Summer Issue 2012 - cfmeu

You voted for what 

they fought for! 

Militancy is alive and well in the union 

Photos: CFMEU Honorary Members 

BUCHAN’S 

FULL STRENGTH 

TEAM WINS 

JOBS FEATURE 

WHERE THE WORK IS 2013 

WALL & POCKET 

RDO CALENDAR 

INSIDE 

JOHN HOLLAND 

LOSE SAFETY 

FIGHT

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 

Mia Onorato-Sartari IR/Legal Assistant 

Kelly Karolak 

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 

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 

Joe Stavlic 0419 812 867 

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 

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 

Secretary’s Address 3 

Editorial Comment: Election Victory 5 

Thank You – now it’s full steam ahead 7 

Apprentice of the Year to Cody! 7 

SPECIAL JOBS REPORT 9 

CFMEU Delegates to meet monthly in 2013 17 

The Mining Boom: Let’s spread it around 17 

ANZAC Day Win for workers and diggers! 19 

MI&E at Wheatstone and Macedon – Update 21 

Welcome Aboard – Joe Stavlic 21 

Women: An underutilised resource in skills debate 23 

Crane driver hero feels the heat 25 

Safety News: Watch out John Holland, we’re coming! 27 

Block Buster Union Benefits 28 

2013 RDO Calender 30 

Working class hero framed by his country 33 

Letter from a member 35 

Old Digger recused by Old Treasury crew 35 

Honorary Members celebrated at Xmas lunch 37 

Star shines bright at Xmas Creek 39 

Safety News: Barnett Govt weakest on asbestos 41 

Broad needs to work with, not against union 43 

Construction and FIFO ALP Branch First Meeting 43 

Around the Yards 45 

Compensation win for injured worker 47 

North West Report 49 

Paid parental leave extended 53 

City Round Up 55 

Union History Feature 57 

International News 59 

Pete’s Page 60 

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE JOURNAL 

Email : editor@cfmeuwa.com 

Construction Worker – Summer 2012 Page 1 

CFMEU

S E C R E TA R Y ’ S A D D R E S S 

with Mick Buchan 

Militancy in the union is alive and well 

Firstly, let me say a few words about 

the recent election and then that will 

be it. There are far more important 

issues to tackle. 

Congratulations to Joe, Graham, 

Cam, Mat and Phil on being elected. 

My personal thanks go to all those 

who helped and supported the 

Buchan Full Strength Team. 

This election has shown that it 

wasn’t about taking on certain 

individuals it was about taking on 

the union. The CFMEU became 

‘One Big Union’ back in the 90’s, it 

now operates as one, not just in 

name but in the way everyone 

across all our branches comes 

together to support each other’s 

common cause. Touch one, touch 

all! 

The Members have spoken with a 

victory that forges a new path for 

our union. Not so much a break with 

the past but a new beginning which 

I as your State Secretary, along with 

our team, am glad to lead. Militancy 

in the union is truly alive and well. 

JOBS IN 2013 

The past 12 months have been 

somewhat tough with jobs winding 

down while we wait for new projects 

to begin. In this issue we have 

published a special JOBS section 

that will give an insight into what 

projects are coming up in 2013 and 

where members can perhaps find 

work. 

It’s always hard to predict the future 

but the chances are good that as 

2103 rolls out there will be lots more 

jobs and opportunities for all our 

members, barring any economic 

disasters overseas. 

Our priority, as always, will be to 

take a strong line to make sure that 

these jobs offer top wages, safety 

and conditions. 

2013 will also see your union 

continue to lobby for local jobs first 

and training. 

I would also like to thank all our 

members for sticking together in the 

union during 2012 – those who stick 

together, win together! Be paid up 

and proud! 

CHEVRON COST BLOW-OUT 

I see Chevron is blaming labour costs 

for a $9 Billion cost blowout on 

Gorgon. The fact is, building a 

massive project on an ‘A’ Class 

reserve with all its restrictions, in the 

middle of the ocean in Australia’s 

major cyclonic region, was never 

going to be easy. With all the 

sacrifices they make, everything the 

workers earn up there they deserve! If 

rosters were more family-friendly with 

less fatigue, operations would be 

more productive. Watch this space! 

ELECTIONS 

I would also like to remind our 

members that 2013 will see both a 

state and federal government 

election. We must all think carefully 

before casting our votes. A Tony 

Abbot victory would leave working 

people to live in a dog-eat-dog 

world where the law of the jungle 

rules! 

As for the Barnett Liberal/ National 

coalition, enough is enough! How 

many more stuff ups, wasteful 

spending and broken promises do 

we have to put up with? 

Next year we have a lot of hard work 

to do, I’d like wish all the union staff, 

our members and their families a 

happy festive season. Enjoy a good 

break and come out fighting hard in 

2013. Stay safe! 

Whatever it takes. 

Mick Buchan 

CFMEU C&G State Secretary WA 


CFMEU

E D I T O R I A L C O M M E N T 

Big victory ushers in new era 

A victory for the true believers! 

The Full Strength Team: Mick Buchan, Graham Pallot, Joe McDonald and Cam McCullough 

Thanks to everyone who voted and 

helped in the CFMEU WA C&G 2012 

elections and for supporting the 

Buchan Full Strength Team. 

The members have spoken in the 

CFMEU C&G elections 2012. While 

some wilted under the Southern 

Cross, the vast majority supported 

the Buchan Team ticket. 

Congratulations must go to both 

Joe McDonald and Graham Pallot 

for being overwhelmingly returned 

as Assistant Secretaries with a two 

thirds majority – a landslide in 

anyone’s language. This victory is 

also a mandate for Mick Buchan’s 

leadership as our new State 

Secretary. 

The candidates were promoted as 

part of the ‘Buchan Team’ and along 

with Joe and Graham being reelected, 

all Delegates to Conference 

on the BUCHAN Team came up 

trumps, including McDonald, Pallot, 

Cam McCullough, Mat Waters and 

Phil Milne. 

The combined preference amount 

gave victory to McDonald and Pallot 

by 67% to 33% in the ballot for 

Assistant Secretaries. Most votes 

followed the ticket all the way 

through on the ballot for Delegates 

to Conference. 

The combined preference 

gave victory to McDonald 

and Pallot by 67% to 33% 

It was a clear message from the 

members that they want a strong, 

militant union, one that is 

unencumbered from any string 

pulling...willing and able to stand up 

to the bosses. A victory for the ‘True 

Believers!’ 

Now it’s time to go forward, to 

continue the great work that has 

already been undertaken in the past 

12 months. Work such as bringing 

new EBA builders back to WA, 

getting new agreements signed, 

standing up to builders to win 

workers back their wages when 

ripped off and continue to build on 

the strong in-roads made into 

ensuring that local jobs and training 

come first. 

There’s a lot of work to do as new 

projects and job opportunities come 

on board. 

Make no mistake; your union will do 

whatever it takes to get you top 

wages, conditions and safety. It’s 

FULL STRENGTH or nothing. 


CFMEU

U N I O N N E W S 

with Joe McDonald & Graham Pallot 

Thank you...Now it’s full steam ahead 

The election is over and whether or 

not you voted, or whomever you 

voted for, it is a victory for all 

members and workers in our great 

Industry. The smashing result has 

ensured that we have a strong 

militant union going forward, 

working together as a united team 

to achieve better outcomes – full 

steam ahead!!! 

We would both like to thank all 

those who chose to put their faith in 

a strong future for our union – the 

Buchan Team. We will be proud to 

serve another 4 years as your 

Assistant Secretaries. 

It’s also tremendous to see that all 

the Buchan Team Delegates to 

Conference got elected, giving us the 

right blend of youth and experience 

under the dynamic new leadership of 

Mick Buchan. Congratulations to 

Cam McCullough, Mat Waters and 

Phil Milne. 

Special thanks must also go to the 

literally hundreds of members who 

gave up their own time to help during the campaign. True sons of the Southern 

Cross every one of them. Last but not least, our thanks go to the magnificent 

coming together of all the national branches in a single cause to support our 

new leadership and to ensure that the CFMEU in WA remains a militant and 

effective union. A clear message has been sent that we are not vulnerable and 

open to influences which would erode our strength. 

Apprentice of the Year to Cody! 

Phil Milne, our Delegate at Crown Casino, 

speaks highly of young union member Cody 

Hancock. “You never have to chase him for his 

dues” says Phil, “he’s always paid up and proud, 

and it’s great to see his work get recognised.” 

19 year old Cody, a Ceiling Fixer and 3rd year 

apprentice with C&L, won the Association of 

Wall and Ceiling industries apprentice of the year 

in WA. He went on to the National Finals and just 

missed out. Well done Cody it was a top effort 

and we are sure you are in line for a fantastic 

future. 

Back: Union Organiser Joe Stavlic, Paul, Andrew, Jeffery. 

Front: Julian, Todd, Cody Hancock (Winner), Delegate Phil Milne 

and Organiser Vinnie Molina. 


CFMEU

SPECIAL JOBS REPORT 

Projects on the go and coming up 

and where members can look 

for work during 2013 

This report is to give members a guide on where new work will be happening 

in 2013. Some projects have already started but are yet to reach peak 

workforce while others will get underway as the year unfolds. 

Resources projects are listed. There’s also a list of builders and subbies 

you can contact to ask if any jobs are available, as well as a list of 

websites you can try in your search for work. 

As always keep in touch with your CFMEU area organiser and 

BE PAID UP AND PROUD! 

If you require tickets to work on jobs, contact the CSTC on 9358 6501 

and ask about union member discounts. 

K E E P T H I S A S A H A N D Y R E F E R E N C E G U I D E 


CFMEU

CBD / METRO PROJECTS 

THE WA Government announced John Holland has been 

awarded the Stage Two contract to complete the design 

and construction of the $1.2billion new Children’s 

Hospital. 

The project will provide new inner-city residential options 

as well as much needed hotel and short-stay 

accommodation, and significant additional commercial 

space. 

It is one of several major urban development’s being 

undertaken that will help to further position Perth as a 

contemporary, international city. 

CATHEDRAL PRECINCT - MIRVAC 

ELIZABETH QUAY DEVELOPMENT 

• 1st Stage Forward works – Georgiou Group 

• 2nd stage Leighton Broad 

Elizabeth Quay (formerly Perth Waterfront) is a $2.6billion 

project. 

