Metal workers launch industry-wide campaign

January 19, 2000
Issue 

By Chris Spindler

Mass meetings of unionists who are part of the Metal Trades Federation of Unions have overwhelmingly endorsed a log of claims and campaign strategy for "Campaign 2000", which aims to end enterprise bargaining and move to an industry-wide claim.

The mass meetings, held on November 24, were the biggest for years despite attempts by the Australian Industry Group (metal industry bosses) to scuttle the meetings through orders of the Industrial Relations Commission. at The Geelong meeting of 600 passed a motion condemning the AIG for its undemocratic attempt to outlaw meetings of workers.

The aim of Campaign 2000 is to end the disunity that enterprise bargaining has brought, each enterprise looking after itself in isolation from the shops around the corner. Unifying the industry will make it possible to achieve a decent deal for the industry across the board; that can lift small and industrially weaker workshops to a better standard than they would otherwise achieve.

If the industry is united, which hasn't been the case under the EBA system, it starts to cut out the bosses' argument, "If you go for a pay rise, you'll be out of work because down the road they get much less".

It will also stop the practice of awarding work to the company that can rip off its workers the most. It will also help stop the contracting out of work from the better organised shops to the less well paid shops.

Wages are only part of the claim. The log which was endorsed includes:

  • an industry-wide pattern agreement;

  • protection of all existing award and agreement rights;

  • right of entry for union organisers to sites and recognition of shop steward rights;

  • 6% pay increase per year and compensation for the GST;

  • improved health and safety

  • better job security, including portable entitlements, improved long service and redundancy;

  • protection for permanent workers against casualisation;

  • increased apprentices intake;

  • income protection insurance;

  • additional paid leisure time.

The log of claims pays special attention to job security and quality of life. Under the award the maximum redundancy pay out is eight weeks. Casuals represent some 25% of the industry, and workers' entitlements have in the past been used to pay company debts when companies close down.

Because of these facts, security for workers' entitlements in separate funds, making casual hire more expensive for companies and a redundancy package will be big ticket items.

A shorter working week, income protection and increased attention to health and safety will address the desperate need for tougher safety standards and reduced stress at work. The campaign is now looking to gain recognition from the AIG that it has to bargain on behalf of the bosses in the industry while the workers will be represented by the union.

Pressure will be placed on companies and the AIG if they refuse to negotiate or an offer is not satisfactory. With the whole industry behind this campaign, the industrial muscle will be substantial.

Historical precedents have shown that collective agreements do offer workers better deals across the board. For example, the Geelong Area Agreement, negotiated between the MTFU and the AIG representing some 30 companies, resulted in a 15% wage increase, superannuation, control over casuals and severance pay.

The Email national agreement brought a common expiry date for all sites, paid trade union training, an 8% pay increase, control over casuals and contractors and improved redundancy. The Altona, construction and labour hire agreements are all examples of collective agreements that add strength to the unions' claims.

Peter Reith has voiced his opposition to Campaign 2000 and is attempting to outlaw it. The unions' strategy is to continue mass meetings and developing the campaign to ensure a good agreement for all members come July.

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