Australian Services Union Central & Southern Queensland Clerical & Administrative Branch

• 2012 Delegates’ Conference• Life Members

• Insecure Work Update

ContentsFrom Your Branch Secretary 2

Insecure Work Update 3

2012 Delegates’ Conference 4

2011 Bernie Banton AM Memorial Delegate of the Year Award 6

ASU Life Members 8

Machinery of Government Update 10

Private Sector Report 12

Brisbane City Coucil Update 15

Unnacceptable Cost of Workplace Injuries & Diseases Sapping Economic Growth 16

2 Delegate Focus • April 2012

April 2012

Authorised and printed/published by Julie Bignell, Branch Secretary - Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union, Central and Southern Queensland Clerical and Administrative Branch, Union of Employees and the Australian Services Union Central and Southern Queensland Branch - Level 3 - 27 Peel Street, South Brisbane Q. 4101 Australia PO Box 3272 South Brisbane BC QLD 4101 Australia. Tel: 1800 177 244. Fax: 07 3017 6275. - Website: www.qld.asu.net.au - Email: info@qld.asu.net.au

The ASU Delegate Focus is kindly supported by the following organisations:

DelegateFocus

From Your Branch SecretaryWith the election of an LNP state government, we have a lot to do.

ASU members are affected in many ways, either through their direct employment or reliance on decent policy and legislation about their entitlements. It is important that our union, as well as others, build new stakeholder relationships with the state government. Traditionally, Liberal and National Party governments have tended to attack wages and conditions of Queensland workers. This new LNP government has an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and show that they are above the mistakes of the past.

We must also hold the Newman govern-ment to its promise to us, that they will not abolish the Queensland Industrial Relations Act or Commission, which is so important to safeguarding the rights and entitlements of our members. We must fight to keep a properly funded workers compensation system and to retain WHS legislation which provides key protections to workers who want to be involved in health and safety in their workplaces. One of the most important issues for workers is the proliferation of insecure work – we are committed to improving this situation and will be taking the issue to ACTU Congress in May this year.

Our state-based amalgamation is working well. We must continue with our work to consolidate this amalgamation and make our members stronger through growth and education. We can only achieve this, through our fantastic Delegate network – you!

In Unity,

Julie BignellBranch Secretary

3

Woolworths-Government Fresh Start Agreement is a promising development for secure jobs: unions

A new agreement between the federal Government and retail giant Woolworths to create 10,000 new jobs this year must be accompanied by measures to ensure these are secure jobs and not just transient, casual positions, say unions.

ACTU President Ged Kearney congratulated Woolworths for its initiative but said there must be assurances that the majority of positions created will be permanent, secure jobs that lead to full careers in retail.

Woolworths and the Government today announced a memorandum of understanding in which Woolworths will be provided with streamlined access to a range of government job-matching and training services to help it achieve its target of 10,000 new jobs this financial year.

Ms Kearney said Woolworths was showing corporate leadership by particularly seeking to increase employment of groups of disadvantaged Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Woolworths recognises that the pathway to sustainable, secure jobs and careers – and to better productivity - is through skills and training, and unions commend the company for its commitment to these values,” Ms Kearney said.

“The retail sector has an over-reliance on casual employment and insecure work, so we intend to monitor the implementation of this Fresh Start Agreement to ensure it lives up to its promise to deliver secure jobs.

“Woolworths main rival, Coles, has reaped the benefits of restructuring its workforce so that a clear majority are now permanent.

“Three years ago, 70-80% of Coles’ employees were casuals, sometimes working as little as one shift a month.

“But in the past three years, a new management culture has altered that so today only about 30% of its 87,000 employees are casual.

“While this is still too high, the results of this conversion of the workforce have been reduced staff turnover, lower absenteeism, improved staff engagement, better productivity and higher profits.

“Other major companies can learn from the Coles’ experience, and it is to be hoped that this new initiative by Woolworths will be accompanied by a similar approach.

“Having said that, all the signs are promising at this stage.”

Ms Kearney said that with 40% of Australians in casual, labour hire, contract and other forms of insecure work, unions were interested in working with innovative employers to produce secure jobs.www.securejobs.org.au Source: modified ACTU.

Insecure Work Update

40 per cent of the workforce, more than four million workers - are employed as casuals on short-term contracts in labour hire or as contractors.

About two million workers are casuals who qualify for few employment benefits, and tens of thousands of others are on fixed-term contracts.

The ‘Insecure Work, Anxious Lives’ report, released by the ACTU late last year, shows Australia has the second highest rate of “insecure workers” among OECD countries after Spain.

There are a disproportionate number of women represented in casual work figures, with 28 per cent of all female employees working in casual employment, compared with 20 per cent of male employees.

