Autumn issue 2103 - cfmeu

M E E T O U R M E M B E R S
with Joe McDonald
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
What would you like to achieve in
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.
What appeals most about the
union: A chance to get my tickets
cheaper at the CSTC with a union
discount.
What union benefits do you like
most: Union insurances.
What worries you about your
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.
What would you like to achieve in
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.
What appeals most about the
union: The members all get along,
stick up for each other’s rights and
put in the work.
What union benefits do you like
most: Double time and RDO’s are
great, along with site allowances.
What worries you about your
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.
Construction Worker – Autumn 2013 Page 27
CFMEU