Workers from the Metal-working, construction and electrical trades are uniting together with the aim of getting a better deal at two major construction projects in regional Victoria.

The AMWU, together with the AWU, CFMEU, and ETU, have been negotiating with Barwon Water and John Holland Construction in recent weeks, trying to get union collective agreements to cover all workers on the sites in the Geelong region.

“We have put together a draft agreement. It’s been put to Barwon Water and John Holland Construction,” said AMWU Geelong Regional Organiser Peter Douglas. 

“It’s clear John Holland Construction do not want Project Agreements in place, but some workers will be worse off without them.”

If secured, the agreements would cover workers on the planned Northern Water Plant in Corio and the first stage of the Black Rock treatment plant between Ocean Grove and Torquay.

With no Project Agreement in place, workers’ wages and conditions will be at the mercy of individual contractors.  

“Workers are entitled to have clear, agreed conditions that are standard across the sites. Without project agreements it stands they won’t have that,” said Mr Douglas.

In the recent 2010 financial year John Holland Holdings recorded an after tax profit of $132 million dollars. The projects, jointly funded by State and Federal Government, Barwon Water and Shell are worth $90 million and $30 million respectively. 

Despite the company’s strong financial position, John Holland Construction has so far refused to sign basic Project Agreements for labourers and special class trades people.

“We have taken a united stand. Project Agreements provide a level playing field and they are also an important mechanism in achieving productive and safer workplaces.


The unions expect to get a response by Saturday the 6th of November.