Hunter Ausgrid Workers Threaten Strike Action

BY IAN CROUCH and MATT JOHNSTON

UPDATE 1:58 PM

More than 2,800 Ausgrid workers were involved in the vote to take stop work action, 93% of whom supported work stoppages of up to 8 hours, and a refusal to do overtime or callouts.

However, the manager for the Energy and Utilities team with the United Services Union Peter Campise says a strike would be "an absolute last resort", and that they're still prepared to negotiate with Ausgrid.

"Our members of course are consumers [of Ausgrid's services] themselves, so we're very conscious of our needs as well, and trying to make sure that there's the least damage to the community."

 If an agreement isn't reached, workers could go on strike as early as the first half of February, a period which last year saw power outages across the Hunter.

Delegates from the combined unions involved in the discussions will meet on January 31st to discuss the timing and format of any stoppages.

EARLIER:

Ausgrid workers across the Hunter have voted overnight to take industrial action next month unless they get a pay rise.

The Electrical Trades Union says its members haven't had a wage increase in four years and have run out of patience, while Ausgrid executives have awarded themselves pay increases averaging 5-point-3 percent a year.

The union is pushing for a 3 percent increase each year for 3 years, while Ausgrid is offering a 7 percent rise over the same period plus a $1000 one-off payment.

In a statement, Ausgrid CEO Richard Gross says they're disappointed with the proposed strike action and want the union to continue to bargain in good faith.

Former Port Waratah Coal Services Supervisors Working as "Strike-breakers"

BY SARAH JAMES

The Maritime Union of Australia is furious that at least two former supervisors of Port Waratah Coal Services are now working as strike-breakers during the industrial dispute at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal.

Long-running tensions regarding their current enterprise agreement came to a head at Port Kembla on Sunday, with more than 60 workers being locked out by the company.

Workers affected by this lockout will have their pay suspended for five days.

This move has drawn criticism from the Maritime Union of Australia, who argue it is ultimately stalling any enterprise agreement negotiations going ahead.

"Going outside and hiring external strike-breaking labour at the end of the day is not beneficial to anybody in finalising an agreement that has any stability going forward," said Deputy President of South Coast Labour Council Garry Keane.

"The workers in that terminal have kept that place going for many years. They've sat down and done numerous enterprise agreements, and they've never come to this situation. They've always been willing to sit down, work out agreements and they still are. But they're not going to do while they've got a gun held to their head that strips back the entitlements of 25 years," he elaborated.

Port Waratah Coal Services

Community Services down over industrial action

BY TYLER FARDELL

Industrial action by the Community and Public Sector Union has left many residents unable to access valuable services including Centrelink, Medicare and child support services.

The strikes are planned for Monday and Friday this week, with the union flagging for more action next week.

Customer payouts are not expected to be affected, although residents have been advised to delay any non-urgent business until sometime later in the week.

Customers are also encouraged to use online services instead through their myGov account.

General Manager for the Department of Human Services Hank Jongen has assured residents they are working hard to minimise disruption.

"We are focused on making sure staff are available to help people who are in financial hardship and need immediate assistance".

"We appreciate the community's patience during this time".