Page 1974 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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There is one story that I would like to highlight, and that is the story of SSDS cleaner Elica Jankuloska. Elica has worked cleaning the defence department buildings for over 17 years. Last month Elica was reprimanded by the company because she left work early because she was feeling ill. Elica explained what had happened and defended herself against the company’s actions and it appears that because of this SSDS might be taking actions against her to her disadvantage. SSDS cut her hours and changed her roster, claiming operational reasons, but then they refused to pay her severance.
Elica has worked 12 hours a day for the company, and every cent she earned was spent on the mortgage on her family home and bills. As SSDS pays lower wage rates than the majority of the cleaning industry in the ACT, she must work very long hours to make a living wage. Her particular hours of work were important to her because in between shifts she cared for her disabled niece. Elica made it clear to SSDS that she wanted to be represented by her union’s legal advisers in relation to the dispute that followed the change of her hours, but SSDS has ignored her request and is insisting on approaching her directly about these changes.
Unfortunately, it appears that Elica’s story is all too common, and that is why I am calling on everyone here today who thinks that people should be treated with respect and decency at work to join with Elica and her colleagues at RMC Duntroon tomorrow at midday as they take action to protect their conditions and rights at work.
Civil Contractors Federation—earth awards
Motorcycle Riders Association—blanket run
MR WALL (Brindabella) (4.48): I rise this afternoon to acknowledge the recipients of the 2013 ACT Civil Contractors Federation earth awards. On Friday, 10 May I was pleased to attend the first of the five state and territory CCF award dinners for 2013. Here in the ACT this year’s event was co-hosted by the Master Builders Association and was a great opportunity to recognise the significant role civil contractors play in shaping the city in which we live. The Civil Contractors Federation is the peak body representing Australia’s civil construction industry and has branches in all states and territories, with over 2,000 contractor and associate members across these branches.
Earth awards are presented to civil construction leaders in each state, culminating in the national awards to be held in Melbourne later this year. The awards recognise outstanding construction and environmental excellence in construction across the industry. The entries are assessed against the same criteria to ensure fairness.
This year the ACT CCF recognised winners in two categories. Category 2 was for projects valued at between $1 million and $5 million and was awarded to Ward Civil and Environmental Engineering. Category 3 was for projects valued at between $5 million and $20 million and this year was awarded to Cord Civil.
The CCF earth awards were first presented in 1994 and over the years have seen many changes and advances in construction techniques in the civil engineering sector. I
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