ABOUT THE UNION
Federal Secretary - Dave Smith
The AMWU – Vehicle Division has a long and proud industry.
The logo of Unity and Progress was first used by the Coach Builders Association in England in 1738.
The Union has undergone many changes over the previous 270 years but one thing has been constant - A belief that through unity, working people make progress.
The modern Union’s history begins in 1988 when current National Divisional Secretary Ian Jones successfully contested the election.
Ian took the Union back to basics. He created a democratic union based on member representation and giving members a voice.
In 1988 Vehicle production workers were the lowest paid production workers in Australia. Today they are amongst the highest. Every gain was hard won; employers did not give away the wages and conditions that Vehicle workers enjoy today. But through unity came progress.
Some of the gains the union has achieved since 1988 are:
- 1st blue collar union to achieve long service leave entitlement after 10 years service at 1.3 weeks per year of service – was 15 years at .866 per year of service.
- 1st blue collar union to achieve a paid maternity leave entitlement.
- Provisions in agreements which ensure workers receive appropriate compensation in the form of redundancy payments – on average 4 weeks notice and 4 weeks per year of service.
- Wage increases of between 4-5% over the last 15 years.
- Allowances have doubled.
- Provisions in agreements which provide procedures for the handling workers’ grievances with respect and dignity.
- 10% Superannuation.
There will always be more to improve on and challenges to face. It was only a few short years ago that the Liberals tried to smash the Union movement with WorkChoices and re-take all the hard won gains.
In the meantime the Vehicle Builders Union in its current form of the AMWU – Vehicle Division will continue to fight for the best wages and conditions for its members.
The Vehicle Division National Office is located at the AMWU's Melbourne Headquarters, Level 2, 251 Queensberry St, Carlton South, and you can contact us on (03) 9230 5888.