The Australian Worker Magazine Issue 2 2010

ISBN 978-186396379-4

WORKERTHE AUSTRALIAN www.awu.net.au $4.50 (INC GST) ISSUE 2 2010

AUSTRALIANS HAVE VOTED NO TO WORKCHOICES

ALL YOUR UNION’S NEWS AND MUCH MORE...INSIDE:

JULIA GILLARD

GROWING BIGGER AND STRONGER

THE AWU

www.awu.net.au $4.50(INC GST)0 ISSUE 2 2010

PORT KEMBLAPOSTCARD FROM STEEL CITY

www.awu.net.au THE AUSTRALIAN WORKER 3www.awu.net.au THE AUSTRALIAN WORKER 3

CONTENTS

AW0910_p1 Cover_JULIA.indd 1 8/09/2010 12:47:30 PM

AWU EDITOR Paul Howes,AWU National SecretaryAWU NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR Andrew Casey AWU NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERHenry ArmstrongAddress: Level 10,377-383 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.awu.net.au Telephone: (02) 8005 3333 Facsimile: (02) 8005 3300

ACP MAGAZINES LTD PUBLISHING EDITOR Kyle Rankin ART DIRECTOR Wayne Allen SUB-EDITORS Graham Lauren Aaron BertramPRODUCTION SERVICES Rachel WalshPREPRESS SUPERVISOR Klaus MüllerGROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Phil Scott DEPUTY GROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Gerry ReynoldsGENERAL MANAGERSally WrightPUBLISHING MANAGER Nicola O’Hanlon

Published for The Australian Workers’ Union (ABN 28 853 022 982) by ACP Magazines Ltd (ACN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park St, Sydney NSW 2000. © 2010. All rights reserved. Printed by PMP, Clayton, Vic 3168 and cover printed by Webstar, Silverwater, NSW 2128. Distributed by Network Services, 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Articles published in The Australian Worker express the opinion of the authors and not necessarily ACP Magazines Ltd. While all eff orts have been made to ensure prices and details are correct at time of printing, these are subject to change.

PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of The Australian Worker may contain off ers, competitions, or surveys which require you to provide information about yourself if you choose to enter or take part in them (Reader Off er). If you provide information about yourself to ACP Magazines Ltd (ACP), ACP will use this information to provide you with the products or services you have requested, and may supply your information to contractors that help ACP to do this. ACP will also use your information to inform you of other ACP publications, products, services and events. ACP may also give your information to organisations that are providing special prizes or off ers and that are clearly associated with the Reader Off er. Unless you tell us not to, we may give your information to other organisations that may use it to inform you about other products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use it for this purpose. If you would like to gain access to the information ACP holds about you, please contact ACP’s Privacy Offi cer at ACP Magazines Ltd, 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Cover photo: Getty Images

FEATURES 06 BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER! The AWU’s July Intensive recruitment campaign has

helped ensure the livelihood of thousands of new AWU members.

10 COVER STORY: FEDERAL ELECTION 2010 The result of the 2010 federal election means that, at last, we can lay the ghost of the Howard-era’s loathed WorkChoices to rest.

14 POSTCARD FROM... PORT KEMBLA Port Kembla, perched on the NSW South Coast,

is home to Australia’s largest steel works – and a vibrant hard-working community.

35 FROM LEAGUE TO UNION Rugby league legends Jason Hetherington and

Mark Graham have something else in common besides their formidable footy skills. They’re also proud AWU Delegates.

39 LIFE CYCLE Cycling is a great way to exercise, and it gets you to

parts of a region you might not otherwise see. It’s also a fantastic family activity – so go on, hope on your bike!

43 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO... Back in the free-living and free-loving ‘70s, Number

96 was the television series that shocked the nation. Here we take a look back at the colourful cast of characters that kept viewers captivated!

46 HOME & AWAY We have some work lunch ideas that are quick, easy

and delicious – and use just four ingredients each!

REGULARS04 National Opinion 20 Frontline News32 Meet the Delegates/Offi cials49 Bindi & Ringer 50 Grumpy Bastard

All electoral matter in this publication is authorised by Paul Howes, National Secretary, the Australian Workers’ Union, Level 10, 377-383 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

14

06

39NOTICE OF PROPOSED ALTERATION OF RULESA General Meeting of The Australian Workers Union, West Australian Branch Industrial Union of Workers held on 14th July 2010 in Perth endorsed proposed alterations to rule 4 of the Union. The proposed alteration seeks to vary the eligibility rule to enable coverage of areas of the moribund Federated Brick, Tile and Pottery Industrial Union of Australia (Union of Workers) Western Australian Branch.

The Union intends to apply for registration of the proposed amendment to the Registrar of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission 35 days after the date of this issue of The Australian Worker. A member may object to the proposed alteration by writing to the Registrar of Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission within 35 days of this issue of The Australian Worker.

For further information members can contact WA Branchon (08) 9221 1686

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www.awu.net.au THE AUSTRALIAN WORKER 5

The AWU has always championed the regions. It’s our birthplace and our future.”


NATIONAL OPINION

Ian Wakefi eldTasmanian Branch Secretary

Wayne HansonSouth Australian Branch Secretary

Stephen PriceWest Australian Branch Secretary

Norman McBrideTobacco Branch Secretary

POST YOUR LETTERS TO:The Editor,

The Australian Worker,Level 10, 377-383 Sussex Street,

Sydney NSW 2000

OR EMAIL THEM TO:[email protected]

Paul Howes National Secretary

AWU members who live in regional, remote and rural Australia can expect to reap the rewards of the re-election

of the Labor Government with the support of the independents. This will be a government which puts a priority on providing infrastructure and services to Australians who live outside of the big capital cities.

The AWU has always championed the regions. It’s our birthplace and our future. In recent months, in fact during the Federal election, we have campaigned hard for Australia to pay more attention to the regions – and put more taxpayer dollars back into the regions.

This election result will secure good jobs in regional and remote Australia. It will create new, long-term jobs for regional and remote Australia.

The result, therefore, is good for our people.

I promise you that the AWU will be active working to ensure that this government will deliver results for the regions. While I am proud to be a supporter of the ALP I am more than happy to reach out to all the regional independents. I want to fi nd the common ground, which ensures we not only have a stable government in Canberra but we have a Prime Minister who keeps her promises to the regions.

While the focus on investing in the

regions is especially important for the AWU, the re-election and continuation of a Labor Government in Canberra has also ensured that there will be no return to the hated WorkChoices laws of the Liberal Party.

Labor ended that awful era with the Fair Work laws which only became fully operational at the start of this year.

Over the next few years the AWU will be able to use these new worker protections to improve the rights of members – and to grow the Union even faster than we’ve grown since the Fair Work laws were introduced.

I look forward to further improvements to the rights of working Australians. Most importantly I want

to see the introduction as soon as possible of the proposed Fair Entitlement scheme announced by the Prime Minister during the campaign.

Under the proposal, most workers made redundant when a business failed without the capacity to pay entitlements would receive 100 per cent of what they were owed, rather than being dependent on GEERS which provided a maximum of 16 weeks’ pay.

The restoring of workers’ rights will continue under this government and we can look forward to massive investment in Australia which will create new, decent and secure jobs for AWU members and their families.

4 THE AUSTRALIAN WORKER www.awu.net.au

NATIONAL OPINION

The closeness of this election shows that we can never go to sleep on our working conditions.”

Richard DownieNewcastle Branch Secretary

Russ CollisonGreater NSW Branch Secretary

Andy GillespiePort Kembla Branch Secretary

Cesar MelhemVictorian Branch Secretary

Bill Ludwig National PresidentQueensland Branch Secretary

AWULEADERS

It’s taken more than two weeks, but fi nally we have a minority government following on from this year’s election. The announcement

that enough independent MPs will support Labor forming government is a welcome relief for hardworking AWU members around Australia.

On election night, AWU members were faced with the very real possibility of a Tony Abbott-led coalition government after working so hard in 2007 to restore fairness in the workplace by chucking out John Howard and his WorkChoices laws.

I can understand how heartbroken many AWU members would have felt at the prospect of once again having to face living in a world where their Federal Government actively works towards making it diffi cult for them to organise their workplace.

Fortunately, we’ve avoided that reality. The closeness of this election shows that we can never go to sleep

on our working conditions. Today, just like it’s been for the past almost 125 years of our great Union’s history, we cannot rely on anyone else but ourselves to protect our working conditions. It is our job to make sure we are “union strong” in our workplaces, and it is up to us to make sure we are all active in the fi ght to maintain and improve on our working conditions.

Today, the AWU is the fastest growing union in Australia. We have made changes to the way we operate to strengthen our power in the workplace. Every July, we dedicate the resources of the Union to a targeted campaign to increase our membership across workplaces. See our story on page 6 of this issue for a full report.

We know that while we can have some infl uence, election results are mostly beyond our control. We need to keep focus on what we can control.

We must keep our focus on eff orts to increase our strength in the workplace. We must keep our focus on growing the Union, new member by new member. We must keep our focus on strengthening our communication in the workplace, and we must keep our focus on ensuring that all of our members are as actively involved in keeping the Union strong in their workplaces.


WORKING FOR YOU

T he July intensive of 2009 was mounted against the global fi nancial crisis’s threat of AWU workplaces closing and subsequent loss of membership.

Leadership went on the front foot, and as AWU National Secretary Paul Howes declared, “The results were outstanding.”

It was the job of Daniel Walton, the AWU’s National Campaign and Organising Coordinator, to make sure this year’s membership drive was just as successful and he did just that, exceeding Paul’s confi dent prediction that the Union would this year “set new records”.

“Where last year in the month alone

we created 2386 new members − itself 140 per cent above the normal monthly average − this year, we’ve set new records. For the July Intensive 2010 the AWU recruited 2447 new members, that’s 145 per cent above the normal monthly average and a result we can all be very proud of. It’s as good as we could hope and we’ve really learnt the lessons of last year.”

Daniel says the challenge, even with a three-month planning lead-in, lies in coordinating eight busy Branches and at least 115 or 120 Organisers around the country. “This July we campaigned in a staggering 250-plus sites nationally.”

But, he says, “We’ve learnt. Step one is to make sure you‘ve got clear mapping of each workplace, how many members

→

Most important is involving Delegates at every stage. They are the voice of the Union on site”Daniel Walton, AWU National Campaign and Organising Co-ordinator

The AWU has a proud tradition of protecting

hard-earned conditions.

Last year’s “July Intensive” helped ensure the livelihood of thousands of new AWU members. And this year’s campaign is looking even better. Graham Lauren takes a look

at the commitment and resources devoted to making your union...


WORKING FOR YOU

AWU members are empowered to stand up for their rights.


WORKING FOR YOU

→

Gavin Penn, a 20-year Organiser at the AWU’s

Geelong Branch, has no doubt the July Intensive will become a permanent feature.

First elected an offi cial in 1990, Gavin came from the Federated Ironworkers Association, having worked in aluminium at both Alcoa Point Henry and then, in 1985, at the Portland smelter.

Gavin has the chemical industry in his sights and has experienced success at the local Orica sulphur plant and that of Chemring, which has major contracts to supply the Australian, British, and US governments with the fl airs and missile defl ectors used in combat.

Although Chemring’s numbers are small – 20 on site at present – where one month ago it had no AWU membership, Gavin now counts it at “around 70 per cent, but it’s going to expand substantially, so it’s a huge growth area there.”

He says the industry in the Geelong area “has been underdone – we’re not having too much trouble recruiting as they haven’t had much representation for some time.”

He is also concentrating on pockets of potential left at recently renamed Boral Cement, formerly Blue Circle Cement, and in the local cemetery business.

