Authorised as the Official Newsletter of the CFMEU - Forestry and Furnishing Products Division, Tasmanian Branch by Scott McLean, State Secretary
The Woodstock Journal
Forest Workers Care For Forests Forever
No 37 June 2006
For the past nine years, the June edition of the Woodstock Journal has advised members of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) National Wage Case Decisions. Under the Howard Governments new industrial relations changes, the AIRC has been gutted and the new Fair Pay Commission will decide if workers will be granted a wage increase or not. The Federal Government's intention to cut the wages of 1.6 million award workers is now underway with a six month wage freeze in the transition to a new minimum wages system. The 2005 National Wage Case decision handed down on 7 June 2005 gave workers an extra $17 a week. With the wage freeze this effectively means award workers who should be expecting a pay rise following the minimum wages case in about April or May 2006 will be waiting until around November 2006 or later – a period of 18 months between wage increases. Rising petrol prices, increased interest rates and other rises in the cost of living are causing working people to struggle just to keep their heads above water and having to wait eighteen months, with no guarantee there will be a decent wage increase, is hurting the people who need an increase the most.
ACTU push for wage increase in the face of rising costs for working families
The ACTU is pressing ahead with claims for a 4% lift in wages for more than one million low paid workers, arguing that an immediate pay rise is needed to cover spiralling petrol, interest rate, and other price rises that are hurting working families. A 4% pay rise in award wages would lift the adult minimum wage by about $20 a week - taking it up from the current $484.40 a week to $503.80 a week. The Howard Government is opposing the union claim for a lift in wages for the low-paid in every one of the cases currently being run in QLD, NSW, TAS, SA and WA. The Government is arguing that award workers should wait until the new 'Fair Pay Commission' decides whether they get a pay rise or not. But even then, there is no guarantee that the Fair Pay Commission will give a pay rise that covers the rising cost of living for ordinary families.
Anti-Discrimination Commission
As unfair dismissal claims no longer apply to businesses with less than 100 employees an alternative is to lodge a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Commission in an attempt to sue bosses for harassment, bullying or discrimination Businesses have reason to fear anti-discrimination claims, as successful claims could prove more costly than under the old unfair dismissal legislation as antidiscrimination commissions have the power to award much larger payouts. Members should contact the Union for further advice.
Will our Federal Politicians Get Their Yearly Pay Rise?
The recent Howard Government budget has well and truly looked after federal politicians in giving tax cuts of almost $120 per week to those on annual incomes of $150,000. The tax cuts for low income workers will be $7 per week and middle income workers $10. The Howard Government is delaying a pay rise for award workers until the end of the year when the Fair Pay Commission (now commonly called the Low Pay Commission) sits to decide if award workers receive a wage increase or not. Salaries for federal politicians are adjusted annually from 1 July each year by the Remuneration Tribunal. Surely Howard will insist that politicians delay their pay rise until low income workers receive theirs!!! (Like pigs will fly)
Politicians Half!
Cut
Their
Pay
in
Howard Bushed
In the Land of the Lost I heard two cowards praising each other‟s bravery. In the Land of the One Eyed King I saw the blind. John Tomlinson
Following the lead of their radical president, Bolivia's congressmen have voted to halve their salaries, with the extra funds going towards health and education in South America's poorest nation. The decision by the 130 congressmen followed the example set by President Evo Marales, whose first action on taking power last month was to announce a 57 per cent reduction in his own wage. Our Federal Coalition Government are quite happy to cut back wages and conditions of the working class, so c‟mon Johnny, how about cutting the Coalitions wages and put the extra funds into our ailing health system.
CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION - FORESTRY & FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION
Tasmanian Divisional Head Office: 237 Wellington Street (PO Box 1562) Launceston 7250 Telephone: (03) 6331 7 955 Facsimile: (03) 6334 2935 E-Mail Address: cfmeutas@bigpond.net.au State Secretary Assistant State Secretary Administration Officers T.I.S.S. Co-ordinator Scott McLean Martin Clifford Margaret Watson Quentin Cook Phone: (03) 6331 7955 Phone: (03) 6331 7955 Sandra Hodge Phone: (03) 6331 7955 Mobile: 0418 131 901 Mobile: 0418 137 274 Phone: (03) 6331 7955 Mobile: 0419 325 815
No wonder Howard wouldn’t give a guarantee that ‘No Australian Worker Will Be Worse Off’
The Federal Government's new industrial laws claimed victims within the first few days of the reforms. Employers have started to use the new IR laws to abolish weekend and public holiday penalty rates for workers in the hospitality and retail industries leading to a sharp drop in workers' take home pay. Seventy field technicians sacked by telecommunications giant Optus and asked to re-apply for jobs as independent contractors on lower wages and conditions is a sign that big business is also starting to take advantage of the new IR laws. Pay docked for workers' whip-round Building workers were docked four hours' pay for briefly stopping work to collect money for the family of a colleague killed on a construction site. The workers were docked under the Federal Government's new workplace laws, which require bosses to deduct a minimum four hours' pay for any unauthorised stoppages. The workers stopped for about 20 minutes to take up a collection for the widow of their workmate who was crushed to death by a concrete panel. CFMEU state secretary Martin Kingham said stopping work to collect money for the families of killed workers had a long tradition in the building industry. "The meeting was not designed to penalise the employer," he said. "It's not a political thing, it's not an industrial thing. But as a consequence of all this legislation … everything we do becomes industrial and therefore illegal in their eyes." Mr Kingham suggested that in future, workers would stop work for at least half a day if they were not going to get paid. "Employers are going to lose four to five hours' production rather than 10 to 15 minutes," he said. More pays docked for collecting money for deceased Beaconsfield miner’s family Ninety construction workers building a treatment plant for a new gold mine in Bendigo, collected $2,000 to donate to the family of miner Larry Knight. The three workers collected the money during work breaks. They had advised their boss they would be off-site during their half-hour lunch break to hand over the money at the Bendigo Trades Hall Council. They were 20 minutes late returning to work and had their pay deducted half an hour. Government’s New Independent Contractors Law Another Free Kick for Big Business The Howard Government‟s proposed new „Independent Contractors‟ law will further undermine the job security of working Australians by making it easier for big businesses to replace existing workers with so-called independent contractors. Already we have seen the WorkChoices IR laws make it easier for employers to sack their permanent staff and re-employ them as casuals or on contracts with lower wages and conditions. The Government now proposes to take this a step further with a new law that will allow more employers to avoid responsibility for paying superannuation, workers compensation, annual leave and other basic entitlements to people who are called 'contractors' but are essentially employees. A recent University of Melbourne study found that up to 400,000 workers currently classified by the Government as 'independent contractors' are actually employees that do all their work for the one employer.
Howard Government IR Laws will hurt Workplace Health and Safety
The ACTU has called on the Howard Government to repeal the sections of its new industrial relations laws that ban workplace agreements from giving workers leave to attend union-provided health and safety training or meetings.
(With apologies to Banjo Paterson) I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better Knowledge, sent to where I met him at the wheat board, years ago He was chairman when I knew him, so I sent the letter to him Just on spec, to make the point, that "Howard doesn't want to know". And an email came directed, not entirely unexpected (And I think the same was written in some Middle Eastern bar) 'Twas his CEO who wrote it, and verbatim I will quote it "Trevor Flugge's gone to Baghdad and we don't know where he are. But when he left Australia, he was going to meet with Alia, A trucking mob in Jordan, who were keen to grease the wheels For 10 per cent commission, they could swing Saddam's permission To get our wheat accepted: it's the mother of all deals. But I guarantee, Prime Minister, that there's nothing at all sinister: The chaps at DFAT told us that the sums looked quite okay. When you're selling wheat in billions, what's a quick 300 million? If it keeps the Nationals happy it's a tiny price to pay." Sitting here at Kirribilli, I've been thinking, willy nilly That it's somehow reminiscent of the children overboard: But I can handle Rudd and Beazley as I always do, quite easily, By endlessly protesting that there's nothing untoward. I'll tell Bush next time I meet him at The White House, when I greet him, That I'm sure he'll understand about the wheat board's quid pro quo: He'll forgive this minor error in the global war on terror When I look him in the eye and tell him...... Howard didn't know.