According to data from the Bureau of Statistics, more than half of Australia’s casual workers would prefer to have a permanent job.

According to the ACTU, the Australian workforce has become an army of casuals, with employers looking to “shift the risk” of a volatile economy onto workers.

1

2

3

4

5

6

At the 2012 ASU Delegates’ Conference held on 26 March, Delegates discussed the ramifications of Insecure Work via a panel session. The panel consisted of QCU President, John Battams and ASU Delegates who presented evidence to the recent hearings of the ACTU Insecure Work Inquiry – Serah-Jane Morgan, Kim Sunarjana, and Mandy Fisher. Their stories generated a significant discussion about the problems workers experience because of insecure work.

Delegate Focus • April 20124

2012 Delegates’ ConferenceThe 2012 Annual Delegates’ Conference was held on Monday, 26 March at the QCU conference facility in South Brisbane.Around 80 ASU Delegates from around the state attended the conference, which is our Branch’s highlight event of the year. The theme of this year’s event - ‘We’re Stronger Together’ celebrated the many collective wins our members have had in the last year, including the historic Equal Pay Case for SACS workers, as well as the recent amalgamation of the ASU and QPSU at a state level which has exponentially increased the strength we have gained as a united force in fighting for workers’ rights in Queensland.

ASU C&SQ Branch President, Ruth McFarlane opened the conference and welcomed all Delegates. Our very own Team Leader, Valda Graham, gave us the traditional ‘Welcome to Country’ on behalf of the local Yuggera and Turrbal people.

As part of her address to Delegates, ASU C&SQ Branch Secretary, Julie Bignell talked about the key achievements that ASU members have made in the last 12 months, the current and future climate for bargaining and protecting members’ rights, and the issue of rising employer militancy and attacks on pay and conditions.

Together Secretary, Alex Scott addressed Delegates about the Queensland state election result and how this would most likely impact on our combined membership and how the recent amalgamation would provide our members with a stronger platform to meet the challenge of significant changes to the state public sector and the provision of services to the public as a result of the election. Over the course of the day Delegates were invloved in a range of activites and workshops designed to enhance their skills as workplace Delegates and provide them with a forum in which to network with each other. This included focus groups on a new Delegates’ Kit to be finalised soon, work group sessions on strategic planning, recruitment skills, and new Delegate skills, as well as the ‘World Café session led by Zoe Kennedy and Mark Starkey and the ‘Insecure Work’ panel that was moderated by QCU President, John Battams.

After the conference, Life Members awards were made to Ruth McFarlane, Sean Ryan, Peter Kellermeyer, Ralph Edwards, Norm Gillespie, and Bev Waldron – representing an amazing total of 232 years of service to the union.

Feedback from attendees was strong, with almost all participants saying they thought this year’s conference was “excellent”. Overall the 2012 conference was a great success with Delegates taking the ‘We’re Stronger Together’ message back to their workplaces with real pride.

The Australian Services Union Annual Delegates’ Conference 2012 was kindly sponsored by:

BELOW: Group photo of Delegates at the 2012 ASU Annual Delegates’ Conference

ABOVE: ASU C&SQ Branch President, Ruth McFarlane opens the 2012 ASU Annual Delegates’ Conference.

ABOVE: ASU C&SQ Branch Secretary, Julie Bignell addressess the 2012 ASU Annual Delegates’ Conference on key achievements.

ABOVE: Together Queensland Secretary, Alex Scott addresses the 2012 ASU Annual Delegates’ Conference on the state election.

5

ABOVE: Delegates confer during the ‘New Delegates’ workshop.BELOW: Delegates in discussion at the ‘Recruitment Skills’ workshop.

ABOVE & BELOW: Delegates taking part in the ‘World Café session at the Delegates’ Conference.

Prepared in March 2012 by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 the Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898. Consider whether AustralianSuper is appropriate for you. Read our Product Disclosure Statement, available at www.australiansuper.com/FormsPublications or by calling 1300 300 273, before making a decision about AustralianSuper. Statements made by AustralianSuper members have been reproduced with the members’ consent, which has not been withdrawn at the date of this publication. Investment returns are not guaranteed as all investments carry some risk. Past performance gives no indication of future returns.

To join, call 1300 300 273 or go to www.australiansuper.com It’s Australian. And it’s super.

Being an industry fund, AustralianSuper has lower fees than most funds.Rachel Saunders,AustralianSuper member

The super fund that works just for you.Put AustralianSuper to work for you.

Prepared in March 2012 by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 the Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898. Consider whether AustralianSuper is appropriate for you. Read our Product Disclosure Statement, available at www.australiansuper.com/FormsPublications or by calling 1300 300 273, before making a decision about AustralianSuper. Statements made by AustralianSuper members have been reproduced with the members’ consent, which has not been withdrawn at the date of this publication. Investment returns are not guaranteed as all investments carry some risk. Past performance gives no indication of future returns.

