Page 35 - ETU Journal Autumn 2017

ApprENTIcES > CASUALISATION
the younger guys wanted
to know more about their rights and conditions. However, when offered the choice, most preferred the shortsighted option of casual loading over a full-time job. this was disappointing as it handed bosses their rights and entitlements. Had they experienced a fair workplace, their choices may have been different.
Becoming a change agent meant becoming a target
Perhaps it was my parental union heritage, or perhaps it was the posters around our site urging us to stand up, speak out, come home, that inspired me to try and make a change.
I noticed that my wages and entitlements were inconsistent,
so I made enquiries. This was immediately met with ierce denials and threats of termination. I was asked to attend a meeting where I was handed a list of ictitious over- payments to me totalling several thousand dollars, and a threat that more questions would lead to a demand for reimbursement.
When it became apparent that the company-selected OH&S rep had left the company seven months prior, I decided to put my hand up for the job.
What I did was paint a huge target on my back.
Union rescue
I was immediately victimised, isolated from my work group and demoted to lesser duties, all while being under the ever- watchful eye of the company attack dog, the subcontractor site manager.
I was lucky. I was an apprentice with a formal full-time contract, and I was protected.
The ETU had my back from my irst phone call enquiring about my pay, to the strong legal team that protected me. I could not have done it without my Union.
Becoming a digital revolutionary to build public awareness of casual work pitfalls
We must educate the public on why casual employment over the long term is so much worse than full-time, union-protected work. As part of my research project I created a social media post to begin the process by blogging on current issues within our workforce, and posted it to the Union Australia Facebook group.
My post received over 160 likes, over 115 shares and a reach of 50,000 in just over a week. Good start! n
talk to your workmates
about the issues that concern you.
stand together, ask your Union for advice. Nothing will change if you don’t change it.
become an etU member. The ETU EBa has a section that allows employees to become full-time, with all the beneits, after eight weeks in a six- month period.
the etU eba also provides that subcontractors and employees of contractors must enjoy wages and conditions that are no less favourable than those provided for in the ETU agreement.
When it comes around to your new agreement, make sure you have your Union in your corner — they will ight for what’s fair.
my time with the VtHc youth program, and with my host Union, etU Vic, was extremely beneicial and educational. i would highly recommend it to any young worker with a concern to ensure all workers are protected.
www.etuvic.com.au
tHE Etu > AutuMn 2016
35
LeSSOnS LeaRneD
THankS