CFMEU Worker - Spring 2015

WORKER SPRING 2015

RISING STARS

read casey’s story see page 36

LOMAX HIGHER WAGES not a crime

see page 08

LESSONS FROM KOKODA see page 34

Aussies kiwis Pay rates verses

see page 43

Royal commission farce naked bias revealed see page 05

36

Journal of the CFMEU Victorian and Tasmanian Branch, Construction & General Division

Our cover

Casey Lever-Kadjakoro’s mum always said ‘don’t rely on anyone for anything’ – so Casey learnt to look after herself. See page 36.

this issue 08

04-12 Executive Columns 05

Heydon - what me biased?

16

women in construction

18

kids art comp - win a trip

Johnny Lomax branded a criminal for doing his job.

Young Activists - passionate & proud.

20

24 china Free trade protest 26 cfmeu says no to racism 27

12

30

where the parties stand

32 cfmeu cycling stars 43

aus/nz wage rates

46

ohs – is chafta deadly?

Phoenix builders ripping off workers.

Carl - a story of footy and two cards.

34

40

48 union leaders locked up 58

Union organiser Robbie Graauwmans on the Kokoda Track.

your wages

Onsite – flags fly proudly.

CFMEU Victorian and Tasmanian Branch, Construction & General Division Executive

Organisers and Specialist Staff Field Officers

Secretary John Setka

Gerry Benstead Nigel Davies John Duggan Paul Edwards Robert Graauwmans Steve Long Ian Markham Malcolm Smith Billy Beattie Gareth Stephenson Mark Tait (Fozzie) Theo Theodorou Mark Travers John Ayers Mick Powell Drew McDonald Adam Hall Toby Thornton Mark McMillan (EBAs) Joe Myles John Perkovic Peter Booth Richie Hassett (TAS) Fergal Doyle

Assistant Secretaries Shaun Reardon Elias Spernovasilis President Ralph Edwards Senior Vice President Noel Washington

CFMEU 37300

Vice President Derek Christopher

Wage Claims Officer Frank Akbari Training Unit Coordinator Anne Duggan Teachers and Trainers Karen Odermatt Mark Devereaux Jacky Gamble Barry Kearney Jennifer Pignataro Rose Nechwatel Connie Hall Paul Allwood Owen Waiomio Craig Lynch Sue Bull Lorella DiPietro Kimberley Stewart Tony Minchin Andy Duff Dan Phelan Communications Officer Jon Stanger

Offices Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Unit Manager Gerry Ayers Safety Officers Alex Tadic Christine Thomas Peter Clark Steve Roach WorkCover Legal Officer Neil Browne Industrial/Legal Officers Amanda Swayn Jean Maloney Apprentice Liaison Officer Liam O’Hearn Research & Campaigns Officer Clancy Dobbyn

Melbourne 500 Swanston St Carlton South 3053 T: (03) 9341 3444 F: (03) 9341 3427 Morwell Wing 5, Lignite Court Morwell 3840 T: (03) 5134 3311 F: (03) 5133 7058 Geelong 78 Fyans St Geelong Sth 3220 T: (03) 5229 8921 F: (03) 5223 1845 Bendigo Bendigo TLC 40 View St Bendigo 3550 T: (03) 5443 5173 F: (03) 5442 5961

Wodonga Shop 3-4, 22 Stanley St Wodonga 3690 T: (02) 6024 1099 F: (02) 6056 5565 Portland South West TLC 31 Percy St Portland 3305 T: (03) 5523 4272 F: (03) 5523 3358 Hobart 33A New Town Rd New Town 7008 T: (03) 6228 9595 F: (03) 6228 9594

cfmeuvic.com.au CFMEU Worker is proudly designed by union members @ Publicity Works.

southbank Crane collapse

SOUTHBANK

Crane collapse

This near miss on the Crema construction site had the capacity to end in a serious tragedy.

Thankfully there were not more serious injuries or worse. It’s a stark reminder of how dangerous our industry is and why safety is union business. Everyone deserves to go home safely at the end of the day.

99 General Cranes crew.

99 Dr Gerry Ayers talks to the media.

99 CFMEU Safety Team at rectification.

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

03

From INSERT COPY the secretary

NAKED BIAS OF ROYAL COMMISSION REVEALED

John Setka Branch Secretary

If anyone had any doubts about the true purpose of the Royal Commission, they need look no further than Heydon’s acceptance to speak at a Liberal Party fundraiser and the arrest of Johnny Lomax.

D

yson Heydon – whose wages for this gig are still a state secret – has shown his political colours and despite the glaring conflict of interest continues to preside over the Royal Commission. He judged himself independent and refused to step down.

That’s what I do, that’s what every union official in this country and all over the world does. His arrest is a vicious and direct attack on our ability to protect our wages and conditions.

Our legal right to do our job is under attack. During the Commission’s hearings in Canberra, a number of CFMEU officials were being questioned about going on sites over safety issues and signing people up to the Union – as if they were doing something wrong, as if this was an illegal activity.

even bigger profits at our expense.

Lawyers working for the Royal Commission are laughing all the way to the bank. We are paying head lawyer Jeremy Stoljar $3.3 million, Michael Elliott is getting $1.3 million and Sarah McNaughton $866,000. The law firm Minter Ellison, the former workplace of Attorney General George Brandis, was supposed to get $2 million, but has now pocketed $17 million of our money.

As for Commissioner Dyson Heydon’s salary – that is the best kept secret in the country. It is strictly confidential information.

This is our taxes at work: a Royal Commission that pays inflated wages to corporate lawyers who happen to be friends from way back.

As for Johnny Lomax – the CFMEU organiser’s crime is that he secured a pay rise for workers who were earning $17 an hour, resulting in ‘financial loss for the employer’. He was charged with blackmail.

This is our taxes at work: a Royal Commission that pays inflated wages to corporate lawyers who happen to be friends from way back.

Welcome to Abbott’s Australia – where $80 million of your money is being spent to take away your rights.

Bosses untouched, lawyers pigging out

Heads they win, tails we lose

Overturning 100 years of industrial law This has never happened before. The involvement of police in what is a purely industrial matter goes against a hundred years of industrial law in this country, and is nothing but an absolute disgrace.

Johnny Lomax is being branded a criminal for negotiating a better deal for working people. That’s my job too.

04

Why don’t the police arrest employers who underpay their workers? Why don’t police arrest employers who consciously put their workers at risk by making them work in unsafe conditions?

Because this government is not interested in whether you get ripped off. This government isn’t interested in whether you get home in one piece at the end of the day. Their interest is in looking after corporations to make

CFMEU WORKER

Heydon very kindly launched Stoljar’s book a few years ago, and the two of them along with Elliott all work at the same chambers. And these Three Amigos have the gall to talk about ‘jobs for mates’!

Bill Shorten was attacked in the Royal Commission for being too close to employers and not getting a better deal for his members. The CFMEU is being attacked for being too militant and not cooperative with employers.

Either way, we can’t win. Because this Commission is about destroying our ability to push back against the 0.1% who hold the reins of business power in this country, who want to stop us from making the world a fairer place for you and your family.

SPRING 2015

, e m t a Wh ? d e s a i b

’ e c n e d n e p e d n ‘i f o ry to is h Dyson Heydon’s long 1938

Heydon's father was the private secretary to Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies.

1960-70s

Garfield Barwick, the person the Liberal Party fundraiser is named after, was AttorneyGeneral under the Menzies Liberal Government and advised John Kerr on the Whitlam dismissal.

1980

Heydon was on the selection committee that gave Tony Abbott a Rhodes Scholarship, despite Abbott being technically ineligible as he was not an Australian Citizen at the time.

1980s

Heydon and Abbott won’t comment on their relationship in the 1980s but Heydon was dean of Sydney University's law school where Abbott was studying. The Rhodes Scholarship selection committee usually conduct multiple interviews with those in line for the award.

1993

Abbott appointed Heydon to a legal advisory committee to Australians for Constitutional Monarchy. Abbott was executive director.