To join, call 1300 300 273 or go to www.australiansuper.com It’s Australian. And it’s super.

Being an industry fund, AustralianSuper has lower fees than most funds.Rachel Saunders,AustralianSuper member

The super fund that works just for you.Put AustralianSuper to work for you.

Prepared in March 2012 by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987 AFSL 233788 the Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898. Consider whether AustralianSuper is appropriate for you. Read our Product Disclosure Statement, available at www.australiansuper.com/FormsPublications or by calling 1300 300 273, before making a decision about AustralianSuper. Statements made by AustralianSuper members have been reproduced with the members’ consent, which has not been withdrawn at the date of this publication. Investment returns are not guaranteed as all investments carry some risk. Past performance gives no indication of future returns.

To join, call 1300 300 273 or go to www.australiansuper.com It’s Australian. And it’s super.

Being an industry fund, AustralianSuper has lower fees than most funds.Rachel Saunders,AustralianSuper member

The super fund that works just for you.Put AustralianSuper to work for you.

Delegate Focus • April 2012

The winner of the Bernie Banton AM Memorial Delegate of the Year Award for 2011 is Zoé Kennedy.

Zoé, our very energetic Delegate at Brisbane’s Mater Hospital was chosen from a record nominee pool of 16 Delegates this year. This very special award was bestowed upon Zoé by her fellow Delegates at the Annual Delegates’ Conference. Delegates are nominated by their workplace colleagues prior to the conference, with the winner being chosen by the majority vote of Delegates attending the conference.

On behalf of all members, we thank Zoé for efforts as an ASU Delegate and recognise all of the hard work she has put in to assist and help the people she works with as well as promoting union values in her workplace and the wider community.

We would also like to thank ME Bank and Union Shopper for providing our winner with some really great prizes in recognition of her achievement.

On being presented with this award by Branch President and Life Member, Ruth McFarlane, Branch Secretary, Julie Bignell and ME Bank Queensland Distribution Manager, Peter Jones, an emotional Zoé Kennedy was quite clearly very moved.

Delegate of the Year Award NomineesWe had a record 16 nominees for the 2011 Bernie Banton AM memorial Delegate of the Year Award - they are:Maree Bock - Ergon RockhamptonAlice Buckthorpe - QHealth BrisbaneShane Daly - Blue Care CaloundraMarie Davey - QHealth PayrollEloise Donaldson - QHealth GympieLorraine Fleming - QHealth BrisbaneBruce Jay - QHealth KingaroyZoé Kennedy - Mater BrisbaneWendy Lawrence - QNU BrisbaneChristine Lowie - QHealth BundabergScott McGuire - Jetstar Gold Coast

Jon Morris - Energex BrisbaneBarry Stark - QUT BrisbaneMark Starkey - UQ BrisbaneDebbie Thomas - QHealth PayrollDeb Wilson-Parsons - QHealth Brisbane

Unfortunately not all Delegate of the Year nominees could be present for the award presentation, however, we would like to thank and acknowledge these hard working Delegates here. Congratulations to Maree Bock, Shane Daly, Bruce Jay, Scott McGuire, Jon Morris and Deb Wilson-Parsons on their nomination for Delegate of the Year!

6

2011 Bernie Banton AM MemorialDelegate of the Year Award

ABOVE: Zoé Kennedy (centre) winner of the 2011 Bernie Banton AM Memorial ASU Delegate of the Year Award with ASU Branch Secretary, Julie Bignell (left) and ASU Branch President and Life Member, Ruth McFarlane (right).

ABOVE: Alice Buckthorpe from Queensland Health Information Division receives her Delegate of the Year nominee award.

ABOVE: Barry Stark from Queensland University of Technology receives his Delegate of the Year nominee award.

BELOW: Christine Lowrie from Bundaberg Public Hospital receives her Delegate of the Year nominee award.

7

2011 Bernie Banton AM MemorialDelegate of the Year Award cont’d

There is more to do ... Workers need stronger protections for their right to join and be rep-resented by their union. Better protections should be provided for Delegates and workplace representatives so they can do their job. That’s why the ACTU Congress has endorsed a Charter of Delegates Rights, a summary of which is set out below.

Charter of Delegates’ Rights Delegates are the volunteers who are crucial to ensuring we all have rights at work. Delegates are the voice of the members in their workplace. They are committed people who take their obligations as a representative seriously. Their work helps create and sustain cooperative and fair workplaces.

