This edition contains the following items: Promised increases to child care worker salaries latest hit by Abbott's cuts; FirstEnergy Corp – one of the largest electric power corporations in the United States; National Executive Resolution - calls Audit Commission (Government) - Opposition (ALP) - and all UNIONS to oppose privatisation and cuts to Public Services; ASU lodges concerns over national Commission of Audit; Some recent articles on post electricity Privatisation South Australia; ASU's White Ribbon Day news on our website; Pregnancy discrimination now top workplace complaint – share your story; plus more.
Promised increases to child care worker salaries latest hit by Abbott’s cuts http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/localgovt/131129-child-care-cuts The ASU has expressed its great concern at reports the Federal Government will cut child care funding by reneging on deals made with the sector to provide money to attract and retain child care centre staff who currently receive very low pay. Hitting child care centres with reduced funding is a clear move away from providing quality pre-school care and education to our children, quality improvements being a focus under the previous Government's reforms to the child care area. The Early Years Quality Fund, which was designed to encourage higher qualifications and recognition for early childhood professionals through conditions of employment and financial recognition of staff, also has the added benefit of increasing retention of staff. Improved retention saves employers on training and employment costs, and provides children with continuity of care. Not to mention the benefits gained from staff with more experience who are able to acquire and share...
FirstEnergy Corp. – one of the largest electric power corporations in the United States – http://www.world-psi.org/en/firstenergy-locks-out-utility-workers-us UWUA picket lines in Altoona, Pennsylvania Has locked out 150 members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) in the early morning hours of November 25, three days before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Public Services International and IndustriALL Global Union are responding to this employer aggression against joint affiliate UWUA. Sign the IndustriALL-PSI-LabourStart campaign here and write your protest message to FirstEnergy CEO Tony Alexander. Join the LaboutStart campaign. Management locked out utility workers at its Penelec subsidiary in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania in order to extract huge concessions in workers’ retirement and healthcare benefits and working conditions, as well as to impose cutbacks in service standards for consumers. FirstEnergy is demanding similar concessions from over 1,100 additional UWUA members at three other utility companies owned by the corporate giant throughout the U.S. states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. According to the UWUA, the lockout of Penelec workers is part of...
National Executive Resolution - calls Audit Commission (Government ) - Opposition (ALP) - and all UNIONS to oppose privatisation and cuts to Public Services http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/general/131128-national-commission-of-audit The ASU National Executive, which met last week, discussed the Commission of Audit. National Executive noted the ASU would be lodging a submission for the Audit and also called for the Opposition and other unions to support the ASU position. The following resolution was passed: ASU National Executive holds great concern for the Federal Government's use of an external non-Government Commission of Audit, with limited time to report, "to review the role and scope of Government, as well as ensuring taxpayers' money is spent wisely and in an efficient manner". ASU further expresses concern that the Committee may well be used by the Federal Government to set an agenda and in turn use such legitimacy to bringing a political agenda to the provision of Government services and Government funding through reduced funding and privatisation. ASU National Executive believes such a process is not in the national interest and should not...
ASU lodges concerns over national Commission of Audit http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/general/131128-national-commission-of-audit The ASU this week lodged a submission expressing our serious concerns with the Federal Government's "Commission of Audit". The Audit has been set up to review services, timing and cost value to government, along with the Federal Government's relationship with state and local government. The ASU has a range of concerns around funding to local government, where the Commonwealth provides on average 20% of local government funds in the form of grants etc. On occasion, some councils can receive up to 80% of funding via Commonwealth grants. Changes to these arrangements could have serious impacts on delivery of services to local communities. The ASU is not only concerned about funding to local government but Federal Government funding to all sections of society and how that funding is delivered, including how employment in regional centres, towns and small communities will be affected by any changes to funding models. Full news item...
Some recent articles on post electricity Privatisation South Australia
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/massive-jump-in-power-disconnections-in-south-australia/story-fnii5yv6-1226768927385 http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/energy-cost-rise-puts-south-australia-in-a-fix/story-fnii5yv4-1226764774196 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sa-residents-powerless-against-pricefixing-by-electricity-retailers-under-new-regulations/story-fni6uo1m-1226763847931 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/million-in-unpaid-energy-bills-owed-by-tens-of-thousands-of-south-australians/story-fni6uo1m-1226768223377 ...
