BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE MAGAZINE – AUTUMN/WINTER 2015

REAL CHANGE

THIS ISSUE:QUEENSLAND ELECTION: Time To Make Your Choice

VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE: Natural Disaster Leave

CAMPAIGNS: Not4Sale & Taking The Steps To Keep Our Conditionswww.theservicesunion.com.au

MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL AND SERVICES UNION QUEENSLAND (SERVICES AND NORTHERN ADMINISTRATIVE) BRANCH ABN 86 351 665 653 TRADING AS THE SERVICES UNION. AUTHORISED BY NEIL HENDERSON BRANCH SECRETARY, AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, CLERICAL AND SERVICES UNION QUEENSLAND (SERVICES AND NORTHERN ADMINISTRATIVE) BRANCH.

IN THIS ISSUE ...

REAL CHANGE

03 WELCOMESECRETARIES REPORTThe Queensland Election will be a close race with privatisation and funding cuts to services at the forefront. Secretaries Neil Henderson and Jennifer Thomas discuss why members should put the LNP last on their ballot papers

04 PRESIDENTS REPORTPresident of The Services Union Lindy Henson discusses how participation is the key to our continued success and how members can get involved

05 SPECIAL REPORT: WHAT THE ELECTION MEANS FOR MEMBERS IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES

06 SPECIAL REPORT:THE ENERGY INDUSTRY: THREE YEARS OF PAIN

07 SPECIAL REPORT: TIME TO TAKE THE ‘GAG’ OFF SACS WORKERS!

08 NOT4SALE CAMPAIGNLET’S SEND OUR MESSAGE - OUR ASSETS ARE NOT FOR SALE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!

09 TAKING THE STEPS TO KEEP OUR CONDITIONS CAMPAIGNMEMBERS GET ACTIVE IN THEIR CAMPAIGN

10 INDUSTRY NEWSCATCH UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR INDUSTRIES• RURAL AND REGIONAL

ALLOWANCES

• A WIN IN SACS

• COMMISSION DECISIONS

PENDING FOR RAIL

MEMBERS

• PORTS UPDATE

• JETSTAR TALKS CONTINUE

REAL CHANGE MAGAZINEwww.theservicesunion.com.au

PRESIDENT: Lindy HensonSECRETARY: Neil HendersonASSISTANT SECRETARY: Jennifer ThomasPublished by the Australian Services Union, Queensland (Services and Northern Administrative) BranchEDITOR: Neil HendersonPRINTED BY: Harding Colour Printing T: 07 3907 6500

SERVICES CONNECTT: 07 3844 5300F: 07 3846 5046E: general@theservicesunion.com.au

BRISBANE OFFICE32 Peel Street (PO Box 3347) South Brisbane Q 4101

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND OFFICE110-114 Campbell St (PO Box 5160)Red Hill, Rockhampton Q 4701F: 07 4922 3919

NORTH QUEENSLAND OFFICE485 Flinders St (PO Box 1048)Townsville Q 4810F: 07 4721 1582

MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Belinda Hogan-CollisTRAINER: Holly Patterson

DEVELOPMENT TEAM:DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR: Justine MoranSENIOR INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Rebecca Girard, James Mattner, Michelle Robertson, Tneka SpringettGOC LEADER: Danny ReevesCAMPAIGN ORGANISER: Louise RyanINDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Jack Donaghy, Tammy Gaze, Jace MitchellORGANISERS: Glenn Desmond, Sarah Gleeson, Anna Herzog, Ben Jones, Chiara Lennox, Chris McJannett, Richard TarnawskiGROWTH ORGANISERS: Stuart Maggs, Zach Walsh

SUPPORT STAFF: Christian Dickinson, Karen Davis, Debbie Draper, Jane Grey, Mary Maddocks, Cary Pollock, Jeanine Orzani

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED OUR APP YET?

THE SERVICES UNION NOW HAS ITS VERY OWN PERSONALISED SMARTPHONE APP AND DATABASE PLATFORM.

THE SERVICES UNION APP HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMUNICATION

TOOL – MAKING IT NOW EVEN EASIER TO RECEIVE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FROM YOUR UNION AND RECEIVE

PERSONALISED UNION MESSAGES SENT TO YOUR PHONE OR DEVICE.