Gavin says, “We can thank John Howard for driving a lot more people to unions [and in] Tony Abbott... we’ve got a new recruiting tool. At a site I went to last week, not one of the chairs in the lunch room had a back on it. By the time I left, they had brand new chairs. And we’ve been successful in a number of back-pay issues we’ve investigated. It’s not until we talk that people who aren’t in the union can sit back and go, ‘wow, we didn’t realise you could help us in that area’.”

Gavin Penn

Workers quickly become aware of the AWU’s commitment to its members.


and potential members are on site. At any point, something is coming up, so you need to have a clear picture of who is who.”

“Step two is making sure we’ve covered off all shifts on site, that all have someone speaking to them. There is a huge amount of organising outside of working hours because of those members who work on Saturdays, shifts and so on.

“Most important is involving Delegates at every stage as they are absolutely crucial to success. They are the voice of the Union on site and it’s their work that makes the Intensive so successful.

“We give briefi ngs to the Branches, who develop their own individual plans, and our organisers working in pairs or more organise as many new members as possible, and all report weekly on results.

“Every Branch Secretary waits to fi nd that out, in comparison to others... it creates a bit of friendly competition between Branches,” Daniel chuckles. W

I f there is a marker for the enthusiasm to be found in delivering the Intensive on the

ground, it is 42-year-old grandfather of four, Craig Ramirez.

Craig fi rst joined the AWU aged 18 when working for the Water Authority of Western Australia, on sewers and mains construction. After “horrible experiences with bosses not paying properly and exposing us to danger” when WAWA was privatised, he moved on to work at Laminex at Dardanup and became its safety rep.

Now the South-west’s Organiser, Craig’s patch includes the 1200-worker Worsley Alumina site, as well as Laminex, Southern Road Services and the Wesfarmers Wespine operation.

“It’s the mining and refi ning we are really trying to get into now, and Worsley, which is a BHP company, is one of the last [non-union] outposts, so this is a big focus of the Intensive.

“Four Organisers including me did two visits all day last week and

WORKING FOR YOU

we picked up eight or nine members. When you only have 70 members, that’s an increase of more than 10 per cent. We sparked a lot of interest; the fl ow-on eff ect is going to be massive.

“There are eight or 10 lunch rooms to visit and that’s over four shifts, so you can imagine the logistics of trying to talk to everyone face-to-face. We work some strange hours.”

At Worsley, Craig says, “Guys were having trouble with workers’ compensation and [now] they have somebody they can talk to instead of trying to go up against BHP with all its resources.”

“One of the guys at Worsley came across [from another union] and was doing the battling on his own, but now I’m up there we can get a battle plan in place.

“He’s absolutely loving it. We’re taking him to the aluminium conference in Launceston this year and he’s really enthusiastic about it.”

Craig Ramirez

Guys were having trouble with workers’ compensation and [now] they have somebody

they can talk to”


FEDERAL ELECTION 2010

While we were perched on a knife-edge for a moment, the fi nal outcome of the 2010 Federal Election is a win for working people. Labor came through in the end, and the result means a timely death to the Liberal Party’s loathed WorkChoices.

ALL ABOUT JULIA!

● Welsh-born Julia was born in 1961 and came to Australia with her family in 1966. The family made their home in Adelaide, where Julia’s parents still live.

● Julia is our second foreign-born Prim Minister. A fellow Welshman, William “Billy” Hughes, had his fi rst term in the top job back in 1915.

● A student activist, Julia was elected to lead the Australian Union of Students back in 1983, as the second female to lead the Union.

● Prior to entering federal politics, Julia was a solicitor specialising in Industrial Law.

● Julia was elected as the ALP federal member for the Victorian seat of Lalor back in 1998.

● Julia has had a broad range of Parliamentary responsibilities including the Shadow Ministries of Immigration and Population, Indigenous Aff airs, Health and Employment and Industrial Relations.

● She became Deputy Prime Minister in the Rudd Labor Government. And became Australia’s fi rst female Acting Prime Minister during Kevin Rudd’s absence overseas.

● Julia is the fi rst unmarried Australian Prime Minister to live with her partner. Julia and her partner, Tim Mathieson, have been together since 2006.

● In early 2008, the Australian men’s magazine Ralph proclaimed Julia as Australia’s second most sexiest woman!

Julia Gillard has made history by becoming Australia’s fi rst formally elected female Prime Minister. Here’s a snapshot of whoshe is…

THE

BIGQUESTIONS!AWU Delegates talk about what they’d like the Gillard Labor Government to address during this term of offi ce:

I would like to see some more industrial relations changes, particularly in regard to how we can take industrial action. As it stands, once you apply for a ballot and it’s approved it has to be taken within 30 days. That should be changed. You shouldn’t have that time limit on it. That’s a big issue here in WA.

Another big one is the national broadband. Also, I think the mining tax is a good thing as long as it’s applied correctly and money goes back into the communities where the mines are and get benefi t out of it terms of infrastructure. For the time when the mines aren’t here. That may not be for a long time, but those communities need to see some benefi t from the tax while we’ve got the cash and not have it spent entirely on other things.”Chris King, Western Australia



IT’S A WIN FORWORKING FAMILIES



LAME DUCK

Well, it’s offi cial. The people of Australia have spoken and it’s no go for Tony. So in case you’re unsure why Tony Abbott was told “no means no”, let’s recap some of the things he’s had to say over the years…

On women…“I think it would be folly to expect that women will ever dominate, or even approach equal representation in a large number of areas. Simply because their aptitudes, abilities and interests are diff erent for physiological reasons,” (Sydney University publication Honi Soit in Tony’s student days).

So how far would he have taken back any gains that have been made in the battle for equal opportunity and pay equity? Does he really think his wife and daughters’ ‘aptitudes’ are less than his and other blokes’?

In a statement made in 2006, Abbott said he wouldn’t be rushing out to get his daughters vaccinated against cervical cancer. So does he really think that

UCyoung women should not be protected from a potentially fatal disease?

But Tony didn’t let the matter rest there. His personal religious convictions again aff ected his political stance. He introduced a so-called “hotline” off ering pregnancy support. However, this support agency did not give women the full story of their options. Only after intensive criticism and lobbying did the hotline amend the information it gave. But in an extremely cynical exercise, counsellors were ordered to keep calls to under seven minutes – not really a lot of time to give safe, clear, supportive and non-judgemental information.

And no-one really believed Tony’s big, bold plan for paid maternity leave. And while he made a grand-standing, vote-buying policy commitment to a generous paid maternity leave plan, this was the same man who in 2002 said: “Compulsory, paid maternity leave? Over this government’s dead body.” So, we can only assume it was a typical Liberal “non-core” promise!

But Tony’s problems didn’t end with women’s aptitudes and reproductive systems. Here are some other “issues”:

on workplace relations…Abbott was the Howard Government’s Minister for Workplace Relations from 2001 to 2003. Ah, yes, how well we remember the good old days of the Howard regime!

Here are some of the gems Phony Tony has uttered over the years about YOUR working rights – or lack thereof, as he would have preferred…

“Let me begin my contribution to his debate by reminding members that workplace reform was one of the greatest achievements of the Howard Government.” (as reported in Hansard, August 2009).

Well, Tony, it seems you quickly forgot the main reason why the Howard regime was kicked out of offi ce.

And on WorkChoices? Abbott announced to Australia on the ABC’s 7.30 Report: “Well, the phrase

WorkChoices is dead. No-one will ever mention it again, but look, we have to have a free and fl exible economy.”

So what did that mean exactly? We hedge our bets that it didn’t mean dumping WorkChoices but, rather, that it meant dumping WorkChoices back on workers and calling it something else. Well, a turd by any other name still smells as bad!

But perhaps the biggest pearler of all fell from Abbott’s mouth in a speech he made at an industrial relations conference in 2002, and cited on ABC Radio National’s AM program:

Drum roll one… drum roll two… drum roll three…

“If we’re honest, most of us would accept that a bad boss is a little bit like a bad father or a bad husband, not withstanding all his faults, you fi nd that he tends to do more good than harm. He might be a bad boss, but at least he’s employing someone...”

Kind of sums him up rather well, doesn’t it?

on refugees…If you’re a forsaken soul trying to rescue your family from victimisation, torture, an endless civil war, or from a dust bowl that has no fresh water, don’t think Uncle Tony gives a fi g. Here’s his pearler:

“Jesus didn’t say yes to everyone… Jesus knew that there was a place for everything and it’s not necessarily everyone’s place to come to Australia.”

Tony thinks he has a hot line to Heaven. Is he deluded? We think so.

on the homeless...If you’re concerned about the growing number of people living on the streets, Tony gave his take on it at a Catholic Social Services Australia conference earlier this year. When asked whether the Opposition would support the government’s target to halve homelessness by 2020 (as his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull had done), Abbott suggested that homelessness is a lifestyle choice.

What a hero! What a guy! Aren’t YOU glad YOU didn’t vote for him?

What I’d like to see is them stick to their policies and to see them achieve what they’ve promised to the Australian people, such as broadband and health reforms and an ETS. It’s just been one of those elections that you can’t believe. None of them stood out from either party and I think that’s sad from a Labor point of view. I certainly wasn’t confi dent in Labor. I always vote Labor and always will, but I just wasn’t confi dent in them this time around.”Peter King, Victoria

I have got one question. If we can pump the water out of the river why can’t we pump it back in?”Robin Denne, South Australia

To tell you the truth I’m really relieved that we’re over the line, but what I’d really like to see is them fi x our manufacturing base in Australia like they keep on telling us that they are going to do. I work in the steel industry and it’s been struggling, as have the glass and aluminum industries. I’d like to see that turned around along with primary industries.

At our last AWU national conference we were called protectionist for wanting to fi x the manufacturing industry. It’s not protectionist to look after your country. We passed some resolutions to get the government to do something about the steel, glass and aluminum industries. Paul Howes stood up and said “we want the government to do the right thing about using local products.”

We need to look at making Australian business more competitive, that’s the only thing I agree with that idiot Katter on.”Robbie Rudd, Victoria

I want job safety. I want that for my children, that our jobs and their future jobs are protected. I want that we don’t have to ever worry about WorkChoices again.

I also think a female Prime Minister will be good for Australia, because women can multi-task. They can work and run households and do everything, even run a country. I think it will be really good!”Joyanne Higginbottom, Queensland

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www.awu.net.au theaustralianworker 15

S eated behind his work desk at Wollongong’s AWU headquarters, Andy Gillespie’s eyes

are instinctively drawn to a coal train rattling towards Port Kembla outside his offi ce window. For Andy, the Port Kembla Branch Secretary, the view is a constant reminder of the region’s strong links to the steel industry.

“Wollongong, the whole of Illawarra, has a long and strong manufacturing heritage,” he says, a “Gong” native from a very young age. “Over the last few years the economic downturn has aff ected us all, but things appear to be picking up. We’re especially excited by the fact that the biggest steelworks in Australia (Port

Kembla’s Bluescope Steel) is back to 95 per cent of full production.”

The Illawarra region of NSW lies just south of Sydney, taking in the main coastal towns of Wollongong, Port Kembla, Shellharbour and Kiama. With a population close to 300,000, Andy believes its charms have been neglected for far too long. “I’ve talked to people from Sydney who’ve never even been to Wollongong. I fi nd it amazing considering it’s just down the road,” he says. “Unfortunately Wollongong has a stigma, and that stigma is the steelworks. They say it’s a dirty place, but this area’s actually beautiful.”

Assistant Branch Secretary Wayne Phillips has a more parochial approach. “We see

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hands on deck at Fluid Management; AWU Port Kembla Branch Secretary Andy Gillespie; AWU Delegate Wayne Perkins at Industrial Galvanizers; Signs of the times; Fast & Fluid process worker Tina Grech.

ustralianworkerr 151515151515155518 theaustralianworker www.awu.net.au

POSTCARD FROM PORT KEMBLA

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The legendary Dapto Dogs; AWU Delegate Boris Baraldi with our writer Michael Blayney and the AWU’s Port Kembla Branch Assistant Secretary Wayne Phillips; rolling out the goods at the Hot Strip Mill.