2003

John Howard appoints Heydon to the High Court.

election campaign. Heydon received this invitation by email at least twice.

2015

The ‘Garfield Barwick Address’ has always been a Liberal Party event, with Liberal MPs George Brandis and Malcolm Turnbull previous special guests.

The organiser of the Liberal Party event, Gregory Burton SC, is well known Liberal identity who has been speculated to be a potential federal Liberal successor to Bronwyn Bishop in the northern Sydney seat of Mackellar.

2011

2015

2010

NSW Liberal state director Tony Nutt said Heydon was approached ‘several years ago’ by the event's organisers to give the Liberal Fundraiser speech.

2013

Dyson gave a speech to right wing think tank Centre for Independent Studies and accused the Labor Government of doing just ‘non-substantive things like make speeches, and appoint committees and hold summits and so forth’.

2015

The event was publicised on Liberal Party letterhead since April 14 this year.

The invitation said the booking fee should be made to the Liberal Party's NSW division. It also called for donations towards the Liberal’s state

Along with Heydon, Gregory Burton is a member of the NSW Bar Association's Bar News Committee, which is chaired by Jeremy Stoljar, the counsel assisting the royal commission.

2015

Stoljar, Heydon and Senior Counsel Elliott all belong to Eight Selborne Chambers at 174 Phillip St, Sydney. Gregory Burton works with 5 Wentworth chambers at 180 Phillip St, which was founded by Garfield Barwick in 1932.

‘Independent?

You be the judge!’

CFMEU WORKER

05

From the president

EBA BATTLES TO COME…..

AT LAST! Ralph Edwards President

The Branch has initiated the process for negotiating our new EBA – and we can expect a fight with employers, the MBA and the Abbott Government.

O

ur members need to protect our wages and conditions, and resolve issues that were left hanging in our last two agreements. Among many other issues raised by Union delegates and members, these include:  RDO calendars & dispensations  rights of our Union Delegates to represent our members  application of site allowances  compliance with industry funds – Cbus, Incolink and Co-invest  operation of inclement weather clause  spread of sham contracting, undermining our industry wages and conditions  abuse and exploitation of visa workers, also undermining industry wages and conditions.

Shop Stewards get

Delegates Meeting – 13 August 2015

This list shows that there are too many outstanding issues for the Union to simply roll over our existing agreement, with some percentage increases. The survival of the Union, and therefore of the EBA, needs to be front and centre.

Marquis of Queensberry rules Our members pay their Union dues, and rightly expect our Branch to be concentrating on the new EBA. Equally, we can expect that all members will prepare for the fight over it.

We can’t avoid this fight, and it’s one that we probably need to have. Industrial action, called ‘protected action’ under the Fair Work Act, will be painful to carry out.

But under today’s rules, we are only legally allowed to take industrial action when we are renewing an EBA. So, while it’s a pain in the arse for us to go through those legal hoops before we can impose bans and stoppages, remember that it will also be a massive pain to the employers as they try to take advantage of the upswing in the construction cycle.

Our employers need to work out if they want to do the bidding of Tony Abbott and his attack dog Nigel Hadgkiss – or reach an agreement with the CFMEU that works for everyone in our industry.

fired up

‘The meeting declares its full support for Johnny Lomax and Jimmy O’Connor in their fight with the Abbott Government which is attacking basic organising rights, long held by the trade union movement.’

06

CFMEU WORKER

PROTECTI AND INDU REGISTER Jobs, wages, conditions and the quality of work are under threat from dodgy operators and exploitation of underskilled foreign workers.

T

he best way to preserve the industry, maintain high standards of work, promote safety and protect wages and conditions is by registering our trades.

This means jobs are more secure and available to young workers coming in to the industry. For members who have been in the industry a long time, it will be an easy process to have your skills recognised and a certificate issued.

ABNs – everyone loses SPRING 2015

protecting our industry

ING OUR JOBS USTRY WITH RED TRADES

mence m o c l il w U E M F The C ilding u b e v a h o t n ig a a camp rs, e t n e p r a c s a h c u trades s sterers la p d n a s r e y la k bric y as a w e m a s e h t in registered bers. m lu p d n a s n ia ic electr

WHY REGISTER TRADES?  Protect jobs, wages & conditions  Too much shonky workmanship  Not enough apprenticeships  Shortage of skilled trades  Government & companies taking cheap & easy options

Dodgy ABN operators are getting paid as little as $17 an hour and undermining all workers in the process.

F

or some, it might seem tempting to give up the conditions and protections in the EBA for some quick cash on an ABN, but not only are many getting ripped off and underpaid, it’s bringing down other workers and the industry in the process.

What trades could be registered ?  Carpenter &/or joiner  Painter &/or decorator  Plasterer  Sign writer  Solid plasterer  Stonemason  Tile layer

ABNs are resulting in industry compliance rorts, such as workers receiving just one week of CBUS superannuation payments a month. The other three weeks goes into the ringleader’s pocket.

Plasterers on ABNs are too often the only ones getting overtime on Saturdays and weekend work. The members doing everything right don't get a look in because they're too expensive. It’s not right.

It’s time to end the rorts.

SPRING 2015

BUSTED

ing paid  Plasterers be7 ur as little as $1 /ho extra  Tilers promisneddof a job cash at the e get nothing million  More than $6.3 recovered by thaers.

CFMEU in 2 ye CFMEU WORKER

07

higher wages not a crime

Abbott’s vicious attack on unions continues WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  Johnny Lomax branded a criminal for negotiating a better deal for working people  It affects every union official in Aus

What are the achievements of the Abbott Government?

What policies and programs have they implemented to take Australia forward in handling the many changes and challenges ahead?

I

f you’re finding it hard to list them, it’s because there aren’t any. However, there is one thing into which Abbott has poured millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money: the Royal Commission into unions.

Royal Commission goes bareknuckle with Lomax arrest The Commission, originally called to look at ‘governance’ issues (management, corruption etc.), has now spread its focus, into the very reason for the existence of unions: organising better wages and conditions for workers.

LOM

the ACT Branch, was arrested during the hearings in Canberra.

He was charged under criminal law with blackmail – his crime being that he negotiated an EBA with an employer, which meant that he had to pay his workers more money.

The dispute in question started when this employer’s workers had contacted our Union, due to not having been paid for weeks.

CFMEU National Construction Secretary Dave Noonan said that this is a charge – unprecedented in 100 years of industrial relations – that affects every union official in Australia.

‘It is a complete outrage and utterly disgraceful that a lawful activity is now suddenly a criminal offence. What this means is every union official who negotiates a pay increase could be charged with blackmail,’ he pointed out.

‘The legitimacy of what we do, who we are, is under vicious attack by the Abbott Government.’

ACT’s safety outrages: blame the victims The Abbott Government, having failed to produce its longed-for ‘smoking gun’ in the first year of the Royal Commission, is now desperately trying to clamp down on the very thing that it’s our job to do: lift the pay and conditions of working people – you.

It’s worth noting that Mr Lomax was arrested in a week while CEPU officials

(covering electricians and plumbers amongst others) took the stand – essentially to be questioned about why they visited certain sites over safety concerns when the employers said safety was fine.

The picture that the Royal Commission was trying to paint is that unions like the CFMEU and the CEPU ‘use’ safety as an excuse to get onto sites and organise workers.

This is in the ACT, which has the highest fatality rate in the construction industry in the country.

It’s where the CFMEU, in line with the recommendations of a combined ACT Government and WorkSafe report Getting them home safely, has run a concerted campaign to make workplaces safer.

RC panders to culture of complacency The WorkSafe report accused construction industry players of being ‘surprisingly accepting’ of workplace injury, and called for an end to its culture of excuse-making and complacency.

This culture of complacency was on open display as Jeremy Stoljar, the head Counsel Assisting, afforded employer reps hours of the Royal Commission’s hearings to explain safety breaches in detail, deny any responsibility, and then dismiss them as no big deal.

The Abbott Government is no doubt proud of its achievement. After all, they don’t have any others.

