By David Hanna - Assistant Secretary
The new EBA campaign for 2009 is under way with the new log of claims being endorsed on the sites with the collecting of member’s mobile phone numbers to notify them of their EBA meetings.
This worked as a great way to keep you informed through negotiations. If you haven’t given your number to us yet you can call the office on 32362633 and state your name, number and company to be added to the list.
We have started having meetings with some subcontractors as the QMBA has informed us that they have been told by the major builders not to negotiate on their behalf. However they will be negotiating for some subbies yet to be named. We will not be waiting around for them as some subcontractors are grouping up into their sectors.
Meetings have been held with scaffolders to talk about their specific issues such as Queensland Building Services Authority (QBSA). All trade contractors in the building industry are required to hold a licence through The QBSA, except the scaffolding trade. As a result there are a considerable number of undesirable operators within the scaffolding trade with no management skills, they offer no training and the quality of work is poor, unsafe and topped off with no security of payment for monies they owe. All trades are to be treated equally. There are other issues that have been raised on site that will be a part of this round of negotiations, such as the all in rate
During the last 3 years there has been a major influx of all in rates thanks to the Howards laws. Most workers think they are better off on these low rates for all hours worked with no Bert or CIPQ and 9% supper and paying minimal tax. The reality is they are way behind we don’t care what tax you pay as long as your gross income is no lower than the industry rate.
The abuse of working the RDOS is another major concern for workers and the members want penalty rates payed when they are forced to work.
All trades (concretors; scaffolders; riggers; demolition workers) to be payed the CW3 rate the same as the unqualified form worker; tiler; plaster EXT...
The changes of name trainee to apprentice as you have a trade qualification at the end with tradesmen pay
Union members should also be aware of the skill assessment programme. If you have been in your trade for a long time and would like to receive recognition for the skills you have accumulated over the past years of your career, please contact the office and we will have someone come out to your site and evaluate your skill level. By doing this you will receive a Recognition Certificate of your skill level in the workplace. This is fully funded and done on site.
This round of EBAs we need all workers to stand as one united force for a better deal, it was encouraging to see several companies represented at the mass scaffolders workers meeting where they voted unanimously to support QBSA licensing; agreed industry rates of pay and the scaffolders EBA log of claims;
We will be calling on other trades to do the same so make sure we have your contact details and turn up to have your say on your sector log of claims and support a better EBA deal
This year’s charity day was the best yet, voted by all the masses that turned up I would like to congratulate those who participated in the day events. They day would not have been a success if it hadn’t been for you and the support for ‘Kids Undercover’. I would also like to congratulate the winning touch football team Prime on their victory; I hope the cartons of beer helped with the recovery process.
On September 12th we held a rally in protest to the task force. The union decided to hold the rally on this date to coincide with Noel Washington court hearing which was held on the same day. I would like to congratulate all participating unions who put in the effort to come out and support the rally to abolish the ABCC (Australian Building Construction Commission). I was proud to see a sea of solidarity and united union members. If we stand collectively we can win this battle.
Stay Collective, Stay Strong.