It will cover nearly 10 hectares of prime riverfront land 

between Barrack and William Streets in the heart of the 

city. 

The project will create a precinct featuring a 2.7 hectare 

inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, shops, 

cafes, restaurants and other exciting entertainment 

venues. 

Over the next three years the Cathedral + Treasury 

Precinct will undergo a significant transformation which 

will include the following key works: 

• The 135 year old, heritage listed Treasury Buildings on 

the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street 

will be restored and turned into an exciting mix of 

hotel, hospitality and retail; 

• A new 33 level office tower will be constructed 

between the Treasury Buildings and the Perth Town 

Hall; 

• The Law Chambers will be demolished and a new City 

of Perth Library will be constructed next to the Perth 

Town Hall fronting Hay Street; 

Page 10 Construction Worker – Summer 2012

• The office building at 565 Hay Street between the new 

City of Perth Library and the Public Trustee building 

will be refurbished; 

• The Public Trustee building on the corner of Hay and 

Pier Street has already undergone minor structural 

changes and an internal upgrade; 

• The public plaza in the centre of the Precinct behind St 

George’s Cathedral will be upgraded; and 

• The Playhouse Theatre on Pier Street will be replaced 

with new buildings aligned with St George’s Cathedral. 

OLD TREASURY BUILDING PRECINCT 

• Office Tower – Mirvac 

• Treasury Heritage Hotel – Built 

• City of Perth Library – TBA 

• Demolition works Old Law Chambers – Northerly 

• 565 Hay Street – TBA 

WACA APARTMENTS 

CLOISTERS REDEVELOPMENT – PROBUILD 

ST JOHN OF GOD MURDOCH – BROOKFIELD 

MULTIPLEX 

MIDLAND HOSPITAL – BROOKFIELD MULTIPLEX 

LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTRE – LEND LEASE 

BOORAGOON SHOPPING CENTRE – TBA 

GATEWAYS SHOPPING CENTRE 

CROWN CASINO HOTEL DEVELOPMENT 

CHEVRON TOWER – TBA 

PACT 15 STOREY TOWER HAY STREET 

RIVERSIDE DEVELOPMENT – LEND LEASE 

The MRA's vision for Riverside is to transform the eastern 

gateway of Perth by creating a cosmopolitan waterfront 

community and tourist destination with a range of 

entertainment, commercial, retail, civic and residential 

uses that take advantage of its unique location. 

The project will attract $2billion in investment and bring 

7,000 new residents into the area and attract another 

6,000 workers. 

Located east of the Swan River, and bordered by 

Adelaide Terrace and the Causeway to the south, the 40- 

hectare Riverside Project will see existing sporting and 

educational icons such as the WACA, Gloucester Park 

and Trinity College integrated with the new development. 

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL – JOHN HOLLAND 

PERTH CITYLINK – JOHN HOLLAND 

CITY SQUARE SOUTH TOWER (PENDING) 

KINGS SQUARE CITY 

STAGE TWO CAR PARK QE2 – PROBUILD 

ECU JOONDALUP EXTENSION – TBA 

STATE NETBALL CENTRE WEMBLEY – TBA 

BUTLER TRAIN STATION – COOPER&OXLEY 

MASTERS WAREHOUSE JOONDALUP – PERKINS 

OCEANA APARTMENTS SCARBOROUGH – 

DIPLOMA 

TERMINAL 1 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT $300 

MILLION 

BRIDGE IN ARMADALE – BOCOL 

CONSTRUCTION 

BURSWOOD DOME TO BE DEMOLISHED 


CFMEU

RESOURCE PROJECTS 

Project Value 

Employment 

(estimated Construction Permanent 

A$m) 

Alumina 

BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina – Refinery Expansion 3,400 1,500 200 

Sub Total 3,400 1,500 200 

Iron and Steel 

API Management Pty Ltd – West Pilbara Iron Ore Project 6,000 3,500 1,000 

Asia Iron – Extension Hill Magnetite Mine 2,000 1,000 350 

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Inner Harbour Expansion 1,824 n/a n/a 

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Jimblebar Mine Expansion 3,168 n/a n/a 

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Outer Harbour Development, Port Hedland n/a n/a n/a 

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Port Blending & Rail Yard Facilities 1,344 n/a n/a 

CITIC Pacific – Cape Preston Mine & Processing Projects 5,200 4,000 500 

Cliffs Asia Pacific Iron Ore – Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Upgrade 320 n/a n/a 

Crosslands Resources – Jack Hills Stage 2 Hematite Mine 2,000 450 350 

Fortescue Metals Group – Chichester expansion & Solomon Mine Project 9,000 7,000 6,000 

Fortescue Metals Group – Mine, Rail & Port Project 4,000 n/a 3,200 

Grange Resources Ltd/SRT Australia Joint Venture – Southdown Magnetite Mine 2,880 2,000 600 

Hancock Prospecting – Iron Ore Mine, Roy Hill 9,500 3,600 2,000 

Karara Iron Ore Project 1,975 1,500 500 

MCC – Cape Lambert Iron Ore Project 3,700 3,000 1,000 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore – Hope Downs 4 Iron Ore Mine 1,600 2,100 720 

Sub Total 54,511 28,150 16,220 

Lithium 75 100 100 

Mount Cattlin Lithium Project 75 100 100 

Nickel/Cobalt 

Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation 300 n/a 480 


Project Value 

Employment 

(estimated Construction Permanent 

A$m) 

Oil, Gas and Condensate 

BHP Billiton – Macedon 1,500 330 8 

Browse LNG Precinct 30,000 6,000 400 

Chevron – Wheatstone LNG 29,000 5,500 400 

Gorgon Joint Venture Gas Processing Project 43,000 5,500 300 

North Rankin Redevelopment 5,000 n/a n/a 

Woodside – Pluto LNG Plant 15,000 5,000 300 

Sub Total 123,500 22,330 1,408 

Other 

AngloGold Ashanti/Independence Group - Tropicana Gold Project 700 700 400 

Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area n/a n/a n/a 

BGM – Boddington Gold Mine n/a n/a 650 

BHP Billiton – Yeelirrie Uranium n/a 700 300 

Burrup Nitrates 600 600 65 

CSBP – Kwinana Ammonium Nitrate Facility Expansion 550 300 10 

Oakajee Port, Rail & Industrial Estate 4,000 2,000 300 

Ord East Kimberley Expansion Project 506 761 n/a 

Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers - Coal-to-Urea Plant 3,500 2,000 200 