To perform their important role Delegates are entitled to receive:

SUPPORT - from their fellow members.RESPECT - and recognition from their employer.PROTECTION - against discrim-ination at work.

All Delegates should have the right to:

GREET - new employees.MEET - with workers individually or as a group.RECRUIT - workers to be union members.REPRESENT - workers in discussions with management.CONSULT - with management on change and other issues.REPORT - back to union members.

To facilitate these rights, Delegates should be entitled to:

INVITE - union organisers to visit and assist.EDUCATION - about their role and responsibilities.TIME - and resources necessary to perform their role.

Note: The 2012 ACTU Congress will be held in Sydney in May. For further information go to: www.actu.org.au

ABOVE: Eloise Donaldson from Gympie Public Hospital receives her Delegate of the year nominee award.

ABOVE: Debbie Thomas from QHealth Payroll receives her Delegate of the year nominee award.

ABOVE: Mark Starkey from University of Queensland receives his Delegate of the Year nominee award.

ABOVE: Wendy Lawrence from QNU receives her Delegate of the year nominee award.

ABOVE: Lorraine Fleming from The Prince Charles Hospital receives her Delegate of the Year nominee award.

ABOVE: Zoé Kennedy from Brisbane Mater Hospital receives her Delegate of the Year nominee award.

Delegate Focus • April 20128

At this year’s Annual Delegates’ Conference some of our long term members were honoured for their committment and contribution to the union.

Life Membership of the Central and Southern Queensland Branch of the ASU is infrequently awarded, but this year we had a significant number of past members who were considered by our governing body, the Branch Conference, as having qualified for having contributed significant service and support to their union over many years.

A number of members who have already retired were honoured. These were:

• Sean Ryan (Energex) 53 years membership

• Peter Kellermeyer (Princess Alexandra Hospital) 47 years membership

• Ralph Edwards (Qantas) 31 years membership

• Norm Gillespie (Princess Alexandra Hospital)

30 years membership

Several ASU members who have not yet retired were also honoured due to their outstanding commitment to the union:

• Ruth McFarlane (Rockhampton Hospital)

25 years membership

• Bev Waldron (Parmalat) 38 years membership

Congratulations to our wonderful Life Members, who have together built a strong and representative Union!

ASU Life Members

ABOVE: A beaming ASU C&SQ Branch President, Ruth McFarlane accepts her Life Membership Award from past ASU Assistant Secretary, Mary-Anne O’Neill.

ABOVE: Graham Wyeth accepts a Life Member-ship Award on behalf of Peter Kellermeyer.

ABOVE: Eileen Redmond from Energex accepts a Life Membership Award on behalf of Sean Ryan.

ABOVE: Norm Gillespie happily accepts his Life Membership Award.

ABOVE: Craig Melchior of Qantas accepts a Life Membership Award on behalf of Ralph Edwards.

The Life Members Presentation was kindly sponsored by:

9

► Asbestos claims ► Commercial litigation ► Motor vehicle injury claims ► Class actions► Professional negligence claims► Medical law ► Estate litigation ► Public & product liability claims ► Employment law ► Work injury claims ► Military compensation ► Wills & probate

1800 555 777

www.unionshopper.com.au/wintravel

* For T’s & C’s visit www.unionshopper.com.au/wintravel Competition closes 30 June 2012

Register or reconfirm your contact details to receive Union Shopper’s regular emailed offers, and you’ll go into the draw to win a fantastic $2000 Shopper Travel holiday voucher.

How to enterSimply complete the online form at www.unionshopper.com.au/wintravel or complete the form in your 2012 Union Shopper Directory of Services.

It gets betterTell your friends and colleagues about this competition, and if they register as a result of your referral, you’ll both go into the prize draw. You’ll receive one additional entry into the draw for each eligible friend or colleague who signs up as a result of your referral.

Win a $2000 Shopper Travel holiday voucher*

Win a $2000 Shopper Travel holiday voucher with Union Shopper*Union Shopper members Australia-wide can enter to win a fantastic $2000 Shopper Travel holiday voucher.

Members can enter simply by registering or reconfirming their contact details to receive emailed offers from Union Shopper.

Members will receive an additional entry into the draw for each eligible friend or colleague who registers to receive emailed offers from Union Shopper as a result of their referral.

Until Saturday 30 June 2012, members can enter this competition by completing the online form at: www.unionshopper.com.au/wintravel or by completing and submitting the form in their 2012 Directory of Services.

“Union Shopper members save significant time and money by taking advantage of the specials and deals in our regular e-newsletters and other exclusive emailed offers,” Union

Shopper Inc executive officer Brett McCreadie said.

For over 35 years, Union Shopper’s free service has helped union members save on a huge range of products and services, including electrical products, cars, travel and accommodation, jewellery, gifts and insurance.

