ABOUT US | UNION HISTORY
Who is the Plumbers Union?
THE PLUMBERS UNION HAS TWO LEGAL IDENTITIES: In the federal industrial relations system the Plumbers Union is - the Queensland branch of the Plumbing Division of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU). In the Queensland industrial relations system the Plumbers Union is - the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union Queensland, Union of Employees (PGEU).
1880 - 1900
1880 The Eight Hour Day Won
The 8 hour day was won. This campaign was one of the main reasons why plumbers and gasfitters unionised.
1890 Union Formed
The Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union (PGEU) was formed in Queensland in about 1890 only to have to be reformed again in 1904. Some of the important issues taken up by the Union in the early years were workers compensation, annual leave and sick leave.
1893 First May Day March in Qld
The first May Day march took place in Brisbane on 1st May 1893 but the date was later changed to the first Monday in May when that day was proclaimed a public holiday in the State.
1901 - 1950
1912 PGEU Joins the Australian Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees Union
The Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union, PGEU, became a branch of the Australian Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees’ Union.
1947 The 40hr Week Won
The working week was reduced to a 40 hour working week.
1950 The Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board Formed
The Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board was established by the Sewerage, Water Supply & Gasfitters Act 1949 which took effect on 1 Jan 1950. The Board was responsible for the examination and licensing of plumbers and drainers, and hearing complaints.
1951 - 1985
1972 Fight for Better Wages and Conditions
Sprinkler fitters in Queensland went on strike for 10 weeks as part of a national campaign to force employers to pay improved wages and conditions.
1976–1979 Fight for Federal Award
Between these years Plumbers were forced into prolonged strike action in support of a new Federal Award to apply in this state. Over the next 30 years members have received higher wages and better conditions than those on state awards as a result of the union winning these disputes.
1982 The 38hr Week Won
The Plumbers Union won a further reduction in working hours to 38 per week (19 day month).
1984 Intake of Sprinkler Fitting Apprentices
The first intake of apprentice sprinkler fitters occurred in 1986. Training was initially done at Yeronga TAFE, however after 3 years it was decided that the training should be done in Melbourne or Sydney.
1986 - 1990
1986 BUSSQ Established
1986 saw the introduction of superannuation for plumbers when the Building Union Superannuation Scheme Queensland (BUSSQ) was established. In an attempt to prevent the introduction of superannuation into the Queensland building industry the State government took legal action against Union officials in which they sought $16M in fines. The Union won the court case which allowed BUSSQ to continue to operate. BUSSQ has been one of the best performing industry superannuation funds over the last 20 years.
1986 Wage Increases
The PGEU decided to break from the Prices and Wages Accord that had been put in place by an agreement between the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Federal Labor government of the day. The Union listened to its members, the majority of whom disagreed with a freeze on wages. Many members received wage increases as a result of the dispute but the expectation that other unions would join the campaign was not realised and after government intervention the dispute ended in early 1987.
1989 BERT Founded
The Building Employees Redundancy Trust (BERT) was created to hold plumbers’ redundancy payments. Interest gained on investments is returned to the building industry as training funds and other benefits to building workers. Hundreds of plumbers have received redundancy payments, undergone training at little or no cost, had family members funerals paid for and received other benefits from this scheme.
1989 QLeave Created
For many years other plumbers in other states had the benefit of Portable Long Service Leave in the building construction industry. Very few plumbers were able to take Long Service Leave even after a lifetime in the industry because it is virtually impossible to spend 15 years with the one employer. The introduction of QLeave in 1989 as a portable scheme meant that a plumber only had to spend 15 years in the industry before being eligible to 13 weeks paid leave.
1991 - 2000
1992 EPU Formed
After several years of negotiations the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union and Electrical Trades Union amalgamated and formed the Electrical and Plumbers Union (EPU) in 1992. This occurred at a time when many smaller Australian unions amalgamated as the result of pressure from the Federal government and the ACTU. Each union retained its own identity within the EPU by the creation of the Plumbing and Electrical Divisions.
1993 Enterprise Bargaining Introduced
In 1993 the Australian Union Movement was confronted by new industrial laws that required unions to negotiate wages and conditions with each employer (enterprise bargaining). The Plumbers Union was opposed to any wages system that left workers in country areas or in industrially weak workplaces powerless to gain reasonable wage increases, so it was with some reluctance that the Union embarked on enterprise bargaining with employers. The faults in the system have now become clear, the only plumbers and sprinkler fitters in Queensland who are receiving reasonable wages and conditions are union members who work for large companies which have agreements with the Union.
