Talking union

June 3, 1992
Issue 

  • The federal Industrial Relations Commission last week delivered its ruling on the ACTU-employer requested streamlining of union coverage at universities and tertiary colleges. Unions representing workers in the area will be reduced from 40 to six, which will be the miscellaneous workers' union, the State Public Services Federation, the Health Services Union, the Federated Clerks, the metalworkers' union (MEWU), and the Colleges and Universities Staff Association (ACUSA).

MELBOURNE — Construction electricians at Toyota's new $420 million plant at Altona imposed indefinite work bans last week over a greenfield single-union deal between the ACTU and the company. The deal will hand sole coverage of the plant's 2500 workers to the vehicle builders' union (VBEF), excluding the electricians' union (ETU). The electricians have rejected a proposal that ETU members be employed at the plant as contractors.

  • The Ford plant in Geelong has announced plans to cut another 115 jobs, initially through a voluntary redundancy offer. The plant will also close for a day in mid-July and possibly two days in November. "We're producing more cars than we can sell", said company representative Michael Jarvis.

PERTH — The Seamen's Union of Australia continues its struggle against the North Broken Hill-Peko subsidiary Robe River Iron Associates. The unionists' regular vigil protesting against the sacking of tug operators from Cape Lambert takes place every Thursday lunchtime, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., outside the offices of Robe and Mitsui Ltd (12 St Georges Tce and 221 St Georges Tce, Perth). Supporters are welcome.

SYDNEY — Finance consultant Peat Marwick has released a report revealing that banks and other finance institutions struggling with the aftermath of the '80s boom will cut another 5000 jobs by the end of 1993. More workers will be pushed into part-time employment. The industry has already cut 15,000 jobs in the past 18 months. The work force is expected to stabilise around 215,000.

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