ETU ELECTRICIAN SAVES CROYDON'S NEW YEARS EVE EDWIN STANDS UP TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE FIRST TO CARRY THE FLAG: HARVEY LEADS THE WAY GIVING BACK THE UNION WAY QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
The Official Organ of the COMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC, INFORMATION, ENERGY, POSTAL, PLUMBING AND ALLIED SERVICES UNION of Australia (Electrical Division)
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TRAINING
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Welcome to the first edition of The Electrical Worker for the year. Unfortunately, the year has not started well, with the war in the Middle East, the global landscape is shifting rapidly, and our members and workers in general are once again being asked to carry the consequences.
The escalating conflict in Iran and the resulting instability in global energy markets are already driving fuel prices through the roof. For Australia, and particularly for Queensland and the Northern Territory, this is not some distant geopolitical issue. It has real, immediate consequences for our industry and our members' livelihoods.
Fuel costs underpin everything we do. From transporting materials to powering heavy equipment and maintaining supply chains, pushing up the cost of groceries, clothing, transportation and building
Our members are already dealing with cost-of-living pressures at home. The last thing they need is uncertainty at work. That’s why we must be clear: any response to global instability cannot come on the backs of workers. Time and time again we see builders and developers willing to accept the higher cost of building materials whilst at the same time trying to drive down our members wages and conditions by wanting to engage non EBA contractors. We need strong procurement policies, commitments to local jobs, and guarantees that infrastructure investment continues, not retreats, in times of uncertainty.
Three months into 2026 sees the branch again fighting on all fronts from Darwin to the Gold Coast. In the Territory, we are in the thick of EBA negotiations with Power and Water, Territory Generation, Otis and one of the largest Gas corporations, Inpex.
In Townsville we are holding Glencore to account with their EBA negotiations after they received a $600 million bail out from the Federal Government and returned the favour by offering poverty wage increases and trying to bring in guest workers to put downward pressure on wages and conditions. Our members have held the line in Townsville city council negotiations and delivered some great outcomes in their EBA, and we continue to fight against the LNP’s agenda to privatise Copper String.
In Mackay our members working for Aurizon have just reached in-principle agreement on their EBA and members with BHP coal are in the thick of negotiations for their EA. And right now, our members in QR are taking protected action to achieve a stand-alone electrical agreement that QR agreed to
with Stuey Traill retiring at the end of next year Craig Thomas our Mackay Organiser will be moving to Brisbane to take on that role. For the last 12 months we have been canvassing delegates who might be interested in trialling for the Mackay role, unfortunately to no avail. The normal process is; delegates are approached to come and trial in the role as organiser and if successful they are employed by the union in that role. This is the first time we have had to advertise going out to the broader membership, so if anybody is interested in trying their hand as an organiser, please contact the office through an email with your resume to info@etu.org.au.
And of course, June this year sees the expiry of our contracting agreement and the start of negotiations for its replacement. We have locked in a Log of Claims and are looking at a couple of different strategies to deliver this agreement, our members in the contracting industry will come together at a mass meeting June 2nd to endorse the Log of Claims and it is imperative that we get maximum attendance.
Against this backdrop, we are dealing with the fallout from the CFMEU administration and an anti-union, anti-workers Crisafulli/Bleijie Government. Since the administration of the CFMEU, we have seen an influx of
Government negotiations continue with Jarrod Bleijie, the Minister for the office of industrial relations hell bent on union bashing and media theatre instead of getting around the table and negotiating a fair wage increase. Our members from Qbuild, TMR, Qhealth and Generation GOC’s have been negotiating in good faith but getting no movement from government and are left with no option but to take protected action.
Whilst at the same time we see Bleijie waste millions of dollars on a commission of inquiry into the CFMEU, when all of the previous regime has been removed and
Yet under the leadership of David Crisafulli, we are seeing confusion, delay, and a lack of transparency that is already impacting confidence across the construction sector. Every delay has a ripple effect. Workers are left in limbo, contractors struggle to plan, and apprentices miss out on opportunities that should be guaranteed through large-scale public projects. Hospitals that should be under construction are stalled. Olympic infrastructure that should be driving employment is stuck in uncertainty. This is not just poor planning—it is a failure of leadership.
For the ETU, the priorities remain clear. We will continue to fight for secure EBA jobs, proper training pathways, and strong safety standards. We will hold governments of any political persuasion accountable when they fail to deliver for working people. And we will push for policies that ensure our industry remains resilient, even in the face of global challenges like the current fuel crisis.
Our members build the infrastructure that keeps this state running. They deserve certainty, respect, and a government that understands the value of investing in skilled electrical workers. Anything less is a betrayal of the people who power Queensland and the Northern Territory every single
Our EBA campaign is moving forward strongly. We recently held our Delegates Conference where we finalised the Log of Claims. The next big step is our Mass Meeting on the 2nd of June at the Brisbane Convention Centre. We’ll be busing members in from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to make sure we get a strong turnout. This meeting will give our contracting members the chance to further discuss and officially endorse the Log of Claims. Make sure you keep an eye on ETU socials and stay in touch with your organisers and delegates for updates as the campaign ramps up.
Up in the Northern Territory, the “Charged Up Northern Territory” campaign is well underway as we push for the first ever Contracting EBA in the NT. MEC, who hold most of the work up there, put forward a substandard agreement that fell well short of industry standards. We ran a strong “Vote No” campaign which forced them back to the table and improved the offer, but it’s still not good enough. The hourly rate remains too low and there’s no proper income protection. We’re continuing to push a No Vote until we get a fair deal. For more details, check Strawbs’ organiser report (Page 14).
On Major Projects, the situation around hospital builds and the Olympics is still a mess. The LNP Government continues to drag its feet and drip-feed funding into key hospital projects across Toowoomba, Ipswich, Logan and Bundaberg. This is causing real issues for contractors trying to plan work and keep steady numbers of electricians on site.
When it comes to the Olympics, there’s still no clarity. No major builders have been locked in for the big infrastructure jobs, and we’re now only six years out. We’re in discussions with potential builders about how these projects will run, but it’s clear this LNP Government is leaving things far too late... yet again.
Finally, the Productivity Commission’s position on issues like HSR’s, RDO’s and site conditions is a real concern. It’s clear the LNP is coming after workers’ hard-fought conditions and trying to wind safety and standards back by years. This is something we’ll continue to fight hard against.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY: ASSISTANT SECRETARY: SUPPLY INDUSTRY
The full impacts of the LNP State Government are being felt across the Electricity Supply Industry. Members are dealing with their cuts every day and their privatisation agenda has begun. This is in stark contrast to the last ten years of the previous Government. Members that haven’t worked for a government owned corporation are learning that there are consequences out of elections.