THE TYPES OF MESSAGES YOU MAY RECEIVE ARE:

• MEETING NOTICES;

• UPDATE YOUR DETAILS MESSAGES;

• INFORMATION ABOUT WHOLE UNION AND INDUSTRY CAMPAIGNS;

• BALLOTS; AND

• GREAT VALUE OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS.

TO FIND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE SERVICES UNION APP, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.THESERVICESUNION.COM.AU AND CLICK ON THE APP LOGO ON OUR HOME PAGE.

ALL YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER.

IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT OUR MEMBERSHIP TEAM IN OUR UNION OFFICE ON

(07) 3844 5300 (SELECTION 2).

02 REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

CONTENTS

The Newman Government has done everything in its power to smother Queenslanders’ rights at work, by slipping through underhanded legislation in Parliament (yes sometimes late at night!!), whilst also pulling the budgetary pin on essential services. This has hurt Queenslanders because the very fabric of our communities has been affected.

Members in Local Councils, Water and Rail have had important working conditions such as job security and decent redundancy entitlements thrown out the window through amendments to the Industrial Relations Act which make WorkChoices look good.

The Energy and Ports Industries have always been on the auction block and no one was surprised when the Government revealed its intentions to dispose of these valuable and important revenue raising assets.

Members in the Social and Community Sector (SACS) have had to deal with the double barrel of Abbott and Newman ‘Festival Hall tag team style’ funding cuts with the latest cuts coming federally courtesy of the new Minister for Social Services Scott Morrison; just in time for Christmas!

These have been the direct impacts. But there have also been serious indirect consequences of Newman’s efforts. The Liberal National Party (LNP) Government has just about throttled the economy. Indicators point to very

soft economic conditions, particularly in important sectors of the economy such as agriculture, property and tourism, while one of the main indicators, the unemployment rate, has Queensland at the top of the mainland ladder.

Weak economic conditions and high unemployment impact on the economy generally resulting in reduced household spending especially on discretionary items like travel which of course affects air and train travel and our members in those industries. Members have told us loudly and clearly they are angry about the attack on their core working conditions which ultimately affect their lifestyles. The Not4Sale Campaign and ‘NO’ votes at the ballot box at Energex, Powerlink and Ergon Energy have made it clear, members of The Services Union are angry about privatisation. Members believe that the public ownership and operation of our assets equals a healthy economy!

The Newman Government has put workers and their communities last and on the 31 January 2015, we all have the chance to do the same thing to them on our ballot papers.

Through all of this, The Services Union has continued to campaign collectively and address individual matters including advice on workplace entitlements to more complex matters such as workplace harassment, unfair dismissal and workers compensation. Over the last financial year our servicing work has recovered $1,167, 642, for our members through Services Connect.

Recent changes to the industrial legislation in Queensland have limited the capacity of aggrieved employees to be represented in the Industrial Relations Commission which is a very complex jurisdiction. Another reason why it is important to join and maintain membership with us!

Over the last 12 months we have created opportunities to listen, revise our strategies, campaign and challenge ourselves and those who hold power. What matters to us is having a stake in the process, an opportunity to influence the outcome and to achieve the change members believe is needed. Our 27 Ways Campaign has been one of the platforms which has allowed us to share our positive messages. Last year, members voted and decided they wanted to see Natural Disaster Leave as their 28th Way.

In 2015, we will be working hard to ensure Natural Disaster Leave becomes a workplace right for all our members in their Agreements. Although many good employers will do the right thing and grant special leave in natural catastrophes, our aim is to get these employers (and the bad ones) to commit to this Leave upfront. Having Natural Disaster Leave included means members will have certainty when uncertainty hits!

Because you never know when you may need it!

THE QUEENSLAND ELECTION - PUT THE LNP LAST! IT’S WHERE THEY PUT YOU! BY NEIL HENDERSON & JENNIFER THOMAS

THE NEWMAN GOVERNMENT HAS MANAGED TO HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON JUST ABOUT EVERY SECTOR OF THE SERVICES UNION’S MEMBERSHIP. PREMIER NEWMAN HAS SAID IT HIMSELF, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION AND WE COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | REAL CHANGE 03

SECRETARIES REPORT

ABOVE: PRESIDENT OF THE SERVICES UNION LINDY HENSON (MIDDLE) WITH VICE PRESIDENT RONNEE MEACHEN (LEFT) AND QCU TOWNSVILLE SECRETARYJEANINE ORZANI (RIGHT) AT A RECENT NOT4SALE RALLY