Sub Total 9,856 7,061 1,925 

TOTAL 191,642 59,141 20,333 

WEBSITES 

to seek work 

www.bepartofsomethingbig.com.au 

www.westjobs.com.au 

www.simplyhired.com.au 

www.fifobids.com.au 

www.randstad.com.au 

www.seek.com.au/construction-jobs 

www.jobsearch.gov.au 



CFMEU

UNION BUILDERS / SUBBIES 

TO CALL TO ASK IF THERE ARE ANY JOBS GOING 

AAA Passive Fire Services 0409 552 254 

Fire Protection 

rmcgregor@pfsgroup.com.au 

ABS Group 0403 387 022 

Carpentry & Floor Laying 

service@abswest.com.au 

Achilles Fire Protection 0429 7933 055 


neil@achillesfireprotection.com.au 

Airlite Cleaning 0403 240 182 

Cleaning 

sdavis@airlitegroup.com.au 

Annapurna 0407 506 781 

Cladding & Glazing 

matt@annapurna.net.au 

Antry Fine Furniture 0412 374 767 

Commercial Fitout 

edmund@antry.com.au 

Aurora Stone 0412 449 835 

Wall & Floor Tiling 

aurorastone@iinet.net.au 

Australian Fire Doors 0418 919 614 

Auswest Coatings 0417 973 639 

Waterproofing 

auswestcoatings@dodo.com.au 

Baron Forge 0419 379 781 

Tiling 

mario.siketa@paz.com.au 

Bobrik 0418 927 607 

Bricklaying 

bob.wilkie@bobthebrickie.com.au 

Brohand Pty Ltd 1300 304 052 

Crane 

bernard@titancranes.com.au 

Brookfield Multiplex 9483 0899 

BVM 03 9764 5249 

Bricklaying 

bvmbuild@bigpond.net.au 

CASC 0448 818 191 

Formwork & Related Labour raul.used@gcs-group.com.au 

CDI WA 

Ceiling Fixing 

garry.wright@cdigroup.com 

Ceilcon 0414 511 433 


paul@ceilcon.com.au 

Civenco (D&Z) 08 9279 3500 

Formwork & Concrete 

Cladtech 0404 091 477 

Window Installation 

claude@cladtech.com.au 

Commercial Tiling & Stone 0411 611 447 

Tiling 

Cooper&Oxley 9387 9000 

Creative Roofing 0428 957 240 

Roof Plumbing 

creativeroofingwa@bigpond.com 

Crewest Painting 0422 130 413 

Painting 

anthony.allan@crewest.com.au 

Crown Construction roger@crownconstructionservices.com.au 

Carpentry & Concreting 

Cubic Interiors 0411 195 758 

Wall & Ceiling Fixing 

robert@cubicgroup.biz 

Danica Carpentry 08 9417 3880 

Carpentry 

admin@danica.net.au 

Deep Green Landscaping 0412 667 237 

Landscaping 

julian@dgls.com.au 

Di Trento Demolition 0418 918 706 

Demolition, Asbestos Removal, info@ditrentogroup.com.au 

Concrete Cutting, Earthmoving, Excavating, 

Labour Hire, Landscaping, Plant Hire 

Distinct Carpentry 0408 465 356 

Fixing Carpentry 

distinct_carpentry@bigpond.com 

Drilling & Grouting Services 08 9361 3200 

Prestressing 

Elcord 08 9248 7557 

Steelwork & Glazing 

Elete Clean & Seal 0419 575 744 

Waterproofing 

elete@iinet.net.au 

Environmental Industries 0408 939 446 

Landscaping 

constructionmanager@wintgc.com 

FCL 0419 935 974 

Bricklaying 

fcl.construction@bigpond.com 

Fire Technologies 0408 889 303 


paul@firetech.net.au 

Focus Demolition & Asbestos Removal 0418 817 885 

Asbestos Removal 

jbrown@focusdemolition.com.au 

Frankipile Australia Pty Ltd 0417 182 084 

Piling 

j.fletcher@franki.com.au 

Freo Group 9499 9600 

Crane 

tony.canci@freogroup.com.au 

G&N Formwork (WA) 0418 922 296 

Formwork 


GCS Concrete Pumping 0448 818 191 

Concrete Pumping 

raul.used@gcs-group.com.au 

Global Industrial Services 08 9240 7646 

Window Fixing, Labour Hire, Scaffolding 

Hertel Modern 9249 2499 

Sheet Metal Fabrication 

Industrial Building Services 0411 114 851 

Waterproofing 

ibs@dzzienet.net 

Integrity Carpets 0412 906 233 

Floor Laying 

Pault.integrity@iinet.net.au 

Intonhouse 0417 923 101 

Carpentry 

apply@wr.com.au 

KPI Mining Services 0424 921 971 

Labour Hire 

Kevin.ramsay@live.com.au 

Lend Lease 9223 2888 

Majica (Central Reo) 0412 094 638 

Steelfixing 

centralreo@optusnet.com.au 

Marine & Civil 08 9256 5900 

Building & Civil Construction 

Masterfloors 08 9227 9033 

Floorlaying 

admin@masterfloors.com.au 

Matrix Contracting 0413 109 750 

Demolition 

Trinity3@iinet.net.au 

Metalwork WA 0404 437 029 

Metal Fabrication 

jason@metalworkwa.com.au 

Metro Roofing Contractors 0439 914 363 

Metal Roofing 

dave@metroroofing.net.au 

Mirvac Constructions 9424 9900 

New City Plasterers 0419 941 287 

Plastering 

stevencp@bigpond.com 

Newave 0448 818 191 

Concrete Contractors 

raul.used@gcs-group.com.au 

Newmast 0418 920 188 

Painting 

jack@newmast.com.au 

Nuceil 2004 Pty Ltd 

scott@nuceil.com.au 

Ceiling & Wall Fixing 

Onsite Engineering 0411 071 155 

Parker Black & Forrest 0418 940 449 

john@pbf.net.au 

Perth Concrete Cutting Services 0402 428 022 

Concrete Cutting & Sawing 

deanandjo1@bigpond.com 

Perth Rigging 0411 674 111 

Rigging & Crane Driving 

perthrigging@bigpond.com 

Perth Workstation Professionals 0418 959 514 

Carpentry 

greg.pwp@bigpond.com 

Polyseal Waterproofing 08 9418 1079 

Waterproofing 

kimble@polyseal.com.au 

Probuild 9363 1400 

Q Contracting 0439 799 955 

Carpentry & Partitioning 

mick@qcontracting.com.au 

RAC Glazing 0411 073 334 

Glazing & Window Treatment andrew@mclayindustries.com.au 

Ram Fabrication 08 9434 9474 

Metal Fabrication 

info@ramfab.com.au 

Ramsay Labour Hire 0424 921 971 

Labour Hire 

Kevin.ramsay@live.com.au 

RawUrban Constructions 0418 941 458 

Carpentry 

admin@rawurban.com.au 

Scaff-Tec Pty Ltd 0409 684 641 

Scaffolding 

Scorpion Scaffolding 0412 312 796 

Scaffolding 

scorpionscaff@bigpond.com 

Structural Systems 0419 941 691 

tcotham@wa.structural.com.au 

Total Reo 0411 538 770 

Steelfixing 

peterweall@totalreo.com.au 

Trident Construction Resources 0419 728 166 

Labour Hire 

Sales@tridentlabour.com.au 

Tubelok 0413 751 675 

gserret@tubelok.com.au 

United Industries 0428 988 818 

Duct installation & cladding 

neil@unitedindustries.com.au 

Vercon Tiling & Stone Pty Ltd 0417 460 265 

Tiling 

peter@vercongroup.com.au 

Vibropile 0419 367 650 

Piling 

pwarwick@vibropile.com.au 

WA Project Contractors 0418 940 860 

Carpentry 

Waoc001@bigpond.net.eu 

WA Universal Rigging 0408 915 073 

Steel Erection/Rigging 

dave@waurc.com.au 

WACI 0414 956 095 


waci@office.com.au 

Waterproof Products WA 0407 383 343 

Waterproofing 

waterproofproductswa@bigpond.com 

Westsky Nominees 1300 559 603 

(previously Rock Solid Concrete) 

Concrete Cutting 

Wroxton 0418 923 378 

Bricklaying 

wroxton@southwest.com.au 

Zain Builders Service Co 0402 348 538 

Industrial Cleaning 

zainservices@optusnet.com.au 

IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER HELP OR INFO CONTACT YOUR AREA CFMEU ORGANISER 



CFMEU


with Mick Buchan 

CFMEU Delegates to meet monthly in 2013 

Throughout 2013 all CFMEU 

Delegates will be required to meet 

regularly on a monthly basis. 

“Delegate meetings are common 

place in other states and it’s time we 

got back to doing the same here”, 

says CFMEU State Secretary Mick 

Buchan. “The monthly meetings will 

give everyone a forum to exchange 

workplace issues and ideas as well 

as co-ordinate campaigns and the 

like. It’s about getting back to good 

old-fashioned organising and 

placing a value on being a Delegate 

representing the CFMEU members 

in their workplace.” 

Treasury 

Building 

delegate Mal 

Peters, looking 

forward to 

delegate 

meetings in 

2013. 

Meetings will take place at the 

Construction Skills Training Centre, 

107 Radium Street, Welshpool, on 

the last Wednesday of each Month 

at 7.30am sharp. (Not including 

January or December). All meeting 

dates are on the 2013 RDO 

calendar. 

MEETING DATES: 

Put them in your diary 

now and be there. 

The mining sector is booming in Australia and generating considerable wealth. The 

CFMEU is committed to campaign for government policies that spread the benefits 

of the boom more widely. Policies that support the creation of more jobs in 

manufacturing, that give Australian workers priority on new construction jobs and 

that help mining communities get the amenities and infrastructure they deserve. 

The 2012 CFMEU National Conference marks the launch of a campaign involving all three 

of our divisions that seeks to protect the jobs and improve the lives of CFMEU members. 

The goal of our campaign is to open up the economic debate in the run up to the next federal election. 

We want to change the policies of the main political parties so they: 

• are more pro-manufacturing 

• protect the jobs, pay and conditions of Australian construction workers 

• improve the livability of mining communities. 

See our next Journal for more info. Go to: http://www.cfmeu.net.au/campaigns/national/lets-spread-it-around 


CFMEU

U N I O N N E W S U P D AT E 

with Kevin Sneddon & Joe McDonald 

ANZAC DAY WIN for workers - and diggers! 

When Mick Buchan got the phone 

call telling him that there had been 

five workers sacked by Diab on the 

Sino Iron Project at Cape Preston for 

having a day off on ANZAC Day his 

instruction was clear – this is not right 

and as a union we will not allow this 

to stand. 

There is no more important day for 

Australians, and the ability to attend 

a Dawn Service, remember those 

who have given and then grab a beer 

or watch a game of footy is not 

something that should ever be given 

up. 

The CFMEU filed an application with 

the Federal Magistrate Court and 

made it clear that we would do 

whatever it takes to stand up for our 

members and the right of Australian 

workers to take a day off on the 25th 

April. 

To cut a long story short, the matter 

was settled at the mediation stage 

and our members all received a nice 

payout in time for the Christmas 

break. In addition Legacy also 

received a handsome sum of money 

from Diab to ensure that the ANZAC 

tradition continues to be upheld 

every year and that service men and 

women are properly looked after. 

Diab also agreed to provide a 

statement in respect of ANZAC Day 

and we publish it in full below: 

Diab Engineering Pty Ltd 

recognises ANZAC Day, the day 

marking the anniversary of the 

first major battle fought by 

Australian and New Zealand 

forces, as an important date in the 

Australian calendar. 

ANZAC Day is an occasion of 

national remembrance and one 

where all Australians have an 

opportunity to commemorate the 

sacrifices of the fallen and those 

who have served both past and 

present. 

Diab will continue to encourage 

and support its employees in 

recognising the importance of 

ANZAC Day. 

As we approach ANZAC Day 2013 

the CFMEU will be reminding Diab 

and every other company out there 

that some things are more important 

than work, some things are more 

important than profit, and there are 

some things that Australian workers 

will never compromise on. 

The National Employment Standards 

give all workers an entitlement to be 

absent from work on a public holiday. 

The boss can request that you work 

but you have the right to refuse that 

request if the request is 

unreasonable. 

ANZAC Day means different things 

to different people, but if for you it 

partly defines what it means to be 

Australian, then make sure you let 

the boss know that you do not 

consider it reasonable to work on 

ANZAC Day and that you expect the 

company to support your right to 

remember the sacrifices made by 

service personnel over the years. 

Our soldiers did not fight and die for 

this country in order that the 

generations that follow are worked 

round the clock in order to satisfy the 

shareholders of large corporations. 

Remember that when ANZAC Day 

rolls around this year, and consider 

how you want to reflect and 

remember the most significant day 

on the Australian calendar. 

‘They shall grow not old, 

As we that are left grow old, 

Age shall not weary them, 

Nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun, 

And in the morning 

We will remember them!’ 

Any problems with ANZAC Day in 

2013 let us know, call Mick Buchan 

on 0419 812 861. 


CFMEU

U N I O N U P D AT E 

with Graham Pallot & Kevin Sneddon 

MI&E at Wheatstone and Macedon – Update 

We’ve engaged a bloody good barrister 

out of Sydney to appear for the unions 

and you can be assured that we’re 

not going to die wondering on this. 

The MI&E Agreement which, if you 

remember, was voted up by four 

blokes in a workshop in Bibra Lake, 

has been approved by Fair Work 

Australia. 

We argued that this group was not 

fairly chosen and that the way the 

agreement was made undermined 

collective bargaining. 

This agreement now applies to well 

over 200 workers, with many more 

to come, and yet the vast majority of 

these had no say in what is 

contained in the agreement or what 

their terms of employment will be. 

