Autumn issue 2103 - cfmeu

ISSUES ON 

HOLLAND’S 

HOSPITAL SITE 

HUGE 

UNION RALLY 

TURNOUT 

457s & 

EMAs ON 

THE OUTER 

$6 MILLION 

SUPER 

WIN 

FIFO ROSTERS 

AND 

LIFESTYLE

C F M E U D I R E C T O R Y 

President 

Cam McCullough 

Secretary Mick Buchan 0419 812 861 

Assistant Secretaries Joe McDonald 0419 812 870 

Graham Pallot 0419 812 865 

UNION OFFICERS 

Steve McCann OH&S Officer 0488 102 297 

Rod Reynolds 

Wage Claims 

Jack Nicholas 

Lawyer 

Kevin Sneddon Lawyer 

Shannon Walker Lawyer 

Matthew Swinbourn Industrial Advocate 

Kelly Karolak 

IR/Legal Assistant 

Nicola Thomas-Evans IR/Legal Assistant 

Peta Arnold 

Office Manager 

Linda Pallot 

Accounts Officer 

Rob Mitchell 

Media & Communications 

0417 912 384 

Tammy Hall 

Reception 

Michelle Kavanagh Membership Officer 

Mia Onorato-Sartari Strategic Coordinator 

ORGANISERS 

Brad Upton 

0488 770 857 (North West) 

Phil Kennedy 

0427 244 141 (North West) 

Troy Smart 

0419 812 871 (South West) 

Matt Waters 0419 812 875 

Vinnie Molina 0419 812 872 

Aaron Mackrell 0403 432 221 

Peter Joshua 0433 410 596 

Pat Heathcote 0459 135 033 

Seamus Byrne 0419 812 866 

Matt Balde 0405 081 874 

Tawa Harris 0419 812 864 

Ray McMurrich 0421 624 695 

Leandra Grant 0419 812 867 

Phil Dolan 0407 817 413 

The Union Office is located at 

82 Royal Street East Perth WA 6004 

Open 7:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday 

PO Box 6681 East Perth WA 6892 

Telephone: (08) 9221 1055 

Facsimile: (08) 9221 1506 

E-Mail: cfmeuwa@cfmeuwa.com 

Website: www.cfmeuwa.com 

www.facebook.com/CFMEUWA 

All rights reserved: The Construction Worker Journal is complied & published 

by the CFMEU publications department. All copyright belongs to the CFMEU. 

No part of the publication may be reproduced or copied in any means without 

the written permission of the publisher. 

Disclaimer: The information contained within this publication is for general 

construction workers only. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of 

information, we accept no responsibility for any action taken as a 

consequence of the information contained in this publication. 

ISS 1833 0282 

C O N T E N T S 

Mick Buchan Secretary’s Address 2 

Temporary Workers Debate 4 

Holland’s: Problems of their own making? 6 

Will the bosses tear safety down? 9 

Spot ‘Scaffy’ 9 

Varanus Island: $6 million win for workers 11 

Stacks of fun at Christmas creek! Not! 13 

Know your drug testing rights 15 

Penalty rates to be LAW: Gillard 17 

Do you just belong? 17 

Union History 19 

Forestry unity in house 21 

FIFO Update 22 

This is NO place for any bullying on worksites! 25 

Meet our Members 27 

Union Rally 28 

CFMEU Young Activists 31 

The art of Scaffolding 33 

Leandra shows her true colours 33 

Building up more women in the construction industry 35 

North West Report 37 

City Round Up 41 

Northern Suburbs Report 43 

New Arrivals 43 

Southern Suburbs Report 45 

Workers stand together and WIN! 46 

CFMEU helps to build up outback kids 47 

North West News 49 

Notice of Intended Rule Change 49 

Eastern Suburbs Report 51 

Union News 53 

Off Site Round Up 53 

International News 55 

Pete’s Page 56 

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE JOURNAL 

Email : editor@cfmeuwa.com 

Construction Worker – Autumn 2013 Page 1 

CFMEU

S E C R E TA R Y ’ S A D D R E S S 

with Mick Buchan 

RALLY 

I’d like to thank everyone for attending our recent rally in support of jobs for locals first, more local content on major 

resource projects and more training opportunities for our kids. As I said when we started this campaign over 12 months 

ago, we are in this fight for the long haul. 

457 VISAS AND EMA’S LOCAL JOBS 

The federal governments long-overdue announcement of tougher rules for the 457 visa system has been welcomed by 

our union, but the Government needs to go further: Australian workers should have a legal first right to jobs here and 

Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMA’s) should be scrapped altogether. In construction alone there were 68,000 jobs 

lost, a drop of 6.5% in the 12 months to August last year. At the same time there was a rise of 38% in the number of 457 

visa holders in the industry. 

Page 2 Construction Worker – Autumn 2013

PRO-IMMIGRATION 

Our union is pro-immigration. Come here, live here, build 

a life here and contribute to the wider economy. 

Temporary labour, which is open to employer rorts, has 

seen foreign workers exploited with low wages and 

conditions in a race to the bottom which will ultimately 

affect us all. Be warned; Tony Abbott and the 

Liberal/National coalition see 457’s as a mainstay of their 

immigration policy! 

CONGRATULATIONS ‘PRESIDENT McDONALD’ 

Congratulations to Joe McDonald on being selected 

National CFMEU C&G President to replace Tommy 

Watson (retired). It’s great to see Joe recognised for his 

tireless and unselfish hard work in support of members, 

along with total dedication and loyalty to the union over 

many years. See next issue for the full story. 

WORKING TOGETHER TO SPREAD THE BOOM 

AROUND 

Our union, and its various divisions across all industries, 

is now harnessing that power in a show of total unity 

around the country with the “let’s spread it around” 

campaign. Working together we are aiming to protect 

jobs and conditions of construction workers and in doing 

so, spreading the benefits of the mining boom. Jobs for 

construction workers go hand in hand with supporting 

Australian manufacturing, better FIFO rosters and 

investment in infrastructure and liveability for mining 

communities affected by the boom. 

WA STATE ELECTION RESULT 

The WA ALP state election result was disappointing - it’s 

time to rebuild and ensure that issues affecting our 

members and their families are strongly represented at 

the next state election in 4 years’ time. Having said that, 

we now have a major battle on our hands to ensure that 

Tony Abbott and the coalition stay in opposition. 

Whatever you think about federal Labor, make no 

mistake, the federal Liberals and Nationals are no friends 

of working families and Work Choices in another form will 

be back, worse than ever before. 

FIFO ROSTERS 

We are continuing the fight for better family-friendly 

rosters in the North West. Let me assure you that this is 

a priority task for your union. A lot of hard work behind 

the scenes is being done on several fronts to positively 

resolve this issue. 

Stay strong, whatever it takes. 

EBA MEANS EQUAL PAY 

You may have heard that things have been hotting up on 

the John Holland Children’s Hospital site where pay 

disparity is rife on the site with workers doing the same 

work as their comrades taking home far less pay than 

their EBA comrades. Our message for Holland: EBA 

means equal pay - watch this space! 

JOBS 

It’s been quiet on the work front as we wait for massive 

projects in the city and suburbs to get up to full speed. I 

feel it’s the calm before the storm and within the next 6 

months we should start to see things really taking off...in 

the meantime stay strong in the union. 

Mick Buchan 

State Secretary, CFMEU WA C&G 

PS: DON’T FORGET MAY DAY! SUNDAY MAY 5TH 

Get yourself, family and friends to our May Day picnic 

this year on the Fremantle Esplanade – from 10 am. 

Join the march at 12 noon. We’ve got some exciting 

things planned to make it a top day. Be early for your 

free CFMEU May Day shirts for adults and the kids. 

I look forward to seeing you there and having a great 

time. 


CFMEU

TEMPORARY WORKERS DEBATE 

with Graham Pallot 

4 in 5 Australians say mining companies should open 

An overwhelming majority of 

Australians believe mining 

companies should be required to 

prove they have thoroughly 

explored options to employ 

Australians before being permitted 

to import temporary foreign 

workers, independent national 

polling commissioned by the 

Construction, Forestry, Mining and 

Energy Union shows. 

AMONG THE FINDINGS 

• 80% agree that mining 

companies should have to prove 

that they have thoroughly 

searched for Australian workers 

before being permitted to import 

temporary foreign workers 

(against 6% who disagree) 

• 56% of Australians disapprove of 

the EMA that allows the Roy Hill 

iron ore project to import 1,715 

temporary foreign workers 

(against 14% who approve) 

• 70% of Australians agree that a 

tripartite committee – consisting 

of regulators, employers and 

unions – should oversee all EMAs 

(against 8% who disagree) 

CFMEU Construction and General 

National Secretary, Dave Noonan 

said the results demonstrate the 

depth of the public feeling on the 

issue. 

“Four in five Australians want 

employers to prove they have 

looked for local workers before 

being granted permission to bring 

over guest labour,” Mr Noonan said. 

“These numbers show us that a 

significant majority are opposed to 

the deal granted to Gina Rinehart’s 

Roy Hill and want much stronger 

controls and regulation on the use of 

imported labour. 

“Ms Rinehart may dream of a ‘Wild 

North’ in which mining magnates 

can fly in exploitable temporary 

foreign workers at will, but the 

overwhelming majority of 

Australians are simply not buying it. 

They want strict controls on EMAs 

and independent oversight. 

“70 per cent of Australians want to 

see a tripartite committee – 

consisting of regulators, employers 

and unions – to oversee EMAs. The 

Government must take heed. 

Despite some aggressive spruiking 

from the powerful few who want to 

further weaken restrictions on guest 

workers, the overwhelming majority 

of Australians want them tightened. 