SINCE WE BEGAN OUR JOURNEY TO BECOME A VIBRANT AND RESILIENT CAMPAIGNING UNION, THE COMMITMENT SHOWN BY OUR MEMBERS IN ACHIEVING OUR BRANCH OBJECTIVES OF VISIBILITY, YOUTH, REPRESENTATION, LEADERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION HAS MEANT THE SERVICES UNION IS WELL PLACED TO TAKE A STAND WITHIN THE MODERN POLITICAL ARENA.

Over the last couple of years, this has not been easy. Our members have been attacked industrially through underhanded legislation imposed by the current Newman Government whose sole intention has been to strip away working rights and drive down wages.

Queensland communities have suffered through the axing of budgets of essential service providers, many of which our members work for. This has been a blatant attack on the most vulnerable in our society and our communities have suffered for these cruel decisions. Unemployment has risen, so has the cost of living through increased water and electricity prices. Now privatisation is on the table.

At the end of 2014, our members had significant collective wins due to their resolve in seeking just

and equitable outcomes in their workplaces.

Members in the Energy Industry gave their employers at Powerlink, Energex and Ergon Energy something to think about when they overwhelmingly voted NO to proposed Agreements which reduced members’ working conditions, offering very little in return. The ballot results have also given the State Government a resounding message; our energy assets and workplaces are Not4Sale!

Local Government members are angry about the attack on their working conditions and have been working tirelessly in the Taking The Steps To Keep Our Conditions Campaign, fighting to ensure their communities retain the services they deserve.

Workers at Sunshine Coast Regional Council recently told their employer through a ballot that they would not endorse a proposed Agreement which created a two-tiered wage system nor would they accept a pay rise which was lower than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Members at Murweh and Livingstone Shire Councils and Ipswich and Redland City Councils have successfully campaigned to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by their employers who have committed to maintaining

decent wages and conditions for their workforce for the time being.

Workplace Delegates at Gold Coast City Council have also been kicking goals by successfully negotiating wins around overtime back pay, returning to work processes and parking issues.

Ports, Airlines and Rail members continue to stand strong in the face of opposition forces in bargaining and our Union is in an excellent place to combat this through our Workplace Delegate structures and organising committees that have been built in the past two years.

Our membership in the Social and Community Sector (SACS) continues to rise. Many members have taken the next step by attending our training sessions and becoming Workplace Delegates and Activists. This is extremely important as we go into this year knowing that we have a new Federal Social Services Minister in Scott Morrison who saw fit to slash $240 million from the SACS Sector in time for last Christmas.

The key to our ongoing success is you and your participation! When the desire of the collective is visual and evident, decision makers as evidenced by our members recent wins, will take notice!

PARTICIPATION IS THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE SUCCESS BY LINDY HENSON

04 REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

PRESIDENTS REPORT

ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK COMMITTED AT OUR DELEGATES CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER 2014, THAT AN ELECTED LABOR GOVERNMENT WOULD REPEAL LEGISLATION WHICH HAS ATTACKED WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS.

Local Government has suffered funding issues like just about every other sector since the Liberal National Party (LNP) came to power (and there is no reason to assume that anything will get better in the foreseeable future). But let us focus on how Local Government employees have been treated by the Newman Government.

There are three key areas which give a good picture of how the Newman Government views employment in Local Government. These are, the approach to deamalgamations, Award Modernisation and the changes to the types of provisions which can be included in Certified Agreements under the Industrial Relations Act.

The deamalgamation exercise was the curtain raiser on the Newman Government’s attitude to employees in Local Government. The legislation simply required the original Council to transfer a number of employees within a certain range. Nothing in the legislation allowed the affected employees any particular say in the matter and there was nothing in the legislation which provided for any capacity to review any decision. While The Services Union was able to influence the outcome through discussion and some visits to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), the timeframe and the nature of the legislation severely restricted access to fair outcomes. The attitude of the Newman Government and the Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli was consistent with their general approach to employees; they could not care less.