The arrest of Johnny Lomax by the Royal Commission Police task force is a case in point. Mr Lomax, a CFMEU organiser from

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CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

MAX INSERT COPY

JOHNNY LOMAX

 Rugby League legend  15 games for New Zealand  65 games Canberra Raiders  44 games Nth QLD Cowboys  3 games Melbourne Storm  Strong, dedicated union family  CFMEU organiser

99 Johnny at his court apperance in the ACT 99 Loyal supporters outside court

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

09

From the ASSISTANT Secretary

When it comes to working people…

Stark differences between LibS and Labor

Shaun Reardon Assistant Secretary

Our Union’s members are no different to the Australian community at large. Some are politically aware and engaged. Others couldn’t care less.

B

ut even the most politically indifferent person cares about their hip pocket – and that’s why it’s important to consider the stark differences between Labor and Liberal and what they will deliver to you and your family.

While Abbott’s policies are about protecting the Big End of town, Labor’s economic policy is aimed at improving the lives of all Australians, with support for the most vulnerable in our society. The recent ALP National Conference adopted a policy that would make it impossible for the rich to avoid paying tax, which so many of them get away with now.

Local jobs and our rights The Abbott Government is presently scrambling to sign any free trade agreement that’s put in front of it, regardless of how it affects Australia’s economy and working people. Now, though, Labor has said that it will oppose free trade agreements that allow corporate interests to undercut your wages and conditions or that exploit workers brought here on foreign visas.

The China Free Trade Agreement is a case in point. As that agreement currently stands, Chinese companies will be allowed to bring in workers from overseas without being required to meet the same labour and environment standards as Australian companies. (See page 24 for more details.)

010

The CFMEU stands with the rest of the union movement in protecting penalty rates and the minimum wage. Together we are campaigning for the right to engage in collective bargaining and the rights of union delegates to carry out their roles in representing workers.

‘Green’ jobs: can’t afford to be left behind

The Abbott Government is fighting us on every one of these fronts, in order to give corporations more power and workers less.

In the end, this would mean less for us, and more for our bosses.

Australia cannot afford to be left behind in the creation of ‘green jobs’ that is already well advanced in many other countries.

Our members can benefit from Labor’s commitment to deliver jobs, innovation and investment as it drives towards generating 50% of Australia’s energy from renewable sources. Contrast Labor’s vision to the Coalition’s inaction over green jobs and outright obstruction of the wind power industry.

Creating jobs for the future On the jobs front, the Abbott Government has been missing in action.

We need a government that gives a damn about us. And Abbott couldn’t care less.

They’ve cut back on critical infrastructure funding, and shamefully assisted the decline of our manufacturing industry.

These are important areas for CFMEU members; we want governments that commit to infrastructure projects and high-end manufacturing jobs.

The debate about global warming and climate change has well and truly been lost by the deniers and won by scientists all over the world – not that you’d know from Canberra just now.

We need to look ahead and ensure that there is a positive future for us and our families, with well-paid and skilled jobs, as we face the challenges of a global economy and climate change. While the Abbott Government sticks its head in the sand, we are getting left behind.

Even for those of us who can only be bothered with politics on Election Day, I urge you to have a good think about what is being offered by the major parties.

There’s more to governing a country than fighting terrorism and trying to smash unions.

Labor has pledged to chase both of these goals and also restore state-funded TAFE training – an issue close to our hearts, as quality, accredited training has always been the pride of the construction industry.

CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

Young ACTIVISTS

CFMEU Young Activists Group

Young Unionists fight back Elias Spernovasilis Assistant Secretary

I am happy to report that our Young Activists Group is going from strength to strength.

ourselves and demand a fair piece of the pie. Abbott is looking after his mates in the big end of town.

W

Brighten your future – or others will darken it

e have now had three meetings, with good attendance and a range of discussions about the history of the Union, current issues, and work-shopping of ideas.

Big issues for construction workers We can’t rest on our laurels, because the problems we face as working people – and more particularly, in the construction industry – need to be addressed.

The cost of living, lack of job security, the drop in apprenticeship numbers and the rise of ABN workers are all serious issues affecting our way of life. The only organisation that has a proven history in tackling these issues and lifting the quality of life of working people is the union movement.

So we need to band together and look after ourselves. That’s what unionism is.

Young construction workers need to get on board with the CFMEU, and defend and improve what previous generations have secured. Otherwise, those things may be lost, and your standard of living would be worse than that of the generation before you.

Every generation of Union activists and leaders leave their mark.

What will be yours? As young workers, you know what the issues are, and you have ideas about how to address them. Get active – and leave your mark.

Your quality of life depends on it.

If we want to reverse the attacks on the labour movement and continue to improve our way of life, we can’t do it alone. We need strength in numbers, and the union movement is the largest and most powerful force for economic and social change.

Why does Abbott target us?

Our Union is under enormous attack. It makes sense that the Abbott Government is against the CFMEU and unions in general.

Why would they support something that essentially works against the ‘anything goes’ free market, where the big and powerful would reign without any obstacles such as award wages, OHS, penalty rates and RDOs? They are always looking at ways to curb and dampen our ability to stand up for

012

CFMEU WORKER

Luke Hilakari

Luke Hilakari is the Secretary of Trades Hall, the voice of Victorians at work.

a time Secretary Luke Hilakari grew up in le peop ing work for ge of dramatic chan r, nise orga n unio a As ett. under Jeff Kenn the ove impr to ing fight out ed he start n pay and conditions of cleaners at Crow lead to ed Casino. Since being elect Victoria’s peak union body, Luke has rds refocused Trades Hall’s work towa nising orga e onlin and ism activ ts grassroo ns for industrial and political campaig involving members of its affiliates.

Young ACTIVISTS

Not 'just members' - Young Activists are full-blooded Unionists Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilakari addressed the CFMEU Young Activists meeting on 19 August.

He spoke about the very successful unions’ campaign that removed a first-term Victorian Liberal Government last year.

C

hanging the government changes workers’ lives – it’s about safety, good conditions and decent wages.

The Liberal-National government wanted to make the Victorian election about workers and unions.

And it was – just not in the way they wanted. Union members knocked on doors and told their story, and it changed people’s hearts, minds and votes.

Once again, unions will be talking to our members about the upcoming Federal election, asking you to talk to your workmates, friends and family about the issues that matter to us.

As Luke explained to our Young Activists, once you’ve got someone’s attention you need to keep it and turn it into action. It takes many conversations to create real change, but each one gets us closer.

Attacks on unions are attacks on young people The CFMEU’s growing membership shows that our approach works – if attacked, we grow stronger. You can’t separate our Union and our workers – touch one, touch all.

Attacks by the Abbott Government and conservative media will hit young workers hardest. Decades of union struggles won today’s safety measures, conditions and wages – if Tony Abbott takes them away, it will take decades to regain them. Our young activists know that fighting to maintain conditions now is easier than trying to win them back later.

Dave - Carpenter

Finished apprenticeship last year, spent two years in domestic work.

‘Union sites are a more friendly environment. Domestic work was the same boss day-in, day-out, and often they’re passing on the bad treatment they received when they were starting out.’

‘I like having someone there that has the connections to talk to someone higher up without getting yourself in trouble. The Union is a big reason I’m still here.’

Advice to young starters: ‘Apprenticeships are a good learning experience. They give you a good work ethic, and that will get you jobs down the track.’

NEXT MEETING

Wednesday 21 October 5:30 pm at CFMEU VIC office. 500 Swanston St, Carlton Sth. Contact your delegate or organiser.

SPRING 2015

e r o xt m CFMEU WORKER ne013age p

Young ACTIVISTS

The passion of young CFMEU members is an incredible thing to experience. They're kind, generous and hard-working people, but they have a fire in their belly when it comes to workers’ rights, safety and the role of unions. We spoke to some of them:

Daniel - Carpenter

Started in domestic with father for 8 years, been with Complex for 5 years.

‘Should have got into commercial work earlier – all the benefits of holiday pay, Incolink – it’s a good industry.’

‘I’m interested in being more involved in the Union. I appreciate their work.’

