I’m very happy that members decided to unanimously support the EBA at the mass meetings on July 15.

The negotiations were tough and our achievements were possible because of the leadership’s negotiation skills and the bargaining power of the union, which comes from the members.

That’s because our members are prepared to stand up for what they’re entitled to. They’re prepared to stand up in cold mornings on a picket line, they’re prepared to do the hard yards, to show the bosses that they’re not backing down.

 Knowing that we have the backing of the membership gives us confidence to negotiate the best deal for you.

Overtime is a big part of the industry, and now that all overtime is at double time, workers who have to do the extra work will get the extra benefits they deserve.

Protection locked in
We copped a lot of flak in the media and our pay rise was described as ‘exorbitant.’ But the Australian Bureau of Statistic figures show that the cost of living increase is 4.9% when interest rates are taken into account, which means our wage increase is exactly what workers need.

The deal is also good as it takes us past the next election, ensuring that even if a new government changes the rules to attack unions or make it harder for working people, then our members will remain protected.

 The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) came out and said that our agreement is non-compliant with the laws. Given that the MBA and the union negotiated this agreement and it has been voted on, you have to wonder why the ABCC wants to stick their nose in and have their two bobs worth. 

This deal should not be seen in isolation. We've got good deals before, around things like the 36-hour week and increases in pay, which this agreement builds on. During those negotiations we were forced to have a dispute, and that dispute showed the bosses of our determination to get benefits for our members.

We should all be very proud of what we’ve achieved. This landmark deal confirms that we are a strong, militant union made up of people willing to stand up for their rights.

Bill Oliver
State Secretary