Members of this Union now have wages and conditions at least equal to any other Australian building industry workers and more than most. The difference between union and non union rates has grown over the last 15 years to more than 30%.
1994 CEPU Formed
In 1994 the EPU amalgamated with the Communication Workers Union to form the CEPU.
1995 Union Employs Training Officer
The Union received a grant to employ a Training Officer as well as funds for training from the BERT scheme in 1995. Over the next several years, hundreds of members were able to access free or discounted training.
2001 - 2009
2001 Licensing Extended to Sprinkler Fitters
The Union has argued at the Plumbers Licensing Board that sprinkler fitting should become a licensed trade in the same way sanitary plumbing has been for many years. In 2001 the Board agreed to extend licensing to sprinkler fitters. For the first time the trade of sprinkler fitting was protected from competition for jobs from untrained and unqualified workers.
2003 Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board Formed
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002, the Board was replaced by the Plumbers and Drainers Board on 1 November 2003. Plumbers licensing has always been seen as a priority and the Union has always had a representative on the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board. The Board is now an effective organisation that ensures Queensland plumbers, drainers and sprinkler fitters are competent and comply with all legislative requirements.
2004 JIST Formed
A training company was formed in 2004 in partnership with several plumbing companies. Joint Industry Services Training (JIST) now has 7 staff and is training all Queensland sprinkler fitter apprentices as well as conducting post trade training for tradesperson plumbing and sprinkler fitter members. JIST was created with the intention of giving employers, who choose to be involved, a commercial advantage by having more highly trained and more productive employees. Union members employed by these companies benefit by receiving higher wages and better job security than those working for other companies.
2005 STIF Formed
The Services Trades Industry Fund (STIF) was established in 2005 to provide funds that can be used for the benefit of the industry. STIF funds are spent on such issues as training, health and safety, lobbying of governments and skills development. STIF is proof of the cooperation that can exist between reasonable employers and unions. STIF was created with the intention of giving employers, who choose to be involved, a commercial advantage by having more highly trained and more productive employees. Union members employed by these companies benefit by receiving higher wages and better job security than those working for other companies.
2008 New Standards Set
2008 saw the Union sign agreements with plumbing (sanitary and mechanical) companies and fire protection companies that set a new high standard for workers in the building and construction industry.
THE PLUMBERS UNION HAS TWO LEGAL IDENTITIES: In the federal industrial relations system the Plumbers Union is - the Queensland branch of the Plumbing Division of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU). In the Queensland industrial relations system the Plumbers Union is - the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union Queensland, Union of Employees (PGEU).
1880 - 1900
1880 The Eight Hour Day Won
The 8 hour day was won. This campaign was one of the main reasons why plumbers and gasfitters unionised.
1890 Union Formed
The Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union (PGEU) was formed in Queensland in about 1890 only to have to be reformed again in 1904. Some of the important issues taken up by the Union in the early years were workers compensation, annual leave and sick leave.
1893 First May Day March in Qld
The first May Day march took place in Brisbane on 1st May 1893 but the date was later changed to the first Monday in May when that day was proclaimed a public holiday in the State.
1901 - 1950
1912 PGEU Joins the Australian Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees Union
The Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union, PGEU, became a branch of the Australian Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees’ Union.
1947 The 40hr Week Won
The working week was reduced to a 40 hour working week.
1950 The Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board Formed
The Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board was established by the Sewerage, Water Supply & Gasfitters Act 1949 which took effect on 1 Jan 1950. The Board was responsible for the examination and licensing of plumbers and drainers, and hearing complaints.
1951 - 1985
1972 Fight for Better Wages and Conditions
Sprinkler fitters in Queensland went on strike for 10 weeks as part of a national campaign to force employers to pay improved wages and conditions.
1976–1979 Fight for Federal Award
Between these years Plumbers were forced into prolonged strike action in support of a new Federal Award to apply in this state. Over the next 30 years members have received higher wages and better conditions than those on state awards as a result of the union winning these disputes.
1982 The 38hr Week Won
The Plumbers Union won a further reduction in working hours to 38 per week (19 day month).
1984 Intake of Sprinkler Fitting Apprentices
The first intake of apprentice sprinkler fitters occurred in 1986. Training was initially done at Yeronga TAFE, however after 3 years it was decided that the training should be done in Melbourne or Sydney.