Next came Award Modernisation Queensland style. Minister David Crisafulli’s contribution via You Tube was that it had nothing to do with the Government…it was all the doing of the QIRC! Award Modernisation is the product of the Newman Government’s Fair Work harmonisation, but unlike our experience under the Fair Work Act, this exercise has been a slash and burn approach to hard won conditions of employment, which is on-going.

The Services Union has managed to hang onto some very important conditions of employment throughout the exercise, but of course we cannot win every argument and sadly some important entitlements have been lost. The inability to carry sick leave entitlements from one employer to the next in Queensland Local Government from now on is something which will be keenly felt by those who have chosen a career in Local Government.

Again this was something which the employers opposed at the Award Modernisation proceedings but which otherwise never been seriously raised as an issue.

Memo to David Crisafulli; ‘Have a look at the Industrial Relations Act’. It was written by Jarrod Bleijie, the Attorney General and signed off by the Cabinet.

We think you get a vote on what goes through the Cabinet somewhere along the line. Queensland is a State which runs on the Westminster system sort of, or the vibe of it at least.

At the same time as Award Modernisation passed through the Cabinet so to did the amendments to the Industrial Relations (IR) Act which made us all look back to WorkChoices with a degree of fondness.

Under the Newman Government amendments to the IR Act (yes you would have supported these too David) Certified Agreements can no longer contain anything much worth having!

• Job Security – NO• Decent Retrenchment pay – NO• Workplace Change provisions – NO• Reasonable dispute handling provisions – NO• Provisions which facilitate family friendly arrangements of work – NO• Decent Notice of shift changes - NO

Yes, the Newman Government has had its hands all over Local Government without the Minster for Local Government even knowing it apparently.

At our Workplace Delegates Conference in September 2014, our Union’s Vice President of the Local Authorities Industry Committee Kate MacDonald asked Leader of the State Opposition Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured below with Kate) whether a Labor Party Government will repeal these changes and restore the industrial rights previously had.

The clear and unambiguous answer was that if elected a Labor Government would repeal the changed Industrial Relations laws and restore the industrial rights Queenslanders previously had. Labor will restore a fair and independent industrial relations system and protect the rights of all working Queenslanders.

HOW HAS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INDUSTRY FARED UNDER THE NEWMAN GOVERNMENT? BY NEIL HENDERSON

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | REAL CHANGE 05

SPECIAL REPORT

OUR ASSETS ARE NOT FOR SALE - TIME TO SEND THE LNP THE MESSAGE!

ENERGY INDUSTRY MEMBERS VOTE NO IN BALLOTS

ON 31 JANUARY 2015, QUEENSLANDERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND A MESSAGE: THEIR ASSETS ARE NOT4SALE!

We knew it was coming; that is why our Union has actively campaigned across Queensland to keep our assets in our hands!

Industry Representatives, Workplace Delegates, members, supporters, family and friends hit the ground running a year after the Newman Government was first elected.

At the end of 2014, Secretary Neil Henderson (top right) made his way across the State, visiting Cairns, Mareeba, Townsville, Ayr, Sarina, Rockhampton and Mackay with the Not4Sale Light the Fuse Tour.

During the tour, Neil and members visited the offices of many local Liberal National Party (LNP) MPs and reminded them, our assets are Not4Sale!

The year came to a positive close, with Ergon, Energex and Powerlink all voting down the unfair agreements the Newman Government tried to force upon them. Please see story below for further details.

Congratulations to all Workplace Delegates who worked hard during this time to make sure working conditions are protected.

This election will be a referendum on privatisation, the LNP’s lies and broken promises. Remember to number every square putting the LNP last.

There is only one thing left to do now – send a clear message to the Newman Government at the polls on 31 January that our assets are Not4Sale, Not Now, Not Ever!

If you would like to get involved with the campaign please contact Campaign Coordinator Louise Ryan in our Union’s Office on (07) 3844 5300.

In the second half of 2014, The Services Union was involved in negotiations for new agreements at Energex, Ergon and Powerlink.

Throughout the course of negotiations, the employers made their intentions very clear; they wanted to strip away conditions at any cost.

On 10 November 2014 their intentions were confirmed when they advised, they would no longer be negotiating with unions and they would be asking employees to vote on an Agreement which significantly reduced their terms and conditions of employment. What the employers had not anticipated was the resolve of energy workers to maintain their conditions and the fight they were willing to have to save them.

