Summer Issue 2010 - cfmeu

NORTH WEST REPORT
with Brad Upton and Phil Kennedy
New agreement breakthrough in the North West
Boom and Mammoet crane yards in
the North West have signed their
agreement. They are the first two
companies to have the Living Away
from Home Allowance paid at
$830.00 per week. This has never
been seen in the North West before
and it’s testament to the way the
CFMEU is working very hard to get
you the best agreements that they
can. There are still problems with
some agreements but we are slowly
but surely getting through them.
IF YOU WANT SOMEWHERE
SAFE TO LIVE, IT WOULD
HAVE TO BE THE PILBARA.
Let me explain, the police of
Karratha need to come to CFMEU
meetings to allegedly spy for the
ABCC, So, the streets of Karratha
must be very safe.
It’s even better in South Hedland!
Phil and I went to a job where the
Construction Manager didn’t even
know about the laws and the rights
of the CFMEU to enter, so he called
the cops. We thought one cop car
would turn up. How wrong we were!
Four cop cars came around the
corner. Then one Sergeant, two plain
clothes and a constable hopped out
of the car. And we can’t even get
Worksafe onto these sites.
Why can’t these cops tell these
dumb ass builders over the
telephone that it has nothing to do
with the police?
We would like to take this
opportunity to thank all the
delegates for the hard work and help
they have given us during the year.
Karratha township
People don’t realise how hard they
work. So again, thank you and
thanks to all the thousands of rank
and file members in the North West
for standing strong with the
delegates.
I would like to thank Jade Ingham
from the CFMEU Queensland for
giving us a hand for a week. The
Queensland Branch have a lot of
work coming up in the oil, gas and
coal industries.
The members would also like to
thank Dave Noonan, National
Secretary of the CFMEU C&G for
coming to Karratha and Port
Hedland to address the monthly
meetings. It makes them feel that
they are not forgotten about back in
the big smoke.
This has been a very busy year in the
North West! The rank and file
feedback has been very positive
about having two organisers full time
in the region.
We believe, and so do the members,
that no other union has such a
strong on-the-ground presence as
the CFMEU. That’s why we ARE the
union that gets things done and the
one that turns up. Perhaps that’s
why we’ve had so many new
members join up! More workers up
here see the CFMEU as their choice
and their voice!
In saying all of that we need the rank
and file to push to get all the nonunion
people to join the CFMEU in
2011.
Remember strength in numbers!
Last but not least, we would like to
wish everyone a good and safe
Christmas and we are looking to
working with you, and for you,
throughout 2011.
For further information call the
North West union team:
Brad Upton on 0488 770 857 or Phil
Kennedy on 0427 244 141 or Email:
BUpton@cfmeuwa.com
Construction Worker – Summer 2010 Page 45
CFMEU