1986 - 1990
1986 BUSSQ Established
1986 saw the introduction of superannuation for plumbers when the Building Union Superannuation Scheme Queensland (BUSSQ) was established. In an attempt to prevent the introduction of superannuation into the Queensland building industry the State government took legal action against Union officials in which they sought $16M in fines. The Union won the court case which allowed BUSSQ to continue to operate. BUSSQ has been one of the best performing industry superannuation funds over the last 20 years.
1986 Wage Increases
The PGEU decided to break from the Prices and Wages Accord that had been put in place by an agreement between the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Federal Labor government of the day. The Union listened to its members, the majority of whom disagreed with a freeze on wages. Many members received wage increases as a result of the dispute but the expectation that other unions would join the campaign was not realised and after government intervention the dispute ended in early 1987.
1989 BERT Founded
The Building Employees Redundancy Trust (BERT) was created to hold plumbers’ redundancy payments. Interest gained on investments is returned to the building industry as training funds and other benefits to building workers. Hundreds of plumbers have received redundancy payments, undergone training at little or no cost, had family members funerals paid for and received other benefits from this scheme.
1989 QLeave Created
For many years other plumbers in other states had the benefit of Portable Long Service Leave in the building construction industry. Very few plumbers were able to take Long Service Leave even after a lifetime in the industry because it is virtually impossible to spend 15 years with the one employer. The introduction of QLeave in 1989 as a portable scheme meant that a plumber only had to spend 15 years in the industry before being eligible to 13 weeks paid leave.
1991 - 2000
1992 EPU Formed
After several years of negotiations the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union and Electrical Trades Union amalgamated and formed the Electrical and Plumbers Union (EPU) in 1992. This occurred at a time when many smaller Australian unions amalgamated as the result of pressure from the Federal government and the ACTU. Each union retained its own identity within the EPU by the creation of the Plumbing and Electrical Divisions.
1993 Enterprise Bargaining Introduced
In 1993 the Australian Union Movement was confronted by new industrial laws that required unions to negotiate wages and conditions with each employer (enterprise bargaining). The Plumbers Union was opposed to any wages system that left workers in country areas or in industrially weak workplaces powerless to gain reasonable wage increases, so it was with some reluctance that the Union embarked on enterprise bargaining with employers. The faults in the system have now become clear, the only plumbers and sprinkler fitters in Queensland who are receiving reasonable wages and conditions are union members who work for large companies which have agreements with the Union.
Members of this Union now have wages and conditions at least equal to any other Australian building industry workers and more than most. The difference between union and non union rates has grown over the last 15 years to more than 30%.
1994 CEPU Formed
In 1994 the EPU amalgamated with the Communication Workers Union to form the CEPU.
1995 Union Employs Training Officer
The Union received a grant to employ a Training Officer as well as funds for training from the BERT scheme in 1995. Over the next several years, hundreds of members were able to access free or discounted training.
2001 - 2009
2001 Licensing Extended to Sprinkler Fitters
The Union has argued at the Plumbers Licensing Board that sprinkler fitting should become a licensed trade in the same way sanitary plumbing has been for many years. In 2001 the Board agreed to extend licensing to sprinkler fitters. For the first time the trade of sprinkler fitting was protected from competition for jobs from untrained and unqualified workers.
2003 Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board Formed
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002, the Board was replaced by the Plumbers and Drainers Board on 1 November 2003. Plumbers licensing has always been seen as a priority and the Union has always had a representative on the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board. The Board is now an effective organisation that ensures Queensland plumbers, drainers and sprinkler fitters are competent and comply with all legislative requirements.
2004 JIST Formed
A training company was formed in 2004 in partnership with several plumbing companies. Joint Industry Services Training (JIST) now has 7 staff and is training all Queensland sprinkler fitter apprentices as well as conducting post trade training for tradesperson plumbing and sprinkler fitter members. JIST was created with the intention of giving employers, who choose to be involved, a commercial advantage by having more highly trained and more productive employees. Union members employed by these companies benefit by receiving higher wages and better job security than those working for other companies.
2005 STIF Formed
The Services Trades Industry Fund (STIF) was established in 2005 to provide funds that can be used for the benefit of the industry. STIF funds are spent on such issues as training, health and safety, lobbying of governments and skills development. STIF is proof of the cooperation that can exist between reasonable employers and unions. STIF was created with the intention of giving employers, who choose to be involved, a commercial advantage by having more highly trained and more productive employees. Union members employed by these companies benefit by receiving higher wages and better job security than those working for other companies.
2008 New Standards Set
2008 saw the Union sign agreements with plumbing (sanitary and mechanical) companies and fire protection companies that set a new high standard for workers in the building and construction industry.