TESTING THE METALAWU members really are at the nuts and bolts of the Australian manufacturing industry. These are just some examples of steel products made by workers in Port Kembla.


❯ ❯❯❯❯❯❯❯❯❯ ❯❯❯

3 The word Wollongong comes from the Wodi

Wodi dialect and its meaning is hotly disputed. Some say it’s “the sound of the sea”, while others “hard ground near water”, or “place near fi ve islands”. Illawarra’s origins are equally confusing. Most likely the word means “high place near the sea”, although alternatives include “white fi sh eagle”, “pleasant place”, or “keep awake at night”. Kembla is a Wodi Wodi word meaning “plenty of wild fowl”.

4 Celebrities born in the ‘Gong include cricketer

Brett Lee and motorsport’s Wayne Gardner. And another famous ‘Gong resident is the fi ctional comedy legend Norman Gunston (Garry McDonald).

5 Australia’s largest ice cream manufacturer,

Streets, was founded in the northern Wollongong suburb of Corrimal in the 1930s by Edwin “Ted” Street.

2 The majority of the steel manufactured for the

Sydney Harbour Bridge was produced at Port Kembla’s steelworks.

1 Port Kembla’s Bluescope Steel site was fi rst

occupied by Australian Iron and Steel Limited in 1928, a company that eventually became a part of the Bluescope behemoth via BHP.

LEFT AND ABOVE: Panoramic views from Grand Pacifi c Drive. ABOVE RIGHT: Steelworks Hotel, Port Kembla. RIGHT: AWU Delegate Boris Baraldi. BELOW RIGHT: AWU Port Kembla Branch Assistant Secretary Wayne Phillips.

5 ILLAWARRA SNAP SHOTS

“Yes, it can be hard work,” says Boris Baraldi, a furnace roughing mill operator and AWU delegate at the mill for 18 years. “There’s some physical work under extreme conditions, but most of it is monitoring and controlling the two furnaces and the roughing mill. These days it’s highly automated and you have to be computer savvy.”

The mill is fully unionised and Boris considers it “the engine room of Bluescope Steel”, a highly profi table component of the company’s success. Even so, management continues to push for staff reductions with roughly 30 AWU members on the chopping block.

“We’re in robust discussions with the company as we speak. The bulk of the

ngong suburb e 1930s by eet.

16 theaustralianworker www.awu.net.au


Bluescope Steel. The region’s largest employer with 4800 staff , the site covers ten square kilometres. Not surprisingly, the work is hot and heavy with huge slabs hauled out of the furnace at 1250 degrees Celsius before being rolled into strips. This part of the steel-making operation is up and about 24 hours a day with up to 25 people on duty at any one time.

Sydney as the northern suburb of Wollongong,” he says, laughing.

The coastal drive from Sydney is a good example of what Andy’s talking about. Dubbed (and even trademarked) the Grand Pacifi c Drive, the road winds its way through picture-postcard seaside towns hemming the mighty Pacifi c Ocean.

Our fi rst stop is the hot strip mill at


◆

time we’ve been able to resolve problems locally, and we’re hopeful that the outcome will be of benefi t to everyone,” Boris says, adding that some staff are prepared to take redundancy.

Next, we head to paint dispensing manufacturers Fast and Fluid. Leonie Hocking, a worker here for 23 years and AWU Delegate “on and off for 20 years”, is taking advantage of some welcome overtime, working extra hours four times a week.

“We haven’t had any overtime for 18 months, so it’s been good to get some extra money into the house,” she says, a mother of two school-age kids. “It can be a bit of a struggle, but their Dad’s been picking them up and making their tea while I’ve been here working.”

Down the road at Port Kembla’s Industrial Galvanizers, Wayne Perkins, an AWU Delegate for two years, has had respect for unions since his days digging trenches and laying railway tracks. “They had no provision on site for drinking water, but the Union got on to it quick smart. I saw benefi ts early on,” he says.

Come evening and it’s time to enjoy

◆

an Illawarra tradition. Thursday is Dapto Dogs night and we join thousands of locals trackside to watch greyhounds run in circles. My omen bet is a dog called “Someone Stop Me” in the fi nal race on the card. Typically, with my bet on him, he failed to run a place.

The next morning back in Wollongong, Andy is spruiking his home town. “You’ve got mountains, sea, some of the best beaches, and the deepest natural harbour in Australia. This part of the world is underestimated, it’s undersold,” he says.

Despite all this, jobs in the steel industry are disappearing. The steelworks once employed 23,500 people, but now employs 4800. The infl ux of new technologies has seen steel production skyrocket at the expense of employment, and the Illawarra team has been busy

building new streams of membership.“Steelworkers will not be our principal

members in the future. There’s a range of industries out there that we may have walked past, but now we’re walking into them. We have 60 members in the mushroom industry – and it’s growing,” he says, with a smile. “We’re the dominant union in the area, and we plan on staying that way.” W

18 theaustralianworker www.awu.net.au


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The legendary Dapto Dogs; AWU Delegate Boris Baraldi with our writer Michael Blayney and the AWU’s Port Kembla Branch Assistant Secretary Wayne Phillips; rolling out the goods at the Hot Strip Mill.

TESTING THE METALAWU members really are at the nuts and bolts of the Australian manufacturing industry. These are just some examples of steel products made by workers in Port Kembla.


FRONTLINE NEWS NATIONAL

WORKERS PROTECTED FROM DODGY BOSSES

A BOOST FOR SUPERANNUATION

UNION MEMBERS and their families welcomed July’s announcement that the Gillard Government plans to improve the protection of workers’ entitlements, and crack down on unscrupulous bosses.

“Too often we’ve witnessed dodgy bosses rip off their workers’ redundancy pay, superannuation and holiday leave when companies mysteriously go under for no foreseeable reason,” AWU National Secretary Paul Howes said.

“And too often, gallingly, we would witness the same people, seemingly unaff ected, back in operation, just weeks later, but with a diff erent brand name – while the workers and their families were left out of pocket.

“Our Union has campaigned for worker entitlement reform for several years. It has been a priority issue. Too many AWU members have been hurt by disappearing entitlements – or know someone in their family, or a neighbour who has been hurt by a company collapsed.

“Now the campaign has delivered results with the Federal Government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee,” Paul said. “The measures announced will mean almost all workers will receive redundancy payments in full when their employer goes out of business, and dodgy directors will be less able to rip off their workforce.”

Labor has shown that they understand the needs of working families who want to secure their jobs and their incomes. Tony Abbott’s record in the former Howard Government showed a callous disregard for the plight of workers who, through no fault of their own, are left out of pocket because of unethical behaviour by their employer.

The Fair Entitlements Guarantee will mean that 97 per cent of workers would receive their redundancy entitlements in full in cases where their employer went

out of business without having made provisions for entitlements.

“There is nothing worse than for a worker to lose their job, and then discover that their employer has not made provision for their entitlements to redundancy, superannuation and leave,” Paul said. “This is eff ectively theft from the pockets of workers, and unions have been leading campaigners for a better deal. This type of unethical corporate behaviour was again on display during the economic downturn, and it must stop.”

The Protecting Workers Entitlements package announced by the Labor Government will be welcomed whole-heartedly by workers and unions. It means that workers will receive a guarantee of full redundancy pay up to four weeks for every year of service, a vast improvement on the Howard Government’s GEERS scheme, which was capped at 16 weeks.

“Importantly, the government intends to crack down on the practice of phoenix companies, where directors shift assets to a new company to avoid their obligations. This must be backed by strong penalties for company directors who engage in such practices,” Paul said.

The Liberals could not be trusted with the job and income security of working Australians. They cannot be trusted on WorkChoices and the Liberals forfeited credibility with their opposition to the economic stimulus package that saved more than 200,000 jobs during the GFC.

AWU MEMBERS can expect to have bigger, better retirement savings if the Federal Government can get planned major changes passed by Parliament.

The Gillard Government has reacted strongly and positively to plans to improve the standard of retirement that working people can expect, after receiving two big reviews of our national taxation and superannuation policies. KEY CHANGES: The key changes they want to see

introduced are designed to help union members improve their retirement packages.� 9% to 12% Super Guarantee (SG)

contributions.� Employer pays Super Guarantee

until you are 75 years old.� An extra 15 per cent of your SG on

top of normal SG payments if you earn less than $37,000 (up to a maximum of $500).

� Government co-contribution to

continue at the current level for two years.

� $50,000 before-tax contribution limit for over 50s with less than $500,000 in super.

Many AWU members are already receiving over the legal minimum for their super accounts, thanks to union campaigns for better agreements, but some workplaces the guaranteed super paid by employers is still only the minimum 9 per cent. (continued next page)

FRONTLINE NEWS NATIONAL


NATIONAL NEWSFind out what YOUR union is doing for YOU…

ANZAC VICTORY FOR OFFSHORE WORKERSTHE AUSTRALIAN Workers’ Union has been instrumental in Kiwi offshore industry workers achieving pay parity with their Aussie comrades, thanks to the Union’s role in the Trans Tasman Oil and Gas Alliance.

A small group of oil riggers, who work off New Plymouth on the New Zealand coast, have just proved that you don’t have to move to Australia to earn Australian wages.

The alliance, which incorporates the Maritime Unions of Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand’s Engineering Printing Manufacturing Union and the AWU, struck the pay parity deal in May, giving NZ offshore workers pay parity with their Aussie workmates doing the same job on the same rig.

“It brings our wages up to the

same level as our Australian comrades,” said Swiss-born NZ rig worker Stefan Schwartz.

“So the ANZAC alliance is alive and well – and we’re all very happy with that.”

“Everyone’s doing the same job, they’re on the same page, they’re getting the same wage so in the workplace that’s how it should be anyway,” said Aussie rig worker Justin Hayes.

“This is a good news story,” say the Off shore Alliance Unions in Australia – the MUA and the AWU.

“It works at a number of levels by implementing our move to regionalise the Offshore Task Force in Asia Pacific; giving meaning to the ITF slogan of ‘Organising Globally’ and providing a model for other unions.”

UNION MEMBERSHIP ON THE GROW:

NEW DATAUNIONS across Australia are seeing the fastest growth in membership in more than two decades, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

A lift in union membership in the past two years shows working Australians are turning to unions to improve their pay and conditions. According to the new data, there has been a lift in union membership of more than 82,000 workers and the proportion of the workforce in unions has increased from 19 per cent to 20 per cent.

The data shows that 1.9 million Australians that are members of a union and that they earn, on average, $145 a week more than non-members.

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the new data was encouraging considering most of the Liberals’ WorkChoices IR laws were still in place when the ABS survey took place in August 2009.

“It shows working Australians are turning to unions to improve their living standards. They know that being an active member of a union and bargaining collectively is the best way to improve their wages and conditions,” he said. “There has always been a pay bonus for union members and this year’s ABS data shows an enormous 51 per cent increase in the union wage advantage. The average union member now earns $145 a week more than the average worker who is not in a union. Overall this is a great result for unions given the global fi nancial crisis.

“It shows the underlying strength of the economy and the success of unions in bargaining and campaigning for growth. And it is good to see the work of so many union organisers, offi cials and delegates starting to bear fruit,” Jeff said said.

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FRONTLINE NEWS QUEENSLAND

INTO THE BARGAINAWU DELEGATES in Queensland Health have already begun preparing for next year’s enterprise bargaining campaign.Delegates met July 20 and 21 with a plan to build on resounding success of last year’s eff orts and use the opportunity to show why they’re the strongest union in Queensland Health.

Last year, members executed more than 4000 work bans across Queensland Health’s facilities to fi ght off the introduction of front-line positions being contracted out.

The plan would have not only eroded working conditions, but compromised the eff ective control of infectious disease.

It wasn’t just its members that benefi ted from the AWU’s work, with members of other unions thanking the AWU for their tireless commitment and strength during the campaign.

