Summer Issue 2012 - 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!
Construction Worker – Summer 2012 Page 35
CFMEU