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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
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Ernie Razborsek – Industrial Officer (Northern)
Ernie Razborsek based in Newcastle continued his various duties as a regional Industrial Officer for the Northern Region which included his carriage of the corporatised Power Generator, Macquarie Generation. Although a new three year award was struck last year, a considerable number of outstanding matters have occupied Ernie's time this year at Macquarie Generation. Restructuring issues, disputes over annualised salaries, and OHS problems have been Ernie’s focus in an attempt to finalise all outstanding arrangements to ensure a clean slate, ready for the next round of award negotiations. A number of issues have been outstanding for a long period of time causing discontent and mistrust among members employed at Macquarie Generation; to the extent that the Industrial Relation Commission of New South Wales has become involved in resolving the workers’ concerns. A strategic plan is being put in place to come to terms with the problem and hopefully issues will be dealt with and finalised in 2001. Ernie is located in the offices at the Newcastle Trades Hall Council and also has the title of Industrial Officer for the Trades Hall. The Trades Hall recently elected a new Secretary, Gary Kennedy, following the retirement of Peter Barrack after 20 years service. Ernie also assisted in a number of major issues including the Nurses campaign against the privatisation of the Mater Hospital. Ernie was closely involved in assisting the TCFUA in the National Textiles closure and assisting the workers campaign for their entitlements. This campaign again highlighted the lack of legislative protection for workers’ entitlements when companies fail. Activity in the building and construction industry has been slow this year according to Ernie, with the Redbank Power Station project finishing early in 2001 and the Port Waratah Coal Services expansion being the only big project under construction. Ernie has negotiated Agreements for some smaller projects, including a rail spur for Bayswater Colliery and (hopefully) an expansion of the coal preparation plant at Camberwell Mine. Whilst the engineering construction industry is slow, disputes in these areas grow, with Ernie being kept busy on the sites and in the Commission, dealing with various matters mainly contractors not complying with Agreements. Ernie has again this year assisted the Hunter Water Corporation Employees Association with a series of issues involving The Hunter Water Corporation and it's wholly owned subsidiary, Hunter Water Australia. The two entities have been difficult to negotiate with concerning a new salaries classification structure for HWC. The Management has attempted to introduce a regime which would have disadvantaged 75% of the employees, many by more than $10,000 per year. The Corporation was so determined and inflexible in its approach that the Association was forced to have the matter arbitrated and was successful in combating the attacks of the Corporation. The Corporation is now obliged to negotiate the matter, losing 12 months in the process and at an unknown cost to Hunter consumers. HWA is attempting to introduce a non-union agreement into the organisation which creates a climate for a major dispute in 2001. The year 2000 has kept Ernie involved in representing Labor Council on a number of organisations including a replacement organisation for the Local Aboriginal Employment Project, after the members lost confidence in the Hunter Area Consultative Committee. He has also worked closely with the ACTU on Aboriginal matters, particularly concerning industrial awards for ATSIC'S Community Development and Employment Projects. Previous
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