COL COOPER COMMEMORATION

On behalf of Col's partner, Peggy Trompf, and the RTEA (Retired Telecommunications Employees Association), a meeting to commemorate Col's contribution to Trade Unionism and to improving the life of working people will take place at Petersham RSL, 301 Trafalgar St Petersham (across from Petersham station) on Friday September 13 at 6.30 pm. Refreshments will be available.

A LITTLE CWU (ATEA) HISTORY

In the 1970s and 80s the telecommunications sector of the CWU (then a separate strong union - the ATEA) under Col's leadership was responsible for breaking the Frazer government's wage freeze. Then winning major reforms that benefited all Australian workers when it achieved a 9-day fortnight with a Rostered Day Off and a 36.75 hour work week for workers in the telecommunications sector. Other unions took inspiration from this and successfully advanced their own claims. This win was in response to the looming changes in technology from the early 1970s onwards which threatened large scale job losses. Under his leadership Col was instrumental in winning for telco workers employed by Telstra the best redundancy provisions of any union to that date with a maximum of 84 weeks pay for those whose jobs were made redundant. This is still well above the standard industry provision of 13 weeks.

OPTUS 12 HOUR SHIFTS

We have lodged a claim in the Court alleging that Optus has underpaid Satellite Controllers who work 12 hour shifts. Controllers work 12 hour 15 minute shift, but have not been paid for the 15 minutes (until recently following our claims). We also say that they are entitled to the morning shift penalty, where none are paid at the moment. The matter has been to a directions hearing already and will return to the Court in November. Till then the parties are to file documents etc.

NOKIA MONTHLY PAY

A number of members have complained about Nokia'S decision to move from fortnightly pay to monthly pay cycles. Many members have carried the Optus EBA provisions when moved from Optus to Nokia under the Transfer of Business laws. Notwithstanding, the Telecommunications Services Award provides for weekly or fortnightly only.
We are notifying the FWC of a dispute this week in order to resolve the dispute.

UNIONS COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF WINNING THE RIGHT TO A WEEKEND

This Sunday 8 Sept marks the 77th anniversary of the union movement winning the right to a weekend. Prior to 1947, many workers were compelled to work as much as 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. On Sept 8, 1947, following years of sustained union campaigning, the Arbitration Court ruled in favour of a 44 hour, 5 day working week.
The union campaign for the right to a weekend was opposed by business groups and conservative politicians at the time, who argued it would negatively impact businesses and the economy.
In 1947, the President of the Chamber of Manufacturers, commented:
"Australia is committed to an unnecessary and dangerous experiment in the midst of an inflationary period, and it is to be hoped that the burden will not fall too heavily upon those whom it was intended to benefit"
Unions currently face the same arguments from employer groups about the modern work-life balance and the right to disconnect.