'There is no national union push for a wages 'breakout' in the building industry, nor are there plans for mass strikes,' said Dave Noonan, National Secretary CFMEU.
'These ridiculous claims in the Fairfax press of impending widespread industrial action have been generated by a few mischievous employer groups indulging in union bashing.
'The Australian people made it very clear at the last election that they want rights at work and see unions as having an important role in their workplaces.
'The bulk of building industry agreements in NSW and Victoria due to expire this year already have wage increases guaranteed for 2008.
'So the suggestion that widespread industrial action will arise to secure wage increases is a fallacy.
'Where agreements are due to expire, the CFMEU will consult with its members and then sit down with employers to negotiate the best possible outcome.
'The Master Builders Association is once again peddling untrue statistics and unsupported claims as part of its smoke and mirrors campaign against unions and workers' rights.
'The MBA should accept that the Australian people voted at the last election for rights at work and this union bashing has got to stop.
'The CFMEU calls on employers to instead work with the union to increase apprenticeships and training, deal with skill shortages where they occur and provide decent jobs and career paths for construction workers,' said Mr Noonan.
Friday, January 11, 2008
PSA slams State Government
The Public Service Association of NSW has slammed the Iemma Government for failing to consult with Unions or the public on plans to privatise the State's electricity industry.
Assistant Branch Secretary Steve Turner said members would refuse to co-operate with outside consultants hired by the State Government to fast track plans to sell the industry's retail business arm and lease generators.
"We had an agreement with the Government that there will be proper community consultation," he said.
"If we become aware of any fast-tracking of the process that undermines such consultation and review, then we will be asking our members not to participate."
The PSA represents administrative staff in the power generation plants.
Members have asked the Union if they should provide highly paid consultants with information about the business operations of the Delta and Macquarie generators.
Newspaper reports state that Delta Electricity chief executive officer Jim Henness had written to staff informing them of a NSW Treasury directive to provide a collection of expensive law, accountancy and public relations firms and merchant banks, with financial and other technical details of the plant's operation.
http://www.stoptheselloff.org.au/
Assistant Branch Secretary Steve Turner said members would refuse to co-operate with outside consultants hired by the State Government to fast track plans to sell the industry's retail business arm and lease generators.
"We had an agreement with the Government that there will be proper community consultation," he said.
"If we become aware of any fast-tracking of the process that undermines such consultation and review, then we will be asking our members not to participate."
The PSA represents administrative staff in the power generation plants.
Members have asked the Union if they should provide highly paid consultants with information about the business operations of the Delta and Macquarie generators.
Newspaper reports state that Delta Electricity chief executive officer Jim Henness had written to staff informing them of a NSW Treasury directive to provide a collection of expensive law, accountancy and public relations firms and merchant banks, with financial and other technical details of the plant's operation.
http://www.stoptheselloff.org.au/
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
MUA hails shipping reform
The newly elected Rudd Government has made good on its pledge to unions and local ship owners to reinvigerate Australian shipping and put a stop to rampant exploitation of third world crew by rogue shipping operators in Australian waters.
There will be a clamp down on overuse of foreign-owned ships to transport freight around the nation's coastline in a bid to bolster the shipping industry.
There will be a review of coastal shipping laws to uncover ways to lift the domestic shipping fleet's share of the domestic freight market from its current level of about 80 per cent.
Foreign vessels in Australian waters will be required to observe an International Labour Organisation Convention (The Seafarers' Bill of Rights) guaranteeing fair pay and conditions for all seafarers.
The Maritime Union of Australia met with the minister after the election calling on Labor to deliver on its policy platform, requiring stronger laws to protect cabotage - the principle that nations should protect domestic shipping routes for domestic shipping fleets.
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin accepted the need for foreign ships to ply domestic freight routes as long as no Australian vessels were available.
"But there should be a transparent process to how those permits are awarded," he said.
"Under the Howard government, permits were issued without due diligence. We've met with Anthony Albanese. He said that we'd be going back to the (Labor) platform."
In a letter to the International Transport Workers' Federation he thanked international colleagues for their support in the protracted battle to secure rights for both Australian and world seafarers.
"It could not have been achieved without the constant support of the ITF and it's many affiliates through hard times," he said.
