Maritime Union of Australia: Workers Journal: Got a Life

Scott Hooper 29, (Full time permanent after more than four years as a suppo and PGE.)
"It was a big point this EBA that the PGEs wanted to put across. We wanted permanency. We got 55 jobs put up at East Swanson Dock. I think the PGEs here are all very happy. I'm ecstatic.

"Going permanent means security. It means being able to organise a social life around a roster. Just knowing your next day off so you can arrange a hit of golf. Share your time around, not just work. Being able to have a life.

"Moneywise I'm no better off. It's just I'm not at work as much and I'm still earning the same. It's nice to go to work now. We've got a great panel of blokes I work with. A great bunch. We have a lot of fun but do the work as well."

Jason Gretch, 30, (Full time after six years a supp): "If it was not for the union fighting for permanent jobs I probably would have been a supp for another six years. I've always been a union member and paid my union dues. It's good they fought for us and got us job security. I think everyone should be a permanent. I was one of the lucky ones."

Stephen Federico, (Port Botany, casual and PGE 5 years): "It's excellent. You've got a roster and you know what you're doing. You've got holidays and better conditions. We can plan stuff. But the best thing was getting that first leg up from supp to PGE. You belong. When you are a suppo you could be here one day and gone the next. Upset someone and you won't be back for a month. If it does get quiet I still do work but if you're a suppo you might not do anything for a month.

"The best thing is the job security. Now that I've got a full time job it's easier to plan to have a family. My wife is pretty happy. I've had three weeks off since I was made permanent. We've been to parties, something we've never done before. I'm less stressed and less tired. Sometimes I'd work 21 days straight. We've got 41 permanent jobs here. Some guys didn't get one. I got lucky."

Tom Prpic, 33, (opposite,new employee): "I'd been made redundant in my job as a maintenance fitter and a couple of months later my wife found the ad on the internets. It's been a month now and I'm enjoying the job. I like being out in the open instead of being closed up in a factory. I can smell a bit of fresh air, not chemicals. I'm just lashing containers so far but now I've started a straddle driving course and hope to be driving by Christmas.

"I like shift work and I'm getting heaps of work - around six days a week. I don't even mind not being on the roster. Doing all these different shifts is good I reckon. But a job is a job. You've got to work hard and be safe."