Electricity, Water and Utilities
Electricity, Water and Utilities
7 reasons Evoenergy workers should vote NO to the company’s poor EBA
1. Insulting 2% pay offer
Evoenergy is using the pandemic as cover to insult workers with the worst pay offer put to a vote in more than 30 years
2. Every substantial worker claim rejected
Management refused to listen or negotiate, rejecting every substantial
employee claim
3. Call-out payments slashed
Management wants to dump the longstanding agreement on the standalone provision for call-outs. This would cut pay and disadvantage workers
4. Income Protection rights slashed
Evoenergy will force you to take 20 days sick leave before accessing Income Protection – this is double what it is now
5. All allowances frozen for 3 years
The real value of all your Allowances will decline: ELA, On-Call, Meal & more
6. Removal of the Attraction & Retention Allowance for new employees
This would make new workers second-class and sow division in the future
7. We deserve & can achieve better!
You deserve much better than this insulting offer. Vote NO to send management back to the bargaining table
Send a strong message to Evoenergy: Vote NO to defend our hard-won conditions, now and for the future. Let’s stick together for the better outcome you deserve.
More information: contact your ETU delegate or ETU organiser Matt McCann matt.mccann@etunsw.com.au 0416 236 646
47 questions ETU put to Ausgrid on proposal to massively increase contracting out
21. Skills shortage tasks (tower refurbishment) has the ability to be brought back in house through training, how is this not a more practical approach to an evident problem?
22. Ausgrid has proposed to include running of new aerial conductors by contractors, given that there have been numerous occasions where contractors have ignored cable indications (ABC) and only checked phasing rather than correct identification as well as phasing could create significant problems particularly during storm events. How would Ausgrid ensure excellence in delivery from contractors?
23. How would the outsourcing of defect rectification works apply when most defects requiring rectification come from contract delivered works (excluding the aged/weathered assets)?
34. We find it quite ironic that Ausgrid have outsourced (Pegasus) the policing and verification of competency of contractors, more money wasted.
35. Ausgrid could save millions of dollars by doing away with contracting altogether and moving staff from contract works to design and engineering arms of the business to increase work output to be delivered to the field services arm.
36. In the first consultation (Dial In) it was stated that that this consultation is independent of any other transformation programs, we argue that it is directly bound to the assurances given at the restructuring committee that contracting out was not an avenue Ausgrid would pursue after current contracts ran out. Ausgrid argued and distributed material that Ausgrid as a network business would "simply perform less work" requiring a smaller workforce. To say we are now too far behind to complete works ourselves indicates Ausgrid is either lying/hiding figures or there is pressure from external parties to renew contracts.
37. What services suit external companies? If there is a need for a certain service, then training should be the first priority to deliver these services.
38. Why would Ausgrid want to waste money/potentially waste money on a theory that end to end delivery by external contractors could deliver positive project outcomes when we have proven positive outcomes internally?
39. We are very concerned that "testing market capabilities " is very important to Ausgrid, this appears to be a business that wants to win the Tour de France without pedalling a bike (reap benefits of owning a distribution network without the outlays of staffing overheads to maintain it).
40. The contracts for tower refurbishment were put in place in 2016, between then and now there has been plenty of time to train under-utilised staff in performing this task (knowing these contracts would eventually expire). Why has training not been given any thought or priority given considering the amount of time Ausgrid has had to develop its business to maximise efficiency unless its goal is purely to outsource.
42. Ausgrid have expressed that they need these contracts in place at the expiration of old contracts, why is there a rush? If there is no works for a contractor to perform then there is going to be no urgency for a contracting company to mobilise a workforce in a major event.
43. It was mentioned that Ausgrid need these contracts to deliver adequate response in major events, how much would a contract to 'stand by' cost the company? Also, what kind of 'reserve' numbers are we looking at having contractors deploy?
44. Given the unpredictability of major events (could be the entirety of contract without one) what level of work would be guaranteed to a contractor (if zero I would think their 'stand by' fee would be astronomical) to ensure they had the required amount of staff to ably assist Ausgrid staff in such events?
45. For Contractors to work on the network they are required to hold current mandatory training requirements. Ausgrid's training section has been decimated in previous restructures and the recent C0VID19 has seen class sizes dramatically reduced and cross contamination across regions has restricted people travelling out of area for training. How does Ausgrid propose to train contractors given that some of the training requirements are in house only?
46. Ausgrid recently extended its grace period for expired quals to three months as they cannot keep up with the demand for its internal staff. How will Ausgrid train external contractors?
47. Has Ausgrid talked to their workforce about how to do more in house? Poor communication and poor planning have meant the workers being underutilized have many suggestions for improvements in efficiencies but are not being heard or worse, ignored. Workers are ready and willing to work to reduce backlog of works, including working alternate hours, overtime, training to enable multiskilling for work outside their classification or day to day role etc. to prevent the need for overflow works. These are all things that Ausgrid management could be doing and thinking for themselves about how to run an efficient and productive business by maximising the in house work by their highly skilled workforce.
LAUNCH: ETU Combined Power Industry EBA Campaign
The ETU is launching our Combined Power Industry EBA campaign – bringing together thousands of members from five electricity companies.
The aim is to speak with a powerful united voice on industry-wide issues – like job security, privatisation, funding cuts, safety and the pandemic.
I am asking you to join in this very important campaign:
A united industry-wide campaign will strengthen the position of members at each company: including Ausgrid, Endeavor Energy, Essential Energy, Transgrid and Evoenergy.