The LNP’s first order of business was to stack the boards with their loyal cronies. The EQL Board then directed management to find $800 million in savings by 2030. The last government let EQL overspend on the much-needed maintenance, instead of handing profits to the government they were allowed to spend that money on maintenance and much needed network upgrades. As a result of the cost cutting directive, we are seeing stupid proposals like getting rid of property pole inspections, which would have a negative impact on safety. We have successfully stopped that proposal for now. Light commercial vehicles are being taken off workers that provide storm and emergency response whilst high paid managers keep their vehicles. The attempted 9 day fortnight reversion was an example where the high paid CEO and Executives refused to accept any responsibility for their actions and tried the easy path to revert all 10-day fortnight workers back to a 9-day arrangement. They tried to ignore our legal advice, but when we highlighted not only the personal impact but also the impact on key projects such as customer connections and connecting the Olympics infrastructure they had no choice but to abandon the proposal. There is no chance of meeting connection timeframes or completing the Olympics work by reducing the internal capability to get the work done.
We all know that there is still so much work that needs to be done to maintain and upgrade our network but that will require the LNP Government to allow EQL to invest into the network instead of handing it to the Queensland Governments general revenue. EQL for now has agreed to a topdown approach with a Structural Alignment Review at the Executive Level and restructures are likely to occur after that. Recruitment, including backfilling of vacant roles now need business cases to be submitted to the Executive.
We still have the uncertainty for our Yurika members, but they at least have employment security. We are still working with EQL to get some answers and commitments for our Yurika membership. Unfortunately, the LNP has put a handbrake on renewable investment which is impacting further work opportunities. We are also engaging with EQL and Powerlink to make sure that our graduating apprentices are getting jobs on completion, we start those conversations as early in the apprentice's 4th year to give them confidence their employment is secure.
Powerlink members are feeling the cuts with overtime being reduced and the looming Privatisation of Copperstring. The LNP has taken Copperstring off Powerlink and transferred the assets and project to Queensland Investment Corporation, their sole task is to secure private sector investment. This is nothing more than Privatisation. For the first time in our state’s history, we will see partial Privatisation of our transmission assets. If they get away with this, they will surely push for further Privatisation.
Members must be aware that they will likely make further cuts and this could get worse depending on who they employ as Powerlink and EQL CEO’s, which are still to
Across the Power Generation Sector, things are heating up as EBA negotiations get underway, and the same issue is popping up everywhere.
At Wivenhoe Power Station and Stanwell Power Station, members are gearing up for Protected Action, with EBA negotiations dragging on and getting nowhere fast. Up in North Queensland, it’s the same story at Barron Gorge Power Station and Kareeya Power Station, where members are also heading towards Protected Action as negotiations continue to stall.
FROM THE PRESIDENT: FROM THE PRESIDENT:
At Kogan Creek Power Station, bargaining is underway for the next EBA as well. They’re a few months behind the others, but if things keep going the way they are, they won’t be far off joining them in Protected Action also. The common problem right across the sector is the LNP State Government and their Government Wages Policy. It’s tying everyone’s hands and is a clear roadblock to fair EBA negotiations. The companies can’t bargain around any items that the government doesn’t want them to, even if they want to. We’ve seen this play out across the Government Sector, and now Power Generation workers are copping the same thing. It’s our turn to take this on, stand shoulder to shoulder and push through with collectivism and solidarity, to get the outcome our members deserve.
Looking ahead, May Day is just around the corner and it’s always a cracking day. Keep an eye on ETU socials and stay in touch with your organisers and delegates for details in your area about May Day events. We’ll have shirts, hats, stubbies, food and drinks all provided, so bring the family along. It’s a great day out and a strong show of union pride, with plenty for the kids as well.
We’ve also got a heap of new ETU merch now live on the website, with more on the way throughout the year. Jump on, grab some fresh gear and show you’re ETU proud and backing your union.
NORTHERN QLD: NORTHERN QLD:
Well there was no easing into 2026, in a year that’s shaping up to be the busiest yet, our region has already seen some massive wins for members, along with some grubby employers pulling our members around throughout several different workplaces. But as usual ETU Members are up for the fight!
The new multi-level carpark has now been awarded to Hutchies, with discussions well underway regarding subbies for the project. I am aware of a couple of our EBA Contractors showing interest in the job and am hopeful one will be successful in securing the project. While it is not a huge electrical package, it’s expected the first sparkies will be required on site around Easter, with an estimated job completion of late 2028.
There is still no real direction confirmed with the main hospital upgrade build after the “Master Plan Review” was completed by the new LNP Government. The word coming out now is the new government is looking to break the job up into small packages, with stage 1a being the priority package, which will include 120 new beds on the eastern block. I am hearing the push is to have this package completed by the end of 2029.
Stage 1b would include the bulk of the Townsville hospital upgrade Watpac started back at the beginning of 2024. I have been told this major part of the hospital upgrade is still yet to be funded and probably won’t be funded until after 2032. It’s amazing how one election and government change can push our region, hospitals & major construction
Given the hard lessons learned in the privatised states like NSW, Vic & SA, the seriousness of that threat occurring here in QLD was too much to sit on and wait for news, so I wrote directly to local LNP MP Adam Bailee to ask Adam directly what the LNP State Government’s intention was with Copperstring. After 3 weeks, Adam came back to me with a response from the Minister’s Office, a response that was full of political spin that created more questions than answers. I have again asked for a direct response and details of the government’s delivery model for the project, although I am yet to receive a response from Adam or the Minister’s Office.
There has been no official announcement on what is happening with Copperstring since the QIC has taken control of the project, although strong rumours have
standing up against Privatisation and thus far has been successful in keeping QLD’s electricity networ
believe it would be the most incompetent decision
Agreement at Townsville City Council has now been reached, with the EBAs now in the final drafting stage. Monumental outcomes have been delivered in this agreement which include wage increases of up to 22% over 3 years, a 4 day work week, major increases to the on-call allowance, as well as a whole range of other improvements to several conditions. We were also able to secure a much needed adjustment to supervisors’ rates, which had fallen behind the employees they supervise, as well as the apprentice rates altered to match federal percentages. These specific groups of members will end up between 40%45% better off over the life of the agreement. These outcomes are lifechanging for our members, especially young apprentices in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. These outcomes would not have been successful without the hard work of the dedicated ETU Delegates, united members that supported the campaign & high union density in the Electrical Department. It was a long, disciplined campaign, but these outcomes speak for themselves and show what can be delivered when members stand together! Well done to all involved, I am extremely proud of your efforts and solidarity!
