Winter Issue 2009 - cfmeu

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G E N E R A L N E W S Complaints from workers rise Unions needed more than ever in troubled times As the downturn hits and companies cut costs, more WA workers are being exploited, with complaints to the workplace watchdog soaring 26 per cent. Western Australia had the biggest increase in complaints in the first three months of this year, with complaints rising to 555 from 440 in the December quarter last year, according to figures from the Workplace Ombudsman. The jump in complaints from WA workers was much higher than the 15 per cent average national rise in the last quarter to 6094 complaints from 5292 in the December quarter. The jump indicated that the impending recession was driving companies to unlawfully cut employees’ wages and conditions. A Workplace Ombudsman spokesman said the number of complaints had been rising for a number of years. If you’re being exploited or nor getting your entitlements contact the union office on 9221 1055 or call your CFMEU Organiser. Royal Commissions: A BIG WASTE OF MONEY? The high cost of Royal Commissions...versus cheaper, less formal alternatives...will be a major focus of a federal review into the inquiries. Attorney-General ROBERT McCLELLAND announced a review of the 107-year-old Royal Commissions Act... which has witnessed little change since its inception during the first Australian parliament. The Australian Law Reform Commission has now issued a list of 49 questions to be canvassed in the nationwide inquiry... due to report back to Government in October. A major focus will be the high cost of Royal Commissions .. and whether taxpayers are getting value for money. In today's dollars the 2003 Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry cost taxpayers about $70 million...the HIH Royal Commission $47 million...and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody more than $50 million. NOTE: The Cole Commission led to the establishment of the ABCC which has an annual budget of at least 30 million dollars – a huge on-going waste of taxpayer’s money! Construction Worker – Winter 2009 Page 45 CFMEU
U N I O N B E N E F I T S YOUR REDUNDANCY PAYMENTS: HELPING YOU AND OTHERS Steve Parsons is a concreter for Crown Construction, working at the Mandurah Peninsula Hotel site in 2007-08. He was getting to work alright, but his workmates noticed he wasn’t his normal self, but seemed depressed. For almost 2 years Steve had not gone out much, was sleeping poorly, had no appetite and was feeling unmotivated, empty, lonely and worthless. He felt a strong responsibility to his daughter and knew he had to do something before it got worse. Steve spoke about his worries to the union steward on site, Cam McCullough, who suggested it might do some good to have a word with the Converge Counsellor Sergio Del Borrello. He called and we made an appointment to meet on-site. Steve’s boss, Vince from Crown, gave the ok. He understood the value in Steve getting help during work time. In a nutshell, Steve had gone through 3 big losses in a row. Firstly, the death of his ex wife, who had left him with the sole care of his daughter Hayley (12). Secondly his very close companion and life long neighbour Sid died. The final straw was when he had to make the difficult decision to put down his best friend and dog, Prue, following an illness. Steve and I discussed many things in counselling, including what he “Keeping it a secret is wrong” Steve Parsons left with Counsellor Sergio Del Borrello had lost in his life as well as the positive memories. After this we worked out what Steve needed to do to get back on track. Steve’s goals were to 1. Socialise and go out more 2. Be happy with himself 3. Finish his house and garden 4. Find a relationship partner After 3 weeks Steve began to look forward to work again and his workmates started to tell him that they had noticed a change in him. He was beginning to laugh and whistle again and was “starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel”. Now he has a new woman in his life, a new dog, Barney, and his depression has gone. Steve’s advice: “Keeping it a secret is wrong. As soon as I opened my mouth I knew I was doing the right thing. My life has turned around and life is perfect. If telling my story can help someone else then I am doing the right thing”. Worried about yourself? A workmate? Your family? Call the counsellors Sergio (CBD) and Godfrey (Outer suburbs) at Converge International on 1800 337 068. All discussions are confidential and free to WACIRF and CFMEU members and their families. Construction Worker – Winter 2009 Page 47 CFMEU
Page 1 and 2: INSIDE: May Day souvenir lift-out p
Page 3 and 4: S E C R E TA R Y ’ S A D D R E S
Page 5 and 6: D AY O F M O U R N I N G R A L LY B
Page 7 and 8: U N I O N N E W S with Kevin Reynol
Page 9 and 10: A C T U C O N G R E S S with Kevin
Page 11 and 12: continued from previous page OHS pr
Page 13 and 14: C I T Y R O U N D U P with Mick Buc
Page 15 and 16: L E G A L M AT T E R S with Matthew
Page 17 and 18: O F F C U T S with Joe McDonald Kee
Page 19 and 20: Pyramid Constructions. “Even the
Page 21 and 22: MayDay’09
Page 23 and 24: TA K I N G A C T I O N with Joe McD
Page 25 and 26: T H E S O U T H W E S T R E P O R T
Page 27: W O R K E R S R I G H T S with Jack
Page 31 and 32: W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ? wit
Page 33 and 34: M E M B E R ’ S M E E T I N G S w
Page 35 and 36: U N I O N B E N E F I T S with Rod
Page 37 and 38: I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S wi

Winter Issue 2009 - cfmeu

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