about 400 tilers, needed twice that many even before the recent disaster.

The roof tile industry is dominated by three companies which control 70 per cent of the manufacture and installation of tiles, Boral, Pioneer and Monier. The union says none of those companies has employed a single apprentice in the last 30 years.

Malcolm French, the CFMEU's roof tile organiser, says a problem that has been brewing for decades has now come to a head.

"They forced all their workers to form proprietary limited companies decades ago, the aim of doing that was to circumvent awards and statutory requirements such as workers compensation," French says.

"The workers aren't allowed to collectively bargain because if they talk about their rates of pay because they are businesses, it represents a breach of the Trade Practices Act.

French says the low rates means its increasingly unviable to work in the industry and that training apprentices is a luxury few tilers can afford.

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Issue 11 contents

Interview: The Young Republican
Jason Yat-Sen Li stole the show at the Constitutional Convention with his community consultation compromise. Now he faces a bigger challenge, convincing Australia to vote Yes.

Unions: ACTU Moves on the Republic
The ACTU Executive has endrosed the Australian Republic -- but it's given Howard's Preamble the short shrift it deserves.

History: And A Hundred Years Ago
Just as it was a hundred years ago, it is important that trade unions and their members are actively involved in the current republic debate.

Reader's Forum: John Passant
A Workers Online reader explains why he'll be voting "no".

Review: Mountain Men and Women Framed
Working Lives, a history of working people from the Blue Mountains, looks back to illuminate future challenges.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's fortnightly newsletter for unions.

International: Performers on the World Stage
Australian performers know better than most the importance of identity, self and place. That's why they are committed Republicans.

» Unions Challenge: Reclaim the Republic

» Freeloader Legislation on the Agenda

» Unionsï¿½ New Years Eve Plea

» Skill Shortage Leads to Tiling Crisis

» Apprentice Chefs Get Fairer Share of the Pie

» Rail Workers Strike for Passenger Safety

» Living Wage Sparks New Activity

» ACTU Endorses East Timor Action

» WorkCover Troubles Canï¿½t Hit Injured Workers

» NSW Young Labor Turns 50!