Advice to young starters: ‘Get an apprenticeship, see if you like it.’

Patrick - Carpenter

3rd year apprentice with Complex, doing trade school with Victoria University.

Advice to young starters: ‘The Union is good, they look after you.’

Ben - Brickies Labourer 17 years in the trade, some say he’s one of the best in the business.

‘My mate’s old man growing up was Johnny Lowe, a heavy hitter in the BLF and I went to school with John Cummins’ kids. Wasn’t so aware of the union as a kid, but very aware now and inspired by how things were done back then.’

Advice to young starters: ‘Join the Union and get some tickets – any ticket you can get your hands on – it’s more favourable for a job.’

Simmo - Bricklayer and Training Delegate

‘I got into it through persistence, basically annoyed officials until they gave me an opportunity.

‘I was a domestic bricklayer running my own business, when we got done for around $60,000 by a few builders.’

‘When I got into commercial bricklaying and a delegate found I wasn’t being paid my superannuation properly and sorted it out, I wanted to get more involved and start looking after workers.’

‘I want to make sure when I’m older, workers still have good conditions and safety.’

Advice to young starters: ‘It’s hard work, you don’t just get given opportunities in the Union or in the industry, you’ve got to earn it. If we lose our conditions, it will take another 30 years to win them back.’

Paolo - Carpenter and OHS Rep

Started with an apprenticeship at 16, worked his way up.

Paolo has done the OHS Reps training course, but he reckons there’s no better learning than being on the job, seeing the issues, and listening to the concerns of workers.

‘The key is just walking the jobs, talking with young workers, supporting them to have their say and show they can speak out as a Union member.’

‘It’s about the people on the job, that’s what makes it a good industry.’

‘If Tony Abbott had his way, we’d all be back to the Stone Age. The reality is that with our numbers, what we’re capable of doing of is almost endless – but if we fall apart…well, divided we fall.’

‘We’ve got laws similar to terrorism laws that are designed to attack workers on site.

We’re not second-class citizens; we’re not slaves.’

‘Look at Qatar, with an expected 6,000 deaths from the construction happening for the World Cup. That’s an unregulated industry with no unions, workers treated like slaves, with no one to stand up for them. That’s the difference here, we’ve got the Union.’

Advice to young starters: ‘Take safety seriously, it’s not all about productivity.

Maintaining safety on the site is my job and priority each day.’

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CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

concrete gang

Concrete Gang 3CR fundraiser A June RDO Monday saw members and friends gather at the Palace Hotel in south Melbourne for the Concrete Gang’s annual 3CR Community Radio fundraiser.

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he day was a huge success with over $30,000 raised to keep 3CR running for another year. This topped the fundraising goal set by the team and a

huge thank you must go to everyone who helped organise the day as well as those who came along to enjoy it.

Around 200 punters enjoyed fantastic music from The Jaded Cats, the Palace Hotel put on fantastic food and there was a special Concrete Gang brew on tap.

If you want a good feed and a wide choice of delicious craft beers, get down to the Palace Hotel, City Rd, South Melbourne. Say hello to their mascot ‘Billy No Balls’ for us.

Watch a video of the event: vimeo.com/ cfmeuvic

Industry news, views and scallywags Sunday mornings 9.30am 3CR 855AM and www.3cr.org.au

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

015

A Woman’s Place IS IN THE UNION

Women and Girls – the construction industry needs YOU! Despite decades of support for women’s equality, women remain significantly under-represented in the construction industry. The CFMEU is working to change that. Here’s why: 1

men at at include wo Workplaces thbetter for it. It’s a fact. all levels are ive organisations Gender-inclus roductivity, p show better ommitment, stability c , ty profitabili ity. and job secur

Union members – how you can help with this 1. Be a role model. Tell the women in your life about opportunities in the industry – not just trafficcontrol and cleaning, all of the opportunities!

2. Banish the stereotypes. Let the young women in your local clubs, schools and other community groups know that our building industry is bigger and better than what they read about it in the Herald Sun. 3. Make an effort to encourage women working on your site. Once they start, we want them to stay. They will stay if they know that they are supported and will be given equal opportunity to learn and do their job.

4. Speak up when you see or hear discrimination. It’s not just the right thing to do; it also makes for a safer and healthier workplace.

016

2 Workplaces th gender-inclusi at have ve and practices policies ar – and that’s go e fairer men and womenod for both .

How the CFMEU backs you up The CFMEU has a Women’s Committee and contacts with other female Union members who are happy to talk to women interested in careers in construction.

The Union’s website has lots of information on careers in the industry, which is also available in brochures at our office. CFMEU Apprentice and Careers Officer, Liam O’Hearn is available to talk to schools and TAFE colleges all over Victoria.

Groups of young women can attend construction industry OHS, Induction and Awareness courses run by the CFMEU’s Training Unit. Female students are also encouraged to enrol in our wide-ranging skills courses, from Dogging, to Carpentry.

The Union’s onsite Health and Safety Representatives are well up on the legal obligations of employers and

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skills There’s a shortage of tion. uc tr ns in Australian co ng the Attracting and retaini do a lot talents of women will . to fix skills-shortages

supervisors to ensure a fair workplace, and our Legal Department is well equipped to deal with any cases of discrimination.

The CFMEU has taken a stand against violence against women, and our officials have pledged to speak out on the issue. Assistant Secretary Shaun Reardon is a White Ribbon Ambassador.

Start here If you’re a woman or girl who’s thinking about becoming a construction worker – or you know one: Download our Course Pathways Guide from: cfmeuvic.com.au/training/ dare-to-learn-courses OR call: Anne Duggan, the CFMEU Training Unit Coordinator, on (03) 9341 3444.

r and 52 fo 3 2 s e g a See p ing it in k c i k n e more wom ction industry! ru AUTUMN 2015 the const

we are unbeatable

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ter theKids art En

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n o i t i t e p com and you could

n i w y a d i l o h y l i a fam

Design the artwork for CFMEU’s Hard Hat Hankies and Flags for the 2016 Good Friday Appeal.

You could win a $2,500 Flight Centre voucher for a family holiday!

Your design will appear on bandanas and flags, so keep it clear and simple.

Conditions of entry:  Artist must be aged 12 years old or younger  No family of CFMEU staff members may enter  Parent of winning artist must be a financial member of CFMEU Victoria-Tasmania Branch (Construction Division) Send entries to : CFMEU Kids Club Art Competition 500 Swanston St Carlton South, Victoria 3053 Entries close 16 October

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This is where your art could end up!

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Draw your design with a black texta in the space provided, or on your own paper. Don’t colour it in, just black lines.

Draw your Design here or on your own paper with black texta

Send entries to : CFMEU Kids Club Art Competition 500 Swanston St Carlton South, Victoria 3053 Entries close 16 October

PHOENIX BUILDERS

CRACKDOWN NEEDED ON DODGY BUILDERS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Call for new powers to crack down on industry rogues and phoenix companies.

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he CFMEU has called for tougher laws and better enforcement to stop developers who rip off construction contractors.

Before a long-awaited Senate inquiry into insolvencies in the construction industry, our Union’s push has been joined by corporate regulator ASIC and the Tax Office.

Senate inquiry CFMEU National Construction Secretary Dave Noonan spoke to the Senate inquiry about the trail of destruction caused by insolvencies in our industry – which account for one in five of all insolvencies in Australia.

The inquiry is examining the scale and incidence of insolvency in the construction industry, the amount of money lost by workers, subcontractors and suppliers, and also the cost to the community at large through unpaid taxes.

The CFMEU’s submission focused on phoenixing – where companies are set up to intentionally deny creditors their entitlements, leaving behind an empty shell while the same bosses take its assets to use in another development under a new entity.

It’s a serious financial crime, but identifying culprits is difficult when corporations can be structured

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 Contractors are getting ripped off  Workers not getting paid  Unpaid entitlements top $137 million! to limit the personal liability of directors and shareholders.

Union chasing over $100 million Independent reports show that unpaid employee entitlements in the construction industry is huge – $137 million, of which $63 million is unpaid super for the 2013/14 financial year.