Glencore EBA negotiations are now in full swing. You would think a company that has been propped up by the Australian taxpayer would be happy to pay their employees local market rates, but not this multinational mining giant. The electricians at the Glencore Copper Refinery are currently paid about 30% below market rates for electricians in the local area, while the latest offer saw Glencore offer a package that included about 3% worth of increases over a 4 year agreement. It is an absolute insult. Then on the other hand, Glencore are saying they can’t fill the positions due to the current “skills shortage”, so are looking at engaging a FIFO immigrant workforce. The issue isn’t the skills shortage; it’s the wages shortage! All electricians on site are union members, they have just kicked off their first industrial campaign with the ETU, AWU & CFMEU standing shoulder to shoulder, walking off the job for the first time.
The first ETU Sugar Industry Conference was held in Townsville last month, bringing delegates together to discuss key issues and challenges members are facing in the industry. The event focused on building a strong future for local workers, farmer’s & communities, with plenty of valuable discussion & information provided by guest speakers & industry stakeholders throughout the conference!
May Day is just around the corner, this year it will be on Monday 4th May down at Strand Park. Keep your eye out for the flyers with details as I will email them out as we get closer to the day. May Day is our union Christmas, the day we get together and celebrate the achievements & wins of the working class. I encourage all members to come down, bring the family along and grab a shirt, feed & drink. It is always a great family day out. The mighty ETU have now won the Tug of War challenge for the last 3 years running, there are a few unions lining up to try and take our title, so make sure you eat your Weet-Bix in the morning!
As always, if you have any questions or queries about any of the above please feel free to contact me directly.
In Unity
FAR NORTHERN QLD: FAR NORTHERN QLD:
The year has already delivered significant industrial activity across Far North Queensland, particularly at the Kidston Pumped Hydro project and within our government owned corporation and state agency workplaces.
At Kidston, serious issues emerged within the Genex camp facilities operated by ISS. Workers raised concerns regarding mould affected 30-year-old dongas deemed uninhabitable, unacceptable housekeeping standards, and food safety failures. Reports included unmade rooms with urine and pubic hair present, foul-smelling linen, rotten and mouldy fruit and vegetables, and even maggots found in a crib meal.
The workforce stood united and demanded a safe place of work. Following escalation to the relevant authorities, the entire camp was demobilised for close to four weeks on full pay. A Council Food Safety Auditor issued a Show Cause Notice listing 26 non-conformances, including insect and vermin control failures, food handling breaches, and food storage and cooling deficiencies. The Show Cause Notice will remain in place for 12 months. Substantial corrective works were undertaken, and HSRs and delegates conducted inspections prior to workers returning. Separate electrical safety noncompliances were also identified and are being rectified.
Cleanco EBA negotiations have commenced and are progressing at a snail’s pace. As many members are aware, we are negotiating under a hostile LNP State Government framework and its restrictive GOC Wages Policy, which seeks to dilute existing conditions. However, the members at Barron Gorge and Kareeya Power Stations have a strong history of standing together in the face of adverse decisions, and that unity remains our greatest strength.
At TMR, concerns have arisen where local managers have sought to treat members adversely for participating in Protected Industrial Action. Members have responded collectively and escalated the issue, with early positive movement already being seen.
The food conditions at the Kidston remote camp got so bad, workers considered ordering dominoes and having it delivered via
Encouragingly, work is underway with local QBuild management to open access to the RAAC (Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centres) facility to provide structured, on-thejob training for Electrical Fitter Mechanic Apprentices across agencies, such as Ergon Energy, Qld Health and TMR. This initiative will ensure apprentices receive meaningful, planned and targeted training locally, rather than low-value contractor rotations. At the time of writing a critical agency stakeholder inspection is being planned, with hopes that this arrangement could kick off in the coming months.
Looking ahead, the first half of this year will be shaped by Cleanco negotiations, continued oversight of Kidston camp compliance, and ensuring members are protected during bargaining processes, government department negotiations and actions. With May Day and International Workers’ Memorial Day approaching, we look forward to standing together once again, strong, united and organised.
RAIL INDUSTRY: RAIL INDUSTRY:
The Rail Industry in QLD has a lot going on for electrical workers in 2026, with the expansion of new lines on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Cross River Rail, QTMP, and the expansion of several yards across SEQ. While this has created a boom in construction work and opportunities for members to be on larger, long-term projects, our members at Queensland Rail are currently facing down the barrel of one of the worst EBA offers seen in decades.
Queensland Rail, under the direction of the LNP State Government, have proposed an offer that seeks to “adhere to Government Wages Policy” during a cost-of-living crisis, while also cutting conditions that have been hard fought by ETU Members for over 50 years. The initial offer puts forward pennies while stripping back key clauses around Contractor Provisions, Health and Safety, Mental Health, and Consultative Forums.
They are also pushing clauses that would allow them to gut QR to the highest bidder, shifting the burden onto taxpayers and undermining a critical public service that hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders rely on every day. It’s insulting and unfortunately, just the beginning for our members at QR.
Whilst the above is a sobering reality and may sound like naysaying, the reality day to day is that our delegates and I are extremely optimistic. The membership is fed up, and with the stall of this EBA campaign we have seen growing engagement and discontent from the membership as we are ignored in bargaining. The membership has shown they are ready for a fight and will not roll over, having just voted up Protected Action Ballots for the main two agreements ETU fall under at QR. We had strong return rates of 92.2% and 96.7% for the two agreements, covering just over 460 members. Answers to questions receiving Yes votes from 92.0% to 98.8% across the 29 questions on the two ballots.
Our main Log of Claims item, an Electrical EBA, setting the ETU apart to be the majority party to an agreement in Rail. This claim has been rejected by the government despite a letter of agreement from QR last round to work towards that outcome in this round of bargaining.
An Electrical Only Agreement has never been achieved in any Rail network across
Action kicks off over Easter and will continue until the government come to the table and get on board with an Electrical Agreement. The ETU membership at QR is prepared to demonstrate, without them, trains go nowhere!
Members under the Aurizon Coal Agreement have reached an in-principle deal and are now just waiting on train crew to finish their bargaining. We achieved an outcome members are happy with all without the use of Protected Industrial Action. The main part of the deal is for the fixed aggregate component (14%-20% depending on the area) to be rolled into the base hourly rate and Christmas and Boxing Day penalties to become 400%. With no loss in
NORTHERN TERRITORY: NORTHERN TERRITORY:
Power and Water and Territory Generation Bargaining
PWC and TGen Enterprise Agreement bargaining has kicked off in the NT. We have sought input from members for some months now in formulating our comprehensive Logs of Claims. With many areas of the NT being arguably some of the most challenging places to live and work in, attraction and retention provisions are one of our main claims. These claims not only apply to the regions, but Darwin as well.
We have seen Power and Water showing their hand before bargaining had commenced, having a crack and various conditions we hold, and generally pissing off the workforce all round. Good timing by them as it only strengthens the resolve of our members to stick together in pursuit of decent EA outcomes.
