Winter Issue 2009 - cfmeu

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A P P R E N T I C E P R O F I L E With Angelo Forte We spoke to Ciaran Rogers an apprentice plumber on site and asked him to fill in a survey about his life, job, industry and the union. Name: Ciaran Rogers Age: 19 Occupation: Apprentice plumber Union member since: May 2008 Why did you join the construction industry? Good benefits What do you like about the construction industry? Working outside Favourite car? VL Commodore Music? Snoop Dog Movie? Heavyweights Food? Nachos What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years? Become fully qualified What was your reason for joining the Union? Benefits are good What appeals to you most about the union? Strength and Support, Kevin Reynolds. What union benefits do you like most? Free Travel Insurance – saves money! What worries you most about your working future? Possibly being out of a job in the future West Gate Bridge dispute ends A 12-week industrial dispute involving workers on the West Gate Bridge strengthening project ended on May 16. Workers accepted an agreement between the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and construction company John Holland. Thirty-nine workers were sacked in March after John Holland refused to honour a collective agreement between the unions and subcontracting firm Civil Pacific Services. Protests by the sacked workers, with community support, led to a significant delay in the project. It was a bitter struggle but The settlement includes a standard agreement for one that had to be won. the mixed metal industry and the reinstatement of 23 sacked workers. The reinstatement of a further nine workers is under review. John Holland also agreed to drop legal action for damages against the unions, individual workers and protesters. Construction Worker – Winter 2009 Page 53 CFMEU
M E M B E R ’ S M E E T I N G S with Graham Pallot CFMEU leads way with member’s meetings The CFMEU is one of the few unions that regularly hold member’s meetings. State Secretary Kevin Reynolds says: “We are proud of the fact that our union is transparent and accountable to its membership. There are not many unions around these days that hold a monthly members meeting where members can meet and have a direct say in the running of their union. It is also an ideal environment for members to talk and get an up to date view of what’s going in their industry.” Brian Hughes (left) and Mick Buchan (below) Union member Brian Hughes agrees. “I attend the members meeting every month. It’s a buzz to catch up with fellow workers to compare notes and to hear directly from the Union leadership about what is happening out there and how it affects me as a worker. A chance to crack a few jokes with mates, have a cold beer and some tucker afterwards goes down well too!” Long time CFMEU organiser Mick Buchan says that the workers who attend the monthly meetings have an inside running into how things impact on their industry, their jobs and future. “The media in this town doesn’t fairly reflect the work that this union does; the members get to hear directly from the Secretary about things they wouldn’t normally get to hear about. They appreciate it and they enjoy the chance to have their say and to bring up any issues.” Buchan says. WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS? The member’s meetings are held at the Construction Skills Training Centre, starting at 5 o’clock and finishing up at about 6.30 – members can knock off from work and head straight there, arriving from 4pm. There’s a cold beer available at ‘mates rates’ and plenty to chat about prior to and after each meeting. CFMEU State Secretary, Kevin Reynolds delivers his monthly report to members and members have a chance to raise questions in respect to the monthly report. There’s a general business section where members can put forward any motions and raise other issues that may be affecting them or of concern to other workers. CFMEU Organisers are also on hand to help members with any issues. At the end of the meeting workers mingle and discuss all types of issues from site safety, rates of pay, dodgy employer practices, who’s hiring and who’s not, new projects coming on-line etc. And after a hard days work, there’s food on offer as well as refreshments available. All members are asked to meet monthly on these dates The monthly members meeting are for current card carrying members only... new members are welcome to join and be paid up and proud prior to the commencement of any meeting. At the Construction Skills Training Centre, 107-109 Radium Street, Welshpool (Off Welshpool Road). Plenty of convenient parking. • July 8th • October 14th. • August 12th • November 11th . • September 9th. • December 9th (Members end-of-year wind-up) Construction Worker – Winter 2009 Page 55 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
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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 and 28: W O R K E R S R I G H T S with Jack
Page 29 and 30: U N I O N B E N E F I T S YOUR REDU
Page 31: W H E R E A R E T H E Y N O W ? wit
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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