By Jill Hickson
SYDNEY — The Sydney Water Board is planning to axe 3000 jobs over the next two years. On February 17, the Water and Maritime Industry Union released a document from the board which proposed a restructuring that would involve the reduction of its staff by 30% as a trade-off for a 10% pay increase.
The union argues that workers are due a wage increase as part of the trade-off for productivity increases and restructuring since 1988.
The pay claim is due to be heard by the Industrial Commission in May. The board offers an immediate 5% pay rise if the union agrees to "restructuring of employee categories". This is a euphemism for agreeing to the loss of 3000 jobs and the removal of several long-standing conditions, including travel allowances, which would mean real wage cuts for workers.
The second aspect of this proposal would be to dissolve the difference between blue and white collar workers, opening the way for job-sharing and part-time work.
For the second 5% wage increase, workers would have to accept "culture changes" which would involve an increase in automation and computer control of sewage treatment plants and an increase in high-tech skilling as new technology is introduced, replacing workers and increasing productivity a further 20%.
The board admits that there have been substantial increases to productivity in the last few years alongside substantial "downsizing", but claims that its commercial arms are operating on a "marginal basis".
If the proposed job cuts go ahead, the board's environmental program, accused of allowing toxic waste dumping into the inefficient sewerage system, would be even more of a joke than it is now.
The State Liberal government has refused to inject the necessary funds to update the sewage system whereby toxic material would not be able to pass through the new plants and put an end to toxic waste dumping.
Union action involved a stop-work meeting on February 24 after 200 union delegates met with the union on February 17 to plan a response to the board's plans.