HOWARD DIDN'T KNOW
By: John Tomlinson PUBLIC HOLIDAYS JUNE 2006 – SEPTEMBER 2006
June 12 Monday Queens Birthday
Timber Industry Superannuation Fund (TISS)
TISS in top ten superfunds in Australia
In April, the Financial Review listed the top 25 performing super funds as at the 23rd February 2006. TISS came in equal 8th at 16.57%. 1 LUCRF 18.15 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 21 21 23 24 25 ANZ Staff Super Westscheme STC Growth Qantas AMP Future Directions Plum TISS Fiducian Sunsuper Russell Unilever Nestle First State Super Optimax Q Super Comm Bank Staff Super Asset Optimum Growth ESI Super JANA Asgard SMA Coles Myer Vision Super CSS 17.91 16.96 16.95 16.70 16.64 16.59 16.57 16.57 16.56 16.47 16.44 16.39 16.09 15.94 15.76 15.48 15.46 15.40 15.40 15.39 15.39 15.35 15.34 15.09
Introducing Bryan Green - the new Minister for Economic Development and Resources
After completing his education at Burnie High School and Burnie Technical College Bryan Green commenced work as a fitter and machinist at Australian Paper in Burnie in 1974 and became involved in union politics during that time. For the next 19 years, he worked alongside men and women who relied on the Pulp, as it was affectionately known, for their family income. Like most pulp and paper workers, he remembers the expectation in the region when the Wesley Vale Pulp Mill was announced in the late 1980‟s and the disappointment when the proposed mill foundered in 1989. Three years later, faced with an ageing plant, the owners of the mill, APPM took action to improve competitiveness, prompting the bitter APPM dispute. The Burnie mill no longer produces pulp – pulp imported from overseas is now used to manufacture paper. It is hardly surprising that the former pulp and paper worker and now Deputy Premier would rather see woodchips processed here in Tasmania than sent offshore only to be re-imported as pulp. Bryan Green will also be the lead minister responsible for the pulp mill proposed for Bell Bay in northern Tasmania. The mill would be the largest single investment in Tasmania‟s history, creating more than 4000 jobs during construction and a further 1500 new direct and indirect long term jobs. Bryan Green has stated his support for any new pulp mill in Tasmania is conditional. It must be safe for the community and for the environment – and it must comply with the world‟s toughest environmental guidelines. “The Government‟s position remains the same, irrespective of who the minister might be. We will accept the outcome of the independent Resource Planning and Development Commission‟s rigorous assessment of the project and abide by the RPDC‟s recommendation.” The pulp mill project will continue to be handled on a whole of government basis, with the Pulp Mill Task Force coordinating the work of various agencies to ensure economic and employment benefits are maximized. If the mill proceeds, Minister Green‟s intimate knowledge of the forestry sector will be invaluable in reassuring the community that harvesting levels will be the same, regardless of whether a pulp mill is built or not. Bryan Green may be Deputy Premier but he has never lost his sense of where he has come from nor his ability to relate to people in an easy and natural way. Bryan sums up his priorities for the next term of government as, “Improving public services such as health, education and community infrastructure and continued responsible economic management to foster investment and ongoing employment growth.” CFMEU members can rest assured that he will continue his positive relationship with their union and all unions and will always stay in touch with the needs of working people and their families.
For TISS to earn this high rating is particularly pleasing because it was achieved at the lowest possible cost to members. TISS has been able to maintain a fee structure of $1.00 per week for Administration and Account Keeping, which remains the lowest amongst all funds of similar nature and structure. When applied in conjunction with the cost effective investment procedures and strategies utilized by TISS this has resulted in the fund consistently achieving top level rankings in both categories in independent surveys conducted over the last few years. If you have any queries with your super, whether you are in TISS or any other fund, please feel free to contact the TISS call centre on 1300 360 988 or Quentin Cook, Tasmanian Co-ordinator (03) 6331 7119 or 0419 325 815.
Thinking of leaving your job?
If you are thinking of leaving your job or have found alternative employment, contact the Union before giving notice to your employer. We can advise you of your entitlements and can give advice in relation to long service leave and prorata long service leave.
Union Contributions
Following extensive review and debate by the Divisional Executive it was determined to increase union contributions by 30 cents per week as of 1 July 2006. This is a move from $7.10 to $7.40. Our annual audit report clearly shows that the Union continues to operate on a very fine line.
What’s going on in the forests and why? Maydena Hauler
Work on Forestry Tasmania‟s next major tourism development, the Maydena Hauler, is officially underway following the launch of the project by Premier Paul Lennon on 8 February 2006. When complete, the $8 million forest tourism attraction will feature a four-wheel drive tour through rugged alpine country, culminating in a two-kilometre journey by funicular railway to an „Eagle‟s Eyrie‟ lookout at the peak of Mount Abbot. With its breathtaking views over the South West Wilderness, the experience has been aptly branded as a „journey to the rooftop of Tasmania‟. Reflecting the Hauler‟s potential as a catalyst for regional economic growth, the State Government has contributed $4 million towards development costs. The Premier said that the project is expected to bring an additional 75,000 visitors to the Derwent Valley each year. This development means jobs and opportunities and even more importantly, jobs and opportunities in a regional community. At a local level, it will bring considerable benefits to the local and regional communities of the Derwent Valley in terms of new opportunities and more tourist dollars coming into the region. The Maydena Hauler fulfils another significant component of Forestry Tasmania‟s vision to develop a network of major forest tourism attractions in key regions around the State. Construction of the Maydena Hauler is due for completion by Christmas 2006.
