Western Power workers in Mid West take industrial action over fairer pay, conditions

Western Power workers in the Mid West took industrial action on Thursday as their union fights for better pay and working conditions. About 30 workers took to the Geraldton CBD, protesting outside Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton’s office in the hopes of having their voices heard. The WA branch of the Electrical Trades Union is seeking a 36-hour work week in line with the Eastern States, 5 per cent yearly increases to wages, and a regional housing allowance for those working in regional WA. Union organiser Rory Cumins said increases to the cost of living meant workers were seeking to catch up. “Over a decade, there’s been significant increases in (consumer price index) — if you go from December to December over the last three years, it’s been 17.5 per cent,” he said. “The cost of living is going up. It’s hurting everybody. And with the State wage case, Western Power workers have been left behind.” “They’re just seeking parity with everybody else in Western Australia.” According to the union, negotiations with the State Government have been “amicable”, and some concessions have been made. However, the big items, mainly the 36-hour week, are yet to be agreed to. Mr Cumins said workers in Geraldton were important, particularly in the event of natural disasters. “They were the heroes in cyclone Seroja. They’re out there in the cold, the wind, the hail, putting power back on to the families of the Mid West and Geraldton,” he said. “That’s why we’re asking for the support of the community to get behind the Western Power workers here, not only Geraldton but also the State. They do a tremendous job. “They’re hidden heroes. People don’t really see them much, but they deserve their pay increases like everybody else.” Striking workers hoped to speak with Ms Dalton and get her support so she could pass on the message to Energy Minister Reece Whitby. “It’s about time that these men and women of Western Power who haven’t had any significant wage increases for over a decade — it’s about time that they start getting paid and keeping up with cost of living,” Mr Cumins said. The workers were set to be off work on Thursday and Friday, but some workers would be on call in the case of an emergency. Western Power said plans were in place to minimise any potential impacts to reliability, and that it remained open to good faith bargaining.