Standing Firm After Fifty Years

On 5 September 2007, contracting industry electrical workers gathered in the Dallas Brooks hall to consider and vote on proposals for the new 2007-2010 Contracting Industry EBA. They were also there to reaffirm their commitment to fight against the reduction of four year apprenticeships and to condemn the cruel WorkChoices legislation.

The theme was ‘Hold the Line’ in the face of a Government that had so much political power it could do what it liked to demolish an industrial relations system that has served Australia firmly but fairly for one hundred years. The government’s own AWA fairness test is now proving the real intent of the legislation which is to reduce wages and conditions of Australian working people. Hold the line is a call to continue the fight for fairness and justice in the workplace for all people.

But when did the fight begin for contracting industry electrical workers?

It was fifty years ago when contracting electrical workers first made their intentions clear. Lead by the Victorian Branch of the ETU, workers across three states formed a line and began to fight saying; “Are you satisfied with the wage of £16 per week prescribed for Electrical Tradesmen by the Metal Trades Award? Are you prepared to take action…” (1957) A year later the commitment was firm and clear: “The log of claims for a separate award for members employed by electrical contractors has been lodged… Do not, however, leave your claim for wage justice to other people…” (1958)

During this period when contracting industry unionists were forming the line to fight for recognition, 1813 disputes across three states were waged and a solidarity that we now take for granted was created out of that very first campaign. It was demonstrated at the time by 18 year old Peter Scullin who wrote to his union in 1962:

I’m writing this letter to convey to you my most whole-hearted and sincere support for the union’s current campaign to organize and instill enthusiasm into members of the contracting industry with regards to the Contracting Industry Award for 1963. The need for all journeyman members to support this effort is very great… I offer my personal support for the campaign in the way of attendance at meetings or leaflet distribution or some such activity that you have in mind. I remain yours sincerely, Peter L. Scullin app. 18 years.

Holding the front line

In the 1970s, the ETU News reported on Victoria’s successful front line contracting industry campaign; and under the headline “Wage Justice Denied Our Members in Contracting Industry”, the Queensland branch argued that their wage levels should be lifted to a level parallel to Victoria. In 1990s Victoria again lead the way with the strategy of pattern bargaining and the 36hr week in the contracting industry, and as we crashed through and into the twenty first century with the common law deed to counter the Workplace relations attacks.

Holding the line means second to none

In 2007 workers have faced resistance yet again, and holding the line, has achieved results that are claimed to be second to none. Our officials told the workers at this meeting a new contracting industry agreement had been achieved that takes them through until 2010 and that it’s the best union EBA negotiated so far; including 5% per year increase in income, severance pay provisions, income protection, and no conditions lost. The only agreement better is that agreement recently received by the politicians. At the Dallas Brooks Hall, on 5 September, Electrical Contracting Industry unionists, approved the new EBA and the push to demolish anti-worker IR legislation with a strong and democratic show of hands; and then aimed their condemnation at both Labor and Liberal Parties for their anti-people industrial legislation. But best of all, though, they displayed the courage to keep on holding the line.