Taxation Returns
When filling in your Taxation Return for last financial year, don‟t forget to claim the following taxation deductions: your union contributions; Sickness and Accident Insurance premiums; the cost of sunglasses, sunscreen and hats if you work outdoors. If you have access to the internet, the Australian Taxation Office has a website to help answer any queries you may have. The ATO’s website address is www.ato.gov.au
Members Equity – The Super Funds Bank
Over the next several weeks, Martin Clifford will be bringing Members Equity mobile lenders to worksites to introduce them to you. Members Equity Bank has been created specifically to provide everyday Australians with innovative low cost banking services. They are 100% owned by some of Australia‟s leading industry superannuation funds. They are committed to keeping banking costs low whilst delivering a high level of service with competitive interest rates and minimal fees and charges.
Firies lend a hand
Forestry Tasmania firefighters joined a taskforce with their colleagues from the Tasmanian Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife Service in January, coming to the assistance of crews from Victoria and New South Wales battling the major wildfires in the Grampians and West Gippsland. At the request of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Tasmanian crews traveled to the mainland on Australia Day to relieve the exhausted mainland firefighters. According to Manager Fire Management Tony Blanks, the Victorians were not only grateful for the assistance, but impressed with the performance of the Tasmanian crews. „The Tasmanian taskforce was able to offer expertise in a range of areas, from operating tankers right through to working on Incident Management Teams. Nationally, Tasmania is seen as the best practice role model in this regard. Following the principles of the interagency protocol, we were able to send the best people from each organization to Victoria.‟
Home & investment loans Credit Cards Personal loans Savings accounts Business savings accounts
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Contact Members Equity Mobile Lenders -
North
Rowan Wynwood
0400 606 647 0407 457 448 0438 067 219
Tasmania’s Floral Emblem
The State‟s floral emblem, the Tasmanian blue gum, has joined the ranks of the tallest trees in Australia. The new inclusion on the Giant Trees Register follows the 2003 discovery by Forestry Tasmania staff of an exceptional stand of tall blue gums in the Southern Forests, growing at 230 metres above sea level. These trees are approximately 300 years old. The trees are now protected in a 15 hectare reserve.
North West Greg Sandford South David Clingeleffer
Financial Accounts Year Ended 30 December 2005
A concise version of the financial accounts of the Union for the year ending 30 December 2005 is included in this Newsletter.
Poor Tree Preparation and Chainsaw Maintenance Causes Injury
Background A trained tree faller commenced the felling of a tree in a thinning operation. He firstly placed the scarf into the tree from a kneeling position then attempted to clear branches around the tree from this position. To operate his saw from the kneeling position he moved his left hand around the left side of the handle bar. During the process of removing branches the saw tip made contact with the tree trunk, which caused the chainsaw to ‘kickback’ into the direction of his face, causing a laceration from the left eye through to the mouth to his right side jaw.
and health surveillance program needs to be implemented. Tasmanian Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1998 17,18,19 provide guidance on the hazard identification, risk assessment and control requirements. The hazard monitoring and health surveillance requirements are at Regulations 21 and 22 respectively.
Working With Oils May Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis
People who work with mineral oils, such as motor oil and hydraulic oil, may be more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. A new study shows that men who had occupational exposure to mineral oils had a 30% higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers say rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that depends on several genetic as well as environmental factors, and these results suggest that occupational exposure to motor and hydraulic oils may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in people with a family history of the disease.
Failure Not clearing, preparing around the tree prior to commencing felling cuts. Clearing from a kneeling position. Poorly maintained chainsaw. Conclusion Investigation found that the inertia chainbrake had failed to activate and that the secondary activation from the hand contacting the chainbrake also failed as the operator’s hand was in the wrong position. Solution Ensure a correct and safe grip is maintained on the chainsaw at all times. Ensure the tree is clear of obstructions prior to commencing felling cuts. Maintain chainbrake system regularly, remove cover and clean around the brake mechanism. NB There are no adjustments as mechanism is factory set and only requires cleaning.
Forklift Trucks: are you aware of your legal responsibilities?
