WaterNews Issue 1 2011 - ASU NSW

WATERNEWS
ISSUE 1•2011
ACTIVE STRONG UNITED
NSW ELECTION
Where the major parties stand on
the privatisation of Sydney and
Hunter Water
Victory over Sydney Water
in Work Value Case
P3 - CIVIL MAINTENANCE P4 - NSW ELECTION P6 - NSW MARITIME EBA & PARENTAL LEAVE THREAT
1

BRANCH EXECUTIVE
FROM THE SECRETARY
WORK VALUE CASE
PRESIDENT
Narelle Clay
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
John Maher
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Robert Mclean
VICE PRESIDENT (WOMEN)
Lyn Bevington
TREASURER
Geoff Fuller
BRANCH SECRETARY
Sally Mcmanus
DEPUTY BRANCH SECRETARY
Michael Flinn
VP (SYDNEY WATER)
Bill Wotton
VP (PORTS)
Nola Dyball
VP (TRANSPORT)
Robert Hucker
VP (INFO TECH)
Anthony Steel
VP (SACS)
Maree Mcdermott
VP (A, S & T)
Di Horafios
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(SYDNEY WATER)
Paul Muller
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(SYDNEY WATER)
Larissa Mckellar
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(TRANSPORT)
Dragan Bircevic
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(TRANSPORT)
Rodney Masters
EXEC COUNCILLOR (SACS)
Danna Nelse
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(A, S & T)
Craig Carr
EXEC COUNCILLOR (SACS)
Jorge Segovia
EXEC COUNCILLOR
(HUNTER WATER)
Peter Hull
YOUR WATER TEAM
WATER, HUNTER WATER AND PORTS
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT 2007 – 2011
PRESIDENT
Robert Mclean
VICE-PRESIDENT
Larissa Mckellar
BRANCH SECRETARY
Sally McManus
DEPUTY BRANCH SECRETARY
Michael Flinn
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Bill Wotton
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Jenny Tibbitts
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Paul Muller
TREASURER
Geoff Fuller
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Vaughn Francis
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Ray Gatley
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Brett Smith
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Alex Golovchenko
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jerry Evans
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Michael Talone
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jeff Mainstone
HUNTER WATER
PRESIDENT
Neil Gordon
VICE PRESIDENT
Greg O’donnelL
BRANCH SECRETARY
Sally McManus
DEPUTY BRANCH SECRETARY
Michael Flinn
DIVISIONAL SECRETARY
Jill Burke
DIVISIONAL ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
Bruce Lambert
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Peter Rowett
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Charles Blades
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Timothy Newell
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Peter Venaglia
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Melissa Hole
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Christopher Hill
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Peter Hull
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Craig Urquhart
Editorial Content: Sally McManus
Publications Coordinator: Jack Carnegie
We welcome your letters and comments
jack@asu.org.au
HOW TO CONTACT US
PHONE SYDNEY 9310 4000
OUTSIDE OF SYDNEY 1300 784 278
SYDNEY 39 - 47 RENWICK STREET REDFERN NSW
PO BOX 1865 STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
NEWCASTLE PO BOX 2268 DANGAR NSW 2309
LISMORE PO BOX 1056 LISMORE NSW 2480
LABOR is going to get a
thumping at the election
and there’s no doubt
they deserve it. However,
this provides some
serious issues for ASU
members.
As we go to press the
Coalition has responded
to our campaign against
privatisation of public
assets by announcing that it will not sell Sydney
Water and will keep Sydney Ferries, RailCorp and
State Transit in ‘’public hands”.
In a written response to my letter the Coalition
said that it had ‘’no plans to privatise either Sydney
Water or Hunter Water’’ and Sydney Ferries would
remain ‘’under government control’’ with a private
operator managing service delivery.
At the same time Barry O’Farrell has refused to
commit to funding wage increases that come out
of our Equal Pay Case for ASU members in the
community sector.
If the Coalition wins control of both houses of
parliament there will be NO checks and balances
on what they do. This is not good for democracy –
and history tells us government’s go TOO FAR when
they have this rare power. This is something we all
need to be very concerned about. If you don’t want
this to happen, you need to make sure you give
your Upper House votes to non-Liberal parties. For
example, if you vote number “1” for The Greens in
the Upper House your votes WILL NOT flow on to
other parties. You need to vote “2” above the line for
non-Coalition parties if you want them to get your
A new Liberal Government will
mean ASU members are likely to
find ourselves fighting on many
fronts – equal pay, privatisation
and public sector job cuts
preferences. You can also number all the boxes (or
as many as you like) above the line, in the order of
your preference.
A new Liberal/National Government will mean ASU
members are likely to find ourselves fighting on
many fronts – equal pay, some privatisation and
public sector job cuts. Whilst we can blame the
Labor party for this – it will be us who will need to
face the consequences and fight to defend our jobs
and services.