In this round of Northern Territory Public Sector EAs, across the board we have seen every agreement offer voted down and Protected Industrial Action taking place across most agencies. With expiry dates of our agreements quickly approaching in July. There’s plenty of pressure on PWC and TGEN already to get something decent on the table. Plenty more to come in this space.
INPEX
At the time of writing, we are at meeting 8 with INPEX which has seen one of the most dysfunctional bargaining processes that all organisers involved have ever been a part of. The agreement covers the three INPEX facilities; Onshore ILNG, Offshore CPF and FPSO.
We supplied a complete Log of Claims in the form of an EA document that our members developed prior to bargaining commencing and with none of our claims agreed to at this point, we have prepared to lodge a Protected Action Ballot Application at the earliest time we can. With 99.4% of the workforce in support of this we are confident of a ballot getting up. Our ability to apply significant pressure to INPEX will escalate quickly as the bargaining process continues.
With career progression, job security and some of the best Oil and Gas industry rates and conditions forming part of our claims, our strong union density and our members being actively involved throughout the whole process will deliver the outcomes we are seeking.
NT Contracting Enterprise Agreement
With organiser support being sent up regularly from Queensland we are servicing our construction and contracting industries in the NT a lot better than in the past, seeing improved safety on many jobs and some decent wins in wages and conditions. The campaign continues to build momentum, with contractors now identified and organising efforts actively continuing across many of these companies.
OTIS
We have recently achieved an inprinciple agreement with Otis NT in our 2 agreement with them up here. nd
Thanks to the work of our OTIS comrades in Queensland who slogged it out with OTIS last year, our bargaining process was fairly quick and provided a great result for our NT members. We have secured all conditions from Queensland in the NT agreement, almost pay parity, and we have also secured a commitment for the NT to be part of the next Queensland agreement next time round.
COAST: COAST:
Sunshine Coast Construction Comrades we can welcome full union projects kicking off on the Sunshine Coast. NEXT DC – DATA CENTRE in Maroochydore has a site established and ETU flags flying proud. We have heard incredible plans coming from local activist, the project is to be the social conscious of the Sunny Coast Community.
It doesn’t have to be the biggest project to make the largest impact. However larger projects are due to gather more momentum as we progress through 2026!
Stay informed, join in your local Sub-Branch and Youth Crew Meetings. Upcoming May Day Sunshine Coast Event: Sunday 3/5/26 Caloundra rugby leagues club, family friendly event, get down early, show support and celebrate our history.
Youth Crew
Social issues are union issues, in your local community and internationally. The ETU Youth Crew are kicking goals early this year! Raising donations for MATES –Suicide Prevention.
During the Month of April MATES are doing ‘Mates Big Lap.’ This is about getting active and accumulating kilometres for the month and taking a stand for suicide prevention in our industry. The ETU Youth Crew have set a courageous goal of accumulating 1,800km and aim raise $5000.00 for MATES. We need your support, please register and join our team or donate today. We have four scheduled events, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast.
We are into our second year of the Buildings Trade Group – Touch Footy Tournament. Last year we only had two ETU teams committed to compete out of 44 teams. But we still managed to raise over $120,000.00 for MATES. This year we are aiming to fill 10 ETU teams! Come down to Bill Norris Oval – Beenleigh on the 6th of June 8am. Free entry and a great family event.
Apprentices
We have a busy year ahead with GTO Apprentice mass meetings scheduled, GTO EBAs set to expiry late this year and negotiations ready to start in the construction space. If you are an ETU Apprentice or would like to get involved, please contact Joel Costa – 0427601994.
ETU Apprentice Members in the Coal Industry have locked in together this March 2026!
A show of solidarity and collective power. 100% of apprentices voted down a below average EBA. This was an offer made to them, not supported by union officials negotiating on behalf of apprentices. Education is powerful and we can achieve more in Enterprise Agreements when we stand together.
Our branch at 2025 Biennial Conference has endorsed the ETU National Branch to act on behalf of the lowest paid electrical apprentices!
These changes if achieved can reach over 50,000 electrical apprentices all over Australia. The changes are simple; adult age, adult wage or vary the awards to reduce or change age limits for adult and junior rates. For too long apprentices have been struggling on less than the minimum wage!
We can be extremely proud that the ETU has contributed to delivering more education and protecting electrical workers. We have done this by ensuring electrical apprentices and their supervising tradespeople have the appropriate resources to adequately and effectively supervise electrical apprentices.
COURSES NOW
AVAILABLE, FREE AND ONLINE. MENTORING AN APPRENTICE OR TRAINEE AND EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION OF ELECTRICAL APPRENTICES!
BUNDABERG: BUNDABERG:
G’day Comrades,
Effective supervision of electrical apprentices
or trainee
It’s been a busy few months with site visits and multiple EBA negotiations on foot across Wide Bay. I have been spending a bit of time mapping and recruiting members in CV Infrastructure in the lead up to their EBA negotiations mid this year.
I am happy to report that the new Bundaberg Hospital has been approved for construction. This project should provide decent wages for locals for a few years. The electrical contract has not been awarded as yet.
The LNP have put the Borrumba Pumped Hydro on hold and are actively looking for private investment through the Private Investment Corperation. Essentially looking to partially privatise power generation for QLD.
The Torbanlea train building facility will be finished this year and Downer will be looking to recruit electricians to start building the trains for the 2032 Olympics.
If you haven’t already, jump onto the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Facebook page and stay connected.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Online
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ESI CONTRACTING: ESI CONTRACTING:
Distribution: Members Make Government Accountable
One of the most significant victories of the past period has been the successful reversal of the government’s decision to cut more than 150 jobs in the Distributions Sector. This outcome was not handed to us it was earned through sustained member action and strategic political engagement. Through targeted questions raised in parliament, the energy minister was placed on record stating there would be no job cuts. Off the back of members engaging, we had Labour and LNP MPs come out to speak directly with members, listening to their concerns and feeling the weight of collective resolve. Members should be proud of what was achieved here. This is proof of what organised, active workers can accomplish. However, we must not become complacent. With this government in power, further attacks on our sector remain a real threat and continued vigilance and engagement will be essential.
Metering: Contract Security Confirmed
The metering space faced serious uncertainty in the wake of broader government cuts, with the early termination of the contract a very real possibility. Following sustained advocacy, the energy minister made a statement in parliament confirming that all existing contracts will be honored. We will continue to hold the minister to his word to give assurance to our members in this space that the contract will run to its conclusion, protecting both jobs and operational continuity.
Asset Inspection: Drone Technology on Trial
In a forward-looking development, a trial is currently underway through PFA utilising drone technology to assist with asset inspections. This initiative is enabling up-close assessment of defects that may otherwise be difficult or time-consuming to access by traditional means. We will continue to monitor the outcomes of this trial and its potential implications for members.