"We are working hard on our work plan for the new government in maritime policy areas and all responses have been very supportive. What a difference a government makes. There is plenty to be done and as we all know political work can be frustrating, but after 12 years of criminal conspiracy and harassment, every day is a bright one!"
more
There will be a clamp down on overuse of foreign-owned ships to transport freight around the nation's coastline in a bid to bolster the shipping industry.
There will be a review of coastal shipping laws to uncover ways to lift the domestic shipping fleet's share of the domestic freight market from its current level of about 80 per cent.
Foreign vessels in Australian waters will be required to observe an International Labour Organisation Convention (The Seafarers' Bill of Rights) guaranteeing fair pay and conditions for all seafarers.
The Maritime Union of Australia met with the minister after the election calling on Labor to deliver on its policy platform, requiring stronger laws to protect cabotage - the principle that nations should protect domestic shipping routes for domestic shipping fleets.
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin accepted the need for foreign ships to ply domestic freight routes as long as no Australian vessels were available.
"But there should be a transparent process to how those permits are awarded," he said.
"Under the Howard government, permits were issued without due diligence. We've met with Anthony Albanese. He said that we'd be going back to the (Labor) platform."
In a letter to the International Transport Workers' Federation he thanked international colleagues for their support in the protracted battle to secure rights for both Australian and world seafarers.
"It could not have been achieved without the constant support of the ITF and it's many affiliates through hard times," he said.
"We are working hard on our work plan for the new government in maritime policy areas and all responses have been very supportive. What a difference a government makes. There is plenty to be done and as we all know political work can be frustrating, but after 12 years of criminal conspiracy and harassment, every day is a bright one!"
more
Monday, January 07, 2008
Unions oppose bank rates hike
Unions have urged the remaining of Australia's major banks not to raise interest rates.
National Australia Bank (NAB) and ANZ Banking Group were the first to raise their variable home loan rates last week ignoring the rate set by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The ACTU wants the remaining banks to put working families ahead of annual profits.
"ANZ and NAB's decisions to raise interest rates were simply greedy," ACTU president Sharan Burrow said in a statement.
"The top five Australian banks combined made nearly $18 billion in profit last financial year, and NAB alone made $4.4 billion in profit."
Ms Burrows said an increase in bank rates will further stress family budgets.
"Working families are struggling with increased petrol and food costs and many are already experiencing housing stress," she said.
"There were a record number of mortgage defaults last year and any further increases to interest rates will only make it harder for people to meet payments."
National Australia Bank (NAB) and ANZ Banking Group were the first to raise their variable home loan rates last week ignoring the rate set by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The ACTU wants the remaining banks to put working families ahead of annual profits.
"ANZ and NAB's decisions to raise interest rates were simply greedy," ACTU president Sharan Burrow said in a statement.
"The top five Australian banks combined made nearly $18 billion in profit last financial year, and NAB alone made $4.4 billion in profit."
Ms Burrows said an increase in bank rates will further stress family budgets.
"Working families are struggling with increased petrol and food costs and many are already experiencing housing stress," she said.
"There were a record number of mortgage defaults last year and any further increases to interest rates will only make it harder for people to meet payments."
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Privatisation's poor track record
Lithgow Mercury 03 January 2008
Selling off the State’s electricity industry will serve only to raise prices and reduce services in regional and rural New South Wales, according to local government advocacy group, the Shires Association of NSW.
The warning comes as opposition grows even from within Labor ranks on the Iemma Government’s controversial plan to privatise the industry through a 99 year lease of the generators including Mt Piper and Wallerawang power stations and the sale of the retail arms that include Integral Energy.
President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller, went even further in his criticism when he warned the government to learn from past misadventures in privatisation.
“Privatisation of essential services has never achieved the promised benefits,” Cr Miller said.
“Wherever privatisation has occurred we have seen loss of jobs and increases in prices over time.”
more
Selling off the State’s electricity industry will serve only to raise prices and reduce services in regional and rural New South Wales, according to local government advocacy group, the Shires Association of NSW.
The warning comes as opposition grows even from within Labor ranks on the Iemma Government’s controversial plan to privatise the industry through a 99 year lease of the generators including Mt Piper and Wallerawang power stations and the sale of the retail arms that include Integral Energy.
President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller, went even further in his criticism when he warned the government to learn from past misadventures in privatisation.
“Privatisation of essential services has never achieved the promised benefits,” Cr Miller said.
“Wherever privatisation has occurred we have seen loss of jobs and increases in prices over time.”
more
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