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December 2013

Unions combine to tell offshore regulator...

As delegates from around the world arrived at the 5th International Regulators’

Offshore Safety Conference in Perth on Monday October 21, union members were there to meet them to protest against being denied a seat at the table.

Despite one of the Conference aims being “achieving meaningful engagement of all those working offshore” the Australian Government’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management

Authority (NOPSEMA) refused the ACTU’s offer to provide a union speaker for the event.

“It’s ridiculous workers are being locked out of a conference that is supposed to be about their own safety,” WA AMWU Branch Secretary Steve McCartney said.

“It’s frankly a disgrace that industry and government can contribute while workers and their union representatives are denied the same opportunity.”

“By showing up in force as international guests arrived, we sent a powerful message to government and business. There is no doubt they will think twice about trying to cut us out next time.”

With the Coalition’s national anti-worker agenda living up to our worst fears, it is more important than ever to be prepared to stand up and fight against government and business where workers’s rights are under threat.

AMWU members rally to voice their disapproval as Australian offshore safety regulator NOPSEMA locks local unions out of an international safety conference in Perth

NO SILENCE ON SAFETY!WA State Secretaries addess the rally

“The Coalition government hasn’t

been in two minutes and they’re showing

all the signs of wanting to finish what

they started with Workchoices…“

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A CAMPAIGNING UNION

AMWU State Secretary Steve McCartney, AMWU stalwart Neil Byrne and former AMWU President Keith Peckham

AMWU hosts Harold Peden Memorial LectureIt was standing room only at the AMWU’s

East Perth Office on November 12 as Tony Cooke presented the WA Labour History Society’s Harold Peden Memorial Lecture 2013.

With this year marking the fiftieth anniversary of the independent WA Trades and Labor

Council, Tony’s discussion of the ongoing relationship between the union movement and the Labor Party was particularly relevant.

The former head of the WA TLC’s call for the union movement to reengage with society on a broader level was well received by the 80 strong crowd, as was his stirring tribute

to Harold.

Folllowing a rousing performance from Bernard Carney and the Working Voices Choir, WA State Secretary Steve McCartney formally dedicated the AMWU’s training room as the Harold Peden Room, an appropriate honor for a man who believed so strongly in worker empowerment through education.

The final highlight of the came as Steve and former AMWU President Keith Peckham dedicated the Society’s new library to Neil Byrne, the heart and soul of the Labour History Society and one of the WA AMWU’s longest serving and most valued members.

“Our Union has incredibly rich heritage and it’s events like the Harold Peden Lecture that build and strengthen our culture. Workers of today can learn of lot from the struggles of their predecessors,” Mr McCartney said.

The AMWU’s East Perth Office is now the home of the Labour History Society’s Neil Byrne Library and all members are welcome to come in and make use of a truly unique collection of labour movement history.

STATE SECRETARY’S REPORTwith Steve McCartneyWith the change in government it’s never

been more important to be a union member. The Coalition government hasn’t been in two minutes and they’re showing all the signs of wanting to finish what they started with Workchoices.

Already we have seen they want to limit workers’ access to their unions by letting the boss decide where we meet on site.

In another move that I’m not sure accords with their belief in free markets, they want to give their Federal Industrial Relations Minister power to veto pay rises he doesn’t like (read: where workers get a better deal out of the boss through legitimate enterprise bargaining).

They have relaxed guidelines on 457 visa criteria, now needing just a token advert on Facebook to satisfy ‘labour market testing’ criteria. Now this is a difficult topic for our union. We value our 457 members and we will always represent them to the

best of the union’s ability. As far as I am concerned a worker is a worker no matter where they come from. The AMWU has advocated for better pay and conditions for 457 visa holders, to remove their vulnerability and dependence on the boss.

However, at the end of the day 457 labour is temporary top-up labour. If there is no skills shortage then 457s are just another way to undercut Australian wages and conditions.

The Coalition has already revamped the ABCC with new powers to target transport and maritime workers. The

power to imprison workers for six months just for refusing to answer questions is an absolute disgrace that would look more at home in Nazi Germany than in supposedly democratic Australia. We are still fundraising for our comrades caught with the ABCC in 2008. Details are over over the page, please give what you can.

So how do we fight back? We organise. We build our strength in numbers. Over the upcoming holiday season I want all our members to talk to their mates about joining their union if they haven’t already.

On that note I wish all our members a happy and safe festive season. Enjoy the break and get ready for a blue in the new year.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Elected officials from the three unions will be visiting sites over the next few weeks. Otherwise please direct deposit with your name and union to:Bank: Maritime Mining & Power Credit Union (MMPCU)BSB: 802 884A/C number: 55273Account name: StabiliserFor more information, please contact the state office of the AMWU (9223 0800) or CFMEU (9221 1055).

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AMWU Perth office: 121 Royal St, East Perth Telephone: (08) 9223 0800 Fax:(08) 9225 4744

www.amwu.org.au

Ante Prizmic: Union legendOur union has more than it’s fair share of staunch activists, and Ante Prizmic is up there with the best. Ante joined up in 1975 and has been a proud member ever since.

People like Ante are the ones we can thank for the wages and conditions all workers enjoy today. His mates tell us he’s a bloody good boily too. Ante, you have well and truly earned your outstanding service award. Your union salutes your comrade!