Fundamentally, this is unfair and 

harks back to the times when the 

boss told you how it would be and 

what you could do if you didn’t like it! 

As a union we can’t stand by and 

watch the right of workers, to have a 

voice, taken away. The CFMEU, 

along with the CEPU and the 

AMWU, are challenging the decision 

of Fair Work Australia to approve the 

agreement. The matter is due go to 

a full bench, led by the President of 

Fair Work Australia, on the 16th 

January 2013. We’ve engaged a 

bloody good barrister out of Sydney 

to appear for the unions and you 

can be assured that we’re not going 

to die wondering on this. 

It is worth remembering that 

everything that workers have won 

has been fought for through 

industrial strength on the shopfloor 

and strong bargaining in the 

boardroom. The bosses have never 

given anything away without a fight. 

If we all just stand by and allow this 

to happen you can be guaranteed 

that your kids will be the first 

generation that will have working 

conditions worse than those of their 

parents. 

This is important. So the next time 

the CFMEU, AMWU or CEPU rock 

up on site let them know that you’re 

behind them and let them know that 

you’re not going to cop this. 

For further information contact 

Graham Pallot on 0419 812 865 

email gpallot@cfmeuwa.com 

Welcome Aboard – Joe Stavlic 

Joe Stavlic has joined the CFMEU crew as a new organiser. Joe is from Victoria where he worked as 

a Rigger, Scaffolder and Crane Operator. Joe also has experience working in the North West on 

Pluto and at Cape Lambert, so he has an understanding of how things work here in WA. He is proud 

to be working for another militant arm of the union with his strong links to our Victorian comrades. 

Joe is married with 3 kids and his interests include family, football, soccer, fishing and kick boxing. 

Joe says he wanted to be a union organiser since he was a young kid and has been a strong CFMEU union member for 

all of his adult working life. 

If you’d like to call Joe, his number is 0419 812 867 


CFMEU


with Joe McDonald 

Women: An underutilised resource in skills debate 

We constantly hear a lot 

about the skill shortage. 

As we’ve said, we don’t 

have a skills crisis we 

have a training crisis. 

Women at Work: Mundaring Desal Plant 

What we don’t hear a lot about are 

women in the construction and 

building industry. 50% of the 

population seems to be largely 

ignored when it comes to promoting 

careers in the construction industry. 

30 years ago nursing was 

considered the domain of women 

with very few males taking up 

nursing as a chosen career. Now 

that’s changed. Even the armed 

forces have allowed women to take 

on more traditional male roles. 

So, it’s not implausible to think that 

in the future more women could 

have more roles and supervisory 

positions in the trades and semiskilled 

areas outside of office 

administration. 

Women offer diversity, multi-tasking 

skills and can do all tasks required. 

More needs to be done at school 

level to make girls aware of 

construction and building industry 

opportunities. At the very least 

Career Advisers need to promote 

the options available. 

One thing that will appeal to women 

entering the industry is that there is 

less wage discrimination. If they can 

do the same work as their male 

counterparts, they can expect to get 

paid the same rates. 

Employers need to overcome their 

discrimination of hiring women in 

the trades and semi-skilled areas. 

The argument put forward by 

employers that women aren’t 

physically capable or that they need 

extra facilities, just doesn’t wash in 

today’s society. 

During World War 2 women carried 

the nations of all the western allies 

by either working in factories or on 

farms. Women have climbed Mount 

Everest – if they can do that, they 

can climb scaffold. 

With so much talk of a national skills 

shortage, lack of training places and 

lower productivity levels there needs 

to be a complete re-evaluation 

going forward, of women working in 

construction. 


CFMEU

S A F E T Y N E W S 

with Steve McCann 

Crane driver hero feels the heat 

“If this crane was pointed out 

on the street ... and it caught 

fire there could have been 

hundreds of innocent 

bystanders killed...” 

BRIAN PARKER 

A construction site in inner 

Sydney, where a crane caught fire 

and its jib collapsed, was shut 

down just 2 weeks before the fire. 

CFMEU State Secretary Brian 

Parker said it was "by chance" no 

one was injured or killed when the 

crane caught fire on the 

construction site at the University of 

Technology on the corner of 

Broadway and Wattle Street last 

November. 

Parker said union officials did a full 

inspection of the site about two 

weeks before the accident and 

closed it down for four days. 

“We brought up issues about 

leaking diesel on the crane and the 

diesel line leaking from the crane. 

“We said to them that a 

maintenance regime had to take 

place immediately on the crane. 

In his small cabin perched 45 

metres above Broadway, the crane 

operator tried to extinguish the 

blaze as workers below looked 

skywards in shock. 

But, as the fire grew bigger, the 

most daunting part would have 

been ahead of him: the decision to 

get back to the controls and move 

the crane boom to avert an even 

bigger disaster. 

Crane Industry Council of Australia 

board member and crane specialist 

Ray Brenton, said the operator, 

Glen, was extremely brave. 

“What takes bravery, when you 

know the fire is out of control, is 

getting back in that operator’s seat 

and moving that boom around so 

it’s not going to land in the street.” 

said Mr Brenton, who has been in 

construction for over 20 years. 

Mr Brenton, said climbing down 

“Legend” 

“Hero!” 

Andre Downs 

Andrew Katalinic 

“He should have taken the 

useless extinguisher and 

chucked it at the construction 

manager. He would then be a 

hero and a legend.” Karl Spouse 

from a crane cabin is tricky because 

an operator has to squeeze through 

a hatch door and onto the tower’s 

ladder. 

“Getting out of the cabin and 

climbing down is the hardest part, 

as it’s quite constricted. 

“And he would have been feeling 

the heat of that fire.” WorkCover is 

investigating the collapse, which 

forced the evacuation of hundreds 

of people from the site and 

surrounding buildings, and stopped 

traffic on normally bustling streets. 

MEMBER’S TRIBUTES TO CRANE OPERATOR 

What the members said on Facebook: 

“Onya driver...My hardhat and 

bandanna off to ya...from a 

west coast tower crane 

erector/dogman.” Ian Rodwell 

“Respect to this man, has put 

everyone else above himself.” 

Phil Ludbrook 


CFMEU

S A F E T Y A N D T H E L AW 

with Steve McCann & Kevin Sneddon 

Watch out John Holland...we’re coming! 

For too long John Holland’s has 

managed to hide behind 

legislation to keep the CFMEU 

from its sites when there have 

been safety issues affecting our 

members. As of now this has 

stopped and you can be assured 

that the CFMEU will be keeping a 

close eye on Holland sites and 

making sure our members go 

home safe every night. 

Don’t think that John Holland has 

agreed to all of this without a fight. 

Over the past couple of months 

Mick Buchan, Steve McCann and 

the union legal team have been 

holding meetings with ComCare 

and John Holland in order to help 

them understand the law. 

We’ve dragged them kicking and 

screaming to the point where it is 

now accepted that the CFMEU has 

the right to represent its members in 

matters of safety on the job. 

The CFMEU will be exercising these 

rights in full on John Holland sites 

and there’s a range of options we’ll 

be using. These include: 

• entering the workplace without 

notice to inquire into suspected 

safety breaches; 

• consulting with relevant workers 

and inspecting plant or part of the 

job relevant to the suspected 

breach; 

• requiring John Holland to make 

copies for us of any document 

relevant to the breach and 

accessible from the job; and 

• warning any worker who is at 

serious risk as a result of the 

suspected breach. 

You can be assured that we will be 

using these powers to their fullest 

extent and doing our level best to 

make sure that each and every worker 

on a John Holland job goes home 

safely to their family every night. 

So the message is this: if you’re on 

a John Holland site and you have 

safety concerns you now have the 

real option of phoning your union 

and we’ll be there on site to assist. 

Give Steve McCann a call on 0488 

102 297, let him know the job and 

the problem and he’ll be there to 

help you out. 

Don’t compromise on safety. If 

you see something on site report 

it and make sure you and your 

mates see another day. 

Unlimited career opportunities in 

WA’s booming construction industry. 

Train for your future now 

WA needs thousands of skilled workers and the CSTC is the best place to fast track your career. 

The Construction Skills Training Centre (CSTC) is the most advanced training centre of its kind in 

WA. We offer over 40 courses to learn new skills or to update existing ones. All our trainers have 

real world experience within the construction industry and attendees are taught using state-of-theart 

equipment. The CSTC is preferred by WA’s top companies and contractors. Individual and group 

booking welcome. 

Don’t miss out! Enrol in a course today. Call the CSTC on (08) 9358 6501. 

107 Radium Street Welshpool. 

See our informative website 

www.cstc.com.au 

for all course details and more. 


CFMEU

U N I O N B E N E F I T S 

Huge savings 

20% OFF BUILDING SUPPLIES 

That’s 20% OFF BELOW TRADE PRICES! 

Get this incredible saving on all building and 

construction supplies from PARCHEM in 

Belmont, but only if you are a current paid up 

CFMEU member. You must present your 

current ticket at their till to get this amazing 

saving. 

MASSIVE TRAINING DISCOUNTS 

MORE TICKETS FOR LESS… 

MORE JOBS FOR YOU! 

Choose from over 45 courses at the Construction Skills 

Training Centre. 

Including ■ Crane Driving ■ Dogging ■ Scaffolding 

■ Rigging ■ EWP ■ Hoist ■ Traffic Control ■ Forklift ■ VOC 

■ Demolition ■ Confined Spaces ■ Tilt Up ■ First Aid 

■ OH&S ■ White Safety Card. 

CFMEU members get HUGE discounts. If your current 

employer has a registered EBA agreement and is paying 

the training levy, courses are FREE. White Card Safety 

course are FREE to all members. See www.cstc.com.au 

or call 9358 6501 for more details. 

SAVE BIG BUCKS WHEN YOU TRAVEL 

Huge savings means EXTRA spending money for you. 

Save hundreds even thousands of bucks 

when you’re travelling interstate, overseas 

and at home. Covers most of your gear 

and baggage. PLUS $2 million 

personal liability cover, up to 

$50,000 personal accident cover and 

$500,000 cover for medical expenses!* 

Your spouse and children are covered 

too! (*Conditions apply, read the full 

policy for all details.) See the benefits 

section of our website at 

www.cfmeuwa.com 

SHOPPER SAVINGS! 

