Page 9 - ETU Journal Autumn 2017

In response to the log of claims, ETU Secretary Troy Gray said, ‘As you can see NECA have chosen a political direction in these negotiations. All 10,000 ETU members in our contracting industry are now on notice. Save your pennies through Christmas – 2015 is shaping up to be the year that we will all fight together to protect 113 years of history and the living standards that you and your family enjoy.’
Code red
Adding to the challenges for the contracting EBA Campaign are the Abbott Government’s continuing attacks on workers’ rights, particularly the proposed new Building Construction Code that seeks to limit the scope of what workers can bargain for.
The Building Code defines the conditions that need to be met by a builder in order to be eligible to bid for government construction projects.
Not surprisingly, the conditions are stacked against unions and workers.
With the new Building Code, we risk facing:
Unlimited ordinary hours worked per day
Attacks on public holidays we take for granted like Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and other public holidays
Apprentice employment discouragement
Older worker discrimination.
ETU takes the fight to Canberra
Legislation to bring back the ABCC and bring in the Building Code was due to come before the Senate in August. A lack of awareness of the Code amongst politicians was looking like its best chance of passing into law.
The ETU developed an information and lobbying campaign targeting cross- bench Senators.
We produced a short video highlighting the Code’s impact on
opportunities for apprentices, and older workers, working hours, job security and its devastating impact on family and community life.
For the two weeks that Parliament sat, we ran TV commercials in Canberra and had a team of lobbyists meeting with Senators and delivering our campaign kit.
Productivity argument skewered
The Coalition Government always talks about the need to lift productivity levels.
It’s the reason they give for retrograde policies such as the Building Code.
But what are the facts?
Productivity in Construction – 24% higher than the Australian average.
www.etuvic.com.au
THE ETU > SUMMER 2014
9

Since 2008, labour productivity in the construction sector has grown annually by 4.81%. This compares to an average for all industries of 3.52%.
You can read a copy of the Australia Institute Report on Productivity
in the Construction Industry and watch the campaign video here: www.etuvic.com.au/content/ abbotts-building-code
Boots on the ground
We need to combine our political lobbying with our collective actions on site.
It’s never been more important for us to stick together and prepare to stand up and fight for our way of life.
EBA CAMPAIGN > FOLLOW THE LEADERS Watch our TV commercial here:
youtube.com/etutv
DON’T SIGN ANYTHING!
If you or any of your workmates hear of or are pressured to sign or vote on a non-Union NECA agreement, contact your Union rep ASAP.
If you or any of your workmates hear of or are pressured to sign or vote on a non-Union NECA Agreement contact the Union ASAP.
Ivan Balta (CBD and Docklands): 0418 147 272
Reno Lia (Northern Suburbs): 0409 188 809
Arron Harris (Sth East Suburbs): 0418 376 161 Nathan Stott (Inner South East Suburbs): 0419 500 465 Nathan Jenkins (Western Suburbs): 0420 504 407 Troy Knight (Western Victoria): 0400 982 292
Chris Patterson: 0458 001029 Jeremy Barnard: 0419 533 758