“There are still astounding profits 

being generated by the Australian 

mining and mine construction 

sector. Those who are profiting from 

the nation’s natural resources have 

a responsibility to assist in training 

and employing Australians. These 

results only add to the impetus of 

our ‘Let’s spread it around’ 

campaign. We are determined to 

see ordinary Australians share in the 

benefits of the mining boom. 

The poll was conducted by 

independent research firm Your 

Source, and used a 

demographically controlled sample 

of 1,021 Australians. 

Gina 

Rinehart’s 

Roy Hill 

rejected 

as model 


their doors to locals before importing guest workers 

FULL RESULTS (Polling conducted between 20/11/12 and 25/11/12) 

This year, an Enterprise Migration 

Agreement (EMA) has been 

granted to Gina Rinehart’s Roy 

Hill Iron Ore Project in the Pilbara. 

This means the project will be able 

to import over 1,715 guest 

workers from overseas to perform 

some of the work necessary at the 

mine. What is your view of the 

government’s decision to grant 

this EMA? 

Strongly approve 3% 

Approve 11% 

Neither approve 

nor disapprove 20% 

Disapprove 24% 

Strongly disapprove 32% 

Don’t know 10% 

Do you agree or disagree with the 

following statement: Mining 

companies should have to prove 

to the government that they have 

thoroughly searched for 

Australian workers, including 

providing training if necessary, 

before they are permitted to 

import guest workers from 

overseas. 

Strongly agree 52% 

Agree 28% 

Neither agree 

nor disagree 9% 

Disagree 3% 

Strongly disagree 3% 


It has been proposed that all 

Enterprise 

Migration 

Agreements (EMAs) should be 

overseen by a tripartite 

committee – consisting of 

regulators, employers and 

unions – to ensure that bringing 

guest workers in from overseas 

does not threaten existing 

Australian wages and standards. 

Do you agree with this proposal? 

Strongly agree 38% 

Agree 32% 

Neither agree 

nor disagree 14% 

Disagree 4% 

Strongly disagree 4% 


Further to the above survey the latest National polling of 1047 people conducted between 8 March 2013 and 

13 March 2013 shows 77% of Australians agree/strongly agree with the Government’s changes to the 457 visa 

system that include: 

• Requirement for employers to demonstrate a genuine shortage before nominating positions 

• Raising the English language requirements for certain positions 

• Stronger compliance and enforcement powers to stop employers who routinely abuse the 457 system 

89 per cent of Australians agree/strongly agree that mining companies should have to prove they have thoroughly 

searched for Australian workers, as well as providing training if necessary, before they are permitted to import guest 

workers from overseas. 


CFMEU

U N I O N N E W S 


HOLLAND’S: Problems 

Recently it was 

alleged that at least 

3 of Holland’s 

bosses sat in the 

shed refusing to 

work until there was 

more supervision 

on the site. Will 

Fair Work Australia 

charge them? 

Security or spying? 

Problems arose on the new 

Children’s Hospital site because 

Holland’s management had 

continued to obstruct union access 

to the site to address safety issues 

under the State Occupational Health 

and Safety Act. John Holland had 

been previously been pulled up by 

Comcare for breaking the law by 

refusing the union right of entry 

under the act over safety issues. 

John Holland has an appalling 

safety record in recent years with 

several deaths on their projects. 

In September last year Comcare 

began an investigation into 

Holland’s attitude towards safety on 

the site and it was made clear that 

the CFMEU have a right to enter 

workplaces to address genuine 

safety issues raised by the 

workforce and their members on the 

site. 

If the union turned up to address a 

safety problem raised by workers, 

our union safety officials have been 

delayed and even denied access to 

the site. It was not on. 

The CFMEU met with Holland 

management and the CFMEU has 

been given an undertaking by the 

Holland’s Hospital Project that our 

union Safety Officer will not be 

obstructed and will be given access 

to the minutes from meetings of the 

Safety Committee and access to 

any safety based investigation 

reports, which is required under the 

act. 

Recently it was alleged that at least 

3 of Holland’s bosses sat in the 

shed refusing to work until there 

was more supervision on the site. 

Will Fair Work Australia charge 

them? 

In a decision which added further 

angst on the site, John Holland 

installed up to 9 state-of-the-art 

surveillance cameras across the 

site. 

It’s an absolute disgrace and a 

gross invasion of the workers 

privacy. This is ‘Big Brother’ 

implemented by companies to 

intimidate workers in their 

workplace – this comes on top of 

Holland’s recently building a ‘Berlin 

type wall’ around the perimeter of 

this project and also the railway 

project in the city. Are they trying to 

keep workers in or unions out? The 

cameras are no toys. They have 360 

degree views and have been 

arranged in a grid to view the entire 

site and also outside of the site 

which may give rise to issues of 

privacy invasion elsewhere, such as 

the adjoining car park project at 

QE11. It is not known if any local 


of their own making? 

residences are in view. It’s alleged 

the cameras can capture face 

recognition at 200 meters. If that’s 

the case it may also be easy for 

Holland’s to sit a lip-reading expert 

down in front of the vision to 

decipher what workers are privately 

discussing. Once you install this 

sort of hi-tech surveillance it is open 

to all types of exploitation. 

Undoubtedly the most pressing 

issue on the site revolves around 

pay disparity where workers doing 

the same jobs under various 

contractors are not getting the same 

pay. It should be equal work for 

equal pay. If companies put in 

cheap prices to win tenders they 

shouldn’t expect the workers to 

subsidise them. EBA sites are more 

productive, safer and quality built. 

Look at a couple of recent examples 

such as C2 and Fiona Stanley. There 

is no reason why Holland’s can’t 

look at ‘whole of site EBA’s’ – our 

door is always open. 

It should be equal 

work for equal pay. 

If companies put in 

cheap prices to win 

tenders they 

shouldn’t expect 

the workers to 

subsidise them. 

To keep workers in or unions out? 

Eureka flag briefly flies 

on site (ripped down 

after 15 minutes - 

who’s being childish?) 

You don’t have to be Einstein to work it out. 


CFMEU


with Steve McCann 

Will the bosses tear safety down? 

Bosses tear down a lot of union posters. But our safety posters aimed at 

getting workers home safe deserve better. Will the bosses tear it down? If 

they do, it will tell you something about their attitude to safety and how 

they value your life and your family…here’s our new safety poster series 

…let’s hope it’s kept up in the shed to remind everyone that safety is 

important. 

NOTE: If you don’t have these safety posters on your site already and 

would like some just ask your CFMEU Area Organiser to bring some 

out. 

Spot ‘Scaffy’ 

CAN YOU SPOT ‘SCAFFY’ THE DOG? 

Scaffy is lost in the journal, please try and find him. 

Inside this and every issue of the journal from now on we’re hiding ‘Scaffy’ the CFMEU 

wonder Dog. He’s a bit like ‘Where’s Wally’, can you spot him? Here’s in here somewhere. 

If you spot him don’t tell your workmates, tease them, drive them mad on his whereabouts. Take a bet in the lunch shed 

on the first to spot ‘Scaffy.’ Let your kids try and spot him. 

We’ll announce where he was hiding in each following issue on Pete’s page. Here Scaffy …here boy! 

By the way he’s paid up and pound - umm, we mean proud! 


CFMEU


with Graham Pallot & Kevin Sneddon 

Varanus Island: $6 million win for workers 

After 18 months of working with some staunch CFMEU 

members on Varanus Island, the WA Branch has 

delivered a massive win to the workers on the Island. The 

ATO has ruled that workers have been underpaid 92 

hours of superannuation on every swing, an annual total 

of nearly 1200 hours of superannuation. The good news 

is that, thanks to the WA Branch of the CFMEU, all of 

those workers will be back paid the money they’ve 

missed out on and get 10% interest on top! 

What this means for a lot of the workers is over $15,000 

being deposited into their superannuation account. The 

company has so far refused to say exactly how much will 

be paid to the workers, but based on the length of time, 

number of workers and amounts involved, our 

calculations put it somewhere in the order of $5-6 million. 

Workers on Varanus were on a two-week-on, two-weekoff 

roster, putting in 12 hours days on site. This meant 

that when they were on the job they were doing 84 hours 

per week yet were only getting 38 hours superannuation 

– 168 hours every 4 week swing for 76 hours super! 

Based on information supplied by the CFMEU and its 

members on the job, the ATO issued a ruling making 

clear that superannuation needed to be paid on all of the 

168 hours. The workers were expected to do these hours 

as part of their regular roster and as such should have 

been receiving superannuation. 

State Secretary Mick Buchan has made clear that this 

could have implications for other workers specifically 

those on FIFO rosters and has promised that, “the 

CFMEU here in WA and nationwide will continue to fight 

to make sure that workers are properly paid and that 

employers are aware of their responsibilities. We will be 

checking superannuation payments with our members 

and auditing payments on major resource projects to 

ensure this latest ruling is being complied with”. 

CFMEU NW Organiser Brad Upton says; “It’s another 

valid reason why it pays to belong to the union. Super 

money is real money, no workers should be short of 

being paid their proper entitlements. Make no mistake, if 

workers are ripped off, we’ll do whatever it takes to make 

sure our members and their families don’t lose out – it’s 

a top result!” 

Here’s a few comments from our 

members about the outcome achieved: 

“Thanks for all your hard work and 

professionalism in dealing with our 

superannuation dispute. You are a 

credit to “Our Union”. 

CFMEU Member, Varanus Island. 

“I just want to say thanks for your 

help. It’s always good to see the 

workers united making change for 

the better.” 

CFMEU Member, Ex-Varanus Island 

Graham Pallot on the stump: 

‘A huge Victory won for our 

NW members.’ 

This win came about because there were union members 

on Varanus Island who were proud to be in the CFMEU 

and who cared about what happened to themselves and 

their fellow workers. The more you sit back and shrug 

your shoulders the more your rights and entitlements will 

be stripped from you. Stand up for your rights, join your 

union and ensure the boss doesn’t rip you off. The 

workers on Varanus Island have 6 million good reasons to 

be grateful that this was the case on their job. 

