With union activity on the rise, building regulator must remain

Peak Australian electrical industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), renewed its calls to the Australian Government not to remove the powers of the building industry regulator.

NECA understands that the Australian Government will soon introduce a Bill into Parliament that will see the building industry regulator, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), abolished and the powers of the ABCC scaled back in a new agency.  The Prime Minister told Caucus in mid-October about plans to introduce legislation to replace the ABCC.

NECA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Tinslay, said the ABCC is achieving good results and its powers are needed in the building and construction industry to stamp out unlawful behaviour.

“The ABCC has been effective in cleaning up the building industry and it is a step in the wrong direction if the Government continues with plans to rip it apart,” Mr Tinslay said.

“With the sharpening increase of union activity in recent weeks, it is clear that the building industry will not be immune and the regulator still has plenty of work to do.  It is worrying for electrical contractors and others in the building industry not to have an independent regulator.

“Lawlessness is still exhibited in the industry today but the ABCC has been effective in removing the worst instances.  Removing the ABCC or emasculating its powers will see increased inappropriate behaviour and this will lead to the costs of projects blowing out and delays in construction.”

The Australian Government has not consulted with industry about the decision to abolish the ABCC or reduce its powers.  NECA again calls on the Government and joins other peak industry bodies such as Master Builders Australia in their efforts to retain the ABCC and its powers.

“The destruction of the ABCC will impact the building and construction industry.  It is reasonable to expect that a significant decision like the removal of the watchdog should not be considered until the industry is consulted,” Mr Tinslay said.

“The ABCC was established following the 2003 Cole Royal Commission into problems in construction industry.  The findings and recommendations from that inquiry still remain relevant today.”

NECASafe Safety Management System

NECASafe is an integrated in-house or on-line safety management system for your business, removing the need for bulky paper-based procedures and files - saving you time and money.

For futher information on the NECASafe System please click here.

Modern Award Rates and the 3.4% increase to minimum wages

 On 3 June 2011, Fair Work Australia minimum wage panel handed down its second annual wage decision. This bulletin will take into consideration the following:

 1. The 3.4% increase to Modern Awards and the Federal Minimum Wage.

2. The increase will apply on a proportionate basis to employees that are paid a percentage of adult rates (e.g. apprentices).

3. The increase to expense related allowances by the relevant component of the CPI.

4. Transitional provisions relating to transfer from the old State Award rates to the Modern Award rates.

The effect of the transitional provisions means that the change to minimum wages is likely to result in an amount which does not appear to be a 3.4% increase per week.

Members can rest assured that the rates of pay in this Bulletin have been researched thoroughly and are accurate.

Casual loading

Casual loading has increased to the following rates:

• · Electrical award: increased to 23.8%
• · Clerical award: increased to 23.8%

Modern Award - Free Guide and Online Video

How to get your free copy of the guide to the Modern Award

Electrical contractors and other companies employing staff under the Electrical, Electronics and Communications Contracting Award will have access to a plain English guide to the Modern Award and a free online webinar thanks to NECA.

NECA received funding for the Shared Industry Assistance Program (SIAP) managed by the Fair Work Ombudsman and launched the online webinars on 5 April 2011 on the NECA website. 

 To find out more about the guide and the online videos CLICK HERE.

Important information for your business

Mandatory Industry Association Membership - Security Providers Act 1993

The Queensland Government recently passed legislation requiring all businesses working in the security industry to be a member of an approved security industry association.  NECA Queensland can advise that its application for approval was granted on Friday 1st April 2011.  This means that as a NECA member you will comply with the requirement of being a member of a registered security industry association.

Security firms are required to be a member of an approved association by 26 April 2011 or they run the risk of having their security licence cancelled.  Further, all electrical contractors providing services to the security industry must hold a security providers licence.  If you are a provider of security services and are affected by the changes to the Security Providers Act 1993 which take effect 26 April 2011, please advise us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will work with you to achieve compliance. 

2011 NECA Excellence Awards

The 2011 NECA Queensland Excellence and Apprentice Awards were held on Friday 2 September 2011 at Royal on the Park in Brisbane. To find out who the winners were vist our Excellence Awards page and for our star Apprentices click here.

2011 Electrical Industry Golf Day

The Annual Electrical Industry Golf Day was held at the Victoria Park Golf Complex, Herston on 15 June 2011.  View the winners who enjoyed a fun day with colleagues from the industry with a gourmet barbeque followed by the State of Origin game 2 live on the big screen.  Visit the Golf Day Page and see our event.

New Recommended Charge Out Rates

NECA has updated the Industry Recommended Charge Out Rates.  These rates are available for members to benchmark against and to use in discussions with customers regarding pricing.  Log in and follow the Industrial Relations tab to access these new rates.

Foil Insulation Safety Program

Further details about this is available on the Government website.

http://www.environment.gov.au/eehp/safety-plan/foil-insulation.html#elec

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