
Issue No 20		02 July 1999

News

Unions Unite to Protect Jobs in the Bush

By HT Lee - CFMEU Construction Division

In a show of unity amongst unions the unions have sent a cross-factional message to the Carr Government about the impact of it's policies in regional NSW.


	Bush Anger

The CFMEU Construction and Forestry Divisions, Australian Workers Union, Municipal Employees Union, Australian Services Union and the Rail, bus and Tram Union used the ALP's Country Conference to oppose competitive tendering which the Carr Government currently favours.

Transport Minister Carl Scully told delegates he was in favour of outsoursing jobs. And according to him the CFMEU, AWU, MEU, ASU and PTU have narrow views - the future lies in competitive tendering which was going to happen regardless of what the unions thought.

Other issues of contentions were the use of body hire and workers compensation. Both these issues are interrelated with competitive tendering and will cost jobs in the bush.

Competitive tendering means the shedding of permanent jobs in the bush especially in the RTA, RSA, FreightCorp, State Forests and Local Governments.

These jobs will be tendered out to the lowest bidder. The companies getting the jobs will be those using body hire labour.

Workers employed by body hire companies are casuals and are supplied on a daily basis. The workers are not paid proper award wages and miss out on entitlements such as workers comp, sick leave, long service leave, redundancy payments and on the job training - workplace safety is also threatened.

The unions called forstrict regulations on the use of body hire. The CFMEU Forestry Division pointed out that :"the social and economic well-being of rural and regional communities depends on the maintenance and creation of safe, secure, well paid jobs, not the unregulated, precarious employment offered by labour hire."

Council Amalgamations

The loss of jobs through " voluntary" amalgamations of regional councils was also raised at the conference.

Local Government Minister Harry Woods claimed amalgamations would lead to the growth of local government. The MEU refuted that claim and pointed out the Victorian experience has seen massive job losses in the bush.

MEU organiser Steve Hughes said there will be a loss of services and jobs especially in the bush. Amalgamations will lead to the halving of jobs in areas such as the administrative and engineering sections.

However, the bush will be affected more because " there are not many opportunities for jobs in rural communities and they can' t go somewhere else like cross the street for a job. Once they are gone opportunity goes and people will leave the bush area."

Apprenticeships

The Minister for Education and Training John Aquilina was also grilled on the question of the collapse of apprenticeships in NSW and the failure of the Labor Government to address this problem.

According to CFMEU Construction rural apprentices have been given a raw deal: "The Department of Education has been systematically closing technical colleges in regional NSW in recent years to the detriment of both employers and apprentices who are increasing required to travel long distances for block release technical training."

The unions demanded Minister Aquilina address these problems and increase the travel and accommodation expenses of apprentices doing block training.

Historic Step

A historical step in union solidarity was taken when the amended resolution on the social audit was successfully moved by the CFMEU and seconded by the AWU.

Unless Carr addresses the concerns raised by the unions at Country Conference a collision course between the unions and the Carr Labor Government at the State Conference in October seems unavoidable.

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Issue 20 contents

Interview: Theyï¿½re Not All Bastards
The Australian Industry Groupï¿½s Roger Boland is one employer representative who believes trade unions will continue to play an important role in the economy - and society - of the future.

Unions: Always the Pay is No Good
Fair Wear's campaign for clothing industry homeworkers is changing the way we think about consuming.

History: A Refreshing Advance
Women workers organising in the NSW Rail and Tramways Department Refreshment Rooms in the 1920s.

International: MAI Back on the Agenda
After being ditched in the wake of an international cyber-protest, the World Trade Organisation is trying to salvage the MAI from the ashes.

International: Courage Against the Odds
A Cuban trade union leader urges for a 30 year blockade to be lifted, with a fundraiser to be held this Thursday.

Review: Without You I'm Nothing
British pop music doesnt come any better than Placebo.

» Direct Links to Timor Militia Revealed

» Child Laws Cause School Camp, Sport Chaos

» False Advertising Complaint on Second Wave

» Its Official. Howard's Public Sector Cuts Hurt Everyone

» Hard-Hats Only as Builders Strip for Outworkers

» Unions Unite to Protect Jobs in the Bush

» Square Eyes Workplace Warning

» WorkCover Scheme Has Passed Use-By Date

» Bruised Not Beaten: FSU Battles On

» Gordonstone Miners Win Battle, But Robbed of Justice

» Currawong Spots Up For Grabs

» Workers Online Turns 21!

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Thanks from the Hyde Park Hyatt

» The Chant of a Jilted project Co-ordinator

» Have the Times Really Changed?

» You've Got to be Kidding!

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