If you believe you are being ripped off please call 

Graham Pallot on 0419 812 865 or Brad Upton on 

0488 770 857. 


CFMEU


with Graham Pallot 

Stacks of fun at Christmas Creek! NOT! 

Just when the bosses thought they could hide 

this and it would never get out….here are some 

stunningly graphic photos from the Pilbara's most 

employee-friendly firm CSI at Christmas Creek. 

Workers continued to work through this! Believe it 

or not! It’s alleged this safety hazard situation was 

due to commissioning the stacker in the wind 

without any form of dust suppression. 

Serious safety based questions need to asked 

such as “were samples taken to check for 

asbestos particles in the dust?” “Was Mines and 

Minerals notified?” “Did workers suffer any 

“allergies?” Were complaints taken and followed 

up by management from workers without fear of 

a window seat?” 

UP THE CREEK! 


CFMEU

S A F E T Y N E W S 


Know your drug testing rights 

The employer can implement its proposed drug and 

alcohol policy and procedure, subject the following: 

1. The appropriate blood alcohol concentration cutoff 

for all employees other than those obliged by 

legislation to have a lower cut-off be 

0.5mg/100ml, except for employees determined 

by the outcome of a risk assessment to be 

engaged in high risk activities. Those employees 

should be subject to a BAC cut-off of 

0.02mg/100ml. 

In the construction industry today more and more 

companies have either implemented or are 

contemplating implementing a Drug and Alcohol Testing 

regime. There are a number of stringent standards that 

must be adhered to in order to be able to take DNA 

samples from employees. 

A decision by Fair Work Australia has ruled that urine 

testing should not be the preferred testing method but 

oral fluid testing must be used if a testing regime is to be 

introduced to a workplace. 

In his ruling FWA Senior Deputy President Jonathan 

Hamberger ruled: “Not only is urine testing potentially 

less capable of identifying someone who is under the 

influence of cannabis, but it also has the disadvantage 

that it may show a positive result even though it is several 

days since the person has smoked the substance. This 

means that a person may be found to have breached the 

policy even though their actions were taken in their own 

time and in no way affect their capacity to do their job 

safely.” 

Urine testing was the preferred method only because 

when workplace testing was introduced the technology 

relating to any another method had not advanced far 

enough to be accurate. This is not the case anymore. 

There must also be a range of steps that must be 

adhered to before any testing at any workplace can take 

place. 

2. The appropriate method of drug testing should be 

through oral fluid. This should be done in 

accordance with AS 4760-2006: Procedures for 

specimen collection and the detection and 

quantitation of drugs in oral fluid. 

3. A target concentration for benzodiazepines 

should be determined by the applicant in 

consultation with its service provider. 

4. The proposed procedure should be re-drafted to 

clarify that post incident and causal/suspicion 

testing should only occur where the line manager 

has reasonable grounds for suspecting that 

alcohol or drugs have been a contributory factor 

to the relevant incident or pattern of behaviour. 

5. Confirmatory testing should occur in the 

laboratory consistent with AS4760. 

6. Employees in any particular workplace should not 

be subject to random testing until six weeks have 

elapsed since the education program has been 

rolled out in relation to that particular workplace. 

7. Employees should not have to disclose personal 

information about prescription medication unless 

and until they have returned a confirmed positive 

test. 

8. The procedure should indicate that it will not be 

varied by the applicant until it has consulted the 

employees and their representatives. 

If you are working for any company that is not 

adhering to the standard set out in the Fair Work 

Australia decision then contact the CFMEU Safety 

Officer Steve McCann on 0488 102 297. 


CFMEU


with Joe McDonald 

Penalty rates to 

be LAW: Gillard 

JULIA Gillard will 

enshrine penalty 

rates in law. The 

Prime Minister 

announced the 

move at an ACTU 

jobs summit in 

Canberra, saying Labor would insert a specific provision 

into the Fair Work Act to guarantee higher rates for 

working outside normal hours. 

“We will ensure that penalty rates, overtime, shift work 

loading and public holiday pay are definite, formal 

considerations for the Fair Work Commission when it 

sets award rates and conditions,” she said. 

“We will make it clear, in law, that there needs to be 

additional remuneration for employees who work shift 

work, unsocial, irregular, unpredictable hours or on 

weekends and public holidays.” 

ACTU President Ged Kearney said Ms Gillard’s proposal 

was needed because employer groups had lodged more 

than 20 submissions to a Senate Inquiry calling for 

penalty rates to be scrapped or reduced. 

Ms Kearney said penalty rates were paid to more than 

500,000 low-paid Australian workers in hospitality, retail, 

and other sectors who work weekends or public 

holidays. 

Ms Kearney said the law change would ensure that 

people working unsociable hours away from their family 

would need to be recognised. 

“At the moment we’re seeing a concerted attack on 

penalty rates by employers through the award review 

process, so they’re going to the Fair Work Commission 

and saying we can’t afford to pay penalty rates or we now 

work 24/7, there’s no such thing as weekends; things that 

we know are absolutely untrue,” she told reporters. 

“Weekends are still very sacred to people. We’ve had 

penalty rates for nearly a century in this country, through 

thick and thin.” 

Do you just belong? 

ARE YOU AN ACTIVE MEMBER 

the kind that would be missed? 

OR ARE YOU JUST CONTENT 

that your name is on the list 

DO YOU ATTEND MEETINGS 

and mingle with the flock 

OR DO YOU STAY AT HOME 

and criticize and knock 

DO YOU TAKE AN ACTIVE PART 

To help the work along 

OR ARE YOU JUST SATISFIED TO BE 

the kind that “Just Belongs”? 

DO YOU EVER GO TO VISIT 

a member who is sick 

OR JUST LEAVE THE WORK TO A FEW 

and talk about the clique 

THERE’S QUITE A PROGRAM SCHEDULED 

that I’m sure you heard about 

AND WE’LL APPRECIATE IT IF YOU 

will come and help us out 

SO COME TO MEETINGS OFTEN 

and help with hand and heart 

DON’T BE JUST A MEMBER 

but take an active part 

THINK IT OVER MEMBER 

you know right from wrong 

ARE YOU AN ACTIVE MEMBER 

or do you “Just Belong”? 


CFMEU

U N I O N H I S T O R Y 


Why are scabs such a sore point? 

No history of any union is complete 

without looking at the role of the 

Scab or Freeloader. There are many 

younger workers in the construction 

and building industries today that 

have little or no idea of what a Scab 

or Freeloader, is let alone why they 

are held in such low regard by 

workers and unions the world over. 

Unions haven’t just had to fight 

against the employer class and 

governments to win better wages, 

safety and conditions. 

Since the 18th century Scabs and 

Freeloaders have tried to divide and 

weaken the union cause. They are 

the ones who stay back in trenches 

and let their mates go over the top to 

take a bullet while they sit back and 

claim all the glory. They don’t fight to 

protect what has been won for 

workers in past battles. 

In years gone by Scabs were brutally 

dealt with. In the so called ‘olden 

days’, to die a Scab brought ultimate 

shame and a stain upon the workers 

family, especially in close knit mining 

villages and other labour intensive 

communities. 

A ‘Scab’ is a derogatory term used to 

mainly describe a strike breaker or 

someone who sits outside the 

collective. The term is actually an old 

English insult, and has been in use to 

describe a despicable person since 

at least 1590. In the late 1700s, 

someone who refused to join a 

labour union was called a Scab, and 

by 1806, the word had reached its 

modern usage. More temperate 

labour activists and unions use the 

term “strike breaker” to refer to a 

Scab or Freeloader to describe 

those who won’t stand up with 

their workmates. 

Whenever workers refuse 

to work in order to gain 

concessions, it is called 

a strike. Strikes were and 

still are an important part 

of the labour movement as 

a method to agitate for safer 

working conditions, better pay and 

benefits. Strikes in the early days of 

the union movement were often 

brutally put down, and workers had a 

choice between going back to work 

or starving. 

It was not unusual in the 18th, 19th 

and even the 20th century for strikers 

and unionists to be killed or 

sentenced to heavy prison sentences 

including the death sentence. 

During strike action, unions 

attempted to help striking workers 

and their families by organising 

workers to pay dues which could be 

used to support them during a strike. 

A single Scab could greatly weaken 

the cause of the union and its 

workers who had gone out on a limb 

to fight for the common good of all 

workers. 

In response to more organised 

labour, companies started to recruit 

people who were willing to break the 

strike. These people might be 

existing employees or outside 

contractors. By crossing the picket 

line of strikers, the Scab hurts the 

cause of the workers. Hence, the 

animosity towards Scabs continues 

to this day and so too with 

Freeloaders. 

A Freeloader (or Free-riders as they 

are also called) is also a term used to 

describe a worker who refuses to join 

the union but accepts all the benefits 

negotiated by the union. Labour 

history classifies the Freeloader as 

one of the great social parasites. 

If it weren’t for unions, working 

people would be scraping by, 

undercutting each other on the open 

job market, with management in the 

position of calling the shots, able to 

appeal to the lowest common 

denominator. History continuously 

shows that Freeloaders, who do 

decide to join a union, soon realise 

they get more in terms of benefits 

which are exclusive to financial 

members and they also add to their 

own collective bargaining strength, 

which can be harnessed to negotiate 

even better wages and conditions for 

themselves and their families. 

Find out more union history in the 

book ‘If you don’t fight, you lose’ – 

available FREE from the union 

office or ask your CFMEU Area 

Organiser or Site Delegate for a 

copy. Knowledge is power! 


CFMEU



Forestry Unity in house 

The forestry division of the CFMEU in 

WA has moved their office into the 

CFMEU office in East Perth. 