ASU's White Ribbon Day news on our website: ASU's White Ribbon Day news on our website: http://world-psi.org/en/monday-white-ribbon-day-dont-keep-it-secret. ..
ASU recently worked with Standards Australia ASU recently worked with Standards Australia - to bring about this code and mapping - I was very proud to represent ASU members working in this area, the outcomes will save lives, monies and inconvenience by reducing accidental cuts, easier maintenance and access - well done Standards Australia ... Sydney street scribbles tell a secret story It's the official "street" language of Sydney - but only a select group of people know how to speak it. ...
two week public consultation period on the recommendations from Wollongong Council's citizen's panel has ended. Many of the suggestions have been met with community anger and protests. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/ocean-pools-threat/5105500 Don’t know if you saw the article on ABC news last night, but as I was watching it my wife made the comment that , as the beach was so dangerous that if the council did not maintain the pool then lives could or would be lost – the proposal to close the pools was part of the report by citizen’s panel ?? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/ocean-pools-threat/5105500. ..
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-shocking-truth-about-the-privatisation-of-power-20131108-2x76f.html#ixzz2kgf1YLU9">good article on electricity privatisation in Victoria - The shocking truth about the privatisation of power Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-shocking-truth-about-the-privatisation-of-power-20131108-2x76f.html#ixzz2kgf1YLU9
Attached are few recent and an eralier - links to anti electricity privatisation arguments and issues in Australia http://www.theage.com.au/business/shocking-130-exit-fee-for-electricity-is-proposed-20131103-2wuur.html The NSW government's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is considering allowing electricity suppliers such as Origin Energy, AGL and EnergyAustralia to levy the charge, even though it is much more than what is allowed in Victoria.Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/shocking-130-exit-fee-for-electricity-is-proposed-20131103-2wuur.html#ixzz2ka1GBKlW http://www.theage.com.au/national/shocking-rise-in-electricity-complaints-20131106-2x1x6.html Shocking rise in electricity complaints - Thousands of households have had their electricity accounts transferred to new suppliers in error or without their consent, as complaints over problems with power companies have hit all-time highs. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/shocking-rise-in-electricity-complaints-20131106-2x1x6.html#ixzz2ka1Xzyup http://www.theage.com.au/business/electricity-privatisation-failed-think-tank-20130429-2io2o.html Electricity privatisation has failed to result in cheaper power for consumers and has not improved the sector’s efficiency, a report by the Australia Institute has found. Since Victoria privatised power in the 1990s, electricity prices have outpaced the rate of inflation, rising by 170 per cent compared with an increase of 60 per cent in the consumer price index according to a study by the Australian Institute. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/electricity-privatisation-failed-think-tank-20130429-2io2o.html#ixzz2ka2LQUGO ...
Pregnancy discrimination now top workplace complaint – share your story - from ASU web http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/securejobsbetterfuture/131113-pregnancy-discrimination The ASU has been liaising with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) about submissions and consultations for the National Review on Pregnancy and Return to Work. We will be making a submission to the Review and we need your help to give them the real picture of what is going on in workplaces....
The ASU has recently made a range of contributions , participated in discussions, forums for the development of ACELG papers and discussions , these are the discussions that set the agenda for the future of local government ... Forum Research Papers Online ACELG has published a selection of peer-reviewed papers that were presented at the national Local Government Researchers’ Forum in June. The online volume - Proceedings of the 3rd National Local Government Researchers’ Forum - comprises 13, full-text papers on an array of local government policy issues, and is freely available from the University of Technology, Sydney’s ePress site. Read More » http://www.acelg.org.au/news-detail.php?id=344 Positive Workforce ACELG has released a new resource called Profile of the Local Government Workforce. It contains new data that confirms the contribution local governments make in regional Australia and enhancing the diversity of the public sector in general. Read More ». http://www.acelg.org.au/news-detail.php?id=344 Elected Member Skills The pilot of a new ACELG supported course for elected members commenced in early November. Along with ACELG, the development of the Executive Certificate for Elected Members has been supported by UTS:CLG, TAFE NSW, and Local Government NSW....