“My husband and I have been using Union Shopper for quite a few years now, and we have saved possibly thousands of dollars by buying whitegoods through Union Shopper with the convenience of delivery to our door,” happy member Janet Knuckey said.

“We also saved hundreds off a skiing holiday for the family by booking via Shopper Travel, and the service is always friendly and efficient.”

To see how easy it is to save potentially hundreds of dollars on electrical products and travel, and thousands of dollars on a new car, call 1300 368 117 or visit: www.unionshopper.com.au today.

* For full terms and conditions, please visit: www.unionshopper.com.au/wintravel

NO RATE RISE AT ME BANK

Delegate Focus • April 201210

It has been a very busy start to the month with a new government and therefore many changes afoot - including changes in DGs and a machinery of government change on the way.

Recently, your union’s council delegates voted to support a plan to protect the public sector during these changing times, the name of the program will be: Working for Queenslanders. We know that is what you do, every day.

It is critically important at this time that two things happen:

1. That the newly elected Queensland Government keep their election promises to public sector workers- no forced retrenchments, fair wage increases, a commitment to working with union members through collective bargaining structures -

and make these things government policy.

2. That the new government, and our community, remember that all public sector jobs matter - there can be no arbitrary division into “frontline” and “non-frontline”, all of you are working to make Queensland better and all of you deserve support from the new government and DGs.

We know that the government has directed DGs to institute a recruitment freeze (among other things) on all temporary and permanent positions that are not “involved in front line service delivery (e.g. nurses, teachers and police).”

This freeze - and the false distinction between these job titles and others - will hurt Queensland’s services. It ignores the important contribution made by thousands of other staff in all areas of the public sector. This government will be relying on the work you do that helps make Queensland

a better place - we’re hopeful we’ll be able to get this message across to them very quickly.

Some agencies have given a message back, via HR staff, that temporary workers can be granted extensions to contracts and that they understand they need to “keep the lights on” during the transition. This is a very important consideration and one your union will be hoping to make plain at every level - without replacement of staff and without keeping on temporary staff your vital work may not get done and that just isn’t acceptable to the Queensland community. We will be raising this issue in our next meeting with the Public Service Commissioner, and stressing the need to take a reasonable and manageable approach to jobs security and workloads.

Very shortly we will be meeting with the Premier to discuss the plan for a restructuring of public sector departments as outlined in his structure for the Machinery of Government.

Machinery of Government Update

Your super fund can make a lifetime of difference

3 Run only to benefit members 3 No commissions 3 Low fees

More people in health and community services choose HESTA than any other fund

hesta.com.auIssued by H.E.S.T. Australia Limited ABN 66 006 818 695 AFSL No. 235249 Trustee of Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia (HESTA) ABN 64 971 749 321. Consider a Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about HESTA products, call 1800 813 327 or visit our website for copies.

903.HESTA Generic Group_185x135.indd 1 15/03/12 4:09 PM

continued on page 11 >>>

11

BANK FAIRER.

Proudly sponsored by:

Raffle2012Union Aid Abroad APHEDA The overseas humanitarian aid agency of the ACTU

Vocational skills training, combined with literacy and rights education, is helping increase workplace participation by women in Timor-Leste. Photo: Scott Mackinnon

1st PRIZE $8,000 TRAVEL VOUCHER2nd PRIZE $1,399 COMMUTER BIKEGREAT BOOK SELLERS’ PRIZES

Order your tickets today!20 tickets in a book - $2 per ticket

CLOSES MAY 25. DRAWN JUNE 7.See www.apheda.org.au for terms and conditions.

Exclusive book seller’s draw for a second bike (Sell 3 books to qualify)Top book seller wins a $1,000 travel voucher

To order call 1800 888 674Email office@apheda.org.au

Visit www.apheda.org.au

When the Machinery of Government changes take effect Queensland Government agencies will be:

• DepartmentofthePremier&Cabinet• PublicServiceCommission• DepartmentofStateDevelopment,

Infrastructure & Planning• QueenslandReconstructionAuthority• QueenslandTreasurery&Trade• QueenslandHealth• DepartmentofEducation,Training&

Employment• SkillsQueensland• DepartmentofTransport&MainRoads• TranslinkTransitAuthority• DepartmentofLocalGovernment• QueenslandPoliceService• DepartmentofCommunitySafety• DepartmentofJustice&Attorney-General• PublicTrustOffice• DepartmentofHousing&PublicWorks• DepartmentofTourism,MajorEvents,

Small Business & Commonwealth Games• DepartmentofAgriculture,Fisheries&

Forestry• DepartmentofEnvironment&Heritage

Protection• DepartmentofNaturalResources&Mines• DepartmentofEnergy&WaterSupply• DepartmentofScience,Information

Technology, Innovation & Arts• DepartmentofNationalParks,Recreation,

Sport & Racing• DepartmentofAboriginal&TorresStrait

Islander, Multicultural Affairs• DepartmentofCommunities,ChildSafety

& Disability Services.