CFMEU members can use the Union 

Shopper service. ‘Union Shopper’ hunts 

down what you want and delivers it with 

MASSIVE savings on just about 

everything you can think of. 

Just call 1300 368 117 or go to 

www.unionshopper.com.au 

FREE HEARING TEST 

You’re entitled to get a hearing test to establish your 

audio levels so you can make a 

claim if you suffer 

hearing loss from 

working in a noisy 

industry. This test can be paid by 

your employer. Ask your 

employer or call the union 

office on 9221 1055. 


and protection...JOIN NOW! 

$100,000 

IN WAGES 

COVERED! 

Journey Cover! 

If you are injured 

going directly 

to and from 

you’re place of 

work your wages can be covered up 

to $1000 per week for 104 weeks. A 

$100, 000 death and disability cover 

also applies. 

$2,200 PER WEEK FOR 

UP TO 2 YEARS! 

If you have Sickness and Accident 

Insurance as part of your CFMEU 

C&G Union EBA registered in WA 

and you’re ill or in an accident, 

you’re insured for wages of up to 

$2,200 per week for up to 2 years. 

FREE LEGAL ADVICE 

If you get into trouble or need help 

CFMEU members and their direct 

family members are entitled to a first 

FREE legal consultation with a 

lawyer at Slater and Gordon. 

All members are entitled to arrange 

a FREE standard WILL. 

You must ring the CFMEU office for 

a referral before you proceed. 

$10,000 FUNERAL COVER 

FREE funeral cover for financial 

members. $10,000 for members, 

$7,500 for a spouse and a 

dependent child up to 18 years of 

age, or 24 years if a full time 

student. 

FREE AMBULANCE 

COVER 

INCLUDING AIR AMBULANCE 

Your family is covered! 

Ambulance services are not covered 

by Medicare. It can be very 

expensive. If you need an 

ambulance you, your spouse and 

kids are covered for the trip. Cover 

also includes up to $10,000 cover if 

you need an air ambulance! 

Members who lose their spouse 

resulting from death will be able to 

apply for either pre-school or afterschool 

care for a maximum of 2 

years. Infants under the age of 4, the 

benefit will be a maximum of 

$13,000 per dependent child. For 

children older than 4 and up to 13, 

the benefit will be a maximum of 

$5,200 per dependent child. Cover 

and benefits cease once a child 

turns 14. 

PLUS there’s more! 

NEW CAR SAVINGS 

Save absolutely thousands off the 

cost of a new car using our 

discount car buying service. 

You’ll get exclusive savings and 

specials not available to the general 

public on over 1200 new car models 

from 36 different manufactures. Call 

1800 146 666 or see the website 

www.discountnewcars.com.au/unions 

20% OFF GLASSES AT 

OPSM 

You must have the special OPSM 

Discount Voucher to redeem your 

saving, available from the union 

office, our website or ask your 

CFMEU organiser. 

FREE COUNSELLING 

Depressed/ need help? 

In times of crisis, for whatever 

reason, CFMEU members and their 

families can access free confidential 

counseling services through ‘Mates 

In Construction’. Call 1300 642 111 

GROCERY SAVINGS 

Save BIG money. Buy in bulk and 

get HUGE discounts on all your 

groceries from Cash and Carry 

warehouses in Canning Vale, 

Balcatta, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury. 

LOW HOME LOANS 

Get a better rate of interest on a new 

home loan from Members Equity 

Bank, the bank for union members. 

WORK CLOTHES 

We offer all CFMEU members a 

fantastic range of work clobber, for 

summer and winter, at great prices. 

….and on top of all that you get 

great support and advice on a 

whole host of workplace issues 

from your union. 

IT PAYS TO BE A MEMBER. 

Please check the member 

benefits our website for more 

details on all benefits at 

www.cfmeuwa.com or talk to 

your CFMEU organiser. You can 

also call our office on (08) 

92211055 between 7.30 and 5pm 

weekdays. 

*Benefits and conditions are subject to change. 


CFMEU

F E AT U R E 

with Joe McDonald 

RICKY TOMLINSON: Working class hero 

framed by his country 

CFMEU member Chris Evans has 

always seen Ricky Tomlinson as a 

hero. On a recent trip to the UK he 

visited Tomlinson’s club The 

Green Room in Liverpool, hoping 

for a chance to meet him. Chris 

even took our union book “If you 

don’t fight, you lose” to give to 

him. As fate would have it, Chris 

met Ricky and presented him with 

our book and in turn Ricky gave 

Chris an autographed copy of his 

Biography. 

SO, WHO IS RICKY TOMLINSON? 

The Shrewsbury 24 were trade 

unionists who had taken part in a 

successful national strike of building 

workers in 1972 to back up their 

demands for better pay and 

conditions. The Tory government of 

the time instructed the police to 

investigate alleged picketing 

incidents that had taken place in 

Shrewsbury, where unions were 

poorly organised. 

In 1972, 31 pickets were arrested 

and put on trial in Shrewsbury. 24 

were convicted. The Tory 

government was trying to wreak 

revenge on striking building 

workers, after being given a bloody 

nose by the miners and the 

Dockers. 

Severe prison sentences were 

dished out to six of the pickets. The 

best known were Des Warren and 

Ricky Tomlinson, the "Shrewsbury 

2." Des died as a direct result of the 

treatment he received in prison and 

all 24 were blacklisted after the 

strike. 

Successive governments have 

refused to clear their name. But the 

campaign has been revived and is 

calling for a public inquiry into the 

prosecutions. 

They are also demanding the 

release of government documents 

from 1972 and 1973 that detail the 

involvement of the security services, 

including MI5, in the cases. 

Labour movement protests at the 

time of the trial of the “Shrewsbury 

Two”, as they had become known, 

focussed on the use of the 1875 

Conspiracy Act and by the judge’s 

advice to the jury that conspiracy 

could be proved even if there was 

no evidence that the accused had 

ever met together, had reached a 

decision as a result of having a 

conversation or had expressed 

anything in writing – it could be 

done “with a nod and a wink” 

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY 

WERE SENT TO PRISON? 

Through 1974 and 1975 there was a 

labour movement campaign for the 

release of the Shrewsbury Two, but 

despite the best efforts of their 

supporters, Des and Ricky served 

their time behind bars. Dennis 

Warren spent just under three years 

in 12 different gaols and on his 

release published a pamphlet 

drawing attention to the many 

injustices he had suffered in prison. 

Ricky Tomlinson, who was released 

Ricky 

Tomlinson, 

left, with 

Chris Evans 

in 1975, has since gone on to 

become a popular TV and film actor. 

He has written about his 

Shrewsbury experience in his 

autobiography and, after Des died in 

2005, delivered a moving oration at 

Des’s funeral. 

LET’S CLEAR THEIR NAMES! 

Following Des’s death in 2005, 

members of the South West London 

Shrewsbury Defence Committee 

agreed with Des’s family to launch a 

campaign to clear the names of all 

the Shrewsbury pickets. 

The Shrewsbury 24 Campaign 

claims a Hillsborough-style cover up 

is preventing cabinet papers on the 

matter from being released. Ricky 

and his team say the real reason is 

because they will expose 

involvement in the case at the 

highest government level, right to 

the door of Number 10. 

The e-petition, which has been 

signed by around 1,150 people so 

far, requires 100,000 signatures to 

generate a Commons debate. 

For more Information Google: 

Shrewsbury 24 and Ricky 

Tomlinson. 


CFMEU

L E T T E R F R O M A M E M B E R 

Shorter 

rosters 

mean better 

productivity 

A shorter roster combined with a longer R&R is not only necessary for 

improving safety, but will change the culture of bad attitudes on site. The 

positive effect will also trickle back to the families of the workforce. 

It's well documented, but mostly ignored, that most accidents on site occur in the 

first and last weeks of the swing. When emotions are high and fatigue is peaking. 

If our swings were along the lines of 25&10 or 21&9 it would be seen as a 

necessary, humane change. It is true that the reason we work where we do is for 

the money and none of us want to be out if pocket, so we agree to sign letters of 

offer without any other options available. 

We sign up for the big bucks, but what no one seems to care about, is what we 

risk losing... Marriage/ partnerships fall apart, children grow distant, missed 

birthdays, weddings, funerals, graduations, holidays, anniversaries... 

This takes a big toll on people and plays a huge part in the long term negative 

effects experienced by vast numbers of workers. I am talking about physical and 

mental health issues. You will see this on just about every doorstep at any camp: 

men and women drinking night after night, stuck in a cycle of bad life style 

choices, mostly unhappy and sore and fed up. 

I personally find it ridiculous to continue ignoring the issues of depression, 

alcoholism and their side effects, under the excuse of "that's just construction" 

The solution does not lie with hiring an overseas workforce. At the end of the 

day we are all human and need a better work / life balance. 

If production is what they want then they need to provide adequate rest. 

Rank and File, North West member 

Old Digger rescued by Old Treasury crew 

We hear so much stuff in the news 

these days about how our elderly 

are harshly treated out there on the 

streets, so it’s nice to be able to 

report on a positive experience. 

91 year former Army vet ‘Ray’ was 

in Perth on Holidays from 

Queensland. He was on his way to 

the Perth Central Railway Medical 

Centre for a check-up when he 

tripped and fell on the curbing 

outside the new Mirvac Treasury 

Building site in Hay Street. 

Ray suffered a badly cut arm and 

leg and severe bruising, not to 

mention being very shaken. 

Ray and Thornton 

in the first aid room 

Site Delegate Mal Peters and the 

boys went to his aid, picking him up, 

calming him down and patching him 

up in the first aid station. After a cup 

of tea and a chat, Ray was escorted 

to the Medical Centre where they 

said the CFMEU boys had done a 

wonderful job patching him up. Ray 

was so thankful he came back the 

next day to thank all the boys 

including Bales the site first aider. 

“It was blokes like Ray that fought 

for what we have today” says Mal 

Peters and it was a pleasure to be 

able to render him our assistance.” 

GOOD ONYA BOYS! 