Transmission: A Challenging Landscape with Promise Ahead
The Transmission Sector in Queensland has contracted significantly due to the combined impact of government cuts and project delays. Work is thin on the ground, and members in this space are feeling the pressure. That said, there is cautious optimism on the horizon, with projects expected to ramp up in the Gladstone area in the near future. Once activity picks up, we anticipate a boom uplift for the sector. Copperstring remains under threat of Privatisation, with no clear direction yet emerging from QIC. This is a situation we continue to watch closely.
Vegetation: Contracts Continuing with EQL
Vegetation Management Contracts with Energex Queensland (EQL) remain ongoing, providing steady work and continuity for members in this sector. We will keep members updated of any changes to scope or resourcing that emerge.
Your Health: Use Your EBA Skin Check Entitlement
A reminder to all members your Enterprise Bargaining Agreement includes a skin check clause, and we strongly encourage every member to make use of it. Majority of members spend a significant amount of time outdoors and exposed to the elements, making regular skin checks not just a benefit but a genuine necessity. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions when caught early, and this entitlement exists precisely for that reason. Do not let this go unuse Book your appointment, get checked, and encourage your workmates to do the same. Your EBA won this for you use it.
The challenges of recent months have tested our resolve, but they have also demonstrated the power of an engaged and united membership.
The work is not done yet, THE FIGHT CONTINUES!
CONTRACTING: CONTRACTING:
2026 is now well underway and the year has started strongly across a number of major projects throughout Queensland. With several large infrastructure jobs moving through key stages and new work beginning to ramp up across the state, the demand for skilled electricians continues to grow. At the same time, the importance of strong union agreements and collective organisation on site remains as critical as ever.
Negotiations for the Chubb Regional Fire Enterprise Bargaining Agreement are currently progressing well. After the third meeting, discussions are moving forward in a constructive manner. The clear goal from the workforce is achieving parity in pay and conditions with their comrades working in Southeast Queensland. Ensuring that workers across the state receive fair and consistent conditions remains a key focus as negotiations continue.
The Cross River Rail project has now entered the commissioning phase as the construction side of the project begins to wind down. Station construction is slowly wrapping up, and many subcontractors working on those areas have started making redundancies as their packages of work come to an end. Current estimates suggest the commissioning phase will continue for approximately the next 18 months before the project reaches completion.
The Future Fuels project at Ampol is also approaching it’s commissioning phase. At this stage it appears likely that the commissioning portion of the work may be awarded to a contractor separate from the current construction contractor, Kent. From a union perspective, this presents a positive opportunity, as it creates the ability to negotiate a new agreement for the final stage of the project. These transitional phases are often where strong union organisation can ensure workers remain protected through changing contractors.
The Woodford Correctional Centre expansion has now reached its peak construction stage, with the structural phase officially complete. Fit-out and commissioning work is now well underway, and the project is currently expected to finish months ahead of the original schedule. This outcome demonstrates what can be achieved when builders and the Building Trades Group of Unions work together in a proactive and cooperative way. When that happens, critical infrastructure can be delivered efficiently while maintaining safe and fair conditions for workers on site.
Across the broader construction sector, both EBA and non-EBA jobs are beginning to ramp up as many projects that have been in planning finally start turning dirt. Looking ahead to the end of the year, one major question remains: where will all the electricians come
Demand is increasing rapidly across several areas: High-rise and unit construction across Southeast Queensland, a surge in data centre construction driven by the global AI boom, as well as infrastructure and development related to the Brisbane Olympic Games. The amount of work coming online is significant and will place enormous pressure on the available skilled workforce.
While the growing workload is positive for the industry, there are also challenges. With the current political environment and ongoing attacks on unions from the LNP State Government, there has been an increase in non-EBA builders and subcontractors entering the market.
This makes it more important than ever that workers stay connected with their union and continue building strength across sites. If you are currently working on a non-EBA site, please contact your local organiser and arrange a visit to the job. With the amount of work coming into Queensland, there is no reason the company you work for shouldn’t be operating under an ETU Agreement with fair pay and conditions.
With major infrastructure projects progressing, private development booming, and Olympic infrastructure on the horizon, the future workload for electricians in Queensland is extremely strong. The challenge now is ensuring that as the industry grows, workers share in the benefits through strong agreements, fair wages, and safe conditions on site.
Jimmy Little
CONTRACTING: CONTRACTING:
We’re a quarter of the way into 2026 and most of my time has been dedicated to planning and site meetings for the 2026 Contracting EBA Campaign. There’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes with organisers, delegates and members to make sure we’re in the strongest possible position heading into negotiations.
We held our Delegates Conference in the last week of March, where we debated and worked through our new Log of Claims. It’s a big year for Contracting Members across our union, and the outcomes of this campaign will set the tone for the next few years. I’m confident we will stand up, stick together and be counted.
The major date for this campaign is the Mass Meeting booked in for the 2nd of June at the Convention Centre at Southbank. It’s absolutely vital we get every member there to participate in the renewal of their agreement. We’ll be organising transport to make sure members from all areas can attend. It’s your opportunity to have your say, debate the Log of Claims and endorse our negotiating position moving forward.
Also, on the 28th of April we’ll be holding the annual Worker’s Memorial Day at Emma Miller Place. This is one of the most important days of the year for trade unionists as we come together to pay our respects to fallen workers and stand with their families. It’s a reminder of why we fight so hard for safety and conditions on the job every single day.
May Day is coming up on the 4th of May in Brisbane, and it’s always a great family day for all members. It’s a chance to stand proud, show our strength and celebrate what being part of the union means. Look out for details on this year's May Day celebrations in Brisbane on our social media, I look forward to seeing you all there.
Wendel Moloney
LIFT INDUSTRY & GOLD COAST: LIFT INDUSTRY & GOLD COAST:
Lift Industry Update
The Lift Industry in QLD & NT is going from strength to strength, over the past 2 years the focus has been on having members understand that in order to achieve decent wages and conditions you need to fight for them, these multi-national companies will always push back.
Since the Implementation of a Lift State Sub-Branch – the Lift Industry has strengthened, and I’ve found it’s a great platform to build momentum with members leading into their EBA’s.
The Lift Industry State Sub-Branch Committee consists of members that have been elected in positions to chair and run these meetings, Kone –Schindler – Otis and TKE all have representation on this committee.
The Lift Industry currently holds four Sub-Branch meetings over each year. This continues to build membership and numbers, giving members a platform at these Sub-Branches to talk about issues across the Lift Industry and the direction its heading, which is positive. Having a delegate and HSR structure across various departments, trained up to understand the role and importance of representing members and providing them with the tools and support they require has grown across the Lift Industry.