Training under the (new) Work Health Safety Act, 2011. The Qld Government has recommended that Workplace Health and Safety Officers (WHSOs) upgrade their qualifications to become “Safety Advisors”.

Their factsheet states:

“While WHSOs [Workplace Health and Safety Officers] will no longer be mandated under the WHS Act 2011, there are advantages for businesses and undertakings in retaining a trained safety advisor to assist an officer to satisfy their due diligence obligations.”

They recommend nationally accredited VET training. This qualification is the Certificate IV in OHS .

If you are a WHSO, you should complete the two-day Cert IV Bridging Course.

If you are a Workplace Health and Safety Representative, you have till the 31st December, 2012 to complete the 1-day HSR Bridging Course to continue to exercise your powers as a WHSR.

For more information on training, please contact Safe Work on (07) 3846 2411.

For a copy of the full WHSQ factsheet go to: http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/whs-harmonisation-due-diligence.pdf

Prepared by the Queensland Council of Unions OHS Unit (v.1-2012)

MOG Update continued from page 10 >>>

Delegate Focus • April 201212

Private Sector industries include:• Airlines• Travel• Logistics&Transport• CallCentres• Media• NotForProfitOrganisations• GeneralClericalAreas Bargaining

2012 is looming large for bargaining in the Private Sector. Bargaining is occurring across a number of industries including airlines, call centres, cash transport and the not-for- profit sector.

Agreements are currently being negotiated at Australian Communi-cation Exchange (ACE), TattsBet, Qantas Couriers, Maurice Blackburn and Air Niugini and preparations are underway for negotiations to commence at: Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), Armaguard, Black & White Taxis, Newsadvantage, Endeavour Foundation and MBF.

ASU negotiated Agreements across the whole spectrum of the private sector are achieving wage increases

on average of 3.75% per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on private sector Agreements suggests that Collective Agreements in the private sector have, as at September 2011 delivered an average wage increase of 3.9% – this includes Agreements that were previously struck and are mid-way through their operation.

This is a good result considering the challenges faced by the private sector including lingering GFC credit issues and the downturn in the global economy, which in turn has encouraged increased employer militancy leading to attacks on workers’ conditions and has highlighted the problem of widespread insecure work arrangements as an increasing employer response to these challenges. However, these short-sighted employer responses can be realistically addressed via effective bargaining campaigns at the workplace level which depend on a strong and educated base of members with strategic support from the union office.

The best way to ensure strong results from the bargaining table is by having a team of Delegates who are well trained, well networked and who know they have the support of their co-workers and union office behind them. With this is mind, your ASU Private Sector team has organised a series of meetings to facilitate Delegate industry networks.

Airlines, Travel, Transport and Logistics Delegates attended a 2012 summit to

explore those ideas and more. Plans are under construction to establish new links for Delegates and activists in the regional areas and the Brisbane Airport based Delegates will be looking to hold Brisbane Airport Precinct (BAP) meetings shortly.

This will enable Delegates from any area working in that location to network with Delegates in other locations and ensure they have sources of support and assistance where necessary.

The Gold Coast Local Airport Delegates (GLAD) are also working on getting together regularly to network and share ideas that will support their continued employment in the industry. In an environment where contractors are the main game, it is important that Delegates are well connected to ensure communications get across all areas of the port.

The nature of work in airlines is constantly changing and it would be of no surprise to hear that at any one time our members in Qantas have at least 4 or 5 issues which could lead to dispute. Currently Qantas Delegates are working on redundancies for levels 6 and 8, what is the compulsory school age for returning to work from parental leave, reduced part time hours and the introduction of self help kiosks if you lose your baggage! Plans are also underway for call centre Delegates to come together and work on ways to improve their collective

Private Sector Report

BELOW: Airlines, Travel & Transport & Logistics Delegates meet in Brisbane in February for the A12 Summit.

continued on page 13 >>>

strength. In environments where union access is often limited, workers are transient and getting a foot in the door is difficult, it is imperative that our Delegates have the opportunity to network and share information in order to effectively raise the standards of the environment they work in and get paid realistically for the work they perform.

BELOW: ASU members, Kim Sunarjana (left) and Peggy Maher from the call centre industry, appearing at the Insecure Work Inquiry in late February, 2012.

13

1300 360 701 www.tuh.com.au

Profits back to members | Value for money products | High quality services

TUH is the right match for you!