CFMEU

H O N O R A R Y M E M B E R S 

with Peta Arnold 

Honorary members celebrate 

at Xmas lunch 

Christmas 2012 saw the Honorary Members and their 

partners invited to the annual Christmas Lunch at the Hyde 

Park Hotel in North Perth. It was great to see so many turn 

up. Eddie Sanford was the first to arrive and he set the 

tone of the day with plenty of Christmas spirit around, with 

stories about the ‘old days’ on site. The longer the day 

went the more the stories of past glories got stretched. 

This year we had a hamper raffle with the main prize going 

to Kevin ‘flywire’ McGuire. Good on you Kev and to all the 

other door prize winners. 

NEW SOCIAL CLUB 

State Secretary, Mick Buchan announced that an 

Honorary Member’s Social Club will be formed in the New 

Year. A letter about the new club will be sent out in due 

course. Volunteers will be sought to help run it and already 

Brian Churchill and Alan Williams have offered to help – 

more news about this later. 

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a great day. 

See you all next Christmas! 

TRUE SONS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS! 

Our Honorary members fought the hard fight. 

They were the ones who stood on the picket 

lines, sometimes for weeks on end. Their wives fought the 

battle around the kitchen table making ends meet as pay 

packets dried up in the pursuit of better pay and conditions. 

Their sacrifices and militant actions made the bosses sit up 

and take notice and won what all members enjoy today. 


CFMEU



Star shines bright at XMAS CREEK 

A big THANK YOU to all the crew in the NW for helping Starlight 

I was fortunate enough to be invited up to Xmas Creek 

accompanying Tracy Tomlin from the Starlight Foundation 

who was to pick up a cheque from the boys and girls from 

Crushing Services International. What an experience! 

For those of you who have never been to the North West it is 

a different world altogether. The vastness of our state is 

amazing and the conditions these workers have to contend 

with are unbelievable. It really was an eye-opener for this city 

slicker. The workers on the CSI Project presented Tracy with 

a cheque for $23,500 bringing the total raised by North West 

construction workers to $100,000. 

This money has gone to help the Starlight Foundation 

transform the hospital experience of over 2,687 seriously ill 

children, young people and their families, at a time when 

they need it most. On behalf of the Starlight Foundation, the 

Union and all the families that your generous donations 

helped “THANK YOU”. It’s a magnificent effort and you 

should be justifiably proud of your achievements. 

‘SHREK’ with Tracy Tomlin and Peta Arnold. 


CFMEU

S A F E T Y N E W S 

with Steve McCann 

Barnett Government weakest on asbestos 

UnionsWA has called on the Barnett 

Government to urgently address 

poor standards for removal and 

treatment of asbestos. 

Why is it that WA has the weakest 

Health and Safety laws on 

asbestos? 

Laws for higher standards of 

asbestos identification and removal 

have been in force for the past year 

or more in New South Wales, 

Queensland, South Australia, the 

ACT and NT. 

Health and safety measures for 

asbestos in WA cannot now be 

passed until after the State election. 

As a result any modest 

improvement on the present poor 

state of asbestos removal in WA will 

be two years behind most of 

Australia. 

And the Barnett Government has 

said that when it does get around to 

national work Health and Safety 

laws, ours will be the weakest in 

Australia with lower fines for the 

death of workers, weaker powers 

for prosecuting offenders and 

poorer protections for whistleblowers. 

WA has a long and horrible history 

with asbestos. We should be 

leading, not lagging behind 

Australia. 

“It is still the case that several 

hundred schools in WA contain 

asbestos yet there are no plans for 

removal. 

Each year more than 750 people die 

from asbestosis and mesothelioma, 

double the number of ten years ago. 

This reflects past negligence. 

Thanks to the courage of Bernie Banton and others, we know the risks of 

asbestos exposure. There are no longer any excuses. 

UnionsWA is calling on the Barnett Government to: 

• urgently enact national Health and Safety harmonisation laws for 

improved asbestos identification and removal; 

• commit to consistent protections under health and safety laws 

for whistle-blowers, better prosecutions and stronger fines for 

offenders, and; 

• implement a schedule for the removal of asbestos from all public 

and non-government schools. 

Demand that your union 

has access to you where 

you want to meet. 

Your union should be able to keep you up to date in proper site 

amenities such as lunch rooms etc. We’ve got nothing to hide…has 

your boss? If not, don’t let your boss hide the union far away from you. 

Stand strong! 

Call your area organiser for advice or the office 9221 1055. 


CFMEU


with Vinnie Molina 

Broad needs to work with, not against union 

Broad Constructions has picked 

up a number of contracts at the 

Perth international airport; around 

$250 million worth of contracts 

financed by superannuation 

funds. 

For months union organisers have 

struggled to represent basic rights 

for workers at the sites. The basic 

right to organise is violated by 

preventing contact between 

workers and union officials. Broad 

IR policies have been unreasonable 

by providing a designated meeting 

room for union meetings away from 

workers crib huts. 

Workers’ complaints over OH&S are 

disputed by the builder who makes 

it hard to gain access under State 

Right of Entry. In recent times 

workers have complained about 

toilet cleanliness, blockages, the 

number of amenities and safety 

breaches. 

All were refuted by the builder. The 

few times we managed to enter the 

sites to investigate breaches, 

following some strong arguments, 

we found the complaints were 

justified. 

Workers feedback has been that 

they feared attending meetings or 

speaking to union officials on site 

due to victimisation. The 

intimidation on workers has 

worsened since Broad management 

called in the Australian Federal 

Police to remove union officials from 

the site. 

Up to six AFP officers arrived at the 

job at 12:45pm early in November to 

deal with an industrial matter. 

Some of the workers who had 

approached us felt intimidated after 

seeing the way we were received on 

site. This deterred them from 

speaking further with us or 

attending the meeting they had 

been asking for. Later we organised 

to meet off site. We left the site just 

before 1:30pm after clearing our 

right of access with the AFP. 

The visit by the AFP on site didn’t 

discourage us from visiting the 

following week and passing on the 

messages sent to them from the 

workers “Don’t waste taxpayer’s 

money”. 

Construction and FIFO ALP Branch First Meeting 

by Mick Buchan 

As you are aware the CFMEU has been working hard to set up a direct branch of the WA Labor Party to get the Party 

talking about the issues that impact you in our industry. We have had great success and the Construction and FIFO 

Branch had its first meeting in October. There was a great turn out at the inaugural meeting and I have no doubt that this 

meeting has set the scene for a productive year to come. 

With representatives from the WA Labor Party in attendance, we elected our branch office holders and took care of the 

formalities. In 2013 the Construction and FIFO Branch is set to grow. We will be focusing on driving debate on safety 

standards, increasing training opportunities for future generations, discussing the impacts of the FIFO lifestyle and 

ensuring that local jobs are prioritised. 

It is an exciting time and I have no doubt that we will make a real difference to ALP policy development in the future. It is 

time to stand up and have our voice heard on the things that matter to our industry and members. In moving forward, the 

Construction and FIFO Branch will play a big part in providing a strong voice on industrial policy within the WA Labor Party. 

After all, it is much harder to influence policy from the sidelines! 

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Mia at the CFMEU office on 9221 1055. 


CFMEU

A R O U N D T H E YA R D S 

with Aaron Mackrell & Pat Heathcote 

A good year offsite with new EBA’s and more 

Well, this year has been quite 

successful in the off-site areas 

with many of the yards getting 

new EBAs or pay increases from 

older ones. 

One of the better ones was for our 

building maintenance workers at 

WA Newspapers. The crew down at 

The West achieved a true 36-hour 

working week and are now doing 

four nine hour days on a roster that 

sees them get a four day weekend 

every few weeks. 

A big thank you goes out to our 

Shop Steward Brian Smith and the 

boys for sticking together to achieve 

their goals. 

Not far from The West are the guys 

from the City of Perth Works Depot 

where our members, both building 

trades and mechanics, achieved a 

three year agreement with increases 

of around 14%. It was a long and 

drawn out process but an overall 

win for our staunch members. 

Thanks go to Garry and Brett for 

being our reps on the EBA 

committee. It was a very difficult role 

at times, but they both did the best 

and rewarded themselves and their 

comrades. 

The City of Wanneroo and the City 

of Stirling also voted up new EBAs, 

with the Wanneroo boys getting a 

new classification structure which 

was accompanied by wage rises 

with yearly percentages on top. 

The next cab off the rank is GCS 

Rapid. We are in the process of 

negotiating a new agreement and 

hoping for an outcome before 

Christmas. 

Above: City of 

Perth Crew 

Right: The 

West Crew 

As the year comes to an end Kaeffer, Novacoat, Interstate Cranes, Freo Cranes 

and PMS (Programmed) have agreements completed. 

Other companies such as Anten Cranes, Paragon Pre Cast, Cape, TCC, Boom 

Logistics, Boom Sherrin and United Cranes are negotiating agreements. 

We would like to congratulate the Buchan Team on their win in the election and 

say goodbye and good luck to a retiring member and great delegate, Eric 

Huntley. We wish Eric all the best in his retirement. 

If you require any assistance don't hesitate to call or email and if any of your 

co-workers aren't members encourage them to join. It pays to be a member! 

Finally we wish all our off-site members and their families a happy festive 

season and safe new year. And remember, if you are going away don't forget 

to organise your free travel insurance. 

If you need assistance or information please call Pat on 0459 135 033 or 

Aaron on 0403 432 221 


CFMEU

MEMBER LEGAL SERVICES 

with Irena Siljanoska 

Compensation win for injured worker 

A CFMEU member has won a bid 

for compensation for a secondary 

shoulder injury after his employer 

refused to pay for surgical 

treatment and ongoing wages. 

Workers’ compensation lawyer with 

Slater & Gordon, Irena Siljanoska, 

said her client Michael Summerfield 

returned to work after recovering 

from a shoulder injury, then 

damaged his other shoulder while 

favouring his original injury. 

“My client injured his left shoulder 

when he swung his tool bag onto 

the back of his ute, something 

construction workers like Michael 

do every single day,” Ms Siljanoska 

said. 

“He recovered from this initial injury 

with help from workers’ 

compensation and he returned to 

work. However, while he was 

recovering from his left shoulder 

injury, he injured his right shoulder 

by favouring his original injury and 

that’s where the problem started. 

“Michael needed surgery to repair 

his torn right shoulder, but his 

employer simply refused to pay. 

