Information Centre
Catalogue
Labour Review
Ask Neale
Book a cottage @ Currawong Beach
Labor Links

What's Going On?
Events
Circulars
Todays Meetings
Minutes

Annual Reports
Latest Reports
Past Reports

printer-friendly version

• Building & Construction Industry
• a) The Building & Construction Unions Pact
• b) Project Award Template
• c) Build A Life Campaign
• d) Compliance Issues
• e) Building Industry Royal Commission
• f) Major Project Disputes
• i) Walsh Bay
• ii) Westfields Bondi Junction
• Memorandum of Understanding – Department of Public Works & Services
• Local Government Memorandum of Understanding
• National Rugby League Dispute
• Labor Hire
• Ribs ‘n’ Rumps Immigration Scandal
• Other Responsibilities

Chris Christodoulou, Deputy Assistant Secretary Organising

	Chris Christodolou
	Deputy Assistant Secretary Organising

Chris was involved in a range of activities during 2002, including responsibility for the building and construction industry, labour hire matters, and contracting and compliance issues with Department of Public Works and Services.

Building & Construction Industry

During the year Chris, along with Adam Kerslake, have concentrated their efforts in implementing a far-reaching agenda, which was set in place by building and construction union secretaries in November 2001. Building and Construction unions are the CFMEU, ETU, Plumbers, AMWU, AWU and TWU. The agenda amongst other things included:

• Forming a PACT amongst building unions.
• Rolling out a new Project Award Template on major construction sites.
• Assisting the Building & Construction unions achieve shorter hours through their EBA round (Build A Life Campaign).
• Increasing delegate and officials awareness of the threat of the non-union sector through education and training.
• Continuing to explore non-compliance issues in the building industry particularly on Government jobs.

When one considers how ambitious this agenda was (particularly in an environment where the Howard Government’s Royal Commission into the Building Industry loomed as a real political and industrial threat to the unions) the results thus far have been very good.

For his part, Chris was involved in the following:

a) The Building & Construction Unions Pact

The Pact was a crucial element in getting each of the unions to work more closely together. The Pact was never going to resolve all the issues that have sometimes divided the Unions in the past, however it has been particularly helpful in commercial building sector where the CFMEU and ETU have formed a very potent industrial alliance.

Chris has continued to work at resolving demarcation issues, particularly in civil construction between the AWU and CFMEU. This longstanding matter has plagued the industry for over a decade and resolution will not be easy.

To the credit of all unions (CFMEU, ETU, Plumbers, AWU, TWU and AMWU) they have contributed a total of $15,000 towards the campaigns associated with the Pact.

b) Project Award Template

All the Building & Construction Unions have worked closely together to implement a new Project Award Template, which the unions collectively designed earlier this year under the Labor Council’s guidance. The Template sets new standards in delegates’ rights, superannuation, redundancy, immigration, death cover and compliance.

The Project Award Template or hybrids, thereof have been implemented this year on a range of major sites including:

• No. 1 Margaret Street
• No. 1 Fire Station
• Pfizer Administration Site
• Erina Fair Shopping Centre
• George Street Moonfare Project
• Kempsey Gaol
• Westfields Bondi Junction
• Wetherill Park Shopping Centre
• Gazebo Hotel Project
• Dilwinia Correctional Centre

In addition, after lengthy negotiations with the Master Builders Association (MBA), the Office of the Employee Advocate and John Hollands, a Federal Government Project version of the Template was agreed for the Lucas Heights facility.

A number of companies including Walters, Lend Lease, Multiplex and Grocon have agreed, in principle, to implement key aspects of the Project Template Award for major building sites in 2003.

c) Build A Life Campaign

The “Build A Life” campaign has been the centrepiece of the Building and Construction Union EBA round.

Most EBAs expired in October 2002. Many building unions and, in particular, the CFMEU and ETU have secured the introduction of a 36 hour week plus a 12% wage increase over a three year period with a range of companies. The 36 hour week will be implemented in the form of 6 long weekends a year where building workers will enjoy a paid Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Public Holiday) and RDO Tuesday off as part of these long weekend breaks.

During the course of the negotiations and industrial campaign, Chris has been involved in Commission Conferences and Master Builders Association discussions to assist the parties.

