Poll
The union is advocating that mining companies should have to prove there is no reasonable alternative before being allowed to fly in transient workforces. Have your say, do you agree?
Total votes: 68
Defend Democracy in Queensland
The LNP Government has introduced unprecedented and extreme legislation to restrict your right to have your voice heard on issues that affect you. Worse still, the laws will prevent organisations - that you chose to join - from speaking out on behalf of the community about important issues such as safety, pay and conditions and essential services.
Stand up to Save Your Say and defend democracy in Queensland. Visit the website:
In the News
ABC Darwin - 20.6.13 - by Clare Rawlinson
Paspaley demolition halts after asbestos concern
Works at the old Paspaley building in Darwin's CBD came to a sudden halt yesterday when unions raised concerns about asbestos sheets on the site. The demolition works, in the heart of Darwin's Smith St mall, have caused dust to spread to neighbouring cafes and clothing stores cover recent weeks, with vendors complaining of the noise and mess.
CFMEU QLD/NT Branch Assistant Secretary, Jade Ingham, said workers at the site had come to the union with conerns about what looked like asbestos. "They are all killers - it's not only a risk to workers on the site but it's a risk to people who are passing by the site," he said. Mr Ingham said he attended the site again this morning and found many samples of potential asbestos material. click here to read full story.
Story Source - 19.6.13 - CFMEU Mining & Energy News
Alarming results from FIFO/DIDO study
The rapid growth of FIFO (Fly in, Fly Out) and DIDO (Drive in, Drive Out) in Australian mining continues to throw up major problems for the workers, families and communities caught up in it. Lifeline WA, a charity devoted to suicide prevention and counselling, has released a study on the mental health of mineworkers who travel very long distances to work and live on site for extended periods. While the study was partly funded by industry and is sympathetic to the needs of the mining industry, it still shows some pretty alarming results.
• About 36% of FIFO workers were likely to have, or have recently experienced, a mental health problem, significantly higher than the general population
• FIFO workers report a high level of "not being in control" with both their working time and their time in the FIFO camps being highly supervised or regulated
• FIFO workers have higher divorce rates than the general population
• Most new FIFO workers had very little understanding of just how tough FIFO work would be before they commenced the job.
• 25% of FIFO workers say that their industry does not have access to unions as a support option – pointing to a situation where many mine sites seek to exclude any possibility of union representation. Click here to read full story and view full report.
Media Release - 4.6.13 Queensland Council of Unions
Queenslanders' rejection of privatisation exposes Newman government's lack of a budget plan
The Queensland public's rejection of LNP privatisation plans has exposed the Newman government's lack of an alternative plan for the state budget. Queensland Council of Unions President John Battams said that the LNP had been denied their plan to sell off assets to rescue their state budget. Research consistently shows that more than 80% of Queenslanders do not support privatisation and outsourcing. click here to read full story
Media Release - 28.5.13 CFMEU National Office
SAMHRI project sends furniture contract offshore
The major loose furniture contract for the $200 million Federal and State Government funded South Australian Medical Health and Research Institue in Adelaide's CBD has reportedly been awarded to an offshore furniture manufacturer, despite local companies tendering for the work. The CFMEU said the news highlighted the need for government action to ensure taxpayer-funded projects used Australian made products wherever possible, maximising the benefits for the local economy. The union has received complaints from several manufacturers in South Australia who unsuccessfully tendered to supply hundreds of workstations and chairs for the SAMHRI project. click here to read full story
Larry Pines Ad
Where'd the Aussie workers go? Mining CEO Larry Pines says he can't find any Australian workers to fill positions, forcing him to hire foreign workers on 457 visas for low wages and no job security.
Find out more about Larry's 457 dilemma and email your MP to tell them you want more apprenticeships to train Aussie workers and less 457 workers from overseas:http://