Incolink reassures SA builders over Victorian fees amid CFMEU push

Builders in SA would not have to pay the same fees as Victorians, they’ve been reassured, as the CFMEU pushes for a shift to an interstate workers entitlements scheme.

Victorian workers entitlements scheme Incolink has reassured SA builders they will not be required to pay the same amount as their Victorian counterparts under the enterprise agreement currently being negotiated in the SA construction industry.

SA builders are concerned over plans by the construction union the CFMEU and the Victorian arm of the Master Builders Association for the SA building industry to shift over to Incolink, despite SA having had its own entitlements scheme BIRST since 1989.

Local builders say they have had no information about the implications of the

move and are alarmed that the current Victorian CFMEU enterprise agreement states that Incolink payments will rise from $81 to $161 per week per worker in October.

Incolink CEO Erik Locke promised the Victorian EBA would not be replicated in SA.

CFMEU members during a march in Adelaide. Picture: CFMEU SA/File

“It is absolutely incorrect to suggest that Incolink’s entry to South Australia means that South Australian workers will be put on to Victorian EBAs or rates within those,” he said.

“Every State has a different contribution rate in their EBAs. Any rate above the award are negotiated through the EBA and will be relevant to that jurisdiction.

“Regretfully, some people are jumping at shadows by quoting interstate rates in an EBA which does not apply to them - the 2020 Victorian EBA. Arrangements in South Australia will be based on South Australian EBAs, as agreed between employers and the union, which currently have contribution rates of about $80-90 per week. The current scaremongering is breathtaking, baseless. “

SA builders have told The Advertiser they have had no contact from Incolink about what the rate will be and are alarmed that the only person spruiking the new arrangements locally is Victorian CFMEU chief John Setka.