Employees across the three corporations resoundingly voted ‘No’ to the proposed Agreements and demonstrated that they would not be bought off by false promises and misleading propositions. The timing of the ballot declarations coincided with the Newman Government announcing the date of the next State election.

With no further dates set, the Government Owned Corporations (GOCs) will not be able to recommence negotiations until after the next State election which is to be held on 31 January 2015.

Hopefully with a change of government we will see a change in negotiations whereby the GOCs actually listen to their employees and acknowledge the resolve to hold onto existing employment conditions.

08 REAL CHANGE |AUTUMN/WINTER 2015| www.theservicesunion.com.au

NOT4SALE CAMPAIGN

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS - TAKING THE STEPS!

ACTIVE MEMBERS = A STRONG UNION IN YOUR WORKPLACE. THE TAKING THE STEPS TO KEEP OUR CONDITIONS CAMPAIGN IS PROVING THAT NOTHING COULD BE TRUER THAN THIS STATEMENT.

Many Local Government employees across Queensland have now signed the Pledge to keep their conditions. Many have also attended meetings calling upon their Council and Councillors to keep their word that they would not be ‘negatively impacted’ by Award Modernisation.

Some Council employees are witnessing firsthand how their management is seeking to use reduced Award conditions to push down real wages and conditions when negotiating a new Agreement. Most alarmingly, has been a number of Councils who wish to introduce a two-tier wage system. This means they want to pay new employees a lesser rate then existing employees! This is based on using the Modern Award 21 level wages structure. Some Councils have openly intimated it is needed as administrative workers, predominately woman, in Level One to Three positions are apparently just paid too much!

Members have not been fooled!

Members know the conditions they have and value them. They know the worth of the skills and knowledge needed to work for Council. They know modernising the Award was just a way to drive down conditions. Members now know that rolling over existing Agreements with a fair wage increase is the only way of maintaining the Industry Standard they have fought so long to achieve.

Livingstone Shire Council sensibly sought to meet with Workplace Delegates to identify the needs and desires of employees (pictured top right) and to assess this against the needs of the Council. Workplace Delegates were able to show the Pledge was strongly supported by employees on the ground with over 80 per cent of employees signing. Together, Delegates and Council, were able to come to an arrangement of rolling the existing Agreement over for an 18 month period with a wage increase.

On the flipside, almost 700 employees at Sunshine Coast Council signed the Pledge. With little consultation, Council management assumed they could put a substandard Agreement out to ballot which striped employees of conditions and offered them no real sense of security. Assistant Secretary Jennifer Thomas (pictured middle right) met with members before the ballot to discuss the unfair proposal. Employees gave Council management a very strong message with 71 per cent voting the proposed Agreement down.

Mackay Regional Council members continue to push on in their negotiations. Mackay employees who are facing outsourcing of jobs to the Northern Administrative Services (a partnership between Propel and Council) are very concerned as to what consultation and employment security provisions will be in place when restructuring occurs. Secretary Neil Henderson (pictured bottom right) visited members regarding this issue and two rallies were held, gaining much local media coverage.

Our Union is continuing talks with Council management over the Propel Partnership and its affects on members. To show their support for a rollover of the existing Agreement with a wage increase, members wore, ‘All I want for Xmas is an MOU’ campaign stickers to their Council Christmas party.

With the announcement of the State election, it should be firmly in members and all Local Government employees minds that it was the Newman Government that made the changes to the Queensland Industrial relations Act in November 2013.

It is the Newman Government which has enforced :• redundancies be no more than 16 weeks’ pay after 12 years service or more; • that no Agreement can provide Job Security Provisions or limitations on contracting

out/outsourcing; and • that no Agreement can provide union encouragement or make it a right for you

to have access to your union.

Do not forget, it is the Newman Government that demanded Award Modernisation which will result in many Local Government employees losing Locality Allowance and the fifth week of Annual Leave as an Award entitlement. The Newman Government has a lot to answer for! The Newman Government needs to be held accountable for the 30 000 Local Government workers who will be directly affected by the changes they created! A change in government is the best chance Local Government employees and many other employees across Queensland have in reinstating the Industrial Laws we previously had and ensuring a fair playing field when negotiating for conditions. Think about putting the LNP last on your ballot paper on election day!