State Secretary Mick Buchan 

presented the keys to the new 

Forestry HQ to Leo Skourdoumbis 

CFMEU National Vice President. “It’s 

a sign of greater unity and allows the 

forestry division greater access to 

facilities and amenities. The WA 

branch of the forestry division will 

continue to serve its core 

membership headed by Peter Carter, 

further demonstrating how all 

divisions within the CFMEU nationally 

are now working closely together to 

support each other for the common 

cause” says Buchan. 

Mick Buchan presents keys to Leo Skourdoumbis 

CAPTION 

COMPETITION 

WIN A CARTON OF YOUR 

FAVOURITE BEER 

TO A VALUE OF $50! 

What is Seamus Byrne saying to Pat 

McCann via the megaphone? 

Send your entries to 

editor@cfmeuwa.com or write it down 

and pass it to your area Organiser to 

drop into the office. 

Winner announced next issue. 

“ 

” 


CFMEU

F I F O U P D AT E 


CFMEU advocates for more 

Recently the Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and Drive-in drive-out (DIDO) lifestyle has received more media coverage 

than usual. The release of a Federal Parliamentary Committee Report is shining a bright light on the 

implications of the FIFO lifestyle and the CFMEU is not about to let it fade quickly. 

It is no secret that the CFMEU has 

been actively campaigning for 

shorter, more family and worker 

friendly fly-in fly-out (FIFO) rosters 

for construction workers. It is as a 

result of CFMEU (and other 

stakeholders) campaigning that a 

Parliamentary Committee was set 

up to explore the issues facing FIFO 

workers, their families and the flow 

on effects of FIFO in regional 

Australia. 

The CFMEU has the view that more 

needs to be done to support 

workers required to fly-in fly-out for 

their employment. Let’s face it, four 

weeks is a long time to be away 

from your family and friends, when 

you only have one week off and two 

of those days might be spent 

travelling! 

THE CASE FOR CHANGE: 

With the resources sector in a 

period of growth many construction 

workers seek work in the sector, 

signing up to the FIFO lifestyle. 

Those workers are often confronted 

with inadequate living 

arrangements, motelling, limited 

access to telecommunication 

facilities to keep in touch with their 

families and poor support systems 

from companies. Combine these 

with fatigue, isolation and long 

working hours and FIFO can be a 

tough gig! 

But it doesn’t end there! The media and others tend to lump all FIFO workers 

into the same category. But we all know that there is great disparity between 

the most common roster cycle for those working in oil and gas or in the 

production phase of a project and those in construction. Construction workers 

generally work a longer swing away, with a shorter stint at home. 

While we have seen more general research on the FIFO lifestyle, there has been 

little research into construction rosters and we have not seen much action! The 

Australian Medical Association conducted a survey of 300 mining workers last 

year which revealed that substance abuse, alcohol-related violence, mental 

health problems, injuries caused by fatigue and sexually transmitted infections 

(STIs) were common health problems amongst those surveyed. 


“Fit In or F-Off goes the mantra. An UnAustralian imbalance; with 

very little support mechanisms in place. Management are on a 

shorter swing, 20-10 / 2-1. If it's good enough for them, it should 

be good enough for us. I have seen erosion of conditions fought 

for, with one being the introduction of motelling. History says 

nothing worth having is given for free. It’s time to stand up and 

“It is destructive for you mentally, emotionally and also with your 

“I started work on this project in 2011 and because of my roster, 

which is 26/9, it has continually put stress on my family, 

relationships and children. I know of a number of situations where 

marriages have broken down completely and I am keen for this 

not to happen to me, that is why I am looking for employment with 

a different roster. The money is good, but money isn’t everything 

when you have no-one to go home to. Fly-in fly-out work is a drain 

on all workers. I think if rosters were more like 20/10 or equal time 

research into FIFO lifestyle 

The CFMEU thinks that there is no better time to step up the campaign for 

better rosters and conditions and this is what our members have been 

telling us: 

fight for shorter FIFO rosters for all construction workers.” 

MARK, FIFO Worker 

personal relationships and it tears away the fabric of your family 

life.” 

CHRIS, FIFO worker 

it would make a big difference...it would increase productivity and 

retention and help with fatigue management.” 

CRAIG, FIFO Worker 

The CFMEU’s position is clear; we are strong advocates for better 

facilities and more family and worker friendly rosters for construction 

workers to bring them into line with the broader FIFO workforce. We 

want to see reasonably scheduled flights for our members along with 

paid travel. We will continue to take the fight up to our leaders on the 

need for change for our members! 


CFMEU

S A F E T Y N E W S 


There is NO place for any bullying on worksites! 

The problem of Workplace Bullying 

is becoming more and more of a 

serious issue in today’s workplace. 

Most of the perpetrators will go 

unpunished mainly because the 

victim of the bullying is not aware of 

how to deal with the situation or 

who to inform that this is taking 

place. 

Bullying at work can be defined 

as repeated, unreasonable or 

inappropriate behaviour directed 

towards a worker or group of 

workers, that creates a risk to health 

and safety. 

Bullying includes abuse, physical or 

verbal violence, humiliation and 

undermining someone’s confidence, 

usually in the presence of work 

colleagues to maximize the effect. 

If you see bullying happening in your 

workplace don’t support it by 

staying silent or doing nothing about 

it. Behaviours that have been widely 

accepted in many, if not all, 

workplaces in the past are now 

identified as “bullying”. 

Examples are 

• Abusive, insulting or offensive 

language. 

• Behaviour or language that 

frightens, humiliates, belittles or 

degrades, including criticism 

that is delivered with yelling and 

screaming. 

• Inappropriate comments about 

a person’s appearance, lifestyle, 

or their family. 

• Ridiculing a work colleague or 

regularly making someone the 

brunt of pranks or practical 

jokes. 

There are measures you can take if you are being bullied: 

u Contact the workplace Health and Safety Representative. 

u If you are comfortable in doing so, talk to the bully about the 

situation. 

u Keep a written record or diary. 

u Write down details of every incident and keep copies of any 

relevant documents. 

u Making a formal complaint to management. 

u If the situation does not improve contact Worksafe/Comcare or 

the Mines Department (whichever department has jurisdiction 

over your workplace). 

u Contact your Union Safety Officer. 

It should be noted that it is an offence under the Occupational Health and 

Safety Act to bully anyone and a prosecution could result if found guilty. 

If you feel you are being subjected to this type of behaviour contact 

CFMEU Safety Officer Steve McCann on 0488 102 297. 


CFMEU

M E E T O U R M E M B E R S 


WADE BARNES, 27 

Occupation: Sign Writer 

Member since: 2011 

Why did you join the industry: 

Always enjoyed graphic design and 

drawing at school and continued 

that after I finished. I never really 

thought about it as being a 

construction type job, just shows 

how varied construction based jobs 

are. 

What do you like about the 

construction industry: There are 

so many different jobs available and 

training is readily available to 

improve and increase my own skills. 

Favourite Car: 4 x 4 

Music: Pearl Jam 

Film: Lawless 

Food: Pizza 

Sports Team: Dockers and Miami 

Heat 

Movie Star for Breakfast: Al 

Pacino 

What pisses you off most: Cats 

annoying my dog during the night. 

He won't stop barking! 

What would you like to achieve in 

next 10 years: Dream house, USA 

trip and 1 or 2 kids. 

Reason for joining the union: I’d 

never been in a union prior to 

working with the City of Perth. The 

guys I work with are all members 

and they explained the benefits and 

how the CFMEU had helped them 

all over the years and this was 

proven by the service our organiser 

Aaron provides. 

What appeals most about the 

union: The support that’s there and 

the determination to help us all 

improve our wages and conditions. 

What union benefits do you like 

most: travel insurance. 

What worries you about your 

working future: no worries, I’m a 

CFMEU member! 

ADEN DEAN PAKAU, 23 

Occupation: Scaffolder 

Member since: new member 2013 

Why did you join the industry: 

Better pay and more work was 

available at the time to help benefit 

my family future 

What do you like most about the 

construction industry: Meeting 

new people, jobs in different 

locations and learning new skills 

Favourite car: Ford 

Music: Any, mostly sing-song 

Movie: Boy 

Food: Nana’s cooking and boil-up 

Maori food. 

Sports team: NZ teams 

What pisses you off most: Children 

with no discipline 


the next 10 years: Own a house, 

bike, boat and not have to worry 

about tomorrow. 

Reason for joining the union: 

Someone to back me in tight 

situations and to be a part of 

something that can change people’s 

lives for the better. 


union: A chance to get my tickets 

cheaper at the CSTC with a union 

discount. 


most: Union insurances. 


working future: A decline in health 

and safety standards in the work 

place and for the union not to be 

around to look after the workers. 

MITCHELL BRABAZON, 20 

Occupation: Apprentice carpenter 

Union member since: 2011 

Why did you join the construction 

industry: To gain a trade, earn 

money and I like being outdoors. 

What do you like about the 

construction industry: Good 

working hours (6.30 – 3pm) working 

outdoors, learn a lot of different and 

interesting things. 

Favourite car: Toyota Landcruiser 

ute 

Music: Anything good (Triple J) 

Movie: Snatch 

Food: Seafood 

Sports team: West Coast Eagles 

What movie star would you like to 

have breakfast with: Jennifer 

Anniston 

What pisses you off most: People 

who don’t understand how good 

Australia is, bad drivers, car 

breakdowns. 


the next 10 years: Own my own 

house, boat, 4-wheel drive and a 

holiday house in Kalbarri. 

Reason for joining the union: To 

work on a union job and enjoy the 

safe, clean and friendly environment 

that is on offer. 


union: The members all get along, 

stick up for each other’s rights and 

put in the work. 


most: Double time and RDO’s are 

great, along with site allowances. 


working future: Work running out 

on union sites and having to find 

work elsewhere. Big companies 

bringing in foreign labour to 

Australia to work for cheap and 

push Australians out of work. 