So, when you vote, remember what is at stake -
don’t give the new government total power and a
blank cheque.
We are committed to informing our members of
the positions of all the major parties in this election
– see election coverage pages 4 & 5.
Civil Maintenance
Work Value Case Win
NEW TECHNOLOGY REQUIRES NEW SKILLS
A few years ago Sydney Water management introduced what is called
Field Resource Management, otherwise known as FRM, into all Civil
Maintenance depots. This new technology, basically a small laptop,
is used to send jobs to crews out in the field, order new supplies,
request jobs or contractors, identify exactly where breaks and leaks are,
identifying customers that have their water shut off and those that are
entitled to reimbursement, the list goes on. It is a fairly complex and
sophisticated bit of equipment that requires significant skills to use. ASU
members in the depots went to Sydney Water and said that, as they work
under a competency based system, they should be paid an allowance
for the extra skills required to operate FRM. After all, that is supposed to
be the point of a competency based pay system, not that Sydney Water
seem to understand this as their answer was simply no.
EMPLOYEES WERE NOT GETTING PAID FOR THEIR SKILLS
What became clear as we fought with Sydney Water over this issue
was that Civil Maintenance Production Employees were using far
greater skills and working far more productively than what
they were getting paid for. Members decided that as part of
the last Agreement negotiations they wanted to claim for
all of these changes. They haven’t been able to get their
jobs re-evaluated like other workers in Sydney Water
and so have not had their pay rates updated since
1991.
SYDNEY WATER DENIED THEY HAD SKILLED
WORKERS
This led us to Fair Work Australia and a Work
Value case. Sydney Water fought us the whole
way. They claimed that driving a backhoe was
‘just like driving a car’, they claimed that using
FRM was like ‘using an ATM’ with their general
arguments being that in 1991 Production
Employees dug holes, and now they just dig
holes in a different way.
WE PROVED WORK VALUE HAD INCREASED
On Friday the 25th of March, after months of
evidence and legal argument, Deputy President
Sams of Fair Work Australia ruled that the ASU
had proved that the work value of Production
Employees had increased and that workers should
be paid a 3% increase in their wage. This means a
pay increase for all Production Employees and a great
victory for members.
Some delegates and members spent hours, even days, writing
detailed statements and appearing in court as witnesses and
must be congratulated on this victory.
Civil Maintenance Production
Employees (levels1-6) were
using far greater skills and
working far more productively
than what they were getting
paid for.
Published March 2011
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
2
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG.

The ASU has written to Labor, Liberals
and The Greens asking them for their
positions on the following:
1. Funding the Equal Pay Case, when we win it
2. Keeping Sydney Water and Hunter Water in public hands,
including keeping the maintenance functions of these Utilities
in public hands
3. Keeping RailCorp, Sydney Ferries and STA in public hands
Here are their responses, in the order of when
we received them.
FUNDING OUR EQUAL
PAY CASE
The Greens are fully committed to the ASU’s Equal
Pay for Equal Work campaign, particularly that
the NSW Government must fund its share of the
outcome of the ASU Equal Pay case before Fair
Work Australia.
The Greens believe that equal work deserves equal pay. We believe
that the social and community services sector represents some of the
finest and most committed workers in our society, and that without full
government support for the cost impact of the equal pay case, the very
principle of equality will be lost. Services will be dramatically reduced
because the cost impact of that wage increase will fall on the social and
community sector employers and their clients.
The Government supports the ASU in making its
application to Fair Work Australia. ––-Community
and disability workers perform important services
for some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable
members of our community. I believe that generally,
pay rates for these workers do not adequately reflect
the value of the work that they do and I am confident
that Fair Work Australia will award fair wage increases
to them.
As the ASU is aware, final submissions in the
case are scheduled for April 2011. The proper
management of public finances does not allow a
commitment to an unknown result - but if Labor is re-elected you can
be assured of a prompt and practical response to the decision of Fair
Work Australia. I would also note that the NSW Government has acted
to fully fund the last two SACS award increases, well before the former
federal government responded.
The NSW Government also has a strong record in the area of
community services, including providing record funding for disability
services, community services, homelessness services and in domestic
violence assistance. These services are delivered by highly skilled and
committed workers who deserve a fair wage increase and I wish the
ASU every success in their case.
In relation to the issues of wage increases
for non-government social and community
services workers that arise out of the ASU case
before Fair Work Australia, the NSW Liberals
& Nationals are paying attention to this
case – and will make a decision based on the
outcome.
KEEPING SYDNEY WATER
AND HUNTER WATER
IN PUBLIC HANDS,
INCLUDING KEEPING
THE MAINTENANCE
FUNCTIONS OF THESE
UTILITIES IN PUBLIC
HANDS
The Greens believe that keeping all of the state’s water assets in public
hands is crucial to controlling household water bills and protecting
jobs, working conditions, communities, water quality and reliability and
the environment. We are committed to opposing any sell-off of Sydney
Water and Hunter Water.