Dave Noonan told the Senate committee about the Union resources devoted to pursuing these lost wages and entitlements as a result of insolvencies.

‘We see companies again and again folding up, owing workers money.

The Union spends a lot of time chasing entitlements for workers and small contractors who are ripped off in this case, and yet we see very little attention paid to this by Federal Government regulators,’ he said.

‘It is a disgrace, but it seems to be acceptable in this country, under the law or at least under the way the law is applied, for companies to steal the money of sub-contractors and workers to put it into other businesses, hide it or take it offshore, and then start up all over again and do it again.

‘Three-quarters of insolvencies in 2013–14 were due to criminal or civil misconduct by companies and their directors.’

‘It’s not just workers who lose – our society loses out, due to unpaid taxes.

ASIC puts the figure at $487 million in round terms,’ he added.

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RUINEDNOT PHOENIX BUILDERS

E K O BR PAID

OUT OF WORK how does it happen? laws and an We have inadequate  tor underfunded regula corporations has  The laws covering to flourish allowed this problem duals responsible  Most of the indivi never held for these practices are tions ac ir the for accountable

ing rnment has cut fund  The Federal Gove it ar, ye l cia an fin nt to ASIC. In the curre erating budget and will lose 12% of its op 209 staff

C December 2014, ASI In the six months to  s ltie na tain civil pe only managed to ob t rectors totalling jus /di ies an mp against co over $3 million nt with the $2.6 Contrast that amou  levied by the Fair million in penalties ission (FWBC) – Work Building Comm s and workers – ion mostly against un cial year. during the last finan

how do we stop it?  The CFMEU supports setting up a trust scheme similar to the one recommended in the 2012 Collins inquiry in NSW – where paymen ts from a company’s principal downwards must be made into separate bank accounts and then held in a series of trusts  This scheme operates in Canada

and the US. Unfortunately,the NSW government didn’t adopt this

Key facts

 1 in 5 insolvencies occur in construction industry  ‘Phoenixing’: new companies are set up to intentionally deny workers and suppliers their entitlements.

Wealthy bosses transfer assets to the new

Collins recommendation. We belie ve it should be implemented nationally

 We want amendments to the Corp orations Act – including disqualifying dire ctors who deliberately restructure com panies to avoid creditors  We believe that the question of decl aring directors to be personally liable for unpaid employee entitlements shou ld also be considered  There should be a law that requires mandatory capital investment or a security deposit for new compan ies whose directors have been insolvent in the past.

company, leave behind an empty shell, and do it all over again –14 Three-quarters of insolvencies in 2013  ct ondu misc civil or inal crim to due were tors by companies and their direc $137 million of unpaid employee  entitlements, including $63 million of unpaid super  $487 million lost in taxes  Senate inquiry currently underway.

See over for more...

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insolvency Case studies

g n i s o l k s i r e w everything CASE STUDY#1

Ararat Prison – Wayne Squires’ story.

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ayne Squires, who owns engineering company Plinius, took the opportunity to tell the Senate inquiry about the financial collapse of the head contractor on the Ararat Prison job in 2012.

‘People were desperate – workers, families, and business owners were all concerned for their future. Most of us

were of the view that we would never receive our owed money,’ he said.

‘It is difficult to describe in words the stresses and pressure one endures when the risk of losing everything you have worked for in life is a very real possibility.’

‘Knowing that the time and money (the one thing we didn’t have) required to try and recoup at least a little money through the Courts was more than likely going to take too

long and not likely to be a financial benefit, as is more often than not the case.’

99 Wayne Squires giving evidence to the Senate this year.

‘The CFMEU throughout this ordeal provided support, advice and direction. They showed genuine compassion, and were responsible for achieving a positive outcome for everyone involved – workers and businesses alike.’

how can this happen?

CASE STUDY#2 Q Structures – $63K stolen, scot-free ‘what kind of law is that?’: Enzo Scala’s story

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FMEU member Enzo Scala also spoke at the inquiry about his experience of losing $63,000 when Q Structures, the company he worked for, went broke.

The workers were locked out, the Union put on a picket – and the police

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came and told them they weren’t allowed to be there!

Enzo lost 11 weeks of annual leave, long service leave, redundancy, and one year’s worth of super.

‘I didn’t think this could happen. I thought that was illegal,’ he told the Senate inquiry.

‘Why is this allowed to happen?

Why were we in a situation where we lost wages, super and other legal entitlements when the boss can drive

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a Maserati and live in his beautiful house? Nothing happened to him.

He did not suffer in any way, but he deliberately set out to steal money from his workers – people like me who had worked for him for ten years.’

99 Enzo Scala

‘What kind of a law is that, if you can break it and nothing happens to you?’

‘If I stole $63,000 from someone, I’d probably go to jail.’

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OHS IMPROVEMENT

New Australian Standard for precast.

A new Australian Standard for precast concrete panels and elements used in building construction has finally been approved. The new AS 3850 should be available from Standards Australia from September 2015.

 more rigorous inspection and maintenance requirements for braces; and  clearer test and performance requirements for cast-in components, post-installed brace anchors, and levelling shims, including the traceability of such components.

Part 2 – Building construction Part 2 covers all aspects of design and documentation, handling, storage, transportation, rigging, site preparation and planning, erection, and securing to the final structure.

Following an exhaustive six-year review process that included two public-comment periods, the new standard is more comprehensive than its predecessor. AS 3850 includes better guidance over OH&S issues facing workers in this part of the construction industry.

Improvements include requirements for more comprehensive and detailed:  bracing regimes, including more emphasis on torque control for ferrules, brace anchors, and bolts;

AS 3850 now in 2 parts

 ground-testing for ground anchoring; and

Unlike the former precast standard, AS 3850 has two parts:

 erection documentation.

Part 1 – General requirements Part 1 deals mainly with precast manufacturing and testing requirements for component suppliers to the industry.

Other improvements listed in this part include:

NEW STAN WILL DARDS MA IT SA FER FKE WOR OR KERS

The OH&S considerations of the new AS 3850 are now more consistent with the National Precast Code of Practice and the Victorian Industry Standard (Blue Book).

Taken together, these new codes and standards will help improve general safety standards throughout the construction industry.

99 Another incident from this year at an ADCO Constructions site in Dandenong Nth.

99 Precast panel incident, Brunswick, 1st August 2011.

Women in construction Member profiles

Skye Allan After working in childcare for 7 years, Skye is really excited to be in construction. She has her traffic ticket and first aid and has been working as a labourer and peggy at Melbourne Airport.

It’s obvious that there’s

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a lot more women in childcare than construction, but Skye is enjoying her work and is focused on getting experience and working her way further into the industry.

What does Skye think about the union? ‘They fight for our rights!’

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!

T S E T O R SAY NO P

say no to the fta

A T F A N I H C

Tony Abbott’s only plan for jobs is to destroy them. With over 800,000 out of work, unemployment is rising. Youth unemployment is even higher, at 13.5%. Abbott’s dodgy trade deal with China would tip us over the edge.

Say NO to: F ree Trade Agreements that offer jobs to overseas workers without offering them to local workers first F ree Trade Agreements that allow cheap imports to compete unfairly with local companies Th e importation of unsafe goods 800,0 Th e exploitation of overseas workers.

Austr00 out ofalians work.

6.3%

Say YES to:

Local jobs and local communities first Mandatory Australian Standards regime

JAN 2012

andatory testing of imported goods to ensure M they comply with Australian Standards.

Source: Australia n Bureau

of Statist ics

AUG 20 15

SAY NO

to expl oitatio n!

SAY yes to lo cal job s!

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unite & Fight b ack!

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A

say no to the fta

TO THE

earney 99 Ged K dent, si re P U T AC e rally. fires up th

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STRONGER TOGETHER

g a

racism Bill Fepuleai Steel Fixer We have joined forces with some of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and organisations to support the ‘Racism.

It Stops With Me’ campaign.

