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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports    
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Matthew Thistlethwaite, Deputy Assistant
Secretary
Matt, who commenced working with us in August, has had responsibility for a number of key public sector industries, including the power industry and health sector. Matt has also assisted in providing advice to affiliates in relation to a number of key legal reforms in both the State and Federal industrial jurisdictions Power IndustryDelta Electricity19 Day month dispute: - For the past twelve months Delta Electricity has been coercing employees to move from their traditional nine-day fortnight work pattern to a nineteen-day month, resulting in a protracted dispute with electricity unions. The matter was arbitrated in the Commission and an agreed moratorium on the transfer of employees to a nineteen-day month work pattern has been implemented. Fatigue policy: - Delta and affiliated unions recently negotiated a new policy on managing fatigue in the workplace. In adopting this policy Delta recently won a safety award at the Unions NSW Annual Safety Awards conference. Maintenance restructure: - Following the introduction of the National Electricity Market, Delta announced a number of organisational reforms aimed at changing production requirements and maintenance timetables. A lack of adequate consultation with the unions and subsequent problems with implementation of the new structure has resulted in ongoing disputation between unions and Delta. TransgridBare Hand Live Line Dispute: - Bare hand live linesmen perform maintenance work on live power lines in NSW and other States. Transgrid continues to develop new methods of performing such work, but are unwilling to provide adequate remuneration increases associated with skill development of such linesmen. After bans on the development of new methods were imposed by members, the matter was referred to the Commission. The matter remains unresolved and is the subject of continued conciliation. Macquarie GenerationMacquarie Generation and unions are currently in dispute regarding insufficient skills development programmes for trades and non-trades employees at Macquarie Power Stations. This matter is due to be arbitrated before the Commission in early 2005. RBMCFollowing the dissolution of Pacific Power, staff unable to be redeployed in the public sector were moved into the Residual Business Management Corporation (RBMC). In October 2004 the NSW Government made the remaining 35 RBMC employees compulsorily redundant, in breach of a commitment given to the union movement. After Commission proceedings staying this decision a working party of government and union representatives is currently working through the redeployment opportunities for the remaining RBMC staff, and it is anticipated that all RBMC staff shall be redeployed within the public sector in early 2005. NSW HealthMental Health Workers AllianceAs previously noted in November 2004 Labor Council and affiliated health unions launched the Mental Health Workers Alliance. Matthew was the Labor Council officer responsible for working with the Alliance. The MHWA surveyed over 650 employees working in the Mental Health Sector. The surveys formed the basis for a five-step plan to improve the mental health system in New South Wales. The Alliance has also held several meetings with the government, to push the concerns of workers in the mental health sector. Reform of Health AdministrationIn 2004 the NSW Government announced a significant re-structure of health administration in the State. The new plan, which involves a re-organisation and reconstitution of Area Health Services, has resulted in significant anxiety and uncertainty for workers. Labor Council and health unions are involved in a process of consultation and negotiation with NSW Health to ensure job security and the maintenance of wages and conditions for employees in this industry. Public SectorMatthew is currently involved in the re-negotiation of a number of other important public sector awards. Following the recent conclusion of the Public Sector Association's Work Value Claim, it is anticipated that improvements to wages and conditions will be negotiated into these awards in early 2005. Workplace FatalitiesMatthew has been involved in providing advice to affiliated unions in relation to a recent expert report commissioned by the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, in relation to workplace death. Matt has also been involved in negotiations with the NSW Government in relation to the Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Workplace Fatalities) Bill. Other responsibilitiesMatthew has represented the Labor Council on the following boards and committees:
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