CFMEU


U N I O N R A L LY 


Participation in a rally goes beyond just supporting a cause or having a commitment, it 

demonstrates that you have a belief in core union values of comradeship, a fair go for all and 

the right to earn a decent and safe living in a society that treats you as an equal. 

The union rally has a unique place in Australian society and democracy. When a single voice 

is ignored, it can join forces with thousands of others to be heard and its impact can 

continue to echo for years to come. 

Let’s spread it around rally. 

Local jobs and content. 

WA RALLY LEADS THE WAY IN LOCAL JOBS ISSUE 

Just over a year ago your union embarked on an 

extensive campaign to promote local jobs ahead of 

Enterprise Migration Agreements, unnecessary 457 visa 

workers and more training of our kids to create future job 

opportunities. In a lot of ways your union in WA led the 

initial debate on these vital issues and helped to put it 

into the conscience of the wider community. 

NATIONAL UNITY COMES TO THE FORE 

Recently your national union leaders got together to 

launch a national campaign with the support of all 

CFMEU branches and the various divisions of our great 

union. No longer operating in isolation from each other, 

the CFMEU has harnessed all its strength in a single 

focussed strategy to highlight the problems associated 

with EMA’s and 457 visas in the face of massive job 

losses within the industry. 

Local workers should have a legal right to a job first; 

EMA’s are no longer necessary and local manufacturers 

need a greater share of the resource boom. As a result of 

our co-ordinated national campaign these issues are now 

firmly on the national political and social agenda. 

Governments are finally listening. While the federal 

government have made some changes, a lot more needs 

to done to secure jobs for the future. Especially in the 

area of training so a generation of skill sets are not lost to 

temporary labour, which does offer permanent solutions. 

I am ecstatic to report that our rally in Perth was attended 

by several thousand union members and people from the 

wider community. It was great to see such a strong 

message being sent to those in power who would have it 

differently. Dave Noonan, our national CFMEU C&G 

Secretary, gave a rousing speech, which you can see on 

our Facebook page. (Search CFMEUWA on Facebook) 

I would like to thank all the CFMEU leaders, who came 

from other states and also Michael O’Connor who 

supported the rally, for the work they all put into the 

campaign. Make no mistake these issues will be at the 

forefront of the next federal election. Get ready to rally 

again. Whatever it takes. 


CFMEU

CFMEU YOUNG ACTIVISTS 

with Rob Pearson 

Time for younger members to be educated 

A NEW AND BETTER VENUE 

The CFMEU had their first meeting on the 19th of 

February at our new host venue in Leederville “Fibber 

McGee’s” We have changed our venue to Fibber 

McGee’s as there is more parking than in the city and it 

is close to Leederville Train station and should be easier 

to get to for the vast majority of our members. Fibbers 

must also have the best food in town! 

Over a few beers many issues were discussed and 

debated. The agenda included topics such as the locals 

jobs first rally, a quick debrief from the union elections 

held before Christmas, what’s been happening on our 

individual sites as well as what’s been happening around 

Perth and a few reports of the goings-on in the eastern 

states. 

ISSUES 

The concerns raised by the young activists at the 

meeting and by phone calls I have been having lately is: 

• Lack of consistent work, and that we have to be at the 

beckon call of the Labour/Body hire companies, 

• Safety on site, supervisors telling people that they 

have to do tasks that are not necessarily safe, and 

• 4 and 1 rosters in the North West 

These issues and others will now be taken back to the 

Management Committee of the union so that they know 

that these are the main concerns and worries of the 

younger members of the rank and file. 

GUEST SPEAKER TONY COOKE 

Tony Cooke was our guest speaker and everyone on the 

night found him very to be very interesting. He spoke 

about his time as Secretary of the TLC in the nineties, 

heading up the protests and marches of the first, second 

and third waves which made up the early days of John 

Howards “Work Choices” and the instrumentation of 

individual contracts. Tony also spoke of when 25,000 

people marched on Parliament House and the beginning 

of Solidarity Park. 

GET EDUCATED 

Something that I ask people to remember, especially our 

colleagues out there who were part of these 

YACS meet at Fibber McGees in Leederville 

demonstrations, is that the Young Activists are primarily 

between the ages of 18-35. Most had not yet started their 

working lives and were still in primary school or just 

starting high school when these issues were tackled. So 

to hear the reflections of people like Tony Cooke and 

others of what can be, and has been, achieved by our 

union, the union movement and a community as a whole 

when faced with draconian laws and government policies 

to oppress workers’ rights is inspiring. I believe it is a very 

important part of not just becoming a more involved and 

more educated union member, but is instrumental in 

becoming a dedicated lifelong Trade Unionist. 

It’s a good idea if you want to be educated about the 

union and what it has done for you to get a copy of the 

book “If you don’t fight, you lose”. It’s free and available 

at the CFMEU office or ask an Organiser for a copy. 

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE 

CFMEU Young Activists also now have a Facebook page 

if you type in CFMEU WA Young Activists into your 

search bar on Facebook you will be able to find us. By 

hitting the like button you will be kept up to date with 

what we are doing when our meetings are on and 

information on how to become involved. 

BECOME INVOLVED – MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

For further information on the Young CFMEU Activists 

or how to become involved, contact me Robert Pearson 

0407 916 777 or by email cfmeuyac@gmail.com I look 

forward to hearing from you. 


CFMEU

F E AT U R E 

with Peter Joshua 

THE ART OF SCAFFOLDING 

From the CBD to the mighty North-West and beyond... 

we take our 

hard hats off 

to all Scaffy’s... 

and their amazing unique 

skills with these incredible 

scaffold sculptures. 

LEANDRA SHOWS 

HER TRUE COLOURS 

Young CFMEU Organiser Leandra Grant showed her true colours 

prior to our rally for local jobs first. In what could start a new craze 

out there on sites, Leandra paid a visit to the hairdresser for a 

Eureka Cut. We think it looked awesome, passion personified. 

Leandra who is currently undertaking the ACTU Organising Works 

Program will definitely go to the head of class. 


CFMEU


with Mia Onorato-Sartari 

Building up more women in the construction industry 

It is no secret that there are fewer women than men working in the construction industry. This is not a new thing; 

the construction industry has been an overwhelmingly male dominated industry for years. In recognition of the 

barriers which still persist in the industry and with International Women’s Day just passed, we think that there is 

no better time to encourage more women in to the industry. After all, if you are not a part of the solution, then you 

are a part of the problem! 

It comes as no surprise that according to the Department of Commerce, in 2011, 86% of the construction workforce in 

Western Australia were men. At the CFMEU we are committed to improving women’s participation in the industry and 

who better to tell us about their experiences on site and respective pathways into the construction industry than the 

women in our union! 

To date, we have made direct contact with female CFMEU members to ask them to share their thoughts and experiences 

in the industry and we have received great feedback. We look forward to receiving more ideas on how to reduce barriers 

to employment in the follow up survey that has been distributed. 

Moving forward, we will continue to step up the campaign to increase women’s participation in the construction industry. 

This means more women choosing construction as a career to create a stronger and more inclusive sector. 

So what does the CFMEU do to increase the participation of women in the construction industry? 

The CFMEU presently advocates for improved government policy and support for accessible traineeships for women, 

targeted programs and promotion of the industry to effect cultural change and increased job support for women entering 

male dominated industries. 

As a union we can make a real difference to gender equality in the construction industry. It is the CFMEU’s hope that the 

flow on effects will see greater pay equity and help to reduce the gender pay gap which exists in Western Australia. 

Encouraging and engaging women in construction training will ensure that Western Australia is better equipped to meet 

the skills needs for the future. 


CFMEU

N O R T H W E S T R E P O R T 

with Brad Upton 

AWU needs to join 

our fight for better 

outcomes 

Workers want more 

achieved by ALL unions 

working together! 

T h e 

GORGON 

agreement is 

delivering the best 

wages in Australia. 

But even the best can be 

improved. Workers must unite for 

better outcomes for their industry, take 

ownership of the struggle, attend meetings, show 

strength and give financial support to the cause – join your 

Union. 

The most important relationship a worker can have, to 

support the working class struggle, is to be financial, pay 

their union dues and spread the word in their workplace 

about the importance of joining their Union. 

We must educate all our workmates, and for that matter the 

AWU, not to fall into the right wing employers and clients 

trap – to de-unionise, encouragement greedy outcomes, 

which will eventually lead to lower wages and conditions. 

Principle based, Unionised workers have traditionally fought 

hard, lost many weeks of wages on strikes, to achieve the 

current wages and conditions enjoyed by your industry. 

New and old workers to the construction industry should 

respect what was handed to them through past struggles. 

We need to protect and improve conditions for future 

generations – our family, sons and daughters, who may 

choose to follow our footsteps and earn a living from the 

construction industry. 

One major issue is, that as individuals you are being 

encouraged to sell out future generations of 

construction workers’ rights not to be forced to 

share accommodation. This is happening by offering 

big money, relying on people’s greed, with no protection to 

existing workers’ rights, future workers’ rights, not to motel 

or share accommodation. 

In this modern era of communications such as email, 

internet and Skype, workers, loved ones and families rightly 

expect employers to provide effective communications. 

Communications with their loved ones and families that 

take place in private. Why is this not happening? Big 

businesses and corporate greed!! When bigwigs travel 

accommodation is in top notch hotels and restaurants, with 

absolutely the best communications available for them! 

Another major issue is rosters for the workers. Workers who 

actually create the wealth – without your hands and skills 

there would be no projects built at all! I would like to see 

them out in 40 degree plus heat, building these projects. We 

would be lucky to see them finished in the year 2040. In 

actual fact, they would never be completed, the first 

cyclone through would blow them down. The employers 

need to show respect to our family and loved ones left at 

home. For us, that is all that’s on our minds! To allow us to 

perform efficiently, our mental and emotional state of mind 

is extremely important. Effective time off with those 

important to us is absolutely essential for this outcome to be 

achieved. 