Agreements negotiated over the last 2 years have seen some major wins in Rates and Entitlements, these haven’t been handed over easily with these multinational companies stepping up for a blue, but every time they do it’s the solidarity from members that always prevails.
Some of the major wins for the Lift Industry have been, Income Protection.
18 % Wage Increases over 3 years.
All Overtime Paid at Double time.
Superannuation Increases of 2.25% up to 15%.
Job Security Clause.
Multi-Storey Allowance from commencement of project.
A Focus on Lift Safety and improving Safety in the Lift Industry continues, they include.
Lift Shaft Fall Protection
Members understanding and having access to AS4431 “Safe working on new lift installations in new constructions.
Lift Shaft Emergency Lighting
Lift Shaft Emergency response plans to be effective
How to manage silicosis when installing and maintaining lifts.
The latest Agreements have seen members taking Protected Industrial Action and it has been affective, Protected Action would consist of specific site bans, ongoing 24-Hour work stoppages, overtime bans and work for specific client bans which were just some of the types of actions taken by members in the Lift Industry.
Industry standard wages and conditions continue to be delivered, and we constantly see that work continues to increase leading towards the 2032 Olympics. Right now there is no better time for members to improve their EBA’s.
Lift EBA’s being negotiated and finalised TKE FORTE LIFTS UNITED LIFTS
What’s Next for the Lift Industry “The Future is Bright” Lift Industry Sub-Branch 27 May Brisbane ETU Office 4pm th
Kone EBA Campaign kicking off September 6 months out from expiry date, followed by Schindler.
Gold Coast Regional Update
Gold Coast Region EBA’s currently being Negotiated
Rocky Point Sugar Mill.
Mi Electrical.
KDR Light Rail Technicians EBA.
Dormakaba Doors.
EBA’s coming up for negotiations.
Logan City Council, members are well underpaid, wit progression through additional classifications leve and we will also be aiming to achieve a decent wage industry standard and retention.
If you are working for the Gold Coast City Council member now is the time to join.
ASSA ABLOY Doors.
Kone Building Doors.
WHY DOESN’T MY COMPANY HAVE AN EBA?
Good question. Members need to reach out to either educating members on the process of achieving an EBA, regardless of where you are working all members should be receiving decent wages and conditions. There is a process to achieve this, and the key is strength in numbers, once your workplace has this there is no reason why you shouldn’t be on an EBA Agreement.
The Process is simple! See next two pages for more information on Gold Coast & EBA’s.
SUB BRANCH, YOUTH CREW & MAY DAY!
The Gold Coast Sub-Branch continues to provide members the opportunity to network and educate each other with strong union values, all members within the Gold Coast region are encouraged to attend. Sub - Branch meetings continue to be held at Mermaid Beach Bowls Club. Members will receive notification on these meetings every 3 months. Next Gold Coast Sub-Branch is scheduled for the 13 of May. th
th
The next Youth Crew meeting is scheduled for 6 of May “Let’s get amongst it” with members on the Gold Coast coming together being active and committed to educating all members across the Gold Coast region.
May Day Gold Coast Sunday 3 May location
Pratten Park Broadbeach, this is a great day to celebrate the struggles over the years and the future of our union, it’s a great family day and I encourage all members to attend, from free family activities, food, drinks and ice creams come along and enjoy the day. We will be there from 7am.
I will continue to thank all the delegates and active members working on the Gold Coast, you are what’s helping drive change in educating members, having regular monthly meetings and always pushing each other to better the industry. We will continue to grow these meetings and the future looks bright.
GOLD COAST: GOLD COAST:
2026 has started steadily on the Gold Coast, with projects continuing strong across the region. Locally there are over 30 different developers operating, and the self-delivery model doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. That said, major builders such as Hutchies and Multiplex are securing a good chunk of work.
The stalled Coomera Hospital project remains front of mind for many members on the coast. The current LNP Government has pushed the project through another redesign, and progress isn’t expected until September. This delay has been frustrating, given expectations that more than 100 electrical workers would already be on the job by this stage. This will be one to watch towards the back end of this year.
With more than $26 billion worth of work currently in the pipeline for the Gold Coast, the outlook for the industry remains extremely strong. We are expecting a number of major projects to come online during the second half of the year, leading to good opportunities for members. The coast is facing an unprecedented boom in construction, and with workers becoming increasingly organised, it’s never been a better time to be a member of the ETU.
The Contracting EBA is also up for negotiation this year. The contracting conference will see delegates from the industry meet and debate Log of Claim items for the new EBA, which aims
Members should also note a couple of important upcoming dates. International Workers’ Memorial Day will be held on the Gold Coast at Pratten Park on the 28th of April. May Day celebrations will be organised locally by the BTG on the 3rd of May and is shaping up to be a great family event celebrating the
EBA stands for ‘Enterprise Bargaining Agreement’ EBA’s aim to tailor employment conditions to the specific needs of a business and its employees, offering better pay and conditions than those provided in standard awards.
Negotiation:
EBAs are negotiated by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) through a process called enterprise bargaining, where employer and employee representatives discuss and agree on the terms.
Coverage:
EBAs can cover a single business or a group of businesses, and they can apply to all or some employees within that enterprise.
Legal Framework:
EBAs are governed by the Fair Work Act 2009 and must be approved by the Fair Work Commission to be legally enforceable.
Key Elements:
Pay rates, including allowances and penalty rates.
Hours of work, overtime, and rostering arrangements
Leave entitlements and conditions.
Superannuation contributions.
Workplace health and safety.
Consultation and dispute resolution procedures.
Advantages:
Improved pay and conditions: EBAs can result in higher pay, better leave, and improved working conditions compared to standard awards.
Tailored arrangements: They allow for flexibility to address the specific needs of a workplace and its employees.
Employee voice: EBAs can provide employees with a greater say in how their work is organized and managed.
Approval Process: Once negotiated, an EBA must be voted on by employees and then approved by the Fair Work Commission to ensure it meets legal requirements and that employees are better off overall.
MASS MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY 2ND JUNE AT THE BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE.
WE NEED A MAXMUM TURN OUT TO SHOW THESE COMPANIES WE ARE SERIOUS. THERE WILL BE PUSH BACK.
Allan Robinson isn’t the type to call himself a hero.
A 30-year ETU member, Allan has spent his life doing what electricians do best — working hard, looking after his crew, and quietly keeping the lights on. Originally from Oxley in Brisbane, he grew up in a household where union values weren’t just talked about, they were lived.
“My father is quite union strong and raised me with good values around teamwork and sticking together,”
Allan says. “My mum always volunteered at our sports, so I understood the value of community.”
