ETU Achievements

Through The Electrical Trades Union, workers can build their collective strength in their workplace.

Why would you want to do that?   The reason is simple, when workers stand together they can  make demands of their company to improve safety, increase wages, adopt family friendly work hours or any number of other things that make work life more bearable and ensure that you get home safely to spend some quality time with their family.

ETU members have made significant gains in the Electrical Industry in recent years.   In 2000 an electrician was paid little more than $18 an hour, in just 9 years the pay rate for a sparkie will have almost doubled to $36/hr.   In addition to this, whilst other workers are lucky to get 12 Rostered Days Off a year,

ETU members have won Union Collective Agreements that see them enjoying 26 RDO’s each year.   That’s more RDO’s than annual leave!!
Sadly, no employer has ever just given such things to their employees; that’s why the workers join Unions to use their collective strength to make gains within their respective workplaces.

By acting collectively, ETU members have made many other important gains over the years: -

ETU members enjoy:

• Higher pay rates than non-Union members.
• Shorter working hours, many of our members now enjoy a 36 hour week;
• Safer work environments where real consultation takes place prior to changes being implemented;
• Direct input into the running of the company through consultative arrangements;
• Union delegate training that ensures that when you need representation (if the company wants to treat you unfairly for any reason) your Union is there with you;
• Free or heavily discounted industry training (dependant on the course) – improving their skills for a brighter future either in their existing field or in another industry that they may not have previously considered;
• We look after Apprentices as well.   Apprentices’ wages are based on the Tradesman’s Enterprise Agreement rate, not the award.   This is a huge advantage for ETU apprentices.

Joining the ETU is the first step.

To Unionise your workplace you will need to get your workmates to join with you, only by acting collectively will you be able to start to demand to be treated fairly and with respect.   Taking a workplace from non-Union to strongly unionised takes work, fortunately the Organisers that are employed by the ETU are used to campaigning and have plenty of experience in assisting in organising your workplace.   Together the members at your site and the Organisers working for your Union can formulate a strategy to Unionise your workplace, we assist you throughout the process and your Union is only a phone call away.

We employ two full time Recruitment Officers, backed up by full time Officials throughout the Qld and the NT.   Join the Union that works for you, the Electrical Trades Union.