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | REAL CHANGE 09

TAKING THE STEPS TO KEEP OUR CONDITIONS

WHEN THE LIBERAL NATIONAL PARTY (LNP) WON THE STATE ELECTION IN 2012, IT WAS ODDS ON THAT THE ENERGY INDUSTRY WOULD BE IN THE FIRING LINE FOR MAJOR CHANGES AND JOB CUTS. HOWEVER, NO ONE EVER EXPECTED THE SEVERITY OF THE CHANGES OR THE LENGTHS THE NEWMAN GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO GO TO, TO IMPLEMENT THEM.

The Energy Industry has seen over 1800 jobs disappear since the Newman Government came to power. Each Government Owned Corporation (GOC) has undertaken massive reviews and restructures. These job cuts and major reforms came without the promised reductions in the cost of electricity for consumers.

We have also seen many of the so called reforms rolled back due to the hastiness with which they were implemented. The uncertainty in the industry is very high and the morale of employees has been drained. Many issues in the last few years have finished up in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and even resulted in Federal Court action.

But Energy Industry employees are resilient and had no difficulty in resoundingly rejecting efforts by Ergon, Energex and Powerlink to push through substandard employment Agreements just before Christmas 2014.

At our 2014 Workplace Delegates Conference

Treasurer of The Services Union, Branch Executive member and Energy Industry Committee member Peter Duffy (below right) posed the following question to the Leader of the Opposition Annastacia Palaszczuk;

“Members of our Union and employees in general have felt let down by all sides of politics when it comes to the issue of privatisation of assets. The Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) commitment to not selling assets is a message that I believe would be well received by our membership. Is the ALP opposed to selling our assets and will it cease any sale process currently underway?”

Firstly, Annastacia Palaszczuk admitted that the previous ALP State Government had made a big mistake in selling public assets. It has to be noted here also that The Services Union did not endorse any former ALP Government Members of Parliament (MPs) for preselection for this election if they supported assets sales whilst in power.

Annastacia Palaszczuk told the Conference floor that the ALP had learnt from its mistake and she apologised for this. If elected she confirmed that an ALP Government is committed, where the government owns or operates services assets or infrastructure, to retaining these in public ownership. She also reiterated that the ALP rejects the privatisation of essential services.

The Newman Government has made no secret

of their intentions to lease Queensland electricity assets if they win the next State Election. If they are successful, the writing is on the wall that there will be more job losses and major reforms.

Something the industry cannot afford. Put the LNP last. It is where they have put energy workers!

ABOVE: LEADER OF THE STATE OPPOSITION ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK SPEAKING WITH MEMBERS FROM POWERLINK AFTER SHE

ANNOUNCED IF ELECTED AN ALP GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT PRIVATISE QUEENSLAND’S ASSETS

THREE YEARS OF PAIN!

06 REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

SPECIAL REPORT

THE LAST THREE YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH GOING FOR THE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (SACS) SECTOR.

Programs and services have been reduced and even ceased with the loss of State funding and those who access the programs have been left stranded.

Services such as the Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS), Healthy Communities and Sisters Inside were some of the first organisations to have their funding axed.

Other examples include, The Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program which supported disadvantaged job seekers to gain the skills they needed to find meaningful employment.

BoysTown is one of the not-for-profit organisations which participated in providing this program to clients.

The Newman Government axed the funding for the programme, saving $287.7 million, but in the process lost a program that delivered immediate

quantifiable financial returns to the State and countless jobs.

One of the most frustrating aspects of these cuts for our members is the inability to speak out against these cuts due to the Newman Government including new ‘gag’ clauses in funding arrangements.

In short, if workers advocate against the cuts, the organisation could risk losing their funding.

While workers from BoysTown were devastated about the impact on their clients and desperate to advocate on their clients’ behalf, they were unable to do so for fear of further cuts to their organisation.

At our Workplace Delegates Conference in 2014, Vice President for the SACS Industry Division Committee and Branch Executive member Penny Carr raised her concerns directly with State Leader of the Opposition, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Penny asked;

“Firstly, under an Australian Labor Party (ALP)

Government can Social and Community Services look forward to the return of our right to advocate on behalf of our clients and the needs of the community without fear of defunding?”

“Secondly, can Social and Community Services that were defunded or closed down by the Newman Government, such as the Tenancy Advisory Service, look forward to a reinstatement of their funding and revitalisation of services?”

