Women in male-dominated industries: A toolkit of strategies
Today the Australian Human Rights Commission has released Women in male-dominated industries: A toolkit of strategies.
The underrepresentation of women in industries considered to be male-dominated – mining, utilities and construction – is an issue that is not only undermining gender equality in Australia, but is having negative effects on industry performance and our economy. The Commission’s Toolkit was been developed to help address this problem.
Watchdog's strength not watered down
CFMEU response to Jamie Briggs MP for Mayo
Jamie Briggs's opinion piece (‘Building Unions need to be reined in’ AFR May 14) contained factual errors that are continuously repeated by those on the conservative side of politics and which seem to go unchallenged by those that publish them.
His assertion that the Australian Building and Construction Commission powers have been ‘watered down’ is untrue. The Fair Work Building Commission has all the powers that the ABCC had and it is also untrue that the abolition of the ABCC has contributed to more industrial disputes.
Read more of Dave Noonan's Letter to the Australian Financial Review.
457 Visa report by Migration Council misses the point
A new Migration Council Report on the 457 visa program completely missed the key point about the controversial visa, according to the CFMEU.
The report titled “More than temporary: Australia’s 457 visa program” was funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) – the same government agency responsible for administering the 457 visa program.
“The key problem with the 457 visa program is that employers currently have no obligation to try and find Australian workers first – let alone employ them – before 457 visas are granted for temporary foreign workers”, said Dave Noonan National Secretary CFMEU Construction and General Division.
“But the Migration Council report fails to investigate seriously this critical issue, namely the extent to which employers have passed over suitable Australian workers and employed 457 visa workers.
Singleton camp: high-level roundtable urges action on FIFO in NSW
A meeting of Hunter community leaders has called for government action to address the growing use of Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) workers in NSW’s mining industry.
The roundtable including mayors, federal politicians, union and community representatives from across the political spectrum heard about the social and economic impacts of non-resident workers’ camps and FIFO work practices on mining communities.
The MAC Group has lodged a proposal with Singleton Council for a non-resident workers’ camp with a capacity to house 3,000 FIFO workers on the outskirts of Singleton.
May Day Marches & Festivities this weekend
Australian trade unionists and their families will gather across the nation this weekend to mark the traditional International Workers May Day, in celebrations that are planned to be bigger than ever.
Check out the list of activities in capital cities and regional centres below and join the fun.
Tickets for DUST selling fast ...
Tickets for the Hubcap Productions show, DUST, are selling out fast. The opening night performance on Friday May 3 at the Queen's Theatre, Playhouse Lane, Adelaide has already sold out, and there's big demand for other performances on Saturday (2pm & 7.30pm) and Sunday (2pm).
Promoted as 'A roving performance, incorporating side shows, rock 'n rock, film and a vortex of dust', and featuring Mark Seymour (Hunters & Collectors) and a choir of 50 voices, DUST uses theatre, music and film to take audiences on an inspirational journey into the lives of those affected by asbestos related disease and illness.
To book tickets visit: http://www.trybooking.com/42617
Rally for Safety on Grocon sites
Victorian construction workers will rally in Melbourne tomorrow Tuesday, April 30 from 10.00am in support of safety on Grocon's construction sites.
The march begins at Trades Hall in Victoria Street, and will proceed to the Swanston Street site of last month's tragedy for a minute's silence as a sign of respect.
It will then head to Grocon's Emporium site where a crane operator was killed earlier this year for another minute's silence before moving on to WorkSafe Head Offices in Exhibition Street.
Download RALLY route. Read John Setka's Message about the Rally: The community deserves answers.
International Workers' Memorial Day Events Australia
International Workers' Memorial Day Commemorations are being held in all capital cities in Australia this year. CFMEU members are encouraged to participate.
Details available of these events are as follows:
ACT Sunday April 28, 10.45 for 11.00am - unveiling & dedication of the National Workers Memorial, Wendouree Drive, Canberra (opposite the Carillion, Lake Burley Griffin) More info
NSW Sunday April 28 at 12 noon - Reflection Park, Little Pier St, Sydney
QLD Wednesday April 24 at 10.00am Emma Miller Park, Roma St Forum, Brisbane
SA Sunday April 28 from 3.30pm - Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders St, Adelaide More info
TAS Sunday April 28 at 11.00am - Parliament House Lawns, Hobart More info
VIC Monday April 29 at 10.30am - Remembrance Rock corner of Victoria & Lygon Sts. Melbourne
WA Monday April 29 at 10.30am - Solidarity Park, Harvest Terrace, West Perth.
62% of Central Queenslanders oppose 457 visa and related schemes
90% reject suggestion that opposing such schemes makes you ‘racist’
A clear majority of Queenslanders in the electorates of Capricornia and Flynn are opposed to the 457 visa scheme and other schemes that allow employers to bring in temporary workers from overseas, according to a new poll conducted by UMR Research and commissioned by the CFMEU.
62 per cent of the 600 local residents polled said they were opposed to the 457 visa and similar schemes, with 72 per cent in favour of the Federal Government’s moves to restrict the scheme. 93 per cent of those polled want the 457 visa scheme and similar schemes to either be scrapped altogether, or modified so that they can only be “used where there are significant proven skill shortages.”
CFMEU protests lack of mandatory Aus-made product in National Rental Affordability Scheme projects
$700 million in taxpayer’s money to be spent but Federal Government providing no guarantees for the use of Australian-made products
The Federal Government’s response to serious concerns about the lack of Australian-made content in projects benefiting from the Government funded National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is extremely disappointing, according to the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
Contact CFMEU sa
Adelaide Office
Level 1,
32 South Terrace
Adelaide 5000
Ph: 08 8231 5532
Fax: 08 8231 3822
Whyalla Office
Union House
49B Playford Avenue
Whyalla
Ph: 08 8645 7115
Mt Gambier Office
1 Crennan Street
Mt Gambier
Ph: 08 8725 9966
Fax: 08 8724 9377