Don't know about you, but when I say to my loved ones, 

sorry I’ve got to go away to earn a dollar and I’m going to 

be working a 26-on, 9-off roster, they totally expect that the 

days off are fully, entirely the whole day at home with them, 

including an entire weekend at home (no travelling 

Saturdays or Sundays). I know from phone calls, emails, 

direct discussion that you want this too! MAJOR, MAJOR 

ISSUE!!! 

continued overleaf 


CFMEU

CFMEU v Non-Union 

Nothing compares to CFMEU member benefits 

CFMEU UNION MEMBERS 

• FREE Ambulance Cover 

• FREE Air Ambulance Cover (up to $10,000) 

• FREE Funeral Cover 

• FREE Travel Insurance – Local, National, Overseas 

• Journey Cover – wages covered up to $100,000 

• Skills Training Discounts 

• Child Care Cover – Up to $13,000 

• Discounted Legal Advice and FREE Will 

• LOWER Home Loans 

• New Car Discounts 

• Grocery Savings 

• 20% OFF Building/Hardware Supplies 

• FREE Baseline Hearing Test 

• 20% OFF Spectacles 

NON-UNION 

• NO COVER – pay $847 per call out 

• NO COVER – pay up to $12,000 

• NO COVER – pay up to $20,000 

• NO COVER 

• NO COVER 

• NO DISCOUNT 

• NO COVER 

• Ka-ching! 

• HIGHER Interest Rates 

• Ka-ching! 

• Ka-ching! 




Join the union that looks after 

you and your family as well 

as your wages and conditions. 

www.cfmeuwa.com 

CALL 9221 1055 OR SEE YOUR CFMEU AREA ORGANISER 

All these benefits apply to financial CFMEU C&G WA Members outside of any EBA Agreements 


continued from previous page 

This means, all travelling to and from projects for R&R 

including mobilisation and de-mobilisation, should be 

scheduled to allow employees to be home by midnight on 

Friday night, preferably at a time to sit down at the family 

dinner table. 

In all circumstances, full weekends at home, the ability 

where reasonable, to extend R&R leave by taking RDO’s 

and Annual Leave. This request should be a right, without 

bullying and harassment!! 

At this point, again, it’s necessary to mention the AWU. The 

message is, “listen to the rank and file, listen to their 

concerns.” You need to work together with the other Unions 

to achieve better rosters, travelling to and from projects 

approximately every 3 weeks. You are a Union, not an 

Employer, you should be representing the rank and file – you 

have an obligation to do so!! 

Where’s your heart and soul comrades? Listen to the Rank 

and File of all Unions, they are voting with their feet and shall 

continue to do so by not attending meetings called by the 

AWU while they are selling out the workers. By not joining 

the AWU, because they are signing agreements that the 

rank and file have called for a campaign against. Campaigns 

calling for better rosters – listened to and instigated by the 

Union movement. AWU, you need to help build Union unity 

in the North West! The rank and file have clearly told and 

demanded the Union movement to work together. The other 

Unions have all listened, we are working well together! We 

have only one hiccup, the AWU. This can be fixed right 

now! Listen, don’t sign any more bullshit Wheatstone 

agreements, stop selling out the campaign for better rosters 

and join the CFMEU, AMWU and CEPU campaign for no 

more crap rosters applying to Wheatstone!!! 

The CFMEU, AMWU, CEPU/ETU and MUA are now 

working well together. Where is the AWU???? It’s time that 

all workers joined the Union that services them, because 

this is the only way to get all the conditions back. For all 

workers to be united, strong, stand as one in their Union. 

Let’s achieve 100% in, 100% strong – this always has been 

and always will be, the strongest negotiating strength. 

A new path is happening with the resources sector by the 

CFMEU led by Mick and his team. It’s starting to have effect 

on the industry and companies. The CFMEU is committed 

to turning up when required, representing all union 

members, paying for the best lawyers to defend all 

construction workers rights. Workers are not slaves, they are 

not prisoners (the way they are treated, you would think they 

were), employers and clients obviously think they are and 

unfortunately some workers are accepting this. Buying 

workers off, selling out wages and conditions for CASH, 

lights off 9.30 pm, rations of two beers, not allowed to make 

too much noise, unable to communicate with your family in 

private, can’t see your union during working time or in your 

private time outside working hours in your camp / 

accommodations...you must be a slave! They are dictating 

how you live!!!!! Where are your democratic rights??? This is 

effectively your home, your personal time!!! 

We now ask workers to stand up, RIGHT NOW, for what is 

just and right!!! I will remind you again and again, join the 

union movement, pay your way, pay your fees, participate in 

meetings, organised rallies and struggles. Have your say, we 

are listening. We need your knowledge and feedback. 

Working together comrades, ALL tight, we can and will 

effect real change for the better – whatever it takes!!! 

Note: CFMEU Assistant Secretary Graham Pallot is asking for 

rank and file feedback about your views on length of roster 

and travelling to and from projects. 

Send your views to: gpallot@cfmeuwa.com 


CFMEU

C I T Y R O U N D U P 

with Matt Waters & Peter Joshua 

More work not far away in the city 

We keep getting asked about jobs in 

the city. It’s hard at the moment, 

there seems to be so much on the 

drawing board, ready to start, but 

it’s impact in terms of creating 

employment is yet to be felt by 

many of our members. 

Having said that, there is a BIG light 

on the hill with many large projects 

due to get underway over the next 6 

to 12 months (not only in the CBD 

but around the suburbs also). 

Perhaps now that the State election 

is out of the way decisions will be 

made and we’ll see things progress 

quicker. In the meantime the CCI 

and others need to know that there 

are a lot of unemployed local 

workers looking for work and that 

457’s are not the answer – what 

skills shortage? Keep in touch with 

us to find out what is going on 

workwise. 

Mates in Construction (MIC) 

conducted an induction of all 

workers on the Treasury Building 

site where delegate Mal Peters and 

safety rep Pat McCann are doing a 

top job. MATES has been an 

incredible success in helping our 

members with any issues, and more 

importantly saving lives. Well done 

to MIRVAC for welcoming MIC on 

site. 

By getting involved with MATES in 

Construction, you can make a 

direct and positive impact on the 

mental health of construction 

workers. 

There is a very real need for suicide 

prevention and awareness in the WA 

construction industry. The Industry 

Unique aerial View depicting 

the Treasury building site 

in WA has been 

identified as having 

suicide rates well 

above the national 

average for men in 

Australia. In fact, the 

suicide rate for young workers in the industry has been found to be 2.39 times 

higher than the national average for men. This means a construction worker is 

up to 6 times more likely to die from suicide than from an accident at work. If 

you would like more information or to help MATES please call 9463 6664. 

Thanks also to everyone who came out in force for the rally on local workers 

and local jobs – it was one on the most passionate rallies seen in the CBD and 

up at parliament for a long time. It was especially heartening to see so many 

younger members taking up the battle – a good sign for the future of our union. 

We’d like to thank the Anchor Formwork crew for the safe completion of the 

structure on the DMG Hay Street job and thanks to Anthony, the boss for his 

support of the union. Union built, quality built! 

WE took this photo of rope access workers hanging up the sign on top of the 

Raine Square Building – a site that wasn’t without its problems. It’s the new 

home of BankWest. Given all the strife on the site, which saw it close down over 

finance issues, and how the union helped to give workers preference to get 

back to work after finally re-opening we think the sign should read… (see pic) 

In the meantime stay strong in the union and if you need any help call 

Matt Waters on 0419 812 875 or Peter Joshua on 0433 410 596 – see you 

all at May Day! 

MATES in Construction induction at the Treasury building. Well done guys! 


CFMEU

NORTHERN SUBURBS REPORT 

with Seamus Byrne & Ray McMurrich 

Lakeside starting to ramp up 

Work is starting to pick up in the Northern suburbs areas. 

Keep in with us to find out the latest news of what’s 

happening and where any job opportunities may be 

opening up. 

Lend Lease’s Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre 

Development is starting to ramp up – the workforce on 

the job is expected to peak at around 300 with 75 to 80 

currently on site. Mick Hogan is doing a great job on the 

site as delegate. Currambine Shopping Centre being built 

by Northerly is also on the go. 

Troon’s are building the largest Bunning’s store in WA at 

Joondalup with a Master’s Hardware store being built by 

Perkins next store. 

Cooper and Oxley are building the new Butler Train 

Station with Dependable Steel Fixing and Advanced 

Formwork on site. The project is expected to run for at 

least 12 months. 

A few of the Lakeside crew 

The QE 2 Car Park is humming along on schedule with 

delegate Pete Ballard and safety rep Ben Matthews 

doing a top job. 

Finally, thanks to all our members for supporting the local 

jobs first rally – a fantastic turn out by all. See you all at 

May Day on May 5th. 

If you need any help or advice please contact Seamus 

Byrne on 0419 812 866 or Ray McMurrich on 

0421 624 695. 

CFMEU welcomes new staff aboard since our last issue 

The CFMEU would like to welcome aboard new 

organisers – TAWA Harris and Ray McMurrich. Both 

organisers offer a wealth of experience both at the 

coalface and as union activists and they look forward to 

serving the further interests of all our members. 

Ray comes to us as an experienced 

activist dedicated to improving workers 

pay and conditions and ability to provide 

a secure, safe and better life for their 

families. Contact Ray on 0421 624 695. 