That sense of teamwork has followed him everywhere — from rugby league fields where he played, coached and even served as club president, to job sites across the country. Starting his apprenticeship with SEQEB back in 1992, Allan built a career that has taken him from Energex to the mines of Western Australia, to remote communities in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Today, he’s based in Normanton with Ergon, working as a Field Construction Officer — a role that combines planning, leadership, and getting on the tools when needed.
Across three decades in the trade, Allan has seen it all. The highs of working with great crews in incredible parts of the country, and the sobering reality of what happens when things go wrong.
“On a whole it’s a great industry,” he says. “It pays well and gives you opportunities. But when someone gets hurt or killed, it makes you stop and reflect.”
It’s that mindset of safety first, always, that would prove critical on a New Year’s Eve that no one in Croydon will ever forget.
Allan and his partner Trudy had only planned to pass through town.
After navigating floodwaters and a long detour from Normanton, the pair had made it to Croydon, planning to stay the night before continuing on toward Cairns. It had already been a big day, involving a flood boat, a kilometre-long trek with suitcases, and a 120-kilometre drive just to get there.
By late afternoon, they had settled in at the caravan park, with dinner underway.
“We had a roast in the air fryer, and it switched off. That was the first I knew of the outage.”
At first, it seemed like any other outage. But as Allan checked in with others, it quickly became clear this was something bigger... the entire town was down.
Croydon runs off a single feeder, supplying not just the town but surrounding properties across a wide stretch of country. Floodwaters were cutting off access roads in every direction; there was no way for crews to get in.
Still, Allan wasn’t on the clock. He did what any off-duty electrician would do... he headed to the pub! But he didn’t make it inside.
“As we got to the door, someone recognised me and said there were powerlines down up the road.”
Moments later, police arrived.
“They asked if I could help… next thing I know, I’m in the back of a police car on New Year’s Eve. Couldn’t believe it.”
What followed was a textbook example of training, experience, and union values in action.
The situation was serious — downed lines across a roadway, unknown conditions, and a town without power heading into one of the biggest nights of the year. There were concerns about public safety, life support customers, and the risks associated with live electrical infrastructure.
Despite being on annual leave, Allan immediately stepped into the role.
“I rang the on-call supervisor, got permission, and contacted the control centre to let them know my intentions.”
From there, it was about assessing the situation and making it safe — the first and most important priority drilled into every ETU Electrician.
“Mindset is important — you treat everything as live until proven otherwise.”
With limited equipment available locally, Allan relied on something just as important as tools — community.
Allan & Trudy
“I knew a retired electrician in town, so we went and borrowed his insulated stick to isolate at the pole fuse.”
Working alongside police and the retired electrician, tasks were assigned, hazards discussed, and a plan executed. It was teamwork in its purest form — each person playing their role to get the job done safely.
“The police controlled public safety, Ian supplied the insulated stick and acted as spotter, and I was authorised to carry out the work.”
Eight metres above the ground, using the insulated stick, Allan isolated the fault — a precise, technical task that requires both skill and confidence. Then came the call.
Once everything was confirmed safe, Allan contacted the control centre, verified the details, and gave the goahead to restore power.
The result was instant.
“It was still light, but when you hear cheers coming from parties, you know the breaker has held in.”
Across Croydon, the lights flicked back on. Fridges hummed. Music restarted. Conversations turned into celebrations.
In a remote town where outages are part of life, this one had the potential to shut down New Year’s Eve entirely. Instead, it became something else.
“It’s hard enough living remote,” Allan says. “Having power to have a party and forget about it for a moment — that’s important.”
When police drove Allan back to the pub, the atmosphere said it all.
“The place was glowing with light and loud cheers. People were thanking us, buying drinks — there was a lot of talk about double time and callout pay.”
For Allan, though, the real reward was simpler.
“Trudy was proud of me seeing the recognition I was getting.”
Despite the praise, Allan remains grounded.
“It was an everyday job just done a little differently. Any of my work mates would have done the same thing.”
But that’s exactly the point.
Because what happened in Croydon wasn’t luck — it was the result of years of training, experience, and a culture that puts safety, teamwork and community first.
“You need the qualifications, the right tools, the PPE… but more than that, you need the mindset.”
Or as Allan recalls being told as an apprentice:
“The definition of lucky is when preparation meets opportunity.”
That preparation and those values are at the heart of the ETU.
From day one, members are taught what matters most:
“Safety of people. Protect the plant. Restore supply.”
It’s a simple framework, but one that carries enormous responsibility — especially in regional and remote communities where skilled electricians are often the difference between crisis and recovery.
“You need to be multi-skilled and resourceful out here,” Allan says. “It’s very important to have skilled people in remote locations.”
And when disaster strikes — whether it’s floods, fires, or major outages — ETU Members are often the ones stepping forward.
“We’re quite often on scene… looking at what needs to be made safe and how to get everything back to normal.”
For the next generation of electricians, Allan’s message is clear.
“Be part of your community and assist where you can.”
Because being an ETU Electrician isn’t just about the job.
It’s about the people you work with.
The communities you serve.
And the responsibility you carry every time you step onto a site — or, in this case, out of a pub and into the back of a police car on New Year’s Eve.
Allan Robinson might not call himself a hero.
But in Croydon, on one unforgettable night, he did what ETU Electricians have always done. He stepped up, made it safe, and brought the lights back on.
EdwiN stands Up to Fight for the People!
At just 26, Edwin Thompson is already making his mark as a proud ETU Delegate, representing workers at Coca-Cola’s Richlands site. Originally from Gympie and now based in Brisbane, Edwin stepped into the delegate role late last year when a long-serving colleague retired, and he hasn't looked back since.
A member of the ETU for the four years he has worked at Coca-Cola, his roots in unionism go even deeper. He has previously been a member of other unions and says his passion for the movement has always been strong. “Joining the ETU at Coca Cola was a no brainer, it is a great union.” Stepping into the delegate role sits well with Edwin’s passion.
“I like fighting people’s battles, probably more than my own!” he told us with a grin.
“It is important we have a voice!”
First Conference
Attending his first General Trade and Manufacturing Conference late last year, Edwin admits he wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but went in with the right mindset saying “I expected to learn more than anything.”
And that’s exactly what he did. Over the two-and-a-half-day event, Edwin found himself engaged and inspired by the range of topics and the unity of purpose among delegates.
“We discussed lots of important current topics across multiple areas, and it was reassuring to know that we are all fighting the same battles.”
“To be ETU means “To be ETU means to be proud” to be proud”
For Edwin, being part of the ETU is something to be proud of.
“It’s a great union,” he says.
“There’s been nothing but positive energy and great support!”
He takes his role as a delegate seriously, recognising the responsibility that comes with representing his workmates.
“I’m the essential voice for my fellow workers at Coca-Cola; I think that in itself is important.”