If you know of any other outstanding conttributors to our union (minimum 30 years membership) let the office know on 9223 0800 and we’ll make sure they are recognised.

ME Bank is a 100% Australian-owned, APRA regulated Bank. Established by industry super funds – the same people who brought you low-cost, no-commission super. ME Bank was proudly built to provide a genuine banking alternative – a fairer way to bank.

ME Bank provides straight forward, transparent and low-cost banking products combined with real service. In fact, they’ve kept their standard variable rate home loan for eligible super fund and union members below that of the ‘big four’ banks every month, of every year, since becoming a bank in 2001.

To see how you could benefit from fairer banking call Michael Hall on 0407 306 886 or mebank.com.au

The Courts have imposed massive fines on unionists who stood up on the

job in 2008. Their unions the AMWU, the CFMEU and the ETU have set up

an account* to fundraise for the fined workers.While the ABCC is dead (for the time being), its bastard legacy lives on.

With individuals being slugged up to $10,000 each, we need to send a

message that workers always stand together for a just cause and lessen

the burden on our comrades and their families. - State Secretaries Steve McCartney (AMWU), Mick Buchan (CFMEU) and

Les McLaughlan (ETU)

In BriefUnion win at WheatstoneUnion pressure wins the day after Bechtel tries to keep

FIFO members cooped up in camp during R&RBechtel has backed down on

plans to restrict site leave for FIFO workers at the Wheatstone project, after initially refusing to meet with the AMWU.

Bechtel had tried to restrict site leave to the

nearest town Onslow to just 50 employees per day.

“In response to Bechtel’s refusal to meet with us, the union got our “Camps Not Prisons” campaign up and running quick smart,” State Secretary Steve McCartney said.

“The push was well supported by our members on the job and it proved just how serious we are about making sure workers got a chance to get out of the camp on their R and R.”

North-West Organiser Frank McLaughlin said he had spoken to business around Onslow and couldn’t find any resistance to letting workers visit the town.

“If workers are coming into Onslow to buy a meal, a bit of fishing tackle and have a couple of pints local business is all for it,” Frank said.

Onya Ante, your union salutes you!

Change of union guard in SWMining and Construction lead organiser Alister Robinson calls time at the AMWU, to take up a new challenge at ETUAfter 6 years in South West as one of the AMWU’s lead organisers, Alister Robinson is calling time on a stellar stint with our union.

State Secretary Steve McCartney paid tribute to Alister and wished him all the best in his new challenge at the ETU.

“‘Ali’ has always been an absolute

professional, as any of our South West members will tell you,” Steve said.

“While it’s a blow for us, I’m pleased Alister will still be working in the movement.”

North West Organiser Michael Salt will be taking up the South West Organiser’s position in the New Year and is ready to hit the ground running.

WesTrac makes a mockery of 457 visa systemWesTrac’s decision not to prioritise

retention of Australian workers over

457 visa holders as it sacks 435 employees

exposes deep and fundamental flaws in

the visa system, Australian Manufacturing

Workers’ Union WA State Secretary Steve

McCartney said.

Mr McCartney’s comments came after

WesTrac told AMWU officials last month

that 457 visa holders could be kept on

while Australian workers were sacked as

part of the company’s savage job cuts this

week.

“457 visa labour is top up labour. Under no

circumstances should it be used when we

have local workers losing their jobs,” Mr

McCartney said.

“Business justification for 457 labour has always been skills shortages. Obviously that’s not the case when 435 WA workers and 70 apprentices are losing their jobs.”

“This decision is by no means an isolated incident and it makes a mockery of the whole 457 visa program.”

“The AMWU calls on WesTrac to immediately reverse its decision and prioritise retention of local workers first.”

Mr McCartney said the union had no issue with 457 workers themselves, but that the system was placing both overseas and local workers at a disadvantage.

“Everyone knows the rules. If there is no skill shortage then there is no need for temporary foreign labour. It’s pretty

simple.” Mr McCartney said.

Mr McCartney said it was obvious that Tony Abbott’s plan to loosen up 457 visa criteria such as labour market testing would just make the problem worse.

“It’s clear Mr Abbott just wants to let business run riot with the lives of workers, whether they are local or from overseas.”

“With the recent downturn in employment opportunities, it’s clear the case for temporary labour is becoming more and more tenuous by the day.”

“WesTrac’s approach shows there is absolutely no reason for Tony Abbott to hand more power to business over the lives of ordinary workers, wherever they come from.”

A CAMPAIGNING UNION

Like your union? your union!

AMWU Perth office: 121 Royal St, East Perth Telephone: (08) 9223 0800 Fax:(08) 9225 4744

www.amwu.org.au

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Your union has a couple of new initiatives to help you stay in touch with what’s going on in your branch right around Western Australia.

We’ve just launched our new App for Apple and Android, which you can find by searching “amwu wa” at either store.

It’s got the latest events, member news, media, benefits, campaigns and more. It’s free too so get on it.

We’ve also got a new Facebook page up

and running so head on over and ‘like’ the AMWU WA Branch to stay in touch.

We want your pictures and stories too - after all you are the union and it’s your page.

It’s all part of making sure we keep in touch with our members and give you what you want.

And if technology isn’t your thing, we’ll still have printed copies of Manufacturing Matters every couple of months!

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