TAWA Harris has worked in the construction 

industry as a concreter and steel fixer since 

arriving in Australia in 1982 and is a well 

respected member of the local Maori 

community. TAWA is passionate about being 

a CFMEU organiser, working hard for all 

members to improve their pay and conditions and to 

make sure they go home safe every day. ‘Kia kaha ra 

tatou ki te tautoko i te CFMEU hei mangai mo nga uri 

whakaheke hei manaakitanganga mo a tatou 

tamariki ko ratou nga taonga mo apopo.’ 

TAWA can be contacted on 0419 812 864 

Leandra Grant and Phil Dolan 

New trainees working under the auspices of the ACTU 

Organising Works Program have also come on board. 

Leandra Grant and Phil Dolan look forward to meeting 

you on site in their travels. We will do a feature on the 

Organising Works Program and how Phil 

and Leandra are finding it in our next issue. 

We also welcome Nicola Thomas-Evans 

(a grand Welsh name) on board as a new 

IR/ legal assistant. 


CFMEU

SOUTHERN SUBURBS REPORT 

with Troy Smart 

Henderson crew standing up united! 

Firstly let me say I was personally 

warmed by the support I received 

upon the death of my Dad, ‘Scotty 

Noddy Smart’. He was a solid union 

member and, as a lot of you will 

know, he finally succumbed to the 

insidious ravages of asbestosis, a 

horrible disease which our union has 

been at the forefront to expose and 

achieve justice for those workers 

affected, such as in the case of 

Hardies’. I would like to thank all in 

the union who expressed their 

sympathy and also thanks to the 

Asbestos Disease Society. 

On another note, let me say how 

proud I am of the strength and 

support shown by all the crews at 

Henderson. I don’t know why the 

bosses are so worried or what they 

have to worry about – but you’d think 

the way they hover down there when 

we have a meeting, that we were out 

Henderson Crew: 

Standing strong! 

to steal a vessel from her majesty’s 

navy. All I can say is that the workers 

are starting to realise that by sticking 

together, better and fairer outcomes 

can be achieved for all – unity is 

strength! 

Workers who stick together, win 

together! CBI especially seems to be 

worried. What have they got to hide 

or be worried about? 

I’d also like to welcome Matt Balde to 

the area, along with the rest of the 

union we are here to serve the best 

interests of our membership and we 

look forward to doing our job. 

Away from Henderson, a couple of 

other projects are underway in the 

southern suburbs including St John 

of God Hospital where union 

delegate ‘Joffa’ is doing a great job 

and also Gateway Shopping Centre 

being built by Cooper and Oxley. 

If you need any help or advice 

please call me Troy Smart on 

0419 812 871 or Matt Balde on 

0405 081 874. Stick fat and stay 

strong in the union – whatever it 

takes! See you at May Day. 

CFMEU MAY DAY 

FAMILY PICNIC AND MARCH 

Put it in your family diary now. Join us Sunday May 5th 

at the Fremantle Esplanade from 10 am, march around 

the town at 12 noon. Be early for your free CFMEU 

May Day shirts for both adults and kids. There’ll be 

rides, BBQ, free drinks, music and more. 

See you there for a top day - whatever it takes! 


CFMEU

N O R T H W E S T R E P O R T 

with Phil Kennedy 

Workers stand together and WIN! 

Solomon Crew 

The collective wins... 

Since the start of the project at 

Solomon the rank and file have seen 

union involvement starting to 

increase on the project. At the 

Christmas break RCR had a big 

influx of labour hire companies, a 

total of 7 came in, and they were all 

paying different rates. i.e.: flat rates 

of $65 dollars, some no 25% 

loading, no penalty rates, no 

progress incentive payment, no 

redundancy and the extra travel time 

above the 20 minutes each way. So I 

got a lot of calls from the lads out on 

the project over the Christmas break 

and told them I’d be out after the 7th 

of January and start to get it all 

sorted out. 

First meeting about 30 people 

turned up and all I said to the rank 

and file was we needed more to turn 

up because RCR won’t fix stuff up at 

all, just get lip service. I told them I 

would be back on Friday and get 

everyone to turn up. One of the rank 

and file member’s said they’d get as 

many as possible, and wrote down 

their issues on the new spread sheet 

made up over the break for all 

contact details of the members. I 

met with RCR management and they 

said there were no issues with their 

subbies and I highlighted all the 

issues to them. 

At Fridays meeting I was taken to the 

meeting room, the rank and file said 

‘this is not big enough’ they were 

sitting on the floor, standing and 

there was a massive overflow 

outside, so we stopped and moved 

out into the ambulance bay area. 

They were all totally revved up for a 

blue. RCR realised they’d better sit 

down and work out all their problems 

on site and fix them up! The workers 

have had wins with pay, hours, 

conditions and loads of back pay on 

pip, up to 10 swings which is worth 

$1950. It was a lot of money the 

companies were fleecing the 

workers. MEMBERS GET ANY 

EMPLOYEES WHICH HAVE LEFT TO 

CALL ME SO I CAN GET THEM 

FIXED UP. 

Other companies have been put on 

notice to fix things up. 

You only have big wins like this by all 

standing together and making a 

strong collective stand. The delegate 

structure put in place now with the 

safety rep is going great guns. The 

rank and file is running this job now, 

with the non-members, who were 

having a swipe at the members 

about the union, now getting told 

“SIGN UP OR SHUT THE F--- UP!” 

The members are pushing 

membership forms for the union. 

Membership on the job has had 

ground swell with the older rank and 

file believing it should be turned 

back to “NO TICKET NO START”. 

To achieve things like this we need 

to get good structure in place and 

vote in members to represent 

workers and conditions on site. 


CFMEU helps to build up outback kids 

The rank and file from Tenix and 

office staff at the ARGYLE Project 

held a Christmas fundraiser for the 

kids in the small community of 

Warmum [Turkey Creek] area – Frog 

Hollow, Glen Hill, Doon Doon and 

Warmum. 

The total raised was nearly $4200, 

donated by about 92 rank and file 

workers. 

To get access to the school, we 

called on the local police of 

Warmum and spoke to Senior 

Sergeant Rod Burnby, who got the 

schools on board. The school 

organised the presents for all of 

them. 

Well done to all for helping out the 

kids. 

Above left to right: Leanne Hodge, Daniel 

Woodhouse, police, Fiona Kerr from Tenix, 

Sister Mary and me, with Susan and Alex. 

Above: 2 kids enjoying the day 

Right: Letter of thanks from Leanne Hodge, 

Principal, Ngalangangpum School 


CFMEU

N O R T H W E S T N E W S 

with Brad Upton 

Beware of tactics to frustrate local workers 

We have good information that some companies are 

trying to get rid of Australian workers via a campaign of 

frustration. The latest tactic by companies on the 

Wheatstone job is, if you’re an eastern state worker and 

want a job, you must give a Perth metro address. No job 

unless your usual place of residence is local. The effect 

of that tactic shows up when cyclones are pending. They 

are demobilised to Perth to their “usual place of 

residence”. Then their only choice is to find their own 

accommodation in Perth or pay for flights back to their 

real place of residence, over east. The reality is, if you are 

an overseas based worker, you are receiving 

accommodation paid for in Perth by the employers. They 

know they are pissing off hard working Aussie’s. We 

allege it’s another deliberate tactic to support the use of 

overseas labour. What I, and our membership wants to 

know is: ‘Why they can’t get a job in the North West 

employed properly by the project agreement?’ 457 visas 

are just meant to top up the workforce when the skills are 

not available locally. The resources booms should be 

spread around Australia first. What can be made here, 

should be made here. Care about our kids training and 

apprenticeships in Australia first! 

Say g’day to 

the Mono’s 

boys 

The Mono’s 

crew on 

Wheatstone 

relaxing after a 

hard days 

work. 

L to R: Darren, 

Kris, Statue 

(bro), Eric, 

Pommie brad, 

Mcspewy and 

Haydos! 

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Workers (CFMEUW) - Notice of Intended Rule Change 

On 13 March 2013 a General Meeting of the CFMEUW passed a motion approving the following amendments to the Rules: 

1. Rule 16 – Executive and Organisers: 

A. Delete sub-rule 16(1) and insert in lieu thereof: 

“(1) The Executive shall consist of the President, the Senior Vice President, Vice President, the Secretary, two (2) Assistant Secretaries, the Treasurer, 

three (3) Trustees and five (5) Ordinary Executive Members.” 

B. Delete sub-rule 16(3) and insert in lieu thereof: 

“(3) The officers of the Union shall consist of the President, the Senior Vice President, the Vice President, Secretary, two (2) Assistant Secretaries, three 

(3) Trustees, the Treasurer and Ordinary Executive Members, together with such number of Organisers as the Executive from time to time 

determines.” 

C. Delete sub-rule 16(5) and insert the following in lieu thereof: 

“(5) (a) The Executive shall meet at least once each month; and 

(b) a quorum for any meeting shall be a majority of the members of the Executive who actually hold a position at the time of the commencement 

of the meeting or ten (10) members of the Executive, whichever is the lesser.” 

The purpose of the amendments is to bring the rules relating to the Executive and officers of the CFMEUW into further conformity with the rules of the 

CFMEUW’s counterpart Federal body, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Construction & General Division, WA Divisional Branch 

(Counterpart Federal Body). The amendment to sub-rule 16(1) provides for the make-up of the Executive to be the same as provided by rule 42(a)(iv) of 

the Counterpart Federal Body’s rules. This amendment involves changing the number of trustees from 2 to 3 and the number of Ordinary Executive 

Members from 2 to 5. The amendment to sub-rule 16(3) provides for the officers (including organisers) to be same as provide by sub-rule 37(iv) of 

Counterpart Federal Body’s rules. This amendment involves removing the requirement that 6 organizers be elected every 4 years. Under this amendment, 

a number of organizers will be determined and appointed by the Executive. The amendment also makes clear who are officers of the union under the rules. 