Our fear is that Sydney Water and Hunter Water will die the death
of a thousand cuts as activities such as maintenance, operations and
information technology are outsourced and key assets such as supply
and sewer mains are leased to the private sector.
We are also concerned about the continued private involvement in
the operation of the water filtration plants in Sydney’s supply system.
We believe these plants should be publicly owned and operated and
will continue to work for their return to public control.
The Greens will also continue to oppose the Coalition’s plan to lease
the Kurnell desalination plant to the private sector.
Labor will keep essential water in public hands. Fairness for Families will
protect Sydney Water, Hunter Water and State Water as public utilities
by law, as well as the desalination plant. This will mean that it will
take an Act of Parliament to sell, transfer or otherwise privatise these
essential services. This will stop the price gouging that has been seen in
other jurisdictions as a result of water privatisations.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have no plans to privatise either Sydney
Water or Hunter Water.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will enter into a long-term lease
contract for the Kurnell Desalination Plant. The proceeds from the lease
will be transferred to the Restart NSW fund.
The Greens oppose the privatisation of public utilities, services and Labor will support local jobs and keep public transport services in
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have no plans to privatise RailCorp or
other essential infrastructure, including transport. Public ownership public hands.
State Transit Authority (STA). In relation to Sydney Ferries, it will remain
protects the public interest. Privatisation places at risk the environment, More than 31,000 workers are employed across the NSW public
under government control and will have a private operator managing
KEEPING RAILCORP,
employment, working conditions, safety, services and, in some cases, transport system - driving buses, cleaning stations, serving customers the service delivery.
SYDNEY FERRIES AND
revenue streams for government.
and keeping our rail network running 24 hours a day, seven days a
The NSW Liberals & Nationals have committed to an Integrated
The privatisation of RailCorp, Sydney Ferries and STA would deliver week.
Transport Authority. It will improve the delivery of public transport
STA IN PUBLIC HANDS
profits for corporations at the expense of the NSW taxpayer, increase The last time the Coalition was in power in NSW they slashed more services by better co-ordinating different transport modes, and
fares, reduce services and cause job losses.
than 8,000 transport jobs. The Opposition has now revealed they will enabling more efficient delivery of major transport infrastructure
The Greens will introduce legislation to stop any government selling, privatise Sydney Ferries, putting 600 local jobs at risk, and Mike Baird projects.
leasing out or disposing of an asset or service without the approval of says CityRail will be next.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will be releasing more practical and
both houses of parliament and a substantial public debate.
Labor will keep Sydney Ferries, the STA and RailCorp in public hands positive policies in the coming weeks.
WATERNEWS and protect local jobs.
WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
4 SACSNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG.AU Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
4 5
5

NSW MARITIME
ASU members at NSW Maritime have endorsed a new
Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, concluding nearly twelve
months of negotiation and securing several significant
victories for the membership, without having to trade-off
conditions.
The new Agreement, which is scheduled to be ratified by
the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission on
The success of this campaign can be directly attributed to a united
and active union membership and the incredible dedication and
hard work of ASU delegates on the ground.
Members endorse new
Enterprise Agreement
• New “Purchased Leave” provision;
• Increased union delegate representation on Maritime
Consultative Committee and new provisions for regionally
based union delegates;
Union Delegates organised a mass meeting on February 25
to discuss the (then draft) document and pass a resolution.
The union meeting had representatives from the ASU, MUA,
AMOU and AIMPE present and almost all of the feedback
was very positive. The meeting passed a unanimous resolution
to accept the offer and endorse the new Enterprise
Agreement.
WATER TEAM
Long-term Water member
joins ASU as Organiser
After 33 years with Sydney water , including 17 years as a
Union Delegate, Mick Woods has resigned and joined the
ASU as an Organiser.
ASU Secretary Sally McManus said that having a long- term
delegate like Mick step up and take on the challenge of
being an Organiser is a fantastic thing for the members and
the Union as a whole.
IT’S GREAT TO GET ONE OF OUR OWN
“There is nothing better for a Union when one of its
members steps up like this. All the experience and all the
knowledge Mick has gained from over 30 years at Sydney
Water can now be used, full-time, for the members”.
Mick has seen drastic reductions in the size of
the workforce in Sewerage Maintenance on
the south coast where he worked – dropping
from 200 to 28 men, mainly because of the
contracting out of work.
March 10, secures a 12 per cent pay rise for all workers (to
be delivered at 4 per cent per year) and will be back dated
to July 1, 2010.
