Electrical Trades Union of Australia
Encyclopedia
The Electrical Trades Union of Australia (ETU) is a trade union
in Australia
which has a history stretching back over 100 years. In its modern form the ETU is a division of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union
(CEPU), although it is possibly the most well known of the three divisions. At a state registered level, the union often exists as a separately registered union as for example it does in Queensland
.
On 24 December 1919 Electrical Trades Union of Australia federally re-registered under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1904 as an association of employees. This date is now taken as the official registration date of the Federal Union.
Whilst being a part of the CEPU the union has carved out for itself a unique identity. It is well known for its militant
attitude. Its members have long memories and openly berated Peter Beattie
for giving former Queensland
premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
a state funeral. The Bjekle-Petersen government had sacked ETU members working at SEQEB in 1985 during a bitter dispute over superannuation. Like other trade unions of the left in Australia it has adopted the Eureka Flag
as one of its logos.
From 2004 onwards the ETU has been struggling internally with the Communications division of the CEPU. Perceived deficiencies in the Communications Division of the CEPU have meant that the Electrical Division (ETU) has attempted to recruit Telstra
employees into its division.
In the lead-up to the 2010 Federal election the Victorian ETU withdrew its support for the Labor
party, citing Labor's refusal to scrap laws restricting union action on building sites.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
which has a history stretching back over 100 years. In its modern form the ETU is a division of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia is a trade union in Australia. Its full name is the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia as it represents workers in all of these industries.CEPU is an...
(CEPU), although it is possibly the most well known of the three divisions. At a state registered level, the union often exists as a separately registered union as for example it does in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
On 24 December 1919 Electrical Trades Union of Australia federally re-registered under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1904 as an association of employees. This date is now taken as the official registration date of the Federal Union.
Whilst being a part of the CEPU the union has carved out for itself a unique identity. It is well known for its militant
Militant
The word militant, which is both an adjective and a noun, usually is used to mean vigorously active, combative and aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in 'militant reformers'. It comes from the 15th century Latin "militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier"...
attitude. Its members have long memories and openly berated Peter Beattie
Peter Beattie
Peter Douglas Beattie , Australian politician, was the 36th Premier of the Australian state of Queensland for nine years and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state for eleven and a half years...
for giving former Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
a state funeral. The Bjekle-Petersen government had sacked ETU members working at SEQEB in 1985 during a bitter dispute over superannuation. Like other trade unions of the left in Australia it has adopted the Eureka Flag
Eureka Flag
The Eureka Flag is a design; a dark blue field with a central white symmetric cross consisting five eight-pointed stars, representing the Crux constellation....
as one of its logos.
From 2004 onwards the ETU has been struggling internally with the Communications division of the CEPU. Perceived deficiencies in the Communications Division of the CEPU have meant that the Electrical Division (ETU) has attempted to recruit Telstra
Telstra
Telstra Corporation Limited is an Australian telecommunications and media company, building and operating telecommunications networks and marketing voice, mobile, internet access and pay television products and services....
employees into its division.
In the lead-up to the 2010 Federal election the Victorian ETU withdrew its support for the Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
party, citing Labor's refusal to scrap laws restricting union action on building sites.