The amendment to sub-rule 16(5) brings provision for the timing of, and quorum for, Executive meetings into conformity with sub-rules 42(b) and (c) of the 

Counterpart Federal Body’s rules. This amendment involves changing the current timing of Executive meetings from fortnightly to monthly, and changing 

the quorum requirement from a fixed number (currently 5). The CFMEUW will apply for registration of the Proposed Amendment. Any member may object 

to the making of the application for the Proposed Amendment and/or object to the Proposed Amendment by forwarding a written objection to the Registrar 

of the WAIRC. Objections should reach the Registrar no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of the receipt of this notice. 


CFMEU

EASTERN SUBURBS REPORT 

with Vinnie Molina & Tawa Harris 

What do bosses fear? 

It has come to our attention that 

bosses fear the right to organise and 

collective bargaining. 

Some of the builders in the 

Southern corridor and more recently 

at Perth Airport try all the tricks in 

the book to prevent union 

organisers meeting with workers. 

The common line is direct from the 

CCI recipes “workers don’t want to 

be disturbed”, “they don’t want to 

talk to you”, “freedom of choice”, 

“what is the issue?”, “who wants to 

see you?”, etc. 

Builders of the Leighton’s family 

share the same IR policies and do 

whatever they can to prevent 

contact with workers. 

As recently as February another 

organiser and myself had to be very 

creative in order to deliver the 

message about the rally for jobs and 

local content to the workers on site. 

Happy to report we did it! The guys 

were very receptive but the Perkins 

Supervisor almost died of fright in 

his last week with this builder. 

Unfortunately for him the industry is 

actually quite small and we will 

catch up with him again in the near 

future with his next employer. 

It was not the only incident. As 

reported in the last issue of the CW, 

Broads called in the Federal Police 

to help them deal with the union 

over inclement weather and 

unreasonable conditions on the 

right of entry. Terminal 2 is now 

finished and the builder placed 

several ads in the newspaper telling 

readers how good they are, of 

course ignoring the number of 

safety incidents and breaches to the 

basic rights to belong to the 

collective. 

Inclement Weather is a hard won 

entitlement undermined by bosses 

who chose to pay all up rates 

instead. Many workers actually 

believe the bosses lies that they are 

not entitled to paid inclement 

weather. Two incidents of heat 

exhaustion, a dangerous condition, 

at the Broad airport site is a serious 

warning that inclement weather 

should not be ignored. 

WHY THE FEAR? 

We try hard to understand the 

bosses behaviour in obstructing 

access to workers but there is only 

one answer, they fear workers 

organisation. We are obviously 

winning the class war. We will 

continue with our struggle for 

workers’ rights and we will ensure 

we will be there one day longer than 

them. The most committed wins! 

WELCOME TAWA 

I, along with all our union comrades, 

would like to welcome Tawa Harris 

on board as an organiser of our 

great union. 

Get in touch: If working in the 

Southern corridor don’t hesitate 

to contact us by SMS or call 

Vinnie Molina on 0419 812 872 or 

Tawa Harris on 0419 812 864. 


CFMEU



Will this be a glimpse of things to come under a Tony 

Abbott regime? You would think it was an exercise by US 

Navy Seals, but in reality a helicopter was used to fly in 

foreign workers to bust a picket line in Werribie Victoria at 

the Western Treatment Plant. The community picket, 

made up of a lot of unemployed tradies, was disgusted 

that while they were on the picket with no job and no pay 

– Filipino workers were being flown in over the picket by 

their employer. A protest spokesperson said Filipino 

workers on 457 work visas were being flown in while local 

unemployed tradespeople desperately searched for 

work. The visas enable companies to sponsor foreign 

workers if skills cannot be found locally. 

Life under Abbott? 

Those on the picket line had a clear and fair message; 

employ local unemployed people before visa 

workers. 

O F F S I T E R O U N D U P 

with Aaron Mackrell & Pat Heathcote 

Wages Recovered for casual workers 

It’s always good when our union 

swings into action for the members. 

We are proud in our union to 

perform at the service end. When a 

problem comes to our attention we 

act on it and when it comes to 

members missing out on hard 

earned money in their pocket for 

themselves and their families – 

watch out! 

A combined total of over $16,000 

was back paid to nine casual 

employees working in the GCS 

Rapid yard in Redcliffe. It may not 

seem like a lot when you break it 

down per person but it’s money that 

belongs in the pockets of our 

members and that’s where it ended 

up! For those that don’t know, GCS 

supply scaffold to numerous sites 

and projects throughout Western 

Australia. Under the EBA for their 

Back in 

the workers 

pocket: 

$16,000! 

Redcliffe yard any casuals employed in the yard are required to be paid at the 

same rate as the permanent employees plus any applicable loading. For a 

number of months this wasn’t happening. When it was brought to our attention 

it was acted on immediately. Thank you to our shop steward ‘Jimbo’ for getting 

all the affected employees together and for keeping them up to date during the 

whole process. The GCS boys have proven that it pays to be a CFMEU 

member. 

If you think you are missing out or need advice call Aaron Mackrell on 

0403 432 221 or Pat Heathcote on 0459 135 033. 


CFMEU


I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S 

with Vinnie Molina 

Workers lose friend in Chavez 

Construction workers in Australia 

need to know the struggle for 

workers and trade union rights is at 

stake the world over. 

This edition of the Construction 

Worker reports on the sad passing 

of Venezuelan President Hugo 

Chavez. We send our condolences 

to his family, the Bolivarian 

government and its people. We 

send our condolences also to the 

Venezuelan construction workers 

whose working conditions and 

wages were improved under his 

leadership. 

President Chavez gained power in 

an electoral process in 1998 and 

took office in 1999 with an increase 

of popularity of up to 80%. 

The multinational corporations in 

the resource sector, particularly oil 

and gas, controlled the economy at 

that time and profits went into 

private pockets. Unemployment 

was as high as 20% and jobs were 

precarious with workers’ rights not 

guaranteed. The right to organise 

was undermined by legislation and 

in practice. 

During 14 years in government, 

Chavez and his Bolivarian 

Revolution reverted the process, 

nationalising the oil industry and 

using their huge profits to fund 

social projects such as free 

education and health with the help 

and solidarity of Cuba. 

Unemployment fell considerably, to 

a low 7.5%, and extreme poverty 

and poverty reduced as a large 

proportion of the GDP was invested 

in the wellbeing of the people. 

He won the most recent presidential elections, held on 7th October 2012, with 

over 56% of the vote. A clear mandate to continue the economic, political and 

social reforms that have empowered workers and the people in general in 

Venezuela. 

On Tuesday 5th March, after a two year battle with cancer, President Chavez 

passed away. He had served 14 years in government transforming Venezuelan 

society in the best interest of the people. 

With over 9 million people marching and forming long queues to farewell their 

president for the last time, the mass media tries hard to hide this fact and 

portray Hugo Chavez as a dictator instead. 

Millions of workers around the world and governments have paid their respects 

to a President that helped to change the future of Venezuela, Latin America and 

the world. Poor people in New Orleans still remember, when abandoned by 

their government, Hugo Chavez provided them with free gas during the Katrina 

disaster. 

CAMBODIAN GARMENT WORKERS WIN 

$200,000 BACK PAY FROM WAL-MART 

In Cambodia, the brave stand taken by 700 garment workers against Wal-Mart, 

saw them win $200,000 in back payments. The workers determination to fight 

for justice, better wages and conditions was not light. They faced repression at 

the picket lines and went on hunger strikes, preventing scabs and stopping the 

removal of machinery out their factories. 

International solidarity was essential, 

with Wal-Mart workers in Illinois 

demonstrating in support. The good 

news is, that at a meeting in Phom Penh 

on 1st March, Wal-Mart agreed to pay 

the workers entitlements. 

Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win. 


CFMEU

P E T E ’ S PA G E 

with Peta Arnold 

RETIRED MEMBERS CORNER 

We wish to start a page in the magazine for all the great stories 

that you guys must have and wish to share with the younger 

generation working on building sites today. For example, we have 

a brickie’s labourers’ hod in the board room (it needed to be 

explained to me how it worked). Today they have hoists and pack 

barrows for the brickies labourers to carry the bricks. I know you 

guys will have some wonderful stories and pictures to share with 

us all. Please, we would really love to hear from you and also your 

fellow readers from your generation will relate and maybe lost 

friendships may be rekindled. Contact our office on 9221 1055. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

CHARLIE ISAACS 

Vietnam vet Charlie turned 66 on the 

27/3/2013. Charlie is an honorary CFMEU 

member now having been a financial 

member for over 25 years. Here’s a pic of 

a younger Charlie when he was in the 

service in 1967. 

CFMEU CLOTHING VAN 

I don’t get to see a lot of members now that 

there are electronic methods of payments and 

organisers visit your jobs etc. There are very 

few members who actually come to our East 

Perth Office. So if you are interested in seeing 

our merchandise on your site just give me a 

call...the van and I will be out to see you. 

LAWN BOWLING VICTORY 

As some of you know I play lawn bowls – see picture of our team 

Nollamara Saturday Ladies winning the pennant for our division this 

year. I was just so excited. For those of you who are interested in 

playing lawn bowls, it is a great sport (not too hard on the joints). You 

don’t have to be retired to play bowls just ask Mal Peters and another 

great bowler, Alan Williams. Clubs are always looking for new players 

(especially women). It is a lot of fun and you get to meet a wide variety 

of people. The bar prices are about the price of a drink in the 80’s. 

MEMBER THANK YOU – CANCER RIDE 

Andy Otter would thank everyone who sponsored him in his ride 

to conquer cancer; a total of $3,500 was raised. Well done to all 

especially CFMEU members – Andy says his 200km ride was 

made easy because of that 

support – Good onya Andy! 

The Kaefer Crew – standing strong!

Autumn issue 2103 - cfmeu

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