Despite industrial action, patient health and was never compromised and the Union will continuein its pursuit of fair pay and conditions for workers and to keep hospitals running smoothly.

IN BRIEF

PM GILLARD VISITS QUEENSLAND BRANCH

DIRE STRAITA 24-HOUR STRIKE by Torres Strait health workers ended on June 11. However more industrial action is possible over a lack of relief staff and a payroll issue which has resulted in some workers not being paid correctly for three months.

As reported in the Torres News almost half of the 140 Indigenous workers took part in the action, comprising 42 on Thursday Island and 14 in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), joining those who’d already stopped work.

The strike led to an almost immediate conference with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission resulting in the workers returning to work straight away as a show of good faith.

Quoted in the Torres News, Chair of District Health Council Pedro Stephen acknowledged that “something must be seriously wrong if these Indigenous workers went on strike,” given that

AWU MEMBERS and supporters had an early chance to congratulate Australia’s fi rst female Prime Minister when she appeared at a function for former AWU Queensland Branch Senior Industrial Advocate and now Member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath MP.

Although the event was organised before she became PM, Julia still made good on her commitment to attend the function, to the delight of the more than 200 strong crowd.

Right: Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

THE AWU is preparing to lock horns with Queensland local councils amid expectations the Local Government Association of Queensland [LCAG] will soon launch a campaign aimed at slashing the conditions of council workers.

It’s anticipated that the LCAG will make their move when council employees’ three-year employment guarantee expires next year. This isn’t the

fi rst time the Union has sparred with the LCAG. The Union railed against WorkChoices in 2005 when other unions sided with the Association and told workers they’d be better off under WorkChoices.

And, in 2007, the AWU worked hard to ensure the entitlements of its members were protected during mass amalgamations.

The members, through steadfast solidarity, won both battles. And, as they face this new challenge, are ready to do it all again.

their action aff ects other Indigenous Australians and ongoing eff orts to ‘close the gap’.

NPA District CEO Christine Giles told the Torres News: “We are only aware of a small number of people who have not been paid. A number of others have not been paid correctly due to errors with information supplied or input into the system.”

“All issues involving payment in the region have been raised with the Cairns hub as soon as the District (was) made aware of the issues and the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Health District has been providing cash, bank payment or vouchers as required,” she said.

“Signifi cant progress has been made towards stabilising the new payroll system in the Torres Strait, however we realise there is still work to be done.”

The Commission has agreed to visit the Torres Strait and NPA and look into their concerns, including further talks with AWU Delegates.

THE THIRD STRIKE


FRONTLINE NEWS QUEENSLAND

QUEENSLAND NEWS

PLAN OF THE CENTURY


FOR AWU MEMBERS at MMG’s Century Mine, about 200km north-west of Mt Isa, years of planning have fi nally paid off . The mine, Australia’s largest producer of zinc concentrate, had always been a tough nut to crack for AWU offi cials in Mt Isa. Base metals were fi rst discovered in the region in 1869, with the fi rst mining lease being pegged in 1887 over what is now known as the Silver King vein deposit. The fi rst attempt to unionise the site occurred more than fi ve years ago, but up until this year it had remained un-unionised.

It took a few AWU members transferred from other mines in the region and a couple of staunch Union activists to make the diff erence, along with an initially softly, softly approach.

“There was no point standing at the front gate waving Union fl ags. Once we had a few people join up we exercised

our right of entry under the new laws, but only when we knew we had enough members on site to make a diff erence.” AWU Mt Isa Organiser Rob Carson said.

Once a critical mass of membership had been reached, AWU members at the site nominated the AWU as their bargaining representatives.

“We didn’t have to push for a majority support decision from Fair Work Australia. Once the company saw how many people had joined, they agreed to bargain with the AWU.” Rob said.

Thanks to the hard work of some dedicated unionists, the workers at Century Zinc Mine now have their employment conditions secured by a Union-negotiated agreement, with all the benefi ts that entails. As part of the new agreement, workers have gained a range of improvements, including a better payment system and $5000 for access to training.

The enormous Century Zinc Mine.

While our Union has argued that the minimum payments into our super savings should be 15 per cent we’ve welcomed, as an important fi rst step, the Federal Government’s move to increase that legal minimum to 12 per cent.

According to the Super Funds Association Chief Executive, Pauline Vamos, “for a person 30 today, earning $50,000 a year and with a current super account balance of $23,000, their lump sum on retirement will increase from $300,000 to $385,000 with the move to 12 per cent SG”. AustralianSuper, an ‘all profi ts to members’ industry fund to which many AWU members belong, working with Rice Warner Actuaries, have calculated that for a 35-year-old male with annual salary of $100,000 and $80,000 account balance, retiring at age 67, the retirement balance would increase by $96,207 as a result.

On top of these increases the Treasury Department has predicted that other changes to improve super industry effi ciencies could raise our retirement balance by an extra $40,000, on average. Workers could also be reunited with $13.6 billion in lost retirement savings, about $1000 a person, under the planned superannuation revolution.

A simple reform by the Gillard Government will see a worker’s tax fi le number matched to their super accounts. This would stop Australians losing track of their nest eggs when they switch jobs. The $13.6 billion in lost super equals about $1000 for every person in the system and that’s money that people have actually worked for, but they’re not going to retire on. Unfortunately, as it stands, many people will now retire without an adequate retirement income and be dependent on the Age Pension. If the Gillard Government can get the tick off for these changes then the bigger savings will allow all Australians to maintain quality of life in retirement.

For more information, visit www.australiansuper.com


FRONTLINE NEWS NSW

THE SAFETY of Forests NSW workers and the community at large is being threatened by cuts to bushfi re hazard reduction staff .

A recurring theme in the industrial landscape is the failure of employers to replace workers when they leave. Often, they are replaced by casual workers, a trend which has impact on workplace safety and job security. Forests NSW is no exception with the number of fi eld workers falling from around 450 a few years ago to 341 at last count.

Apart from increased workloads on the remaining workers, this also presents fi re safety risk to regional communities.

NSW NEWS

RISKY BUSINESS

FORESTRY WORKERS

BRANCH OUTMANY OF THE WORKERS whose jobs were threatened by the conversion of tracts of the state’s red gum forests to national parks have found employment with the new authority.

One of the fi nal acts of former NSW Premier Nathan Rees, saw the closure of a number of timber companies and AWU forestry members in danger of losing their livelihoods. The AWU successfully lobbied to have their Forests NSW members employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with the remainder staying with Forests NSW in meaningful and sustainable jobs.

AWU Greater NSW State Secretary Russ Collison described the result as a ‘good fi t’. “These workers have looked after the trees for years. Unfortunately, due to water shortages, many trees need to be ecologically thinned. Our members are best placed to identify how to best preserve the trees so generations will be able to marvel at the ecological diversity of the area,” he said. “We thank our members for their support and now welcome them as AWU National Parks members.”

REDUNDANCIES MANUFACTURING

CLAYTON’S PAY RISE FOR PARKS WORKERSNATIONAL PARKS workers are asking, “When is a pay increase not a pay increase?”The answer? When the employer follows a 4 per cent per annum rise with a requirement to decrease the total department wages bill by 1.5 per cent per annum.

The AWU is incensed that management is proposing to substantially decrease the 5 over 7 allowance and other benefi ts for fi eld workers.

The allowance was created and insisted upon by management to have fl exibility in rostering workers on any 5 days in a 7-day roster cycle thereby removing the need to pay weekend penalties.

The AWU does not accept that some 630 fi eld workers have to burden the majority of the wages cost savings of a department consisting of 1700 workers. The matter is before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for arbitration in September.

CHALLENGING economic times have resulted in numerous manufacturing businesses either closing or reducing their workforce.

Boeing (Bankstown) and Dana (Yennora) have announced that their plants will close over the next 12 months, with close to 500 skilled manufacturing jobs lost in western Sydney. Many businesses are reducing their workforce to survive the current economic times. “We have to be vigilant that companies do not cut their workforce too deeply. Economic activity is picking up and the Federal Labor Government’s stimulus package is working,” AWU Greater NSW State Secretary Russ Collison said. “We cannot allow businesses to focus on short-term cost-cutting and lose experienced workers who have the knowledge and expertise to build long-term stability and growth for the business.”

Forests NSW workers undertake hazard reduction work and fi re-fi ghting amongst their many duties. With more than 2 million hectares under management, Forests NSW is seeking to experiment with private contractors and increase the use of casuals. The Victorian Bushfi res Royal Commission recommends an expanded hazard reduction program which in NSW means a larger workforce that is experienced and well trained. The AWU is currently negotiating a new Award, demanding that minimum employment levels be established to protect safety concerns, enhance job security and the protection of regional communities.

DANCIES


THE PASSING of AWU Delegate Ian “Mylsey” Miles has saddened many in south-west Queensland, as they refl ect on a life of tremendous achievement. AWU South Western Queensland District Secretary Tracey Sharpe remembers a great mate.

It is with great sadness that I report that our AWU Delegate at the former Crows Nest Shire Council (now part of Toowoomba Regional Council) passed away on April 20, 2010.

Ian, or ‘Mylsey’ as he was known, had been a member of the AWU since 2000 and was an active Delegate for most of those years.

Mylsey played a huge part in the amalgamation process attending many meetings during this time and also was a great infl uence on the Enterprise Bargaining Committee.

Mylsey always stuck up for his fellow workmates and wasn’t afraid to meet with Management on a number of issues. He was a real ‘Union’ man.

Not only was Mylsey

involved heavily in Union activities, his personal life was full of achievement. Mylsey was an avid squash player and was a life member of the Crows Nest Squash Club always trying to get fellow workmates to join up.

He was also involved heavily in his children’s sporting teams taking on coaching duties for his son’s cricket team when he really didn’t know much about cricket. He was also a great fi sherman (so he thought) and a downright outdoors bloke.

Not only was Mylsey a wonderful person but a great mate, husband, dad and grandfather. Mylsey is survived by his wife Robyn, children Clynton and Kirsty, Tassy and Rochelle and his grandchildren, Tyson, Jordan and Dylan.

It was a great honour to be asked to be a member of the Guard of Honour at Mylsey’s funeral.

He will be remembered by all as a great bloke and my mate and will be loved forever and never forgotten.

PROUD UNION HERITAGE AT BACARDINETHE FORMER offi ce of the Australian Shearers’ Union, which later became the Australian Workers’ Union, will take pride of place at the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre.

The centre is located at Barcaldine, more than 1000 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, and houses 22 diff erent exhibitions.

In association with the recently competed Tree of Knowledge project (incorporating the original

Tree of Knowledge, which commemorates the strike by AWU shearers in 1891) the centre is a tourist drawcard for the Barcaldine region.

The Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre was opened on May 4, 1991. There is no other centre which celebrates the contribution made by workers in Australia.

The AWU Queensland Branch is proud to have assisted in adding to this wonderful part of our Union’s living history.

FRONTLINE NEWS QUEENSLAND/NEW SOUTH WALES

VALE IAN BRUCE MYLES(NOVEMBER 30 1951-APRIL 20, 2010) AGED 58

WORKERS AT THE COALFACETHE AWU has gone in to bat for coal workers who are being pushed out of the industry, unable to live on wages as low as $16 per hour.

Coal sampling and laboratory workers have entered into negotiations with SGS and ARCIL in a bid to secure better pay and conditions. The AWU’s Gladstone Organiser Tony Beers told the Gladstone Observer newspaper that these workers were the ‘silent victims of corporate greed’.

One coal sample worker quoted in the article said that

while he enjoyed his job, he wouldn’t be able to keep it up much longer. The unnamed source told the Gladstone Observer that he paid more than half his wages in rent and was falling further behind as living expenses increased.

“The industry in Gladstone is going ahead and everyone in the coal industry is making good money, and we’re on bad money,” he said.

According to Tony, companies are experiencing a turnover of staff in roles that are crucial to the industry.