“This is a classic case where there’s 

an initial injury, and the worker 

favours that injury to the point where 

another body part is damaged due 

to over-use. 

“Employers and their workers’ 

compensation insurers think they’re 

not accountable and try to get away 

with not continuing to pay 

compensation. 

“Slater & Gordon challenged the 

employer’s refusal to pay for the 

treatment and ongoing wages 

Michael needed, and he finally 

received the compensation that he 

deserved.” 

Michael said union members who 

had a compensation claim should 

follow the correct procedures, and 

stand up against employers and 

insurance companies. 

“My employer supported my 

compensation claim for the initial 

injury, but once I hurt my other 

shoulder things really went 

downhill,” Michael said. 

“I had a legitimate work injury but I 

felt like my employer and insurance 

company wouldn’t believe me and 

were trying to confuse me. 

“I encourage other union members 

who have a claim to make sure they 

consult a union rep or lawyer – don’t 

let your employer push you around 

and don’t be scared of the 

insurance companies.” 

Michael’s doctors and surgeons 

advised him that it was very 

common with these injuries for 

workers to over-compensate with 

the unaffected side. 

“I was told that nine times out of 10, 

people can damage another part of 

their body while trying not to 

aggravate the first injury,” he said. 

“At the end of the day, it’s not just 

about the money – I simply wanted 

my shoulder fixed so I could get 

back to work. 

“I’ve been in the construction 

industry for around 30 years and I 

have at least 15 years of work to go, 

so my physical fitness is really 

important to me. 

“Irena and the team at Slater & 

Gordon genuinely understood what 

I was going through and I felt like 

they ‘had my back’ during the whole 

case.” 

For further information, CFMEU WA 

members should contact the Union 

office on 9221 1055 for a referral to 

Slater & Gordon – your preferred 

union lawyers. As a CFMEU WA 

member your initial consultation is 

free. 


CFMEU

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

with Brad Upton 

North West – whatever it takes! 

It’s a been an interesting year in the 

NW and next year things will 

progress further under the unions 

new leadership team and direction 

from Mick Buchan. 

I would like to thank all our 

delegates for their dedication, help 

and hard work, and our rank and file 

for their support when needed – 

standing up to effect change and 

better outcomes. I can only see this 

getting stronger next year. If more 

members stand strong there is 

nothing we can’t achieve by working 

together. 

Whatever it takes – whatever the 

stakes! 

It’s been great to see the CFMEU 

working together nationally all 

supporting each other to get better 

outcomes. 

I would also like to congratulate the 

Mick Buchan Full Strength Team in 

their election victory. Namely, 

Graham Pallot (GP) and Joe 

McDonald as well as all Delegates 

to National Conference. There is no 

harder worker than GP and it’s great 

that he will be in charge of the 

resource sector. He will do whatever 

it takes to get and keep things on 

track, with the support of all the 

members. Joe McDonald has a 

terrific team of young organisers 

and will be kicking a lot of goals in 

the city block throughout 2013. 

I think it’s a fantastic result and 

sends a message that militancy is 

alive and well, especially when 

everyone works as a team: 

T.E.A.M.: Together Everyone 

Achieves More! 

During 2012 the union supported many great charity events. The City block did 

a great job in supporting Legacy and the widows and children of war veterans. 

In the NW we supported the Starlight Foundation. Since being formed as an 

Australian children’s charity in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has 

brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and their families 

throughout Australia. 

In total, thanks to the efforts of all the crew in the North West, we were able to 

raise $100,000 to the kids. Special thanks to Peter from KT who held raffles 

and collected, and also a big thanks to Spike from Monos at Pluto for all the 

BBQs they held. (See Peta Arnold’s article for more on Starlight this issue) 

There are many issues to contend with in 2013, better agreements, FIFO 

rosters, improved safety, locals for jobs first and more. I look forward, along 

with Graham Pallot, to working towards good outcomes for all our members. 

Finally let me remind everyone of the oath of the Southern Cross as delivered 

by Peter Lalor to the mining workers just before the battle at the Eureka 

stockade. 

'It is my duty now to swear 

you in and to take with you 

the oath to be faithful to 

the Southern Cross. 

Hear me with attention. 

The man who, after this 

solemn oath, does not 

stand by our Standard is a 

coward in heart. I order all 

persons who do not intend 

to take the oath to leave at 

once.' 

'We swear by the Southern 

Cross to stand truly by 

each other and fight to 

defend our rights and 

liberties.' 

Peter Lalor 

Have a happy and safe festive season – see you in 2013. If you need any 

further advice or information contact me, Brad Upton, on 0488 770 857 or 

email: Bupton@cfmeuwa.com 


CFMEU

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

with Phil Kennedy 

CROWN JEWEL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN JOBS 

The Argyle Diamond Mine is located 

1700kms north of Karratha nearly on 

the Northern Territory border just 

south of Kununurra. A special 

thanks has to go to Kevin Reynolds 

for sending me up there. He always 

said “a bit far son but go up easy 

and keep in touch”. There was a 

discussion of fly in and fly out of 

Perth to service the job but he 

chose to drive through to visit all the 

small communities on the way up, 

now servicing the Ord River, Halls 

Creek, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. 

This workforce shows you a way 

you can have big wins by getting 

organised with members signing up 

new members themselves. When 

the workers for Tenix first got up 

there the conditions weren't that 

good. They didn't have their own 

crib rooms, the toilets were a 10 

minute walk from where they were 

working, it was really hot and humid 

and they had 95% of green workers 

in their workforce for underground 

construction. To do that work and all 

pull together is just great to see. 

They had about 30 people and it got 

bought up about the underground 

allowance and why were they not 

getting paid for it. The flights were 

4.15am check in at Perth airport to 

fly out at 5.15am for a 3 hour 15 min 

flight. Then they would have to go to 

work until 5pm. The boys and girls 

bought up fatigue issues, as some 

people were driving up from Collie, 

Bunbury, Albany or driving down 

from Geraldton. They wanted 

afternoon flights but kept getting 

told “NO”, but allowed them to go 

home at 4 pm on fly in day and pay 

us for a 10.5 hour day. They asked 

about flights to and from their place 

of residence on their ROI and got 

told “NO”. They asked for 

accommodation to be booked in 

Perth so they could come the night 

before they got told “NO”. So they 

asked for an afternoon flight in and 

out to overcome the problems with 

fatigue but once again got told 

“NO”. They were getting used to 

that NO word and getting a bit 

down. There were quite a few 

leaving by this stage. The conditions 

working underground was also a 

problem, as they were all new to 

underground and had no idea what 

to expect. The humidity was bad, 

road conditions were even worse 

and water was constantly dripping 

from the roof which meant for some 

they were wet most of the day. They 

had no crib rooms below ground so 

they had to come up for smoko and 

lunch every day. They also had the 

problem up that they are on a 4 

weeks on 1 week off while staff work 

3 weeks on 1 week off. 

Continued overleaf 


CFMEU

From previous page 

When their rest day [RDO] came 

around they couldn't go anywhere 

as they were told that under no 

circumstances were they to bring 

their own vehicle up to site – they 

put it in the contract. They allowed 

buses out when I arrived up there 

but stopped soon afterwards 

because a group of people had 

gone out and played up...so 

everyone had to suffer, stuck 170 

kms from nowhere. They were not 

allowed to have a quiet drink in front 

of their rooms on rest day [RDO] 

nights as they would be accused of 

disturbing others in the camp. They 

had nowhere to go to socialise and 

finish drinking as the wet mess 

closed at 9.30. They did eventually 

get crib rooms and fixed toilets in 

the lay down/stores area and 

underground. They ended up 

getting a snake pit [drinking area] for 

when the wet mess closed and they 

are going to trial a 6 pack take away 

early next year instead of the 2 pack 

take away they get now. 

We have had great meetings up 

there on all my visits this year and a 

few great wins – the result of 

members getting non-members to 

come to the meetings and join the 

union. Great wins are achieved by 

keeping your powder dry and 

always ready to fire because of 

CFMEU membership on the job: 

1) The first one was they were going 

to offer them all donga rooms 

with NO ensuite and I told Rio we 

were not to be offered them. 

2) The boys told me they wanted 

afternoon flights in and out, Tenix 

and Rio sat down we sorted it out 

and got them fixed up. 

3) They wanted overnight 

accommodation for people who 

had to travel over 100kms and 

they got an allowance of $150 

which went up 3 months ago to 

$250. 

4) The point of hire for eastern 

staters got their flight to and from 

and back payed. 

5) Pip payments when on r/r got all 

those fixed up and back payed 

for all. 

6) Our biggest win of all is that Mick 

Buchan and I fought like hell and 

got them the $6.00 per hour 

underground allowance which is 

on all hours worked being 

accrued until the end of the job. 

We wanted it back dated until last 

year when they started, we 

couldn't get that but they back 

dated it to August 2012 which 

adds up about $16,000 to 

$17,000 on top of the pip and 

redundancy. A few of the 

employer’s body didn’t want this. 

They stated it was outside their 

agreement and but RIO TINTO 

ARGYLE DIAMONDS saw this as 

an issue and helped to fix it up. 

JUST REMEMBER: EDUCATE 

NON MEMBERS, GET THEM TO 

MEETINGS AND GET THEM TO 

JOIN UP...THAT’S HOW YOU GET 

THINGS FIXED. 

This is a great result due to a lot of 

good members working together to 

get things fixed. I don’t want to 

name any one in particular, but we 

all know the members, currently on 

the project and the ones who have 

left the project. 

The other big result Mick and I 

achieved is a 3 and 1 roster on 

another project in Port Headland 

and Karratha. 

WELL DONE TO ALL THE TENIX 

CREW UP THERE. 

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE EXTENDED 

From 1 January 2013, the Australian Government’s 

Paid Parental Leave Scheme will be extended to 

include a dedicated two week payment for working 

dads or partners. 

Dad and Partner Pay, provides eligible working dads or 

partners with financial support to be able to take time off work to bond with 

their baby in the vital early months of their baby’s life. 

This new entitlement adds to the options available to families to balance 

work and family commitments. 

For more information visit australia.gov.au/dadandpartnerpay 


CFMEU

C I T Y R O U N D U P 

with Mat Waters & Peter Joshua 

Mixed year in the city but things looking up! 