Edwin Thompson
Edwin sees conferences like this as a critical opportunity to grow, learn, and better serve the members he represents.
“These events help you learn new methods, understand problems that can come up as a delegate, and how to sort them for your workers,” he says.
Conference Highlights
One of the highlights for him was connecting with other delegates.
“Meeting everyone and using it as a chance to network that was the best part,” he says. “It was a fantastic chance to soak up the vital information shared around the conference.”
Key issues discussed included “recruitment strategies for non-members and potential issues that are coming up.” But the most valuable takeaway for Edwin was what he learned to prepare for upcoming Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations.
“We are about to go into EBA negotiations soon, so it’s essential we go in with expectations and be prepared for what they are looking to take away from us,” he explains. “All of which I learned across all days of the conference.”
With his first conference under his belt, Edwin returns to the workplace more equipped, more confident, and more committed than ever to represent his fellow workers for the future.
First to carry the Flag: Harvey LeadS the Way at Alstom
At the ETU, we are proud to stand beside members who don’t just wear the badge, they carry the flag. One such member is Harvey Reid, a 29-year-old electrician who is breaking ground as the first ETU Delegate at Alstom, a major player in Queensland’s growing rail industry.
Originally from the UK, Harvey grew up in Brisbane after his family made the move to Australia when he was young. After spending years in FIFO and construction, Harvey shifted into the rail industry where he’s now a vital part of Alstom’s maintenance, breakdown, corrective, and project teams. One of their most ambitious projects is delivering driverless trains for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Harvey is helping lead the charge.
Harvey has been a proud ETU Member for nearly nine years, and a delegate for just under 2 years. He took on the role after recognising a need for stronger, more visible union representation in his workplace. “No one wanted to stand up and do it, so I was always happy to be the one to do it and to carry the flag, push for better rights and conditions for other people who were too scared to do it.”
With a deep passion for safety, Harvey holds high expectations for both himself and his workmates.
Harvey joked, “There’s a bad saying in Railway; there’s a right way, there’s a wrong way, then there’s Railway”
“I have very high standards when it comes to safety,” he says. “We can achieve anything, but there’s a right way to do it and a safe way… just because there’s a fast way doesn’t mean it’s the best way.”
Harvey’s drive to become a delegate came from seeing a lack of union leadership and representation within his workplace.
“The expectations from union representatives fell short,” he explained. “So I took it upon myself to become the first ETU Delegate for Alstom.”
First Conference, Big Lessons
Attending his first ETU Conference late last year, Harvey walked in with an open mind and a clear purpose: to grow as a delegate.
“I knew I would gain a lot of experience from senior delegates,” he shared. “I wanted to take on a lot of information that I could use to become a better delegate.”
A standout moment for Harvey was the seminar delivered by Hall Payne Lawyers, who provided clarity on legal processes and protections something he finds incredibly relevant on the ground.
“Hall Payne gave us a clear sight of how we could progress and have a win out of these situations,” he said, referring to apprentices getting injured and not following proper reporting procedures. “It was vital information I can now implement into the workplace.”
“Educate and organise, that’s what we are here for”
Harvey Reid
Proud to Be ETU
Harvey’s union pride runs deep.
Despite being part of a diverse workforce where he could have joined another union, he made a clear choice:
“Being the first delegate for Alstom, I could’ve joined the Rail Union, but I’m proud to be a Sparkie. I don’t want to be anything else other than a sparkie, so I’m proud to be ETU.”
He’s carried lessons from the tradespeople he worked alongside as an apprentice, using both good and bad examples to shape how he supports and educates others today.
“I want to project the right information and knowledge onto future generations and apprentices and teach them it’s okay to speak up and there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“You can be the best person you can be as long as you stand up for what is right!”
Another highlight of the conference was hearing from Danger Sun Overhead, having worked on solar farms before sun safety resonated with Harvey.
“We can be naïve to the fact that there are these hazards out there that you can’t see, so it’s important we pick up information that we can reflect on and project onto other members to make us all well aware.”
Fighting for the Future
As Alstom and the rail industry move full steam ahead with projects like Cross River Rail, Harvey says conference gave him vital confidence and education in regards to EBA negotiations. “There’s a lot of chat around EBA bargaining and negotiations,” he says. “We spoke about different clauses around safety and heat stress. ‘Heating off conditions’ is something I believe should definitely be fought for in the next EBA.”
Harvey Reid is more than just Alstom’s first ETU Delegate, he’s a trailblazer. The strength of our union lies in those who are willing to stand up and lead, we’re proud to call him one of our own.
BUILD AND DONATE NEW BIKES TO BUILD AND DONATE NEW BIKES TO FOSTER CHILDREN FOR CHRISTMAS FOSTER CHILDREN FOR CHRISTMAS
Thank you to all the ETU Youth Crew members alongside the BTG, who donated their time to help renovate the new Boss Boxing Gym!
Workers Memorial Day
A day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.
Tuesday, 28 April 2026 th Brisbane Gold Coast
10.00am
Emma Miller Place 11.00am
Pratten Park, Old Burleigh Rd Broadbeach
Celebrate 110 Years of Solidarity! Celebrate 110 Years of Solidarity!
Last year marked 110 years of the Electrical Trades Union Queensland & Northern Territory Branch. 110 years of standing up for workers, defending conditions, and fighting for a fair go.
To commemorate this historic milestone, the ETU has released a one-time, limited edition 110 Year merchandise collection, created to honour our past, celebrate our strength, and recognise the generations of members who built this union.
This exclusive range is a lasting tribute to our shared history and the collective power that has carried the ETU forward for more than a century.
Quantities are strictly limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of ETU history!
“AMESSAGEFROMTHEWIPGROUP,CEO”
Your union the mighty ETU QLD Branch has done a great job in securing the financial security of members through fighting for and winning employer funded group income protection. There are over 168 ETU QLD EBA’s with income protection covering more than ¾ of the membership.
Income protection ensures the standard of living you enjoy continues if you are injured or become ill and cannot work. A good union job should include employer funded income protection. The WIP group is working with the ETU to ensure every EBA has employer funded group income protection. Those members not currently covered by income protection have accesses to market leading individual income protection at reduced rates via Canopy: www.canopyinsurance.com.au/etu.
We encourage any member of the ETU please reach out and contact our Growth and Partnerships officer Michael Clayton on 0491919950 or michaelc@windsorip.com.au.
In Unity, Jason Potter Rose ETU Member 93553
CAPITALBENEFITSPOLICY
WIP Group proudly supported the ETU in strengthening its capital benefits policy, doubling the solidarity payment from $500 to $1000 and introducing a new $2500 specified illness benefit for members.
16,300 MEMBERS COVERED OVER 168
WIP Group Income Protection has PAID OUT OVER $33 million since 2020 in support to ETU Members and their Families.