S

upporters of the campaign include local Councils, welfare groups, the ACTU, various police forces, and sporting bodies such as the AFL, FFA, NRL, Netball Australia and Cricket Australia.

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Racism divides workers – we are stronger together Tony Abbott and other Liberal politicians have tried to accuse Australian unions of pandering to racism and xenophobia in our opposition to the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement. As usual, they couldn’t be further from the truth.

We support workers, no matter what their background, colour or nationality is – we oppose the exploitation of overseas workers, and support jobs, fair wages, safety, and good conditions for all.

Touch One, Touch All Sadly, research has shown that one in seven Australians say that they have

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experienced discrimination because of their colour or background. This figure has been increasing steadily in recent years.

Research has also shown that 70 per cent of people agree with statements that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people are prejudiced against each other.

Just as any other kind of discrimination is unacceptable and against all workers’ interests, racism must be tackled at work and in the community.

If a single worker or group of workers is singled out, bullied, harassed or discriminated against, it’s our Union’s responsibility to speak out.

The CFMEU is proud of our diverse membership.

We’re from every country in the world, but at work we raise the same union flag.

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STRONGER TOGETHER

gainst safiri Adel As OH&S

Tiago Carvalho Steelfixer

ang Jia Jie F r Plastere

Stand Up, Speak Out, Come Home Showing a person who’s the target of racist behaviour that you don’t support it can be a powerful sign of support for them. Standing up to racism can also make offenders think twice about what they’re saying or doing.

Call out racism when you see it, and let people who’ve been targetted know that there’s support available to them.

Anyone who experiences bullying or harassment can get support from the CFMEU by calling our office on 9341 3444.

For more information about the campaign go to: itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/ Or follow the campaign on Twitter @ItStopsWithMe

Shane Palmer Dogman

Carl Peterson Carpenter

Young cyclists Olympic standard

g oing the distance

Dan Fitter, the CFMEU Rising Star Jersey winner from the 2015 Tour of the Great South Coast, is a serious contender to join the Australian cycling team in Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games.

T

he Tour was held in August across Western Victoria, from Koroit to Mount Gambier. The 565km event included 56 sprints and 11 hill-climbs over eight stages.

Dan Fitter won the Rising Star Jersey, sponsored by the CFMEU, each day of the 5 day Tour, recording the best overall time of all riders under 23 years old. At just 19, he is already a world champion in the Team Pursuit event, and is likely to join the Australian team that is a good gold medal chance at next year’s Olympics.

Of the 47 riders aged under 23 in the 2015 Tour of the Great South Coast, Callum Scotson was Fitter’s closest challenger for the Rising Star Jersey.

Also a contender for the Olympic team, Scotson finished just 25 seconds behind Fitter’s overall time. Jackson Mawby came third, a further 6 seconds behind.

Dramatic finish in Warrnambool On the last road stage of the Tour, riders reached 70km/h as they crossed the finish line in Warrnambool, with a tight three-way split. If someone made just a small mistake, there would have been some serious injuries. As it was, an eightman crash on the final turn into the home straight saw one rider taken by ambulance to the local hospital with suspected concussion.

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the numbers 565 km 56 sprints 11 hill-climbs 8 stages Patrick Bevin from New Zealand was the overall winner of the 2015 Tour.

Bevin, 24, won by 28 seconds from German duo Raphael Freienstein and Michael Schweizer. Bevin now leads the Subaru National Road Series individual standings by 21 points over Schweizer.

Rising Star Jersey winner Fitter finished 6th overall; he placed 4th in the sprints, 12th in King of the Mountain, and 8th in the Criterium.

The event was a huge success, supported by its major sponsors, civil contractor Fulton Hogan and exploration company Lakes Oil, as well as all local Councils covered by the Tour.

CFMEU backs young talent Highlights from the Tour were broadcast on the Nine Network’s

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Young cyclists Olympic standard

ssing the 99 Riders pa Gambier. t M Blue Lake,

Ralph Edwards President

‘A lot of our members ride, a lot of members’ kids ride. It’s a way someone can get ahead in sport.’

99 Ralph Edwards congratulates Dan Fitter, winner of the Rising Star Jersey .

about huge crowds and money, but supporting young riders to take their cycling to the next level.

CFMEU Victoria President and cycling fan Ralph Edwards says: ‘These kids are seriously good bike riders.’

‘We didn’t want to just back professional cycling races. Young riders don’t get much financial support, but they’re all in with a chance of big things – on the track, on the road, or both,’ he adds.

99 Riders on the .

Great Ocean Road

‘A lot of our members ride, a lot of members’ kids ride. It’s a way someone can get ahead in sport.’

Previous winner’s career blossoms Alex Edmondson, the 2013 Rising Star Jersey winner, has since been signed

by Orica-GreenEDGE for their World Tour team and will be in Australia’s 2016 Olympic team. He is a World Track Champion, and won a Team Pursuit gold medal in last year’s Commonwealth Games.

GEM channel as well as Fox Sports, giving the CFMEU and these talented young riders national coverage.

Have you got a sports story to share?

Contact Jon: jons@vic.cfmeu.asn.au or call 9341 3444.

The CFMEU Rising Star Jersey prize totals $300 (1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50). The Union’s involvement is not

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Kokoda trail walk

LESSONS FROM THE Kokoda TRACK

Snakes, helpful locals, Diggers and poetic moments – the CFMEUsponsored ‘Soldier On’ 2015 Kokoda trek had it all. Union organiser Robbie Graauwmans not only survived, but came back with a motto for life.

‘How you approach it determines your success’ Though two of his fellow trekkers were evacuated by chopper, Robbie reckons that the Kokoda Track wasn’t physically daunting – although he is quick to point out that they ‘weren’t being shot at’.

Even so, the Track does ‘beat you into submission’, a lesson Robbie learned immediately. He started out hard, soon fell, and was covered in mud with a burst water bladder in his backpack.

He quickly accepted the assistance of tour company Kokoda Historical’s support team of barefooted PNG Highlands locals – just

as their ancestors had helped Australian Diggers in 1942.

One of the locals simply wandered up, picked up Robbie’s bag, introduced himself as Freddy, and said: ‘I’ll get you to the end, but you’ve got to do it my way.’

And Freddy’s way? His motto will stick with Robbie for the rest of his life: ‘slow down, not so fast, focus.’

While Robbie was almost always first to the next campsite, he was now taking his time, doing it properly and enjoying it. ‘How you approach it determines your success’, he explains.

Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice Despite a compelling story of war veterans being poorly supported by the ADF and Government, welfare group Soldier On had little luck in raising funds for a planned trek along PNG’s Kokoda Track.

stories. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects most Diggers who have served in warzones, and they certainly had an insight into what the ‘Kokoda experience’ was all about.

A poetry reading at the famous Brigade Hill was just one of many reflective moments for Robbie. At 4am on Anzac Day, the trekkers joined 500 others for the Centenary of ANZAC dawn service at Isurava. Carved into the granite pillars are four powerful words: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.

Sixth sense for safety: ‘I can hear it’ With constant rain, mud and river after river to cross, forget about keeping the feet dry. Just clean up and dry off up when you get to camp. Robbie’s only ‘comfort’ was… just combing his hair.

Out in the jungle, safety is a real issue, but Freddy seemed to have a sixth sense for safety and looking out for others.

Last February the CFMEU got on board and things began to fall into place. People from all over joined Robbie and the CFMEU group, but this particular trek was all about the veterans.

Camping at night along the Kokoda Track, the veterans told some gut-wrenching

n made 99 The terrai going. h ug ro r fo

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99 Robbie with some of

the boys in the CFMEU

He would occasionally turn around and tell Robbie to get off tree roots before he slipped over. Robbie had thought he was on firm ground. ‘How do you know?’ ‘I can hear it.’

Two fangs, yes; five stars, no There were also lighter moments.

The toilet at each campsite was invariably down a steep cliff – with no steps. The Aussie visitors’ clumsy tumbles down the hill were as inevitable as the crowd of locals gathering to laugh at their misfortunes.

And of course, in this tropical mudheap… snakes.