“We’re on the cusp of another boom and people won’t be able to aff ord to stay in their homes,” Tony told the paper.

The iconic Tree of Knowledge.


FRONTLINE NEWS VICTORIA

THE RESULTS of a survey of Delegates and HSRs were released at the Annual General Meeting showing strong approval of the work the AWU Victorian Branch is doing for its reps.

“It was gratifying that 92 per cent of our Delegates felt supported by the AWU, and that 98 per cent of them knew their Organiser, but we can always do better,” AWU Victorian Branch Secretary Cesar Melhem said. “This year, the survey gave us more information about what our

Delegates and HSRs think of us.” The results were compared with

fi ndings from other unions, and the AWU scored better than others. Eighty per cent of respondents said the AWU was strong, and 88 per cent agreed the AWU was ‘there when you need them’.

“I think surveys are a guide to broad attitudes but nothing beats the chance to meet and discuss issues directly,” Cesar said.

Premier John Brumby, a proud member of the AWU, addressed the meeting saying there was “never room for complacenct” in the labour movement. He spelled out gains for workers in reforms to the state’s Accident Compensation Act, and its WorkHealth Program.

WORKERS at Springvale Cemetery are celebrating the results of a hard-fought campaign for better pay.

About 80 AWU members at the site who work in areas ranging from grave-digging and maintenance to gardening and funeral supervision, held rolling stoppages in May after negotiations stalled. Their solidarity resulted in pay increases of 13.5 per cent over the three years of a new Enterprise Agreement.

According to AWU Victoria Branch Secretary Cesar Melham, the two-day stoppage was a ‘tough decision’ for these dedicated workers.

“These are people who had been incredibly patient for a long time, and who take their roles very seriously. The decision to take action was not made lightly. This was obviously a very sensitive situation which was dealt with very well by our members,” Cesar said.

Throughout the dispute AWU members voted for action which would cause minimum disruption to the public. At the peak of the campaign there were no funerals cancelled, but only a restricted number were booked.

SURVEY RESULTS SHOW DELEGATES FEEL SUPPORTED

WIN FOR SPRINGVALE WORKERSConciliation before Fair Work

Australia continued during the dispute culminating in a recommendation from Commissioner Julius Roe for the 13.5 per cent increase.

“This was a very signifi cant dispute for many reasons, not the least of which was the demonstration it provided of Fair Work Australia’s ability to be an eff ective umpire,” Cesar said.

AWU Organiser Ben Davis said the Springvale workers emerged from the dispute with a renewed sense of the value of sticking together.

“This was the fi rst protracted industrial dispute in a Victorian cemetery in more than 20 years. It sends a blunt signal to the whole industry that AWU members will no longer settle for second-class wages and conditions,” Ben said.

“We really are stronger together,” he said. Membership at the cemetery has almost doubled over the past 12 months.

The AWU’s Victorian Branch was proud to be out in force to support theimportant cause of equal pay for women.

AT THE AWU Victorian Branch’s AGM, the focus was on the roles of Delegates and HSRs, with special presentations on agreement making, OHS and workers’ compensation.

Cesar told the meeting it was important to concentrate on the benefi ts of the Fair Work Act for workers in general, and Union members in particular.

“We need to take full advantage of what the legislation off ers us, and it is a vast improvement on what we had before. We must work to make sure that never again is there a WorkChoices in this country, which is exactly what Tony Abbott would want if he got into power,” Cesar said.

DOWN TO BUSINESS


FRONTLINE NEWS NEWCASTLE/VICTORIA

NEWCASTLE NEWS

VICTORIA NEWS

IF YOU’VE EVER TRIED to register a car, fi le a tax return, apply for a passport, or have ever collected Austudy or unemployment benefi ts, you’ll have glimpsed what it might be like to work for a government entity.For the AWU’s members in the RTA, Forests NSW, National Parks, the Department of Environment and Climate Change and other state government departments, unchecked bureaucracy is a grinding, daily reality of their working lives.

Along with the issues faced by so many workers across all industries, these workers carry the extra burden of a working landscape that is as frustrating and infl exible as it is spectacularly ineffi cient.

The AWU would like to extend their appreciation to these workers for their commitment to the Union and to the Offi cials of the Newcastle, Port Kembla and Greater NSW Branches who have been dealing with a number of major issues in this unwieldy sector. A special thanks goes to Steve Bali, Wayne Philips and Alan Bell for their persistence in tackling the problems of members in Forests NSW and National Parks and Wildlife.

THE JULY INTENSIVE has proven to be remarkably successful, with the AWU Newcastle Branch signing 120 new members in the fi rst week of that month alone.

The new members represent a continuation of the Branch’s already strong monthly growth, particularly in the areas of glass/aluminium, traffi c control, manufacturing, concrete products and ship repairs.

“This is fantastic and a credit to the Branch Offi cials. It is a pleasure to work with this team,” Newcastle Branch Secretary Richard Downie said.

“We have been maintaining a consistent approach to growth, month in month out, without losing sight of our existing members.”

The added stimulus of the July Intensive membership drive also showed how eff ective the National AWU framework was in pulling the branches together to achieve a common goal, he said.

NEWCASTLE JETS THE BATTLERS AGAINST BUREAUCRACY

NEW PM ANNOUNCED AT DELEGATES AGMTHE AWU VICTORIAN BRANCH annual general meeting of Delegates and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) was held on 24 June – the day Julia Gillard became Prime Minister.

The 400 Delegates and HSRs at the meeting were among the fi rst in the country to hear the news when AWU Victoria Branch Secretary Cesar Melhem announced at the start of the day that Ms Gillard would take offi ce that afternoon.

“It was defi nitely a moment in Australian history that many were excited

to share with each other,” Cesar said. Media descended looking for

comment on the events of the day from Cesar, and from AWU National Secretary Paul Howes who addressed the meeting.

AWU Victoria Branch President Dick Gray described the day as one of the ‘more memorable’ gatherings of Delegates and HSRs.

“It was obviously a very signifi cant day for all Australians, but it was also a meeting where we saw a real maturing of the relationship we have with workplace representatives,” Dick said.

“It was a chance to discuss a lot of issues in their broadest signifi cance, which includes the way government interacts with workers through unions and workplace legislation.”

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FRONTLINE NEWS SOUTH/WEST AUSTRALIA

IT IS 5AM. It is cold. Adelaide AWU offi cials are en route to the AMCOR Glassworks on the outskirts of the city to kick off their organising campaign.An enormous billboard was being delivered to sit outside the main gate to highlight to workers arriving at the AMCOR change of shift that the campaign was underway.

“The billboard looked great – it was lit up like a Christmas tree,” South Australia Branch Secretary Wayne Hanson said.

AMCOR has been making it very diffi cult for the AWU to access workers by preventing the Union from entering the lunch room on the premises to have conversations about joining the AWU.

“The company was sending a clear message to the workforce that the Union was not welcome. They allowed us to use a demountable offi ce which was in the line of sight of management – the message they

were sending was clear. They may as well have put big fl ashing warning signs on our heads,” Wayne said. “They’ve made it very diffi cult for us to get basic information about workers’ rights and union rights out to potential members. It’s no wonder the workers would feel uncomfortable approaching us in a demountable offi ce, with the keen eye of management around. So we decided to use alternative tactics. We decided it would be best if we target the workforce at the change of shift.”

The strategy was to use the billboard to gain the attention of the workforce as they approached the gate and then hand out fl yers highlighting their pay inequalities compared with other unionised sites.

“We wanted to drum up enough interest so that some of the workers would get back to us, contact the Union, join up and help us to organise AMCOR. What we

found was that as soon as the company caught on to what we were doing they sent someone down to monitor everyone driving through the gate. It is obviously intimidating for the workforce to feel they are being watched if and when they interact with us at the gates.” Wayne said.

Despite the company’s discouraging presence at the gates, The AWU persisted all throughout the week. At time of print, the AWU was two weeks into the campaign. By that stage, the Branch had made ground with some of the workforce contacting the Union and raising concerns about the site while also expressing their views about the intimidation they felt.

“We want to make sure that AMCOR realises that we aren’t going anywhere, we are going to maintain a presence on this site, and slowly but surely build power,” Wayne said.

EARLIER THIS YEAR the AWU WA Branch held a free community Fair Work seminar for the Kalgoorlie goldfi elds community.

The seminar was well received by the more than 50 people in attendance, with AWU National Secretary Paul Howes on hand to answer questions.

“As Western Australia prepares for a resources boom the new arrangements for workplaces will guarantee working people a fair say,” Paul said. “The new work laws will help workers concerned about harassment and unfair dismissal. Mining is a tough industry but the legislation introduced by Federal Parliament will ensure workers have a right to be represented, a right to have a say and a right to be in the Union.”

SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEWS

WEST AUSTRALIA NEWS

PERSISTENCE PREVAILS AS AWU BREACHES AMCOR

UNDERSTANDING FAIR WORKAWU West Australian Branch

Secretary Stephen Price said the Union’s Kalgoorlie offi ce is there to make sure the Fair Work Act delivers for the town’s workers. The AWU is the only union in the Kalgoorlie/Goldfi elds region to have an offi ce and full-time Offi cial on hand.

“As a response to that we decided to put on a community seminar about what the new Fair Work Act means. There is great potential for a positive relationship which ensures jobs stay in the region; we want to use these new laws to generate jobs and ensure fairness.”

With the overwhelming success of the event, the Branch will look at holding similar community forums throughout the state.


FRONTLINE NEWS VICTORIA

THE AWU VICTORIA BRANCH has joined forces with the AMWU to take landmark action against a company director to claim more than $2 million in entitlements for redundant workers.

The case is understood to be the fi rst to test provisions of the Fair Work Act under which directors can be sued personally when a company has gone broke without paying out entitlements.

The action is being taken against Forgecast Australia Pty Ltd’s sole director Ian Beynon and Ideal Pty Ltd, which is another company controlled by him.

The claim is that the workers were made redundant on November 26 last year, but were not paid what was due to them under their union agreements.

For AWU Delegate Carlos Rendich, who had been with the company for 34 years since arriving in Australia from

Chile, the case has been both stressful and fi nancially damaging. He is grateful for the union action.

“If you don’t have the support of the union, you don’t have anything,” Carlos said.

If the claim is successful it could set a precedent with far-reaching ramifi cations for retrieving worker entitlements when businesses fail. AWU Victorian Branch Secretary Cesar Melhem said unions were taking action because ASIC and other regulators had failed to do so.

“We are tired of seeing workers short-changed when companies go under. It is time that employers who fail to meet their legal obligations are held accountable,” Cesar said.

Up to 57 workers are alleged to be owed individual amounts ranging from around $6000 to almost $100,000.

HOLDING COMPANY DIRECTORS TO ACCOUNT

THE AWU HAS JOINED FORCES with WorkSafe Victoria to encourage members to take advantage of the WorkHealth program. WorkHealth is a world-fi rst aimed at improving the health and well-being of Victorian workers by giving them access to free, confi dential workplace check-ups.

It’s a convenient way for workers to

AWU members were solidly behind the action. Right: AWU Delegate at Forgecast Australia, Carlos Rendich.

THE IMPORTANCE of good Union Delegates and HSRs is highlighted by a case where vigilance identifi ed workers’ exposure to a carcinogen known as ‘green oil’.

The situation came to the attention of the AWU Victorian Branch when workers at Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd, which is no longer in operation, suspected some were being exposed to benzene during maintenance works. It was discovered that those working in the company’s ethylene section of its styrene plant during maintenance and turnarounds, were exposed to ‘green oil’ containing benzene and butadiene which are known human carcinogens.

AWU Victorian Branch HSR Support Offi cer Percy Pillai said the combined resources of HSRs and workers would always be vital to safety. “The Union believes that the best experts are always the workers doing the job.”