Our campaign is guided by a Steering Committee of senior ETU delegates from each company, working with ETU officials.
Most importantly, we are working together to demand job security across the industry.
5,000 jobs have been cut over five years and, at some companies, further redundancies are also planned.
The ETU warned these cuts went far too deep. Sadly, recent blackouts, bushfires and extreme weather events have proved our point.
Enough is enough! Will you add your voice to our campaign against forced redundancies?
Please take 2 min to fill this important EBA survey with your feedback:
Ausgrid
Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHFXSFL
Essential Energy
Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5HXNTRR
Transgrid
Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K8L533T
Endeavour
Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K9L7TX5
Evoenergy
Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KYTN8ZP
We’ll get back to you with more about our Combined Power Industry EBA campaign – and what it means for you and your workmates.
For more information, contact your ETU organiser.
ETU OFFICES OPEN: WE’RE COVID SAFE
ETU OFFICES OPEN: WE’RE COVID SAFE
ETU offices in Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle are open and operating safely under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
Members can visit the union’s offices but are encouraged to contact the ETU by phone or email wherever possible: (02) 9267 4844 etunsw@etunsw.com.au
Icon Water EBA Vote ‘NO’: Don’t roll over for a rollover
The ETU recommends members vote ‘NO’ to the sub-standard EBA document put out by Icon Water.
The company’s document offers wage increases below CPI and below those paid by the ACT Government.
Management claims it wants to settle the EBA to give employees ‘certainty’ -- yet the company has introduced a higher level of uncertainty by rejecting a ‘status’ quo’ clause.
Icon Water is proposing a two-year agreement. Workers need the certainty of a three-year EBA.
A strong ‘NO’ vote will send a strong message to management. Union negotiators can then return to the bargaining table and push hard for an improved outcome.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me atmatt.mccann@etunsw.com.au or on 0416236646.
In unity
Matt McCann
ETU organiser
Workers’ safety must be paramount in power & transport
Dear Member
The ETU is working closely with major electricity and transport employers to ensure worker safety is paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As essential services, Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, Transgrid and Sydney Trains must keep operating. However the companies must re-assess all working procedures to protect employees, particularly through social distancing and the supply and use of appropriate PPE.
The ETU supports upgraded health and safety measures initiated by companies. The union has raised a list of additional controls members should use in their risk assessments.
Vehicles
A maximum of two people per vehicle where social distancing (1.5m) can be achieved, ie one driving, one in the back. Open the windows or select external air on the air conditioner – don't select 'recycle'.
Sufficient supplies of wipes and detergent must be provided so workers can wipe down all vehicle surfaces, at a minimum, at the beginning and end of each shift.
The union calls on companies to reform vehicle policies to facilitate social distancing. This should include:
EWPs
Only one person in the bucket. Where manual handling requires a second person, employees must wear coveralls and P2 masks as a minimum requirement.
Face-to-face meetings
Depot and other meetings should be held using available technology to avoid unnecessary physical interaction. Wherever people are required to meet, strict social distancing must apply.
Contact with the public
Members should apply social distancing in all interactions, including with customers and the public.
Where emergency responders are required to attend a dwelling, the company should contact residents in advance to confirm whether any person is sick, displaying any symptomsof the virus or in quarantine.
With more people at home, ETU members have reported incidents of abuse from members of the public during power outages. If you are threatened or abused, report the incident and remove yourself from the location.
Risk assessment
Prior to the commencement of work, ensure that your work group has a pre-start job discussion, identifies any site-specific hazards or risks and implements the appropriate controls to mitigate the hazard or risk. If sufficient controls cannot be implemented , STOP work immediately and PAUSE for safety. Notify your supervisor/manager If the work cannot be done safely.
Consultation
Employers have a duty to consult with their employees, or their representatives, on health and safety matters before they are implemented.
ETU supporting members
The union continues to provide the full range of members services during the pandemic. Call your organiser for support and advice on any workplace matter, contacts here: http://etunsw.asn.au/corona-virus/full-contact-details-for-etu-nsw-act-organiser-phone-numbers
For other inquiries, please contact the union by email for response and referral etunsw@etunsw.com.au
In unity
Justin Page
Secretary, ETU NSW & ACT
Update: Endeavour Energy drug & alcohol testing dispute
Save Essential Energy's jobs
DEPOT TOUR: ETU TEAM ON THE ROAD FIGHTING TO SAVE REGIONAL JOBS
Seven ETU organisers are driving to all corners to meet with Essential members over the company’s plan to axe 682 jobs.

‘Essential Energy has also failed to consult as required under our EBA. CEO Cleland provided an inadequate response to just one of four letters from the ETU,’ said Justin.


Recent Posts
- 7 reasons Evoenergy workers should vote NO to the company’s poor EBA
- 47 questions ETU put to Ausgrid on proposal to massively increase contracting out
- LAUNCH: ETU Combined Power Industry EBA Campaign
- ETU OFFICES OPEN: WE’RE COVID SAFE
- Icon Water EBA Vote ‘NO’: Don’t roll over for a rollover
- Workers’ safety must be paramount in power & transport
- Update: Endeavour Energy drug & alcohol testing dispute
- Save Essential Energy's jobs
- Essential Energy Fact Sheet
- DEPOT TOUR: ETU TEAM ON THE ROAD FIGHTING TO SAVE REGIONAL JOBS
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