At the time of writing this report over 5,000 building workers have secured their EBA agreement with the campaign continuing into 2003.

d) Compliance Issues

Once again the Labor Council was requested to highlight non-compliance in the building and construction industry.

A number of significant disputes involving construction unions were brought to the State Government’s attention including disputes with subcontractors working for Hansen & Yuncken, Multiplex and Lipman Pty Ltd. The CFMEU’s exposure of the immigration scam involving South African labour and the death of workers at Lake Cargelligo highlights the need for an all of Government approach to the building industry.

The State Government has recently announced measures to improve compliance in terms of payroll tax and WorkCover premiums. However time will tell whether it has a real effect on the industry. In addition, the Labor Council co-ordinated a unions response to the redevelopment of the NSW Building Code of Conduct during 2002.

e) Building Industry Royal Commission

During 2002 the Building Industry Royal Commission came to New South Wales. Labor Council deliberately played a minimum role in the proceedings so that our resources weren’t diverted from our campaign and industrial agenda. However, Labor Council supported and organized a number of rallies outside the Commission.

f) Major Project Disputes

i) Walsh Bay

The largest building site in Sydney, Walsh Bay, was subjected to industrial disputes as building workers sought to review the site agreement to improve parking, site allowances, superannuation, death cover, delegates rights and immigration compliance.

The Labor Council co-ordinated the negotiations and a satisfactory outcome was finally won following four weeks of negotiations.

ii) Westfields Bondi Junction

Westfield - Bondi Junction was another major dispute during the course of the year, which saw industrial action taken in support of a new project award including a site allowance and the introduction of shutdown weekends consistent with the “Build A Life Campaign”. Again the campaign was successful and Labor Council played an important role in facilitating the negotiations.

Memorandum of Understanding – Department of Public Works & Services

In April of last year a Memorandum of Understanding was finally signed off with Minister Iemma, which commits the government, and, in particular, the DPWS to only do business with companies who comply with all employment and related laws. This agreement has taken over twelve (12) months to negotiate and recognizes the role of the unions in ensuring companies abide by the law. Labor Council hopes that in 2003 affiliates take advantage of the MOU to expose any companies, which do not comply.

Local Government Memorandum of Understanding

Following the arrangements set with the DPWS the Labor Council has embarked upon a plan to have a similar MOU with key local councils in the Sydney Region.

Holroyd Council has been the first to sign up. The Labor Council, MEU and other contracting unions intend to secure similar agreements in 2003.

National Rugby League Dispute

The TCFUA were successful during 2002 in signing an historic agreement with the National Rugby League (NRL) over the production of Licensed Goods eg: football jerseys. The Labor Council assisted during the course of the negotiations and will continue to play a role as requested by the TCFUA to ensure all licensees of the NRL comply with the newly signed agreement.

Labor Hire

During the course of the year Chris, along with representatives from the CFMEU and NUW have participated in a Department of Industrial Relations Working Party to try and reach agreement on a licensing regime for the labor hire industry.

In addition, Council has foreshadowed a test case with respect to regulating the labor hire industry with a view to securing host employer rates of pay and conditions for labour hire employees. Preliminary work has been done and a final decision on both the Test Case and form of regulation we support or campaign for will be taken in 2003.

Ribs ‘n’ Rumps Immigration Scandal

Last year we highlighted the inappropriate use of Business Visas with respect to seven stonemasons at a Hindu Temple in Helensburgh. The issue of the inappropriate use of visas continued throughout 2002 and was highlighted by the action taken by the CFMEU and the Labor Council against the Ribs ‘n’ Rumps Seafood Restaurant chain on Sydney’s North Shore.

Other Responsibilities

Chris continues to play an active role on the following bodies:

• Sydney Olympic Park Authority

• Wollongong Sportsground Trust

• Correctional Services Industry Consultative Council

• NSW Construction Roundtable

• Building Apprentices Training Limited (BATL)

« Previous | Highlights | Contents | Next »
Print version | Download PDF

© Unions NSW 2001.
Unions NSW
Level 3, 4-10 Goulburn St,
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 9881 5999 Fax: (02) 9261 3505

URL: http://council.labor.net.au/annual_reports/2002/2002-Chris.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 08-Nov-2006 16:29:41 EST

Unions NSW is proudly created, designed and programmed by
Social Change Online for Unions NSW