TUH’s range of health cover options are tailored to you and your family’s needs. • Weareruntobenefitourmembers• We provide great value for money products • As an ASU member you are automatically

eligible to join and so is your extended family So why would you consider any other health fund?

Contact us on 1300 360 701 for more information.

Private Sector Report continued from page 12 >>>

DATE CLAIMERBrisbane Labour Day March

Monday 7th MayFor regional march info go to: www.qcu.asn.au

• Work Related Injuries

• Road Accident Injuries

• Medical Negligence

• Superannuation & Disability Insurance Claims

• Comcare

• Asbestos Diseases

• Public Liability

• Faulty Products

• Death Claims

• Class Actions

• Brisbane* • Browns Plains^ • Cairns# • Caboolture • Gladstone • Gold Coast • Ipswich

• Mackay • Rockhampton • Strathpine** • Sunshine Coast • Toowoomba • Townsville

Expert compensation lawyers in:

Personal injury experts

Offices in:

or visit fightforfair.com.auCall 1800 810 812

We fight for fair.

Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury Law

*Rod Hodgson#Laura Neil

**Michelle James^Ian Brown

*Trent Johnson*Jillian Barrett

Tell us of your experiencesmanaging money

HOW DO AUSTRALIAN WOMEN DEAL WITH MONEY?

Would you like to be involved in a focus group? RMIT University is seeking women willing to talk about their experiences managing money. How are household budgets being organised today? Who is taking responsibility for paying the bills and other regular expenses? Who makes the ‘big’ financial decisions in your house? Between March and May 2012 Professor Roslyn Russell and Associate Professor Amalia Di Iorio from RMIT University will be holding focus groups in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Have your say about the meaning of money – or the lack of it – in your life. Your opinions will help shape what we ask in a large national survey of Australian women’s financial circumstances planned for 2013.

You will receive a $50 Coles voucher as a token of our appreciation Focus groups will be less than 90 minutes

All information will be strictly confidential and anonymous. Write Email Ring Dr Marcus Banks marcus.banks@rmit.edu.au 0439208236 School of Economics, Finance and Marketing 108/12/65 RMIT University, GPO Box 2476 Melbourne 3001

WOMEN’S FINANCIAL PRACTICES PROJECT

14 Delegate Focus • April 2012

Earlier this year BCC Delegates attended a strategy workshop to discuss how the new amalgamated union structure could best serve members at BCC.

The strategy workshop was hosted by ASU C&SQ Assistant Branch Secretary, Kevin Place and Training Team Leader, Irene Monro and was also addressed by Together Member Support Director, Jo McConnell.

Topics covered by Delegates in the workshop included:• StructureofBranch• Howthestructuresupports

Delegates• Individualissues• SnapshotofOrganisingStructure• Reviewcurrentmapping• ReviewcurrentCommittee

structures (WOC’s, DCC’s etc)• Reviewcurrentorganisingstrategies

and opportunities• Priorityareasfororganising

• CurrentIndustrialIssues-Restructures/ Workload

• UpcomingEBpreparations• CommunicationStrategies• Recruitmentmaterials• Communicatingwithmembers/

potential members following WOC’s/DCC/s etc.

Delegates resolved at this meeting to survey BCC members regarding current issues of concern with the survey going out to members in late

March. The results of this survey will be communicated to members in mid April and will help in developing a plan to deal with the constant issues surrounding BCC restructures and workloads.

Initial responses indicate real problems with BCC workforce morale in relation to these restructures, as the BCC management mantra of ‘do more with less’ impacts on the workloads and work/life balance of BCC staff.

Tell us of your experiencesmanaging money

HOW DO AUSTRALIAN WOMEN DEAL WITH MONEY?

Would you like to be involved in a focus group? RMIT University is seeking women willing to talk about their experiences managing money. How are household budgets being organised today? Who is taking responsibility for paying the bills and other regular expenses? Who makes the ‘big’ financial decisions in your house? Between March and May 2012 Professor Roslyn Russell and Associate Professor Amalia Di Iorio from RMIT University will be holding focus groups in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Have your say about the meaning of money – or the lack of it – in your life. Your opinions will help shape what we ask in a large national survey of Australian women’s financial circumstances planned for 2013.

You will receive a $50 Coles voucher as a token of our appreciation Focus groups will be less than 90 minutes

All information will be strictly confidential and anonymous. Write Email Ring Dr Marcus Banks marcus.banks@rmit.edu.au 0439208236 School of Economics, Finance and Marketing 108/12/65 RMIT University, GPO Box 2476 Melbourne 3001

WOMEN’S FINANCIAL PRACTICES PROJECT

15

Brisbane City Council Update

Join the fight for fairer banking!Across the range of essential banking products, the big banks are always looking for ways to make more money from hard working Australians. They take advantage of their customers’ trust and abuse their lack of time and in-depth financial knowledge.

