| This week’s seen the Union active across several fronts to protect member’s pay and conditions: In the FairWork commission, at yards, and elsewhere. This week, we joined delegates from Armaguard in the ongoing fight for a fair go from the big bank and retailer clients, where we’re seeking world-first standards for the cash-in-transit industry. Meanwhile, Team Jetstar cabin crew have voted up an agreement variation that will give them over $8000 a year more in their wallets. We have more to say on this victory below. As you read this, our team is hard at work on legislative reform for owner-drivers and gig economy workers that will be introduced to the NSW Parliament next week. I look forward to sharing more about this with you. We are relentless, and will not rest until we see these fights through. There’s a lot more to come in the coming weeks. |
FIGHTING FOR WORLD-FIRST STANDARDS AT THE FAIRWORK COMMISSION
This week, the TWU and Armaguard delegates were at the FairWork commission, seeking world-first contract chain standards to hold the big bank and retailer clients to account, and to make sure the cash-in-transit industry is safe, viable and sustainable.
This is part of an ongoing fight where we’re asking clients to step-up to safeguard the industry. For too long they’ve relentlessly squeezed Armaguard while recording high profits for themselves at the top of the supply chain.
It’s ambitious, but we’ll work tirelessly to get the outcome the industry needs.
State secretary Richard Olson said, “I want to congratulate Gavin Webb, the workers at the TWU, and the delegates and members from Armaguard for their continuing efforts. This is an ongoing fight, but we are relentless, and we’ll see this through to the end.”
TEAM JETSTAR VARIATION VOTED UP
Some more great news this week, as Jetstar cabin crew have voted for an agreement that will give them and fellow labour hire colleagues at Altara more than $8000 a year in additional pay.
This was possible thanks to immense pressure put on Jetstar through the Union’s Same Job Same Pay application, which was possible after the reform implemented by the Federal Labor Government after campaigning from the TWU.
Among other victories, we’ve secured improvement to conditions for Altara labour hire cabin crew including a $3.59 per hour base rate increase, a training payment of $2500 on graduation and $1750 after six months, and 100 new permanent full-time positions, to be finalised by the end of the year.
We’ve also secured back pay to 1 November 2024.
This result puts the rest of the sector on notice: Pay your workers fairly, because the parlour games won’t last.
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN TRANSPORT
Saturday the 8th of March was International Women’s Day.
In an industry that largely skews male, the TWU is proud of the contributions women make to the industry, who stand shoulder to shoulder with their male peers and bring their own skills and perspectives to the table.
The TWU reflected on the contributions of women throughout the day, including at Hamilton where the Newcastle sub-branch, including sub-branch secretary Mick Forbes, joined Hunter Workers in marching in support of union women.
TWU official and Hunter Worker Woman’s Committee Member Rebecca Hopkins said, “It’s great to see such overwhelming support, from both women and men in our community!”
THANK YOU CARL
Carl Leinonen, a specialist in union organising from the United States and longtime friend of the TWU, came out of retirement to visit Australia these last few weeks and work with the TWU on effective strategy for the years ahead.
State Secretary Richard Olsen thanked Carl for his years of support to the union this week, saying, “Carl’s expertise and passion for workers has been of great help to the TWU these last few decades. We thank him for coming out of retirement to help us strategise on the years ahead, and he’ll always have mates on this side of the Pacific.”
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