AFTINET OCTOBER BULLETIN The Trans-Pacific Partnership Endgame:Corporate Rights or Peoples’ Rights?The US, Australia, New Zealand and nine other Pacific Rim countries have been negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPPA) trade agreement for the last three years. The pressure is on to finish the negotiations this year. But the agreement is not mainly about trade. The agenda is being driven by the US on behalf of its major industries, with proposals for investor rights to sue governments, higher medicine prices, less internet freedom and less Australian content in media. There is as yet no agreement for enforceable labour rights or environmental protections. The new Coalition Government policy is to negotiate on foreign investor rights to sue governments and to finish the agreement as quickly as possible. The danger is that vital policies will be traded away.Expert speakers from a range of backgrounds will discuss the possible impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on our lives,...
RALLY: 12PM - 29 NOV 2013 – MARTIN PLACE The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) FAIR DEAL or NO DEAL RALLY: 12PM - 29 NOV 2013 – MARTIN PLACE The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) FAIR DEAL or NO DEAL The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is a free trade agreement involving Australia, the US, and ten other countries. Negotiations are secretive and the agenda is being driven by US corporations. They want: SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS TO SUE GOVERNMENTS OVER HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS HIGHER MEDICINE PRICES THREATS TO OUR INTERNET FREEDOM LESS AUSTRALIAN CONTENT IN FILM AND TELEVISION The Coalition government wants to finish the negotiations by the end of this year. Rally for a FAIR DEAL or NO DEAL: 12-2pm, Friday, 29th Nov 2013 MARTIN PLACE (Cnr Castlereagh St) Speakers to be confirmed. Contact: campaign@aftinet.org.au ...
The Fair Work Commission Annual Report 2012-13 has been published and is available on the Fair Work Commission’s http://www.fwc.gov.au/index.cfm?pagename=aboutannual ...
http://alga.asn.au/newsletter/newsletters.ALGANEWS1November2013#Article11779">New national skills for elected members - advice from ALGA http://alga.asn.au/newsletter/newsletters.ALGANEWS1November2013#Article11779 The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) at UTS has supported the development of a new course for NSW councillors called the Executive Certificate for Elected Members. The program is one of the first such programs to be based on the new National Local Government Training Package Skills Set for Elected Members, and was developed by project partners the Centre for Local Government at UTS (UTS:CLG), TAFE NSW, and Local Government NSW (LGNSW). Another unique feature of the program is that eligible participants of the Executive Certificate in NSW will be able to access further learning with TAFE NSW and UTS. Joint President of Local Government NSW, Cr Ray Donald, said the Executive Certificate for Elected Members is an exciting step for LGNSW and its member councils, as it's the first time such a high quality course has been offered to NSW councillors. "The Independent Local...
City of Perth to absorb neighbours under boundary reforms http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2013/11/05/article/City-of-Perth-to-absorb-neighbours-under-boundary-reforms/ISRBJKBNCN.html The City of Perth will swallow up all of the City of Vincent, Kings Park, the new Crown Casino and the new Perth Stadium at Burswood under Premier Colin Barnett’s final proposal to the independent Local Government Advisory Board............. advice from government news...
Regulations need to strike a balance between privacy and compliance and enforcement to encourage industry take-up of Electronic Work Diaries Regulations must strike a balance to encourage take up of EWDs, says NTC Regulations need to strike a balance between privacy and compliance and enforcement to encourage industry take-up of Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs), says the National Transport Commission (NTC) in a report released for public consultation today. The NTC’s Preparing Australia for Electronic Work Diaries Regulatory Issues Paper was developed as a part of an Operational Pilot of Electronic Work Diaries conducted for Transport for NSW by NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and Transport Certification Australia (TCA). Advice from NTC ...
Councils list axed carbon tax concerns http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2013/11/05/article/Councils-list-axed-carbon-tax-concerns/XOWABBRDFC.html#.UnhpBS2mPcI.facebook Councils across Australia have outlined a list of concerns over consequences arising from the planned repeal of the Carbon Tax, citing management of......................... advice from Government News ...
Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council Ltd - survey - relivant to ASU Local Government Child Care & ASU Local Governmen Community Services etc http://www.cshisc.com.au/connect/cshisc-survey/?cm_mid=2855056&cm_crmid={d275d285-976a-e211-bb93-005056920608}&cm_medium=email 2013 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey Sir William Jones said 'Never neglect an opportunity for improvement'; and we plan to take his advice with your help. Through our 2013 Satisfaction Survey we want to know your views on our: • services and products we provide • methods used to engage with you as a stakeholder. Your feedback will help us improve how we respond to the current and future needs of our industry and the Vocational Education and Training Sector. We encourage everyone to complete the survey and in particular: • Employers delivering health or community services • RTOs delivering health and or community services training • Peak bodies, unions and professional associations operating in the care and support industry. To thank you for your time, all people who complete our short survey will be offered the opportunity to win a Christmas hamper. Our survey closes on Friday 22 November. Take the survey now Advice...
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=188f805ffb8f3e7fbde117e4a&id=67e38a9c2b&e=0d63bb3c42">Rail Industry Worker: Latest News http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=188f805ffb8f3e7fbde117e4a&id=67e38a9c2b&e=0d63bb3c42 Rail Industry Worker: Latest News - covers a range of issues , mainly around - The Rail Industry Worker system has been expanding rapidly, with over 30,000 rail safety worker contractors registered and 20,000 cards issued to date. What is the Rail Industry Worker System? Facilitated by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) on behalf of its members, ‘Rail Industry Worker’ is a competence management system that aims to establish a cohesive, national approach to competency management for contractors working in rail. full detials at http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=188f805ffb8f3e7fbde117e4a&id=67e38a9c2b&e=0d63bb3c42 ...
Ontario to use green bonds to fund transit expansion Bonds a way of raising capital for projects with environmental benefits The Canadian Press Posted: Oct 30, 2013 Ontario will be the first province in Canada to issue so-called green bonds next year to help fund public transit expansion, Premier Kathleen Wynne said Wednesday. The program will be unveiled in next week's fall economic update and is an innovative way of raising the money that's needed to build transit across the province, she said. "Green bonds are a great tool to raise capital for a project with specific environmental benefits," she said. "The worldwide market for green bonds in the last year has doubled, and it's now estimated to be more than $346 billion — those are U.S. dollars." Could save money It's the first measure Wynne has promised to help raise the billions of dollars needed to expand public transit in the heavily congested Toronto and Hamilton area. It will require legislation and certification, said Finance Minister Charles Sousa. But it won't be something that will trigger a confidence vote...
http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/securejobsbetterfuture/131031-public-service">Shrinking the public service means less for all http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/securejobsbetterfuture/131031-public-service CTU said the announcement from Minister for Employment Eric Abetz that the Government plans to freeze jobs, is a blow for the public who access services and an unfortunate outcome for workers hoping to enter the public sector. "This will lead to a thinning out of services that are regularly accessed by the public. We will see frustrating delays, queues and backlogs as the government strives to meet its election target of 12,000 job cuts at all costs," said ACTU President Ged Kearney. "The Government must confirm its intentions and give assurances that there will not be further job losses." "Australians who want to enter the public sector will no longer be able to apply for employment and that is a great shame. What this equates to is a shrinking jobs market and that is bad news for everyone." Ms Kearney said unions were particularly concerned about regional areas where...
http://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/story/1792070/wyndham-spy-saga-vote-of-no-confidence-in-ceo/">Wyndham spy saga: interesting story on a council CEO using private investigators - http://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/story/1792070/wyndham-spy-saga-vote-of-no-confidence-in-ceo/ - ...
http://www.energiseoz.com.au/">E-Oz Energy Skills Australia is piloting a holistic progression management system for electrical apprentices.
http://www.energiseoz.com.au/ The program is focused on recognising the individual skills and knowledge of each apprentice at every stage as they progress through their apprenticeship. Industry mentors will provide support services tailored to an individual’s learning needs, boosting each apprentice’s capacity to complete their training program.The pilot will commence in 2013 and initially include up to 1000 apprentices across the country, with the main focus to improve the electrical apprentice completion rate....