The company has issued workers with acknowledgement of their exposure to the substance. Testing has not, to date, identifi ed any illnesses.

AWU Victorian Branch Secretary Cesar Melhem said the case was one that all members could learn from. “The Union was able to go to the relevant experts and provide a measure of security for anyone who may suff er ill-eff ects in the future,” he said.

HSR’S SAVE THE DAY

fi nd out their risk of diabetes and heart disease, and to understand what they can do to reduce their prospects of chronic disease. AWU Victorian Secretary Cesar Melhem is urging all members to avail themselves of this opportunity. “It is easy to tell yourself you are too busy with work and family obligations to worry about your own health, but that is not good enough,” he said. “The thing that WorkHealth off ers takes away all the excuses.”

The check-ups take about 15 minutes, and give participants a

picture of the state of their health. There is a brief lifestyle survey

together with measurement of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and waist circumference. The results are given immediately along with information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

If you would like to know more about getting WorkHealth check-ups in your workplace ring Michael Stevenson at the AWU Victorian Branch on 1300 362 298.

HEALTHY WORKERS HAPPY WORKERS


FRONTLINE NEWS TASMANIA

REFORM FOR SAFER WORKPLACES

NEW CAMPAIGN ORGANISER FOR TASSIETHE AWU Tasmanian Branch has engaged a new Campaign Organiser to further boost Union membership.

Based in the state’s north, Monica Hinkley comes from a long-time mining family and brings enthusiasm and dedication to the role, as well as knowledge gleaned through her qualifi cations as an ACTU-trained organiser.

“We are very excited about Monica commencing her employment,” AWU Tasmanian Branch Secretary Ian Wakefi eld said. “It will mean we have more resources to focus on membership growth and Delegate structures. She is going to be a real asset to the Branch and having her posted in the north of Tasmania will really boost the AWU presence in that region,” Ian said.

ON JULY 15, the AWU Tasmanian Branch was advised that Barminco, the underground mining contractor engaged at Mount Lyle Coppermine in Queenstown, had lost its contract to a competitor.

The Union was advised that the new contractor would commence operations on October 1.

The AWU has responded proactively to address

issues related to termination of employment with the outgoing contractor and future employment conditions with Redpath, the oncoming contractor.

AWU Tasmanian Branch offi cials were joined by a South Australian Branch offi cial, to advise members of the Union’s view of employee entitlements as a consequence of the change of contract.

The Union has also actively pursued Redpath to negotiate conditions of employment and rates of pay that are no less favourable than those currently being applied by the outgoing contractor.

AWU Tasmanian Branch Secretary Ian Wakefi eld said the discussions with the incoming contractor have been positive and the Union believes it has addressed

the key concerns of employees regarding future employment arrangements.”

There are still a number of unresolved issues that remain with the outgoing contractor and the Union is currently pursuing these matters before Fair Work Australia.

“The Union will continue in its pursuit of employee entitlements for workers aff ected by the change in contract,” Ian said.

UNION BACKS QUEENSTOWN MINE WORKERS

REFORM has been undertaken in Tasmania to allow Union offi cials to perform the role of workplace inspectors to help improve safety at sites across the state.

Unlike many state jurisdictions, Tasmania has not traditionally had a capacity for unions to visit workplaces regarding health and safety matters. Tasmania fi rst began to review that situation three years ago, and the Tasmanian Government rolled out a trial of union offi cials performing part of the function of workplace inspectors.

“This is important legislative reform.” AWU Tasmania Branch Secretary Ian Wakefi eld said.

“For too long workplace health and safety has suff ered because unions

have not been able to access workplaces to look into the legitimate concerns.”

The AWU was one of two unions involved in the trial. At the end of the trial, discussions between the government, the AWU and the Tasmanian Minerals Council took place to develop a model which has since expanded to cover industry generally. Under the laws approved by Tasmanian parliament, union offi cials are now authorised to attend workplaces for the purpose of explaining workplace health and safety laws and assisting in resolving workplace health and safety concerns.

The new laws represent a substantial step forward for the Tasmania jurisdiction to come into line with other states and their arrangements.

TASMANIA NEWS

A big welcome to Monica.


FRONTLINE NEWS WEST AUSTRALIA

AWU Western Australian Branch Organisers and Delegates have been armed with new skills to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of the state’s resource industries.As part of the Branch’s annual training plan, WA Organisers participated in a two-day workshop focusing on enhancing industrial knowledge, communication and planning skills.

Jennifer Wilson, Outreach Offi cer from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, provided education and facilitated discussions among Organisers regarding immigration requirements and how they impact on workers.

“The workshop was an opportunity to discuss how recent government reforms to

ADAPTING TO RAPID CHANGE

DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THE NORTHWEST

THE AWU has gone into bat for hardworking Indigenous Australians who are being subjected to shabby treatment in Western Australia’s north-west.

When AWU member Kyra Bonney contacted AWU Western Australia Branch Assistant Secretary Paul Asplin, who is also a former

north-west Organiser, the Union vowed to fi ght for a result for Kyra and her co-workers, not because of membership, or to keep up appearances, but because it’s the right thing to do.

“A lot of unions beat their chests, but the core problems are still rampant,” Paul said, referring to the racism and abuse Indigenous workers experience.

“There are a lot of Aboriginal women in the mining sector,” said AWU Member, Kyra Bonney (pictured). “It’s not just in the typical areas like catering and cleaning as in the past, it’s in hard-rock mining, and its

driving and repairing multi-million dollar machinery,” she said.

Despite the growing number of Aboriginal females starting careers in the mining sector, many who have families and young children, receive some of the most horrendous treatment by their employers.

Many large WA mining companies are looking for skilled and dedicated Indigenous workers to fulfi ll commitments to local labour content provisions. However, with several cases brought to the attention of the AWU still being resolved, it is no wonder big mining

the temporary sponsored business 457 visa programs are assisting workers in the state,” Jennifer said.

The workshop provided Organisers with general information, including how to understand immigration terminology and quickly fi nd online information to assist overseas workers in understanding their rights.

The workshop also canvassed how the new immigration ‘training benchmark’ requirements stipulate that companies must demonstrate they are investing in training for Australian workers before being able to employ overseas workers using the 457 visa program.

“The Organisers valued the meeting with the Outreach Offi cer, it’s great to have

someone available to provide free advice to our members and Offi cials,” Western Australia Branch Growth and Campaigns Organiser Matt Dixon said.

The Branch is focusing on organising potential members in the Off shore Oil and Gas Industries, through the AWU-MUA Off shore Alliance.

The Branch will continue to work with the Outreach Offi cer to seek guidance on immigration requirements for this industry and extend this

expertise to our members and potential members.

“The support, information and education that Jennifer has been able to off er has been a valuable asset to members,” AWU Western Australia Branch Secretary Stephen Price said.

“Having support from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, only a phone call away, has proved to be a great resource,” Stephen said.

companies struggle to attract Indigenous workers.

“It’s great we have Kyra on board. We need young, enthusiastic people who are not only prepared to stand up and be counted, but who are willing to talk to other workers in the same position and encourage them to make a stand,” Paul said.

“Kyra is has been a wonderful representative of the Branch,” AWU Western Australian Branch Secretary Stephen Price said.

Kyra is now off the tools and studying an Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development, and working in Indigenous recruitment, but still retains her AWU membership.


I was one of not all that many AWU members at the start, but we’re heading towards 300 members now. I tell people they need to be in the Union and most of them listen. No use sitting around and complaining about things.

It’s much better to get your voice heard. I believe being in a union gives you freedom; freedom of speech is an important thing in this life, being able to say what you think and know someone is going to listen.

We’ve had some wins, quite a few


MEET THE DELEGATE

actually. We make sure the agreement is honoured. My attitude is that we have an agreement with Thiess Degremont and we’re sticking to it; you have to work to the document.

One of our early successes was getting some members reclassifi ed to a higher level. It’s great seeing people get what they deserve. We’ve also held out on company eff orts to get us working RDOs. The calendar is the calendar.

NAME: Tony Feeney JOB: AWU Delegate at Victoria’s water desalination plant AND… a family man who loves his kids, fi shing and the odd round of golf

Iworked in manufacturing for something like 16 years, only got into the construction industry about three years ago. I love it. I hated being shut up indoors; I love being

outside, moving around in the fresh air.I was brought up In Broula (NSW),

near Cowra. We were on a share-farm, probably explains why I like the outdoor life. I worked hard as a kid, helped Dad a lot. We had sheep, cattle, cut hay, all the usual. I probably spent too much time working when I should have been concentrating at school, which probably wasn’t the best idea.

I’ve always been a union member, ever since I started work. I think you have to be part of something to have any sort of power, to have any protection at all. I’ve been at the desal [Victoria’s desalination plant construction project] since it started last year. I started as a machinery operator, back-hoes, front-loaders, that sort of thing, but I was appointed the full-time AWU Delegate on the pipeline section on the fi rst day.

I hate to see injustice. I hate to see people too scared to open their mouths, which is another good thing about being in the Union.”Tony FeeneyAWU DELEGATE AT VICTORIA’S WATER DESALINATION PLANT

Another time we worked quietly to get some members back-paid a week in lieu when they transferred from a labour hire agreement. The fi rst thing they knew was when the money turned up in their bank accounts.

I hate to see injustice. I hate to see people too scared to open their mouths, which is another good thing about being in the Union. When you can’t say what you think it’s like being bullied. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere, and it’s really bad for safety.

Being a full-time shop steward can be stressful, at times it can be mind-numbing, but there’s real satisfaction in doing the job. It’s great when you get a good outcome, when the company is working with you.

Our Organiser is Kahu Tapara. I’ve worked with him before on jobs; known him for 20 years. The assistant shop steward is Joe Alaalatoa. We get along and work things out.

I would have to say I am learning a lot as a full-time Delegate. I see the way things happen behind the scenes, how things operate, what makes things happen.

I hope I have learnt a bit about strategic thinking and planning ahead. I feel fully supported by the AWU in this role. I’m in it for the long haul. I’ll do this job until they don’t want me anymore.

I have to live away from home on this job, but I get back to the family every weekend. I’ve got two kids, both teenagers and it is hard being away from them.

At weekends I watch the kids playing sport. In the good weather I might play golf, the rest of the time I like going fi shing when I can. Nothing beats fi shing.

The AWU has done the right thing by me, and I’m doing the right thing by other people by standing up for them. W


MEET THE OFFICIAL

I joined the AWU when I was working at Electrolux Home Products (washers and dryers division) in Adelaide. There were problems with harassment and

bullying and with WorkCover issues and the AWU was there to help. The role of Senior Delegate became available and I put my hand up for the job and got it. This was around 2003.

They also shut down two of the three plants they had in Adelaide and took them off shore after the buy-out of Email – typical multinational! So that meant a lot of input from the Union.

I became an offi cial after I took a redundancy from Electrolux and was off ered an OHS fi eld offi cer job with the AWU in Adelaide. Then a position became available for an Organiser based in Berri [South Australia] to cover the Riverland and Mallee area on the Murray. The main industries covered were horticulture, manufacturing and local government – that included juice-making plants, packing sheds,

all council workers, ferry operators, wineries and stonefruit processing.

I am an Organiser for the AWU in Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula which is now part of the South Australian Branch. This gives members greater access to our Adelaide offi ce for things such as WorkCover and any industrial issues that make their way to a Commission hearing.

Our main site here is OneSteel, which has a very active membership approaching 800 workers. I’ve been here about three months and it’s been pretty full-on with the mining tax issue and an incident at the blast furnace that caused a material supply shortage resulting in a six week shutdown.

The [mining] tax issue has been huge, with all the scare tactics and propaganda. We’ve been dealing with the fallout from all that, putting out a lot of information to members to fend off all the misinformation they have been getting.

I came here to Whyalla with my partner, Shirley and our baby daughter Chloe who’s three and a half. They are still settling in and Shirley will eventually work when she can. I also have a 16-year-old son, Angus, from a previous relationship. He’s in year 11 in Adelaide and I see him as often as I can as well as every second weekend. He will also come here during school holidays.

