Autumn issue 2103 - cfmeu

U N I O N R A L LY
with Mick Buchan
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.
Construction Worker – Autumn 2013 Page 29
CFMEU