Power unions have been forced to lift a ban on training overseas consultants hired by electricity distributor Ausgrid, planning to replace 35 workers from Newcastle to Sydney.
The Fair Work Commission threatened to issue orders against the United Services Union and Electrical Trades Union if the bans were not lifted immediately.
According to the United Services Union, Newcastle and Hunter workers will be the worst affected by the plan's early stages.
General Secretary of the United Services Union, Graeme Kelly said 25 people will be first affected by the overseas training, with an additional 77 over the
next 6 months.
“This whole decision by Ausgrid is disgraceful and
appalling, I cannot think of anything worse in Industrial Relations where
Australian workers are forced by their employer to train overseas contractors
to do their jobs in India," he said.
The ETU secretary, Dave Mckinley added the outcome of the case was clear evidence that Australia's industrial law were stacked against the interest of working people.
Graeme Kelly said they are appalled at the heavy handed tactics by the senior officers
of Ausgrid that have forced their members to do this.
"The
Federal Government opposed the sale of Ausgrid to a very wealthy overseas buyer
because of the sensitive nature of our electricity networks."
It is understood the work contracted out to India would enable access to Ausgrid’s
Geographic Information System, providing overseas contractors access to the mapping of poles, wires and underground cabling in Australia according to the unions.
The Unions are calling on the new private owners of Ausgrid, AustralianSuper and IFM Investors as well as NSW Energy Minister, Don Harwin to intervene to the save jobs of Australian workers.
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| Source: https://www.usu.org.au/ |