Other important wins include:
• Improved sick leave provisions – including guaranteed
special Sick Leave for long term or serious illness;
• Better process for Time In Lieu accrual and payments;
• Fairer Annual Leave accrual for part-time employees (all
additional hours will now be counted for Annual Leave up
to a Full-Time Equivalent)
• Allowances to be increased (including Gym Allowance
and Child Care subsidy);
• Child care assistance is extended to a per child basis
(rather than per employee);
Parental Leave
Sydney Water tries to wind
back the clock
WE AIM TO KEEP WHAT WE WON
The ASU won a great victory in our last Sydney Water Enterprise
Agreement, an increase to 18 weeks paid maternity leave for
new mums and an increase to 6 weeks leave for the partners of
new mums. This means that new dads and partners could have
6 weeks off when their baby was born, along with the babies
mum.
IT’S IMPORTANT FOR BOTH PARENTS TO BE AROUND
The first 6 weeks is one of the most important times in a babies
life, the mother is still recovering from birth, particularly if they
have had a caesarean or other surgery, and the family is getting
used to having a new little person around. There is housework
to be done, a lot more washing and a lot less sleep. Having that
time at home with a new baby allows a new dad to connect with
their kid and learn how to help look after it. A new study from
The success of this campaign can be directly attributed to
a united and active union membership and the incredible
dedication and hard work of ASU delegates on the
ground. Strong communication kept members up to date
with the progress of negotiations and was vital in keeping
the pressure on management. ASU delegates Warrick Scott,
Leslie Brix-Nielsen, Kate Stanton, Amanda Jones and Bahram
Abedi did a fantastic job representing member’s views in the
negotiation, holding management to account and keeping
everyone in the loop.
This campaign demonstrates that when members have a
clear strategy and are united behind a common goal, we can
achieve significant wins.
Newcastle University has shown that having both parents
around at this time is important in a child’s development.
This new right is even more important at Sydney Water
as its workforce is almost seventy five percent men. It
is astounding then that Sydney Water have applied to
Fair Work Australia for these rights to stripped away and
the old rates of leave to be reinstated (14 weeks for new
mums and only 1 week for dads). They are directly attacking
the rights of new dads and partners to spend time at
home with their children.
The ASU has had multiple meetings with Sydney Water,
trying to come to some agreement, or compromise that
would mean these important new rights are maintained,
but they have refused every time. The case is to be held
over the coming months at Fair Work Australia. Sydney
Water have said that they will pay the new rates until the
case has been determined, so make sure you get what
you are entitled to. The ASU will be fighting this all the
way to keep hard won rights and conditions in our Enterprise
Agreement.
“I’m really excited about the new job,” said Mick, “I know
the challenges that face us and I want to defend what those
members before us have fought for. I can’t wait to get into
it, I’m totally committed to the Union and the members and
working towards our goals”.
JOB SECURITY & MAINTAINING CONDITIONS ARE
THE PRIORITY
Mick sees the greatest issues facing Water members is
the uncertainty surrounding the future of their jobs and
maintaining current levels of pay and conditions. Mick has
seen drastic reductions in the size of the workforce in Water
& Sewerage Maintenance on the south coast where he
Win back your Union Fees!
or win one of two $250 cash prizes
• Register and sign-up for
eNews online = 2 entries
• Make an electrical or Motor
Market purchase = 5 entries
Offer valid 1 February – 30 April 2011
* For terms and conditions please visit
www.unionshopper.com.au/feesrefund
Winners will be drawn on Tuesday 10th May 2011
Participating brands include:
register your union membership
and sign-up for our regular
enewsletters on our website
or make a purchase with Union
Shopper’s electrical or Motor Market
services and you’ll automatically be
in the running.
Mick Woods and Stuart Hatter with members at Potts Hill
worked – dropping from 200 to 28 men, mainly because of
the contracting out of work.
Find out more at
www.unionshopper.com.au/feesrefund
STUART HATTER MOVES ON
Mick is replacing Stuart Hatter who is moving on to new
challenges after five years with the ASU. On behalf of all
Sydney Water members, we thank Stuart for his tireless work
supporting ASU members and delegates over the years and
wish him well for the future.
Big Savings for Union Members
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
6 7

Tuncurry
getaway
OPEN TO ALL UNION MEMBERS
Situated near the waterfront at Tuncurry, the ASU’s holiday apartments offer first class
accommodation for all union members from as low as $230 per week*. Each two bedroom
apartment is completely self contained and includes: a large, fully equipped kitchen, lock
up garage, close to boating facilities, an ‘under-sail’ courtyard and BBQ area and complete
laundry facilities. To book one of these immaculate apartments contact Forster-Tuncurry
First National Real Estate, 25 Manning Street, Tuncurry NSW 2428. Phone: 02 6554 5011.
* WINTER RATES
WATERNEWS WWW.ASUMEMEBRS.ORG. Authorised By Sally McManus, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch
8