Published: 29 May 2009
The Federal Government is in the process of introducing new labour laws that will provide the opportunity for workers to collectively bargain your employment agreements.
This right exists on all other areas of the industry such as on FPSO's and on construction projects. The conditions of employment in these areas are testament to the benefits that come with bargaining collectively as a union workforce.
Employer groups such as APPEA and AMMA will already be assisting their members (industry employers) to undermine your rights to be represented by your union.
It's interesting that employers support their rights to act as a collective through these associations, but are prepared to put so much energy into denying workers the same right. To be represented as a collective through your union membership.
Recognising the changing labour laws, employers have begun to introduce non union collective agreemens that closely resemble the provisions in the now banned individual contracts with a new title and a bonus attached as a carrot to agree to it. There's usually a condition that if the agreement is rejected the bonus is withdrawn as well. So in the absense of being organisied and knowing your rights these agreements are sometimes accepted reluctantly.
The Federal Government is in the process of introducing new labour laws that will provide the opportunity for workers to collectively bargain your employment agreements.
This right exists on all other areas of the industry such as on FPSO's and on construction projects. The conditions of employment in these areas are testament to the benefits that come with bargaining collectively as a union workforce.
Employer groups such as APPEA and AMMA will already be assisting their members (industry employers) to undermine your rights to be represented by your union.
It's interesting that employers support their rights to act as a collective through these associations, but are prepared to put so much energy into denying workers the same right. To be represented as a collective through your union membership.
Recognising the changing labour laws, employers have begun to introduce non union collective agreemens that closely resemble the provisions in the now banned individual contracts with a new title and a bonus attached as a carrot to agree to it. There's usually a condition that if the agreement is rejected the bonus is withdrawn as well. So in the absense of being organisied and knowing your rights these agreements are sometimes accepted reluctantly.
These agreements commonly have five year terms attached. That means for the next five years there's no ability for the workforce to bargain for roster improvements or anything else unless your employer agrees. But there'll be an ability for the employer to change aspects of the agreement such as rosters under wording such as 'subject to operational requirement'.
In an effort to avoid getting saddled with something you don't want, and to ensure you have some real input into all aspects of your conditions of employement you as a workforce need to prepare.
You need to have strong union membership on your rig.
You need to have an effective communication network between all crews and swings that ensures everyone is kept up to date with whats happening.
The MUA/AWU Alliance is committing considerable resources into ensuring you as a workforce have every ability to be represented into the future.
The Alliance has organisers based in Darwin and Perth that are dedicated to your industry.
But in the end any change can only be driven with your help.
These agreements commonly have five year terms attached. That means for the next five years there's no ability for the workforce to bargain for roster improvements or anything else unless your employer agrees. But there'll be an ability for the employer to change aspects of the agreement such as rosters under wording such as 'subject to operational requirement'.
In an effort to avoid getting saddled with something you don't want, and to ensure you have some real input into all aspects of your conditions of employement you as a workforce need to prepare.
You need to have an effective communication network between all crews and swings that ensures everyone is kept up to date with whats happening.
The MUA/AWU Alliance is committing considerable resources into ensuring you as a workforce have every ability to be represented into the future.
The Alliance has organisers based in Darwin and Perth that are dedicated to your industry.
But in the end any change can only be driven with your help.