Unequivocally, Annastacia Palaszczuk responded that under an ALP Government there would not be reprisal for SACS Services who advocate for funding on behalf of clients and that there was a need to return services which had been axed under the Newman Government.

If returned to Government, the ALP would review these services with the view to reinstating them.

The way forward is clear. If we as union members and Queenslanders want Real Change then think about putting the Liberal National Party (LNP) last on your ballot paper on election day.

ABOVE: VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SECTOR (SACS) INDUSTRY DIVISION COMMITTEE PENNY CARR AND LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK AT OUR UNION’S WORKPLACE

DELEGATES CONFERENCE IN 2014.

TIME TO TAKE THE ‘GAG’ OFF SACS WORKERS!

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN /WINTER 2015 | REAL CHANGE 07

SPECIAL REPORT

THE SERVICES UNION FIGHTING FOR REMOTE AND REGIONAL ALLOWANCESBY NEIL HENDERSON - B.BUS. LLB(HONS), ACCREDITED SPEC.WORKPLACE RELATIONS LAW, QLD LAW SOCIETY, LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS IN REMOTE AND REGIONAL AREAS HAVE NOT YET EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE PAIN THE AWARD MODERNISATION HAS TO OFFER. THE FINALE IS YET TO COME AND WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A REVIEW OF LOCALITY ALLOWANCES AND ACCESS TO AN EXTRA WEEK OF ANNUAL LEAVE.

Local Government employees presently receive up to $330 per fortnight for remote areas such as Torres Strait, $196 in Boulia and $86 in Mt Isa for example. Employees in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton have also been receiving allowances at around $50 per fortnight. All employers are opposed to a continuation of the payment of the allowances and the additional annual leave, conditions which have been a feature of conditions of employment for over 50 years. Additional leave and the like, is not ‘modern’ is the basic thrust of the employers’ case.

It has already been made clear by the Full Bench of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), that there are some localities which presently receive additional entitlements which can no longer be justified. So, the proceedings which will commence on 2 February 2015 will not feature many of the areas which presently have an entitlement where those areas are on or adjacent to the eastern seaboard or in the southeast corner east of 149 degrees longitude (say around Dirranbandi). The Commission has also made it clear that it will not hear any application in relation to areas where the Union does not have members (which is fine by us).

With the election now on, a return of the Newman Government will ensure a continuation of this process along with loss of job security and redundancy entitlements, and of course the disposal of State owned assets and privatisation. Putting the Liberal National Party (LNP) last on the ballot paper will go a long way to maintaining important conditions such as locality allowances and additional leave as well as recovering some of the important conditions which have been lost.

In the meantime, many members have come forward to be witnesses to support the continuation of these important conditions in the proceedings. These are people who live so remotely some have to send off for their medical prescriptions in the post. This is the only industry where the locality allowances are actually contained within the Award. Other sectors such as the Police, education sector and health all receive their allowances by way of Directives of the State Government. There has been no move on the payment of the allowances in those areas.

Not a single Local Government employer has come forward to support the continuation of these Award entitlements. No doubt this is yet another condition of employment which would have simply disappeared without the efforts of The Services Union and our member supporters. Just like the 36.25 hour week would have gone if we had not stood up and fought for it in 2014. It is very easy to envisage what wages and conditions would look like if so many of you did not come together as The Services Union to maintain and improve conditions at work.

One of our active Workplace Delegates in the Social and Community Sector (SACS), Michael Clare (pictured below right), recently supported a union member who was unfairly dismissed. With support from expert industrial advice from Services Connect, Michael was able to attend meetings as a support person, advocate on the member’s behalf and even go as far as to lodge an unfair dismissal claim in the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The great news is our member got her job back, along with back pay for lost wages!

So, what worked? Michael worked hard to establish relationships with his management team and this

working relationship, along with the skills gained through training provided by our Union and his time on the job, all contributed to such a positive outcome. Michael said, “It’s times like this, when it comes to the crunch, people get the greatest value out of being in our Union.”

Workplace Delegates are the diamonds of our Union and your workplace. Providing appropriate training helps them shine. Our Union’s upcoming Representing a Member one-day course ensures Workplace Delegates have the skills they need to best support union members at their workplace. Contact Services Connect on (07) 3844 5300 to find out more about this course, as well as

information about our initial course, Introduction to Trade Unions.