Five reasons why ME Bank is better than a big bank for union members:

1. ME Bank grew out of the union movement. ME Bank was established by industry super funds and share the same principles, ie. we operate in the best interests of members.

2. Fairness and equality for all. ME Bank helps working Australians access high-quality banking products that are low cost, simple and fair.

3. No overdrawn fee for union dues. When you have your salary or wages paid into an EveryDay Transaction Account but may be caught short for cash, ME Bank will

honour your union dues and waive the dishonour fee.

4. Returns invested back into super. From the beginning, ME Bank has been a very different kind of bank, putting the interests of our members first. We don’t pay

dividends to unrelated shareholders and our profits are returned to the industry super funds that own ME Bank.

5. ME Bank provides genuine service. When you call ME Bank you speak to a real person, not a machine, and they are always right here in Australia. That’s why we’ve

been voted as leaders in customer satisfaction by our customers and recognised by organisations such as MOZO and Canstar.

Join the fight for fairer banking. Join ME Bank. www.mebank.com.au

DATE CLAIMER –BCC•ENERGY•WATERUtilities 2012 Strategic SummitThursday 26 July, 2012 - BrisbaneDelegates, mark this date in your diary – further information to follow shortly.

Delegate Focus • April 2012

Unacceptable Cost of Workplace Injuries & Diseases is Sapping 5% from Economic GrowthIt is workers, not employers, who overwhelmingly bear the costs of workplace injuries and diseases, a new report has shown.The report by Safe Work Australia revealed that three-quarters of the costs of workplace injuries and diseases is borne by the injured workers themselves, including loss of current and future income and non-compensated medical expenses.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the cost of $60.6 billion for workplace injuries and diseases in the 2008-9 financial year was far too high.

“We think we are a clever country but it isn’t so smart to forgo almost 5% of our nation’s GDP on the cost of preventable workplace injury and illness,” Ms Kearney said.

Safe Work Australia has estimated that the cost of workplace injury and disease to workers, their employers and the community for the 2008-09 financial year was $60.6 billion. Injured workers

themselves bear 74% of this cost, including loss of current and future income and non-compensated medical expenses.

Twenty-one per cent of the cost is borne by the community and the rest (5%) is borne by employers.

The Safe Work Australia Report details that the workplace injury costs to employers includes loss of productivity from absent workers, recruitment and retraining costs and fines and penalties from breaches of work health and safety regulations.

“This report has found that the cost of each workplace incident is around $99,100 and of this workers pay $73,300, the community $20,800 and employers $5100,” Ms Kearney said.

“There are some valuable insights from this report. Employers could get a $3 billion boost to productivity by preventing workplace accidents and incidents. Given that the majority of the cost of injuries is borne by workers, all governments need to look closely at these figures when they consider the adequacy of workers’ compensation payments.”

Safe Work Australia has also released figures on work related deaths for 2009-10. In 2009-10 337 people died in Australia from a work-related traumatic injury.

“Australia records a traumatic workplace death at the rate of almost one per day, which is an appalling figure . Every single one of these deaths is a tragedy,” Ms Kearney said.

“The effect of these deaths on families, communities and workplaces cannot be measured. Workplace deaths are not the collateral damage of progress. We need to clean up our act.”

It is horrifying that 42 deaths were of bystanders not directly involved in the work processes that ultimately killed them. Fifteen of these deaths were on children under 15 years of age.

Ms Kearney encouraged workers to become involved in making their workplace safer by electing health and safety representatives joining their workplace health and safety committee, and by seeking advice from their union.

Workers can get more information at: www.safeatwork.org.au

Source: ACTU

16

3.2% 3.6% 3.8% 4.0% 4.2% 4.4% 4.6% 4.8% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4% 5.6% 5.8% 6.0%0.0% 1.0%-1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0%

Latest Bargaining Trends And Economic IndicatorsConsumer Price Index (CPI) December 2011 Quarter

Unemployment Rate % February 2012

Source: OESR

QLD February 2012 5.5%

QLD February 2011 5.5%

National February 2012 5.2%

National February 20115.0%

QLD December 2011 Annual 2.4%

National December 2011 Annual 3.1%

QLD December 2011 Quarter -0.2%

National December 2011 Quarter 0.0%

EMPLOYER SUPERANNUATION PAYMENT DATES 2012-2013QUARTER

CONTRIBUTION DUE DATE

1Jan-31March2012 1April-30June2012 1July-30Sept2012 1Oct-31Dec2012

28April2012 28July2012 28October2012 28January2013