The OLD Treasury Building crew – kicking off new activity in the CBD 

Well it’s no secret that the city block 

has been in a hiatus for most of this 

year as jobs such as Raine Square, 

City Square, the Arena and Stage 1 

Queens Riverside, were completed 

and new projects have been 

lagging. Thankfully this is all about 

to change with Mirvac’s Old 

Treasury Building Precinct now 

getting underway. 2013 should see 

more projects taking off (See Jobs 

Report feature this issue). 

Throughout the year there were 

plenty of Blues to be had standing 

up for members rights. Ceiling fixers 

at Diploma’s Queens Riverside 

Project had a $680,000 win in 

getting back wages - all achieved 

because of 100% solid membership 

in the union and the support of 

those involved such as PGS, Power 

Plastering and Concealed Ceilings. 

Once again due to 100% union 

membership, workers in dispute on 

Northerly’s Lime Street Project all 

got their pay and entitlements. The 

union was also successful in getting 

workers fixed up with Hire Access at 

the Perth Arena their pay and most 

entitlements. 

Next year there will be a big push for 

flags and delegates with a backbone 

to serve the interests of our 

members on all jobs big and small in 

the CBD. If you think you are cut out 

to be a delegate, let us know. 

Speaking of a new breed of 

delegate, welcome aboard Adam 

(Chopper) Leslie our newest 

delegate on the ‘BUILT’ job within 

the Treasury Precinct. Good on ya 

‘Chopper’, we know you’ll keep an 

eye and watch out for the boys 

better than a hawk! 

Thanks to all the workers for your 

support in 2012 and to those who 

took time out to vote in the union 

elections and voted to maintain the 

CFMEU as a strong militant union. 

Well done boys, have a great 

Christmas break and stay safe. 

If you need any help or info call 

Mat Waters on 0419812875 or 

Peter Joshua on 0433 432 221. 


CFMEU


U N I O N H I S T O R Y F E AT U R E 

Workers : hunted like bushrangers 

It’s hard to believe that it 

ever existed but the 

Masters and Servants Acts 

operational in the UK during 

the eighteenth and 

nineteenth centuries, and 

enforced in various forms in 

Australia from first 

colonisation, were perhaps 

the fore runners to 

Workchoices and other 

draconian moves to restrict 

workplace rights. 

The Masters and Servants 

Act saw workers treated like 

slaves as they were practically 

chained to their employer, fostering 

an ‘us and them’ attitude between 

employers and employees that still 

exists in some quarters today – and 

it took action by unions to break the 

chains and set workers free. 

The Act was designed to regulate 

the behaviour of both employers 

and employees. However, the 

wording of the title of the Act gave 

some indication as to which group 

was favoured; workers were classed 

as being subservient. 

Infringements of the Act by either 

party were punishable by law and 

included fines and imprisonment. In 

reality, however, it was only 

employers who had the wealth, 

position and resources to avail 

themselves of the Act’s provisions. 

It was a cruel and unjust law. In 

1822, convict shepherd James 

Straiter was sentenced to five 

hundred lashes, one month solitary 

confinement on bread and water 

and five years’ penal servitude for 

inciting his employer’s servants to 

approach their ‘master’ as a 

collective to ask for a rise in pay and 

an increase in rations. 

As little as one hour’s absence by a 

free servant without permission 

could result in a punishment of 

prison. Can you imagine leaving 

your place of employment for an 

hour and going to jail for it? 

Employees in Australia in 1840 who 

left their employment without 

permission were subject to being 

hunted down under the 

Bushrangers Act. Unauthorised 

absence from a place of work was 

punishable by imprisonment of up 

to three months with or without hard 

labour. There were also penalties of 

up to ten pounds for anyone who 

harboured, concealed or reemployed 

a miscreant ‘servant’ 

(worker). 

The Act helped perpetuate the class 

system and it was in force in 

Western Australia until 1900 when it 

was replaced by the Arbitration Act. 

Although some amendments were 

made throughout the years, the Act 

was always slanted in favour of the 

employer. 

The attitude of the ruling classes 

can be summed up by an 1881 

article in The West Australian 

newspaper which said, in 

part: 

“Nowadays all children are 

kept in elegant idleness at 

school until they are 13 or 14. 

It was better and healthier 

when poor children were 

taken into service at the age 

of about seven”. 

Aboriginal workers suffered 

horribly under the various 

incarnations of the Masters 

and Servants Act and, in a 

number of reported cases, 

severe neglect led to 

completely avoidable deaths. 

Aborigines, in particular, were 

forced to sign indentures that they 

did not understand. In effect, groups 

were kidnapped and brought before 

a magistrate (usually a man of the 

same social standing and with very 

similar interests to the ‘employer’) 

and made to sign papers they could 

not hope to comprehend. If they 

absconded they were hunted down 

and severe punishments were 

handed out. 

WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES 

LAW, DEFIANCE BECOMES 

OUR DUTY 

In the late 1880s and through the 

1890s, labour began to become 

more organised and unions started 

to take shape. This was the 

beginning of the end for the Masters 

and Servants Act but it took a series 

of strikes by unions, including those 

organisations which have since 

become part of today’s CFMEU, to 

start to bring about lasting change. 

When the Masters and Servants Act 

was abolished it was eventually 

replaced by the Commonwealth 

Arbitration Act in 1904. 


CFMEU

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

with Vinnie Molina 

In the hands of the multinationals 

Since the 1st January 1994, when 

the first Free Trade agreement was 

signed between the US, Canada 

and Mexico, transnational 

corporations have sought maximum 

profits. Back then many of these 

multinational companies closed 

their plants at home and shifted 

across the border to Mexico where 

labour laws were weaker, 

environmental laws did not exist and 

labour was cheaper. Estimates have 

been given that US jobs lost to 

NAFTA range from 700,000 to nine 

million. 

These same corporations, 

particularly in the resource sector, 

moved into several other countries 

in Latin American and the Asia 

Pacific. More recently they have set 

up economic Free Zones in 

countries like India and other 

developing countries where the 

main feature is no union rights and 

lower standards of wages and 

conditions. 

In Australia we see how these 

corporations have drafted labour 

laws that cross several countries 

and continents. They realise they no 

longer need to move the plant and 

factories because it was possible to 

move workers across borders. 

Again, the main feature of these 

labour laws in Australia and 

elsewhere, is the violation of trade 

union rights and lowering of wages 

and conditions. 

Migration laws have been 

introduced to allow free mobility of 

labour to compete with local 

workers. Here at home we have 

seen the proliferation of temporary 

workers on s456 & s457 visas. 

These workers arrived in Australia 

with false promises of a bright future 

but in reality are used as modern 

slaves with little or no rights. 

These workers, often from non 

English speaking backgrounds, 

work on lower rates and many of 

them would suffer deportation if 

they speak out or join trade unions. 

During downturns in the economy 

these workers lose their jobs and 

are sent home, often without 

entitlements. In a few cases 

companies sacked local workers 

ahead of visa and temporary 

workers. Feedback suggests they 

remained and in many cases 

replaced local workers. 

At the peak of the mining boom, 

multinationals and politicians used 

the media to create a fictitious 

shortage of skilled labour. 

The government responded by 

introducing the Enterprise Migration 

Agreement. EMAs which list WA as 

a regional economic zone and 

allows for the importation of some 

2000 workers for what can be 

considered a pilot for this model, the 

Roy Hill Project. In other areas such 

as the Mid West in WA, complaints 

have been received that local 

workers are being made redundant 

and replaced by cheap labour from 

overseas. 

The objective of the multinational 

corporations is to divide the working 

class by creating unemployment 

and fictitious shortages of skilled 

labour to justify the mobility of 

workers, often from poor countries - 

to pit worker against worker and 

break solidarity. 

This sees workers from Bangladesh 

travelling to India and Dubai; 

Filipinos all over the world; Chinese 

workers into Singapore, Australia 

and Europe; Irish and Greek workers 

to Australia, Canada, the US and 

other parts of Europe. 

Many of these workers travel abroad 

and are engaged by people 

smugglers, so it becomes a 

lucrative business in itself. Our 

experience is that only a minority of 

these workers joins trade unions to 

represent their industrial interests. 

The others are treated poorly and 

are disposable. 

A new trade agreement (TPPA) is 

currently being negotiated between 

the US, Australia, Brunei, Chile, 

Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, 

Singapore, and Vietnam. 

US corporations are pushing for 

unrestricted access to Australian 

government contracts and oppose 

purchasing policies that protect 

local jobs and workers rights. 

US corporations have also made 

public submissions opposing 

commitments to workers rights 

being in the agreement. The ALP is 

currently pushing for labour rights 

agreed by the UN International 

Labour Organisation to be included. 

The next TPPA negotiations happen 

in Auckland, 3rd to 12 December, 

with NZ workers planning a national 

day of action on the 8th. 


CFMEU

P E T E ’ S PA G E 


GET WELL BOB! 

We’ve had many requests from 

members checking on the progress of 

respected union legend Bob ‘King of 

the Dues’ Olsen. 

Bob is now recovering from his bypass 

operation and on behalf of all the 

union staff and members we wish him 

a speedy recovery. 

NO, IT’S NOT A 

CIRCUS ACT! 

Union member Laurence Stewart took this 

pic of workers perched on the reo in the 

Philippines – no safety at all! One slip and 

you are dead. And some wonder why we 

complain about the safety know-how of 

overseas workers! 

Kids club colouring in winner! 

Once again we had hundreds of entries in our Colouring in Competition. 

They were all excellent - thank you for your contributions. The winner of the 

$100 Toys R Us voucher is Zuzanna Markowska, 6 of Padbury. 

Well done Zuzanna! We hope all our CFMEU kids enjoy their Christmas 

holidays! Stay tuned later this year for more news on our Kids Club. 

AGRO SAYS THANKS 

Long term, well respected member AGRO, now retired, would like to thank Moose and all the boys up at Cape Preston 

for helping him through a tough spot with a whip around which raised $3000. We wish you all the best in the future Agro. 

He would also like to thank Allan Hughes at CBUS. 

He’s looking forward to spending more time with daughter Renae and grandkids Shenae, Jesse, and Izzia.

Summer Issue 2012 - cfmeu

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