Forklift trucks are a common and important piece of equipment, used daily at many work sites, factories and warehouses in many industries. However, some employers and operators may not be aware of their legal responsibilities with forklift trucks, including the need for regular servicing, keeping maintenance records and making sure they are only operated by workers holding a certificate of competency. Employers have a responsibility to provide safe systems of work and a safe working environment and workers also have health and safety obligations. You should inspect your forklift before you use it. For example, you should check: For structural damage For leaks The tyres and wheels (eg, tyre pressure) The tines (eg, that they are properly attached and level and not worn, broken or damaged) Any attachments (eg, that they are secured to the forklift truck mast) The chains, cables and hoses The safety devices such as seat belts, warning devices, flashing lights and beepers The battery and connector The guards The fluid levels The braking and hydraulic systems The operator has a responsibility to operate the forklift truck in a safe manner. This includes: Ensuring the load is handled safely Ensuring the load does not exceed the capacity of the forklift truck or of the attachment.
Dust in the workplace
Airborne dusts and particles can present a risk to the health and safety of employees and others in the workplace. Generally, exposure to any concentration of respirable dust should be avoided whilst some forms of dust (eg: asbestos and silica) are recognised carcinogens. The dust hazard should be controlled through the implementation of a risk management program which includes identifying the hazard, assessing the risk and implementing the appropriate control strategy. Where a dust hazard has been identified and cannot be eliminated from the workplace, then a hazard monitoring
THINK SAFE, WORK SAFE, SURVIVE
For many members, the following rates are below the hourly rate they receive. Remember, these are minimum Award wages - thus ensuring employers cannot pay less than the Award.
TIMBER AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES AWARD 1999
MINIMUM RATES FROM 7 JUNE 2005 Group Group 6 Group 5 Group 4 Group 3 Group 2 Group 1 $ Per Week 599.10 578.20 544.50 523.60 501.00 484.00 $ Per Hour 15.77 15.22 14.33 13.78 13.18 12.74 $ Per Week 19.10 29.70 $
GLASS INDUSTRY – GLASS MERCHANTS & GLAZING CONTRACTORS – TASMANIA AWARD
MINIMUM RATES FROM 12 JULY 2005 CLASSIFICATION Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 $ Per Week 619.90 599.10 578.20 555.30 534.50 521.90 $ Per Hour 16.31 15.77 15.22 14.61 14.07 13.73
LEADING HANDS Supervising 2 to 6 employees Over 6 employees SAW DOCTOR APPRENTICES Percentage of Year of Award Rate for Apprentice Skill Level 6 % First 50 Second 60 Third 75 Fourth 90 UNAPPRENTICED JUNIORS Percentage of Years of Award Rate for Age Skill Level 2 % 16 40 17 55 18 70 19 85 20 100
Award Rate $599.10 299.55 359.45 449.35 539.20
LEADING HANDS $ Per Week In charge of not less than 2 and not more 13.05 than 10 employees In charge of more than 10 and not more 23.00 than 20 employees In charge of more than 20 employees 32.65 APPRENTICES Year First year Second year Third year Fourth year Percentage of ordinary weekly wage for adults in Level 4 40% 50% 71% 85.5%
Award Rate $501.00 200.40 275.55 350.70 425.85 501.00
The above rates will apply from the first pay period commencing on or after 27 September 2004.
FURNISHING INDUSTRY NATIONAL AWARD 1999
MINIMUM RATES FROM 12 July 2005 CLASSIFICATION Production Employee Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Furniture Tradesperson Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
APPRENTICES (Other than Saw Doctor Apprentices) Percentage of Year of Award Rate for Award Rate Apprentice Skill Level 5 $ 578.20 % First 50 289.10 Second 60 346.90 Third 75 433.65 Fourth 90 520.40 APPENDIX J Class Class 5 Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 (Bush Workers Only) $ Award Rate 659.30 632.90 608.60 584.40 569.80 $ Hourly 17.35 16.65 16.02 15.38 14.99
Per Week $484.40 $501.10 $523.60 $544.50 Per Week $578.20 $599.10 $638.80
Per Hour $12.75 $13.19 $13.78 $14.33 Per Hour $15.21 $15.76 $16.81
LEADING HANDS Per Week In charge of not less than 3 and not more $14.70 than 10 employees In charge of more than 10 and not more $26.80 than 20 employees In charge of more than 20 employees $38.30 The above rates will apply from the first pay period commencing on or after 12 July 2004.
Bush Allowance $28.75 per week Machine Maint Allow $24.25 per week Camping Allowance $21.70 per day
WORKERS COMPENSATION
Should you injure or hurt yourself at work or are exposed to chemicals or have a work-related illness, ensure you tell your boss immediately then contact the Union
KEEP A NOTE OF ALL DETAILS