I love my sport and have played football, soccer and cricket at amateur level and I’m also an Adelaide Crows member. My son and I go to as many games as we can during the season and we also get to the odd Adelaide United game – time permitting – and love to watch the cricket when it gets to Adelaide Oval. I have also watched

NAME: Scott Martin JOB: Organiser AWU South Australian Branch AND… met the Glasgow Rangers when they stayed at his place

a fair bit of the World Cup on TV but missed most of the fi nal due to the early start.

I was born here in South Australia, to Scottish parents who migrated to Australia in the early ’60s. My dad, who, sadly, passed away last year, was a mad Glasgow Rangers fan due to some close friends playing for the team and I was lucky enough to meet the whole team in 1975 when they came back to our house after they played South Australia at Hindmarsh Stadium. I still have the pictures to prove it!

In what little spare time I have I like to spend time with my family and catch up with friends as well as support my local footy club (Para Hills) in Adelaide, who I’ve played for and coached the juniors. I fi rmly believe sport is a great way of teaching kids how to get along and communicate with others and teach them discipline and teamwork – something they can use in society for the rest of their lives. W

Our main site here is the OneSteel site, which has a very active membership approaching 800 workers.”Scott MartinORGANISER, AWU SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH


A sk those who have played it and they will tell you that rugby league would have to be the toughest gladiatorial

sport in the world.But for two of the hardest men the

modern game has seen – former Kiwi

SPORT & WORK

When Tony Adams tracked down rugby league legends Queensland Origin hooker Jason Hetherington and Kiwi Test captain Mark Graham – he found they’d switched league for

Union – the Australian Workers’ Union Photos: Newspix, Getty Images, Darryl Veach

Test captain Mark Graham and ex-Queensland State of Origin hooker Jason Hetherington – it also taught them valuable lessons about the workplace.

The two former stars are now AWU Delegates in Gladstone – fi ghting for their mates with the same passion they

showed when battling in rugby league trenches in their youth.

“Football is great in that it gives you discipline and the feeling that you have to work as part of a team,” explains Mark Graham, the Union rep for the clean-up crew at the Gladstone Port Authority.

UNIONFROM LEAGUE

TOTwo of Leagues “hard men”

Mark Graham (left) Jason Hetherington (right) are proud AWU members.

www.awu.net.au

AWU20_template.indd 23 4/12/2009 10:52:57 AM


SPORt & WORK

important that the Union reps have their fi nger on the pulse to do their job properly for their mates.”

Mark admits than when it comes to work, he is very much old school.

“In my generation you went to work and you sweated and you expected that,” he said. “Some of the young people who come through now, I am stunned by their view of work.”

Jason Hetherington played his football for the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney in the 1990s, when rugby league went through the biggest work change in its history.

The Super League war, a bitter battle between media barons Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer, saw players’ wages skyrocket.

Players went from being coalminers, teachers and electricians to fulltime professionals in the space of just a few months.

“When I fi rst came to Sydney, I worked for 12 months as a brickies labourer,” Jason, aged 41, recalls.

“I did that for 12 months and it was hard, combining it with footy and training. Then the club got me a job on the council and I felt like I was cruising.

“Fulltime professionalism came in a few years later but it’s not as easy as some people think. In fact, looking back, it was probably the hardest time of my life – even though I enjoyed every minute of it,” Jason says.

“The bar was raised as far as training – you’d go into a session not knowing if you would fi nish it successfully or end up fainting or spewing your guts out.”

A great team man in his day, Jason enjoys the bond unionism also brings.

“It is a good feeling – the Union always lets you know what’s going on and listens if you have a problem,” he says.

“They encourage us to work things out with the company and the bosses do their part too – without them we wouldn’t have a job.”

Jason, who works as an operator at the Gladstone Ports Corporation’s coal

operations, believes people who played organised sport in their youth make for excellent comrades in the workplace.

“If I was employing people, it would impress me that they had a football background,” he says.

“To me, it shows they are reliable and know the importance of not letting their mates down. They would have spent many years getting up early, doing a job and sticking to a set routine – even though it hurt at times.

“I am a fi rm believer that football teaches you great life skills.” W

Mark Graham cuts through way back in 1986.

Mark Graham

I talk to the guys I work

with and make sure they are

happy and give me feedback. It’s important that the Union reps have their

fi nger on the pulse to do their job properly for

their mates”


SPORT & WORK

“It makes you realise that you can achieve little by yourself – you have to put in with your mates to achieve a common goal.

“You have to stay together as one and it’s amazing what you can achieve when you do.”

Graham says a hard lesson learned in his days as coach of the New Zealand Warriors a decade ago taught him the importance of unionism.

“A new group came in and bought the team off the previous Maori owners,” explains Graham, now a fi t 55.

“They said the fi rst thing they were going to do was slash the players’ pay by 50 per cent. There were guys on $200,000 a year but as you do, they had committed that money and would do it hard having it halved.

“So I got all the players together and we agreed we would stick together and refuse to sign any of these new contracts until we contacted the players’ union and negotiated with the new owners.

“Within 24 hours, one of our highest-profi le players called me and said he’d caved in – that he’d signed with the new mob.

“This greatly reduced our bargaining power and eventually the players had to accept the lesser contracts.

It is a good feeling – the Union always lets you know what’s going

on and listens if you have a

problem. They encourage

us to work things out with the

company”

“I went berserk when this guy told me what he’d done. I said he was lucky he wasn’t in front of me then and there!

“In Australia he would have been burned at the stake for that but in New Zealand he got away with it. I gave him a real blast though – this was our one chance to show what we were made of, to stick together, and he caved in,” Mark says.

“That made me realise the importance of union solidarity and it has helped me in my work up here.

“I talk to the guys I work with and make sure they are happy and give me feedback – good and bad. It’s

Jason and Mark, with AWU Organiser Tony Beers, out on the road spreading the message about workers’ rights.

Jason Hetherington in action during a State of Origin match against NSW in 1999.


Jason Hetherington


FAMILY TIME

LIFECYCLE

Cycling is a great way to exercise, and it gets you to parts of a region you might not otherwise see. Jayne D’Arcy says that cycling can make a cheap family holiday activity,

especially if you’re visiting from out of town Photos: Tourism Australia, Photo Library, Getty Images.

P erched on the coast, the South Australian city of Whyalla thinks of itself as “where the outback meets the sea” and,

indeed, it does! The 12km Freycinet Heritage Trail follows the coast and the best bit is that it is well sign-posted along the way with fascinating explanations of Aboriginal history, European exploration and settlement, and descriptions of the area’s fl aura and fauna.� www.whyalla.com

If breathtaking Pacific Ocean views from the NSW South Coast capture your imagination, then the

Thirroul to Wollongong bike track won’t disappoint! If you think it a little arduous for kids – around 16km – you don’t have to do all of it. The track starts near Thirroul station and follows the coast to Wollongong. There are cafes and public parks with amenities along the way. � www.tourismwollongong.com

Whyalla Wollongong


FAMILY TIME

Cycling is a fun family activity, but extra care

must be taken when cycling with kids.

Remember – SAFETY FIRST!

SAFE CYCLING Australian cyclists are required by law to wear a bike helmet when cycling (Australia was actually the fi rst country in the world to make helmets compulsory). Fines can be hefty (in Victoria, for instance, the fi ne is $146) so BYO Australian Standards-approved helmet, or buy one at your destination – they can be as cheap as $12 in chain stores.

FAMILY FITNESSIf your family’s new to cycling, aim for two to four hours per week of cycling before heading off on a

long bike ride. Apart from getting out into the fresh air, cycling is a fun way to exercise. It’s low impact and

gives major muscle groups a good workout. But remember – it’s all about safety fi rst. When you’re

cycling with the kids, ensure that they fully know all of the cycling rules and choose an off -road bike trail that

avoids traffi c. Enjoy cycling, but enjoy it safely!

REMEMBER: ✔ WEAR A HELMET Make yourself as visible as possible with brightly coloured and refl ective clothing

✔ GIVE WAY TO PEDESTRIANSUse hand signals when turning or changing lanesUse your bell or horn when approaching drivers or pedestrians ✔ USE FRONT & REAR LIGHTS even during the day, as well as at night

✔ TRY TO STICK TO LESS-used roads and bike paths ✔ FOLLOW THE SAME RULES as drivers when on the road. AND TAKE EXTRA CARE!

FAMILY TIME


Use a credit card at one of 50 bike stations around the CBD to buy a weekly ticket ($8). Pick up a bike in the CBD, cycle out to Melbourne Zoo, return the bike to the zoo’s bike station, check out the animals and grab another bike to get back to the CBD. It’s BYO helmet, and only two bikes can be hired per credit card, so a family will need a second credit card. And there’s the picturesque Bay Trail, which starts at Port Melbourne and runs to Frankston. � www.melbournebikeshare.com.au

Tassie’s capital has Mount Wellington gazing over it, and mountain bikes are welcome in Wellington Park. There’s a particularly popular family track between Fern Tree and Neika and just out of town is the purpose-built Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park for the more adventurous. � www.wellingtonpark.org.au

Melbourne

Hobart

Kings Park, west of Perth’s CBD, is huge – and makes a rather long walk, but get on your bike and it’s much easier to circumnavigate. There are kids’ playgrounds to stop at along the way, a Botanic Park to walk your bike through and ‘steep inclines’ are well marked on the map, so can be avoided or turned into a challenge. The WA Department of Transport has a very detailed map: ‘Perth and Kings Park by Bike’. � www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling

It’s been 10 years, so the 2000 Olympics may be a vague and distant memory, but the bikepaths around the area give you a new perspective on the site. The hardy can do all three tracks around and through Olympic Park (Parklands, Olympic and River Heritage Circuits), while families can get started on the short children’s loop. There’s bike hire at Bicentennial Park, and clear maps are available. � sydneyolympicpark.com.au

With free bikes and helmets available through Adelaide City Bikes, Adelaide is an ideal city to get peddling. The River Torrens Linear Park Trail takes you along Adelaide’s main river, which is close to the Adelaide Zoo and Botanic Garden.Try the Henley Beach to Glenelg Foreshore Bike Path. � www.sa.gov.au and www.bikesa.asn.au

With 500 km of dedicated bikeways across the city, you can pick and choose in Brizzy. A popular river trail is the Bicentennial Bikeway, and it’s now linked with the brand new Go Between Bridge which has a dedicated cyclists’ lane and links the Bicentennial Bikeway with South Bank. � www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Perth Sydney

AdelaideBrisbane


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?


A saucy scene!

Dorrie & Herb Evans

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No.

Bev Houghton

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

CHARACTER: Lucy Sutcliff e, laundry worker

I n a surprising career change, this original cast member

swapped the role of Lucy, a hard-working laundry lady with a layabout husband, for state politics. After being written out of the show in 1975, Elisabeth continued working on TV in shows such as Glenview High and Homicide. By the 1980s, she was drawn to politics and carved out a distinguished career with the Australian Democrats. She was elected to the New South Wales legislative council in 1981 and later became state leader of the party. Upon her retirement in 1998, the English-born actress became the party’s longest serving member of Parliament. Elisabeth had also been a member of the New South Wales Judicial Commission, the international Alliance of Women, the Women’s Electoral Lobby and Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom,Since leaving state politics, she’s worked as a councillor in Temora, where she also resides on a sheep and wheat farm. In 2009, Elisabeth added her commentary to the Number 96 DVD release.

