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Issue No. 182 | 13 June 2003 |
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The Dead Couple
History: Nest of Traitors Interview: A Nation of Hope Unions: National Focus Safety: The Shocking Truth Tribute: A Comrade Departed History: Working Bees Education: The Big Picture International: Static Labour Economics: Budget And Fudge It Technology: Google and Campaigning Review: Secretary With A Difference Poetry: The Minimale Satire: Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
Politics The Soapbox Media The Locker Room
 Costa Must Be CrazySaharwi StruggleVinegar HillTom's Toons
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News Security Forces Come Out Firing
Regular casuals in pubs, hotels and casinos will be able to convert to permanency after 12 months, while power workers whose jobs were contracted have been re-employed by Integral Energy. The new award clause negotiated between the LHMU and the Australian Hotels Association, will apply initially to many thousands of casual employees in pubs, accommodation hotels and casinos in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. The LHMU's Assistant National Secretary, Tim Ferrari, welcomed the breakthrough and praised the AHA for its constructive approach in negotiations in the past three months. " The agreement does not make it compulsory for long term casuals to convert to full-time or part-time status, nor does it permit employers to compel casuals to convert their status", Ferrari says " But it provides a process for those who want more secure employment, including those who need evidence of secure employment to get access to personal or housing loans". In dealing with a request for conversion, an employer will be obliged to act reasonably. The employer can refuse a request on a number of grounds - such as the size and needs of the enterprise, the nature of the work, the trading patterns of the enterprise, and the qualifications, skills and training of the employee. But where an employer rejects a request and the employee thinks the rejection is unreasonable, the employee will be able to refer the refusal to the AIRC for decision. Integral Turns Back Contracts Tide Meanwhile, the push towards outsourcing in the power industry has stalled, with Integral Energy agreeing to bring workers whose jobs had been contracted out back to full-time employment. Under the deal, more than 120 permanent full time jobs will be created inside Integral Energy, a recognition that permanent employees are a better bet when it comes to the provision of vital public services. It also includes a major commitment to apprenticeships, with more than 100 young workers to get an opportunity in the trade over the coming years. Electrical Trades Union state secretary Bernie Riordan says the deal is a sign that your union's war on outsourcing is beginning to yield results, delivering real benefits to workers. "Our experience is that jobs that are outsourced cease to be part of the workplace culture," Integral delegate Dino Oppio says. "That means you feel less of a team." The Integral Energy agreement provides for: . The immediate employment of 50 new workers to work on capital infrastructure expenditure with a guarantee of ongoing reviews of workloads.
. Immediate employment of 30 apprentices (15-4th year and 15-3rd year) to overcome the acknowledged shortfall of qualified personnel.
. An increased apprenticed intake of 40 first year apprentices per year for the next four years. Riordan says the win sets a new standard for the industry and will provide the platform for campaigns around the state. "This is a sign that contracting out has failed to deliver for the power industry," Riordan says. "I think more employers are recognising that the costs of contracting outweigh the short-term benefits, particularly in terms of training up staff and quality control.
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