When one of the ex-servicemen flushed a snake out from near Robbie’s tent, the local guides were upset that it was let go into the jungle. They couldn’t believe that a good meal had been wasted!

That night, one of the guides, who may have overdone the betel juice before bedtime, woke the whole group up with horrific screams brought on by a snake nightmare.

The promised final-night showers and nice dry hotels beds turned out to be Freddy’s village: no hotel, or indeed, spare rooms – back to the tent for Robbie.

group.

99 The whole

CFMEU crew

Several stubbies, dozens of which were opened by Freddy’s teeth, eased the disappointment. A welcoming dancing party in traditional dress and a barbecue saw out the night.

.

99 Freddy and Robbie.

Sitting in his tent by the side of the river, Robbie watched as lights floated across the river, moving downstream from one side to the other. Robbie reckons it was the dancers returning home in truck tyre tubes, but who knows whether the tubes or the story were more inflated.

Many ex-Diggers in construction It’s clear to Rob that our veterans aren’t getting all the government support they need, and since returning he is finding just how many ex-servicemen are in our industry. After hearing about his Kokoda trip, veterans working on Robbie’s jobs are keen to find out when the next hike is happening.

Looking back on his own experience of Kokoda, Robbie says, ‘It hasn’t changed my life, but it’s changed how I live.’

He reckons that Freddy’s motto – ‘slow down, not so fast, focus’ – is good for work and life more broadly.

Not such a surprise since Freddy doubles as a chippy, doing formwork for miners in Rabaul.

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99 Freddy op ening a stubbie - the PNG way!

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casey - A rising star

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casey - A rising star

rising star lifted by mum’s inner strength Casey rebounds from family tragedy to restart Carpentry Apprenticeship

A fitness instructor, mechanic, body builder and single mother, Casey Lever-Kadjakoro’s mum always said ‘don’t rely on anyone for anything’ – so Casey learnt to look after herself.

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ood thing too, because when this seemingly indestructible woman passed away, all the family that Casey had was gone, leaving her alone to pull her life back together.

With a carpenter greatgrandfather and a mechanic mum, Casey was drawn early to high school trades classes. Her greatest dream is to build her own home, just as her grandfather did. She was halfway through her Certificate II in Building/ Construction when she had to abandon school to care for her mum through her last years.

Legacy of drive and determination After her mother died, Casey channelled her legacy of strength and drive to get back onto her feet and into carpentry. She went along to a trades employment event, where she met Christian from RAW Recruitment.

Christian could see that Casey had the drive to succeed. He quickly connected her to the CFMEU Training and Education Unit, so she could complete the Certificate II PreApprenticeship that she started back in school.

Why carpentry? Despite her interest in cars and cabinet making, Casey wanted to work outdoors, not stuck in a workshop or factory, so the CFMEU course was perfect for her, developing the hands-on skills and safety knowledge she will need on a commercial building site.

Casey has recently completed her pre-apprenticeship course and started her full apprenticeship with ProBuild.

It will cover the main streams of carpentry: formwork, aluminium windows, curtain walling and internal walls/suspended ceilings.

School, work, career – all went on the backburner.

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‘Like another teacher’ for CFMEU Training Unit Apprentice Liaison Liam O’Hearn works hard to find good placements for successful students, and ProBuild will see the benefits of having such a talented and driven young apprentice on the job.

So look out – in less than four years, Casey could be a foreman, supervising other Union members and applying her strong motivation to the work being done.

When asked if Casey sees herself in a future leadership position at work, CFMEU Apprentice Liaison Officer, Liam O’Hearn chimes in with: ‘she managed a bunch of blokes here!’

‘She was forever showing them where they stuff up. She was like another teacher for us. Telling them to pull their heads in, where to go.’

Casey on...

The Union: ‘Everyone’s there for each other.’

CFMEU Training: ‘It’s a lot more hands-on. Liam went out and found us jobs. Other places just give you a certificate and kick you out the door.’

Being the only woman on a job: Good thing: ‘I like to prove all the guys wrong – that girls can do even better. Oh, and I get my own toilet.’

Bad thing: ‘Some guys don’t like being bossed around by a chick.’

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INSERT COPY pre-app pilot creating jobs

Our Pre-App Course gets young people into jobs The CFMEU Education and Training Unit has had a huge success with a pilot course designed to give young people the skills they need to be safe, job ready and sought after in the industry.

course that caters for the needs of a commercial carpentry apprentice without reducing the integrity of the training package.

Starting out with 16 students, 13 successfully completed the course after two obtained employment before completing and one left after the first week for financial reasons.

The Certificate II in Construction (Carpentry) Pre-Apprenticeship provides the commercial industry with a relevant

99 Getting the skills they need - basic roofing props

Of the 13 that have completed the pre-app in July, 90% are now employed and the others should have employment soon.

Congratulations to all our graduates and to those who have begun work. The CFMEU is proud to provide the highest quality training and support to young people looking to enter the industry and with these graduates, the future of the industry is in good hands.

99 Sub floor class

99 Onsite experience

99 Look what I made mum!

- basic handtools class 99 The gang on limited height formwork

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john cummins memorial dinner

John Cummins Memorial Dinner

The ninth annual John Cummins Memorial Dinner was a big sucess with over 850 guests. Next year will be the 10th anniversary, and the John Cummins Memorial Fund looks forward to your support to make it bigger and better than ever.

99 Ged Kea rney passionate sp makes a eech about John.

99 The crow d

watching th

e video abou

t John’s life.

ins from the 99 Di Cumm ial Fund. mins Memor The John Cum

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99 John Setka on the podium.

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ONSITE

The flags

fly proudly

Members around Victoria have been honouring the life of the great John Cummins and a successful nine years of the John Cummins Memorial Fund.

Flags fly proudly over work sites and stickers adorn hard hats of workers who still remember that the conditions we enjoy today were won by struggles of the past.

The John Cummins Memorial Fund has invested a remarkable $648,508 into our community – giving people in need a hand up, not just a hand out.

Scholarships for young people are distributed by schools to their most deserving and most promising students who just need a break.

TRAINING CENTRE

E MELBOURN IRPORT A

from Steelies n gabba o o Wooll

ETTARO BRUNSWICK EAST

The Brain Tumour Support Service at the Alfred hospital empowers people and gives them more control over their own lives. In the past 12 months, 165 families have benefited from support programs, education and community engagement.

CFMEU Members are a generous bunch and inspired by the work of John Cummins, we’ll continue to contribute and make a real difference to the lives of many around us.

ONSITE

REID ST H FITZROY NT

BUILT QT CBD

ASCENT TS A P A RTMEN

BUILT QT CBD

LEND LEASE MONASH

ONSIte

The flags

fly proudly e iNterstAtY it r A soLid

cfmeu HeAd office

reid st H fitZroY Nt 042

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melbourne uni apartments great efforts!

Members at Watpac putting back into our community Emily Beaton was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 2, and her parents were told there were no treatments.

It’s been a rough road, and still is.

But now, as Emily beats the odds and becomes a young adult, she is hoping to raise enough money to pay for a particular treatment that would give her more control over her life.

She’s had three more surgeries, and there’s more to come, but Emily managed to get onsite at Watpac Melbourne University Apartments to thank our members there for all their support. They have raised a total of $1505 to assist Emily and her family.

Tackling the black dog When members on the Watpac job found out that some of their workmates were struggling with depression, they wanted to do something to help tackle this debilitating disease.

ard c. hop Stew n with S mbers at Watpa to a e B y e m g in k 99 Emil n illo tha Sam Carr

They raffled off a framed Ned Kelly portrait and raised $670 for a donation to Beyond Blue, which raises awareness and tackles the stigma around mental illness in the community.

If you or any friends are in need of support, contact Incolink’s free confidential support services on 9668 3061.