CHARACTER: Herbert Evans, hen-pecked hubby, scallywag

As Herb, the hen-pecked hubby of Dorrie Evans, Ron

drew on his roots as a circus and vaudeville performer. When Number 96 became a little white dot in 1977, Ron appeared in some of Australia’s best loved shows, including Benny Hill Downunder, The Young Doctors, A Country Practice, GP, and several episodes of Prisoner. He also portrayed Bumper Reilly in the TV mini-series Poor Man’s Orange. Ron kept up his circus skills and performed acrobatics right up to his fi nal curtain call in 1993.

with a bomb blast storyline, Johnny followed many of his cast-mates into soaps including Neighbours, E Street and A Country Practice. He also had a long-running role in Cop Shop. More recently, he was cast in fi lms Moulin Rouge and The Rage in Placid Lake. ACTOR: SHEILA KENNELLYCHARACTER: NORMA WHITTAKER Fans of Home and Away and All Saints will have spotted Sheila as recently as 2008. Flamin’ heck, she appeared in nearly 80 episodes of H&A over the past 20 years. She lives in the Hunter Valley north of Sydney where she tends to her hobby farm.ACTOR: CHARD HAYWARDCHARACTER: DUDLEY BUTTERFIELD Chard, a former actuary, was something of an entrepreneur. He hosted his own variety show and cut a record for RCA. He took Aerobics Oz Style to the world and distributed videos and computer software. He moved to the US after scoring a role in The Thorn Birds and went on to appear in Babylon 5, Days of Our Lives and Lost. He lives in Ventura, California and has added property developer to his list of credits.

Elisabeth Kirkby

Ron Shand

Clockwise from top: Arnold Feather (Jeff Kevin) in fancy dress; Vera Collins (Elaine Lee); the building that was Number 96; Alf and Lucy Sutcliff e (James Elliott and Elisabeth Kirkby.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

CHARACTER: Bev Houghton, sexy and glamorous daughter of a socialite

F ollowing her shock exit (twice) from the show

Abigail (full name Abigail Rogan) fl irted with a music career recording the French classic Je t’aime which hit the charts in 1973. Roles in Young Doctors and the movie Alvin Purple followed and she remained a regular face on various TV shows also working on the stage and in musical theatre. She then retired from the industry and lived on a banana plantation in Queensland, before returning to the limelight in the mid-80s as Caroline Morrell on Sons and Daughters. This role showcased her acting talents proving that she was perhaps more than just a pretty face. Abigail also appeared on 1990s soap Chances playing sex therapist Bambi Chute. In 2009, a now-married Abigail spoke with TV show ACA about how she’d lost 17kgs. She said: “I’ve never thought that women should look like stick insects. They should be curvaceous.”

CHARACTER: Dorrie Evans, “consurge' and gossip

P at’s turn as the show’s resident interfering old

biddy and self-appointed concierge saw her become one of Australia’s most popular TV stars. She won several Best Actress Logies and, in 1974, a Gold for Most Popular Female Personality. During the ’70s her live-in relationship with Number 96 co-star Bunney Brooke was the subject of numerous magazine and newspaper articles. While the nature of their relationship was never explicitly revealed, the couple openly spoke of their life together. In the ’80s, Pat featured as the sage former working girl Fiona Thompson in Grundy’s Sons and Daughters. In 1989, for that year’s Logie Awards show, Pat

and several other female Gold Logie winners including Jeanne Little, Denise ‘Ding-Dong’ Drysdale, Lorrae Desmond and Rowena Wallace, performed in a production number called Golden Girls.

This was to be her fi nal TV appearance. She died of cancer the following year.

CHARACTER: Don Finlayson, gay lawyer

J oe went into the show as a NIDA-trained actor and

it’s the performance arts where the Lebanon-born, Aussie raised actor has remained. He continued to work on TV after Number 96’s demise on The Young Doctors and Cabaret and with the Sydney Theatre company. Theatre was his fi rst love and in 1984 he moved to Malaysia with his wife the respected Malaysian theatre actress Faridah Merican. There they became strong advocates for the Arts setting up programs for budding actors, directors and playwrights. Now 62, Joe has formed a successful TV production house that made many TV commercials in Malaysia.Last year, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for Service to the performing arts.

ACTOR: CHANTAL CONTOURICHARACTER: TRACEY WILSON In the 1990s she worked in Hollywood on TV soap General Hospital but in recent years Chantal ran her family restaurant in Adelaide. She recently returned to acting in movies Birthday and Lonesdale. ACTOR: JEFF KEVIN CHARACTER: ARNOLD FEATHER After gaining a Master of Creative Arts in 1990 became a drama lecturer at Wollongong University. He retired in 2003. ACTOR: BUNNEY BROOKECHARACTER: FLO PATTERSON Bunney continued acting, with roles in The Young Doctors and The Restless Years and a number of mini-series, telemovies and features including Dawn, a biopic of swimming legend Dawn Fraser. She worked as a casting agent for Crawford Productions, and continued to perform well into her 70s. She died of cancer in 2000, aged 79. Nearly a decade later, her Silver Logie was sold on ebay for $2225.ACTOR: JOHNNY LOCKWOODCHARACTER: ALDO GODOLFUS When his character was killed off when Number 96 crumbled

OtherOther

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Joe Hasham

Pat MacDonald

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LET’S EAT!

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Prep time 5 minsNutritional count per serving 9.5g total fat (3.2g saturated fat); 1379kJ (330 cal); 40.4g carbohydrate; 17.1g protein; 6.1g fi bre

2 hard-boiled eggs, halved2 tbsp low-fat ricotta cheese2 tbsp fi nely chopped fresh chives4 slices rye bread (180g)

1. Place egg, cheese and chives in medium bowl; using back of fork, crush until combined. 2. Sandwich egg mixture between bread slices. Cut as desired to serve.

Prep + cook time 10 mins Nutritional count per serving 4.7gtotal fat (2.3g saturated fat); 886kJ (212 cal); 24.1g carbohydrate; 16.1g protein; 3.7g fi bre

2 small zucchini (180g)¼ cup (60g) low-fat ricotta cheese3 rye mountain bread wraps (90g)75g shaved ham

1. Preheat sandwich press. 2. Slice zucchini lengthways into ribbons using a vegetable peeler. 3. Divide cheese among wraps; top with zucchini, and ham. Roll to enclose.4. Toast wraps in sandwich press about 3 minutes.5. Cut in half to serve.

Roast beef and coleslaw on rye

Salmon rissoles

Egg and chivesandwich

Ricotta, zucchini and ham wrap

Prep time 10 mins Nutritional count per serving 9.8gtotal fat (2.6g saturated fat); 1731kJ (415 cal); 51.1g carbohydrate; 25g protein; 9.7g fi bre

1 tbsp horseradish cream4 slices rare roast beef (120g)4 slices rye bread (180g)150g prepared coleslaw

1. Sandwich horseradish cream, beef and coleslaw between bread slices. 2. Cut as desired to serve.

Prep + cook time 30 mins serves 4Nutritional count per serving 28.2g total fat (7.2g saturated fat); 1555kJ (372 cal); 6.4g carbohydrate; 23.4g protein; 0.7g fi bre

2 cups (185g) instant mash (see note)415g can red salmon, drained, fl aked½ cup (40g) fi nely grated parmesan cheese¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil

1. Combine instant mash and 2 cups boiling water in large heatproof bowl.2. Add salmon and cheese to potato mixture; shape into eight patties. Place patties on tray; refrigerate 10 minutes.3. Heat oil in large frying pan; cook patties, in batches, until browned lightly and heated through.

TIP You can use left over mashed potato instead of instant mash, if preferred.

You’ll fi nd a host of quick

and easy recipes in the Australian

Women’s Weekly cook book Just Four

Ingredient Fast.

JUST FOUR INGREDIENTS

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LET’S EAT!

HOMEaway& Forget greasy fast food. We’ve got some work lunch ideas that

are deliciously quick and easy – and use no more than four ingredients. So pack a lunchbox and dig in!


Lamb pockets with baba ghanoush and rocket

Prep + cook time 15 mins Serves 8Nutritional count per serving 6.9g total fat (2.4g saturated fat); 974kJ (233 cal); 23.8g carbohydrate; 17.6g protein; 2.1g fi bre

500g lamb backstrap (see note)4 oval pocket pitta breads (340g) 250g baba ghanoush50g baby rocket leaves

1. Cook lamb in heated, oiled large frying pan over high heat until cooked as desired. Cover lamb; stand 10 minutes then slice lamb thinly.2. Spread inside of the pittas breads with baba ghanoush; fi ll with sliced lamb and rocket.

TIP You can skip step one by using left-over roast lamb, if preferred.

INDUSTRY FOCUS


Bindi & Ringer have a friend and it’s his birthday. What’s so special about this friend? Well, he’s only ever awake at night! Because it’s dark and Bindi & Ringer aren’t allowed out at night on their own, their Aunty and Uncle – Kiama the Kangaroo and Eureka the Echidna are taking them to say Happy Birthday to their friend. Join the dots and fi nd out who is the birthday boy, then colour in the picture!

BINDI AND RINGERSolution: The birthday boy is Paringi the Platypus. The platypus is what is known as

a “nocturnal” animal and that means they sleep in the day and are active at night.

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GRUMPY BASTARD

On the road, you can guarantee the eejit pushing in ahead of you will be in either a 4WD or a BMW. (Those slum-dwellers

in Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, are saints by comparison – they’re too worried about your inability to pay for any repairs to their ego extenders.)

But those idiots in the 4x4s genuinely believe the on-road price of their Personal Panzers actually included the road.

Like the driver of the wannabe tank who hared up my inside only to be stopped in his tracks by a pesky parked car. Schumacher never has to deal with those, eh?

OUTRAGE! Kevin Airs doesn’t want to be obnoxious or cause a

stoush, but – oh, wait a minute…. he’s Grumpy Bastard. Of course he’s going to be obnoxious and cause a

stoush. And you, wanker, are NOT going to cut in on him!

Without even hesitating (or indicating), he immediately tried to pull into my lane, but there was genuinely no room for us both.

I dropped the anchors – just delaying enough to ensure there really wasn’t enough room – and there we were In the middle of the road. In peak hour. At traffi c lights. A gas-guzzling bugger-global-warming Panzer tank and a small, inoff ensive and as-environmentally-friendly-as-possible-at-this-stage car. Stuck in a stand-off .

I couldn’t go forward – but neither could he. So he did what 4x4s always do – tried to push the issue. He threw

down the gauntlet and revved his engine – so it was time to roll my window down…

“Are you trying to hit me?” I enquired with just a dash of sarcasm. There may have been a few other words which I’ve forgotten, but I’m sure they were respectful because I’m widely known for keeping my temper... sometimes.

“Well, you know what to do to avoid that, don’t you? Don’t be an arsehole,” was his reply. And that’s when I lost it.

Just to recap, I’m driving along happily when this ringpiece tries to ram me out of my lane so he can get in front of me without waiting – and then tries to blame ME for not getting out of HIS way.

See, that’s the killer thing about bargearses who push in. If you speak up or point out their mindless arrogance, they’ll try to make you feel like it’s your fault, that you’re the one with the “issues”.

Newsfl ash, wanker. I don’t care. You’re not more important than me. I’m in just as much of a rush. There is no reason why I should follow the rules and you shouldn’t.

Well, there is one reason – it’s the by-product of generations of self-indulgence that dates back to the ‘60s when everyone started getting told THEY were the most important person in the world.

Now, unless your name includes words like Dali, Obama, Gillard, Union, or Airs, I can guarantee you’ve been badly misinformed!

From the 4WD-Wankers to the crowd at the bar to the line at the supermarket, we’re surrounded by rats-in-the-ranks who will sneak their way in and to hell with the rest of us.

You might not be able to do too much on the road apart from give a blast of the horn (fi ve straight minutes usually gets the message across) But if someone creeps into a line in front of you, it does mean their back is turned…which opens the door to a world of creative pay-back possibilities. I’m thinking having a stack of fl uoro stickers printed saying one simple word – Wanker. So form a line to purchase some… no pushing in now…

IT’S AN

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Documents

The Australian Worker Magazine Issue 2 2010