A state wide campaign to stop the privatisation of electricity in NSW is being planned after a meeting of AMWU delegates in the power industry resolved to take up the fight to the Iemma Government.
The push for a multi-faceted campaign came out of the power industry delegates’ meeting last Thursday, where there was complete condemnation for the Iemma Government’s proposal to go ahead with the privatisation of the state’s electricity.
In a strongly worded resolution, the delegates expressed ‘disgust’ at the behaviour of the Premier and the Treasurer at the ALP State Conference for their defiance of Labor Party policy. There is also anger and disappointment at the government’s refusal to negotiate.
The meeting was organised to report to the members on the outcomes of the Conference.
AMWU NSW Secretary Paul Bastian said the delegates are very determined not to accept the hand that’s been dealt to them by the government.
“They know that the government has no mandate to go down the privatisation road and they are confident that their campaign will have the support of the vast majority of the people of NSW.”
The delegates also called for the government to conduct a referendum on the issue so that the people of NSW can decide if the government has a mandate to continue with the privatisation plans.
Mr Bastian said further mass meetings are taking place at every generator and retail site in the state as AMWU members endorse the campaign.
“The campaign will be industrial and political. Individual politicians will be targeted and urged to vote against any moves to privatise or lease existing assets and retail providers.”
The delegates are of the view that electricity is an essential service and as such it should be provided to the community by the government, not by a business to make profits.
Mr Bastian also pointed out that the reporting of the privatisation issue in the press was painted, wrongly, as a “unions versus government” scenario.
“They keep talking about unions and our intransigence and our unwillingness to change, but the fact is that 85% of the state is opposed to this sale.
“As much as we’d like it, unions don’t make up 85% of the population of the state.”
Meanwhile in Brisbane, three thousand power workers took to the streets as part of their campaign for better pay.
The rally outside Parliament last Wednesday 14 May was attended by many AMWU members who are frustrated by a lack of movement on behalf of the Queensland government in negotiating a new pay rate as part of their EBA.
AMWU Queensland organiser, Rohan Webb said the stoppage which did not affect the community, was a great success and that negotiations with the government are continuing.