WORKPLACE DELEGATE ADVOCATES FOR WORKMATE AND WINS! SACS WORKER REINSTATED WITH BACK PAY!

10 REAL CHANGE | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | www.theservicesunion.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

MEMBERS IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY ARE WAITING TO HEAR WHETHERTHEY WILL LOSE SOME LONGSTANDING WORKING CONDITIONS. THE SERVICES UNION HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR MEMBERS AT BOTH AURIZON AND QUEENSLAND RAIL (QR) WITH DECISIONS NOW PENDING AT FAIR WORK AUSTRALIA (FWA) AND THE QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (QIRC).

Aurizon members are waiting on two key decisions to be handed down soon by the FWC. The first relates to Aurizon’s attempts to have all existing Enterprise Agreements (EAs) cancelled. If this occurs, members will potentially lose a large number of their current conditions and entitlements, won over many years of bargaining. The second matter relates to a dispute over the validity of a ballot which was held to approve one of three EAs proposed to replace the current Agreements. Aurizon claims there were no irregularities during the voting process. However, we disagreed! Aurizon was eventually forced to admit that a significant number of employees who were not entitled to vote were actually allowed to. Our argument has been that this unfairly skewed the result.

Legislation brought in by the Newman Government has ruined the hopes of members at QR to negotiate for improved conditions. In fact, the negotiations could be said to have run off the tracks. After only agreeing to very limited negotiations, QR then put a clearly unacceptable draft Agreement out to vote. When it was overwhelming rejected by employees, QR management simply chose to force the process into arbitration in the QIRC rather than recommence true negotiations.

Vice President of Rail for The Services Union, Tehanne Denham-Jarvis (pictured) said it was clear by the outcome of the ballot, our members were not happy with the Agreement that was presented by QR. “From what was said to me, employees were pretty insulted by the Key Performance Indicators in the Agreement,” Tehanne said. “The reason for this is, no one who is party to this Agreement has direct input to either the on-time running of trains or city train customer satisfaction.”

The arbitration in March 2015 will rob QR members of any right to vote on what their conditions and pay should be as a decision will be handed down by the QIRC. Members are concerned this has occurred in an organisation where previous negotiations between the parties had always led to new EAs.

Tehanne said. “ The Union office has been instrumental in keeping members well informed through the newsletters, over the phone via Services Connect and via YouTube updates. Those of us who have taken part in the negotiation process appreciate the huge amount of time and effort put in by the staff in the union office (all parts) in supporting us.”

The Jetstar National Negotiating Team (NNT) met Jetstar Management recently to further discuss their current offer to settle the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). Although the meeting was in depth and long, there are still many outstanding issues which need to be discussed around classification structures, long service leave payment rates and job security.

Our Union now understands the results of a payroll review undertaken by Jetstar management will be available shortly. The review was undertaken because of a number of payroll errors that have occurred in the past.

However, it has since become apparent that there are still a range of other payroll errors which were not covered in the current review. The Services Union encourages members to: • Keep your roster for the fortnight proceeding the public holidays you

don’t work;• Keep a note of the actual hours you work and the days you work;• Keep your pay slips for the pay period you get payment for not working

the public holiday; and• Give this information to your Workplace Delegate.

The NNT are meeting with Jetstar management again this month.

All updates will be posted on our website on www.theservicesunion.com.au and on our social media pages.

RAIL MEMBERS - COMMISSION DECISIONS PENDING

JETSTAR TALKS CONTINUE PORTS UPDATE Management at Gladstone Port Corporation has continued to think they can get away with not adhering to the consultation clauses in their Enterprise Agreement (EA). On several occasions over the past 12 months management has decided to implement workplace changes (such as outsourcing) without first discussing the issue with affected staff. Workplace Delegate Peter Rassmussen (pictured right) has been working hard to ensure management meets their obligations in the future.

Enterprise bargaining continues at the other Ports. In late 2014, the new Ports North EA was finally approved and a pay increase of three per cent was won by members. Meanwhile, bargaining in North Queensland Bulk Ports continues with members fighting to retain their ‘no forced redundancy’ clause.

It has not helped that the Newman Government has apparently directed management not to improve their pay offer to offset the potential lost condition. This will only serve to delay matters further robbing members of the already overdue pay increase.

BE PART OF A REAL CHANGE |AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 | REAL CHANGE 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

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