Shop Stewards get

fired up

99 Mario la Watpac, B Forgia from ey Ian Scoble ond Blue rep, and - from Elt rax.

10,000 strong on Facebook Get the latest news, fun and action each day. Help us grow – invite your friends along! facebook.com/cfmeuvic

tes Delega g in t e e M 9 July 2015

‘That this meeting of CFMEU Delegates declares its full and unanimous support for the Officers and Officials of the Branch, in the face of constant and baseless attacks in the media, the Royal Commission and the Parliament.’

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The ups and downs of relationships.

It is a normal part of life that every couple’s relationship goes through many different stages.

F

rom the early days of being headover-heels in love… to slowly becoming more realistic, and noticing the differences in each other.

Changing over the years That next stage can come slowly, as over the years routines, responsibilities and interests outside of the relationship become the focus.

A final stage can be a reconnection and rekindling between two people, underpinned by a shared history, respect and acceptance.

Developing and maintaining relationships takes commitment.

But by being willing to work at it, learning new skills – and not waiting until things have started to fall apart – there’s every chance that you and your partner can be happy and healthy together.

Our construction industry presents unique challenges, with its long hours and time away from important family moments. It’s important that you leave the rugged energy of the building site at the front door when you come home to your loved ones.

What makes a healthy relationship?

We all know that communication is important; but it can be complicated – and how do you actually do it?

Here are some tips.  Listen! Be present, and take time to really hear what your partner is saying. Put your own thoughts aside for the time being.

Ask questions, to find out more about what they’re trying to communicate. Double-checking when you’re unsure can save misunderstandings later  Be aware of your body language.

If you’re saying one thing and your body another, it’s easy for the other person to feel that you aren’t listening  Set aside time, away from distractions, to be able to talk  In a respectful way, be honest about what you’re thinking and feeling even if it might upset your partner.

Some other parts of a good relationship:  You make decisions together  It’s OK to disagree with each other  You cooperate with each other  You both have other friendships, family and activities in your life

5 Steps for Better Mental Health GOOD 1 FEEL Create some jolts of happiness in your day – such as a favourite song or a good laugh

BE ENGAGED 2 Whether at home or at work, get stuck into something you’re good at, and be proud of what you’ve done

CONNECTED 3 GET Make some time to genuinely connect with other people. Say ‘G’day’ to someone at work or a neighbour who you wouldn’t normally talk to

LIVE PURPOSEFULLY 4 Know what gets you out of bed each morning KEEP GROWING 5 Never stop learning and challenging your fears.

If you would like to talk to someone about a relationship issue, please call Incolink Member Services on (03) 9668 3061.

 There is mutual respect  Communication is open and honest  Intimacy is pleasant for both.

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

045

OHS implications of China Free Trade Agreement

Workers’ lives at stake, Mr Abbott

By Dr Gerry Ayers, CFMEU Safety Unit manager.

You’ve probably heard about the looming China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) – not good news for construction workers.

y

ou probably haven’t yet been told about the most alarming part of this dud agreement: its undermining and erosion of workplace OHS standards and conditions that unions have fought hard to win over many decades.

ChAFTA – good for whom?

If ChAFTA goes through as it stands now, it will set up a potentially massive increase in workplace deaths and debilitating injuries.

Tony Abbott and Co continue to fiercely beat their chests over how good their beloved ChAFTA is. But good for whom? Definitely not for workers – that’s for sure.

 WorkSafe Australia statistics reported 184 Australian workplace fatalities for the 2014 calendar year.

OK, China has 60 times the population of Australia. But even when you allow for that, its workrelated death rate is still seven times as bad as Australia’s.

That’s just the average – many cases are even more horrendous.

In Australia, the construction industry mortality rate in 2014 was 2.24 per 100,000 workers.

Speed first, daylight second, safety nowhere In one 2012 accident, 19 workers were killed on a Chinese construction site when a lift filled with workers plummeted 30 floors onto a scaffold below.

Chinese mine operations are some of the deadliest in the world – one explosion in August 2013 killed 26 workers. In fact, fatalities are so common in the Chinese mining industry that they rarely make the newspapers anymore.

Six bridges have collapsed on China’s ever-expanding road and rail network since July 2011 – killing and seriously injuring dozens of people.

The question needs to be asked: does China sacrifice safety for the speed of construction?

Chinese construction 7 times as deadly

 In China, work-related accidents killed over 75,000 people in 2012!

That’s over 200 workers killed each day.

The average annual mortality rate for construction workers in one eastern area of China was a whopping 51.5 per 100,000 workers – nearly 20 time worse!

Chinese construction is 7 times more deadly. Workrelated accidents killed over 75,000 people in 2012.

Don’t import Chinese work practices ChAFTA will allow Chinese companies to bring in their own management and workforce (and by default, their own OHS standards and work practices) to do jobs – high risk, hazardous jobs – in Australia. The result? Well, you be the judge.

Wake up to yourself, Mr Abbott – just on health and safety issues alone, this agreement is a disgrace, and must not be allowed to go through in its current format.

Dare to struggle, dare to win.

CFMEU enforces Australian public’s safety expectations At the CFMEU, we pride ourselves in representing all workers – no matter where those workers are from or what nationality they are. We will always fight to maintain and improve workers’ health and safety. And we know that this is what the public and all workers want.

Why then is Tony Abbott prepared to put workers lives at risk, potentially devastating thousands of families, in his lust to strike Free Trade Agreement with countries that have appalling records on workplace health and safety?

killed 99 19 workers dent. ci ac t lif is th in

99 Concrete floor collapse - trapping work ers.

work 99 Form . se p a coll

Slater + Gordon IN YOUR CORNER

Mr Megee & Annemarie Income Protection dispute: problem solved When Daniel Megee (a boilermaker), suffered a severe back injury that caused him to cease work, he took some comfort from believing that he would not be left without an income.

Peace of mind…for a while And for eight months, Daniel’s Insurance Protection policy gave him the relative peace of mind that it had promised.

But… Daniel’s insurer then requested him to attend an independent medical examination (‘IME’, in insurance jargon). The Consultant Occupational Physician conducting the IME misunderstood the nature of his previous work duties. As a result, the insurer halved the value of Daniel’s IP payments.

Though Daniel went backwards and forwards with the insurance company, he could not persuade it to reinstate his full benefits.

CFMEU calls in Slater + Gordon Through the CFMEU Legal Services team, Mr Megee was referred to Slater + Gordon Principal Lawyer, Annemarie Gambera.

Daniel’s case took some time to resolve. It required dogged perseverance and arguments from Mr Megee and Ms Gambera, conducting a worksite assessment, refusing an evaluation requested by the insurer, and threatening to issue legal proceedings that included a claim for mental distress.

But in the end, Slater + Gordon was able to help, and Daniel received all of his income protection payments, back-paid at the correct level plus interest.

Daniel’s message: ‘Don’t tackle nothin’ yourself. Speak to Annemarie.’

Current CFMEU EBAs protect workers through our income protection scheme. It’s been a life-saver for many people who have sadly had no other option and are unable to work.

If you have an insurance dispute, seek a referral from the CFMEU Legal Services team to see if Slater + Gordon can assist you.

If you get legal advice first-up, you’ll be better off in the end.

Daniel Megee

It wouldn’t be there without your Union – and your membership gives you legal support from Slater + Gordon if you have any problems with your insurer.

99 Annemarie Gambera from Slater+Gordon.

99 Daniel took out an income protection (‘IP’) insurance policy through his workplace.

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

047

WHITELION SUPPORTING VUNERABLE YOUTH

Union offcials do time

but not how Abbott wants CFMEU raises $83k for 2015 Bail Out fundraiser First held in 2006, the Bail Out is the Whitelion charity’s major annual fundraising campaign.

Each year, nationwide Bail Out events expose ‘inmates’ to life on the inside, with activities that simulate prison life as they walk in the shoes of a young person being incarcerated.

As part of the 2015 Victorian Bail Out, CFMEU inmates John Setka, Ralph Edwards, Elias Spernovasilis, Shaun Reardon and Derek Christopher were given a rap sheet, fingerprinted and photographed. After appearing before a Magistrate in a mock court hearing, they

were sentenced to some cell time and given the opportunity to get on the phone to request some final donations.

CFMEU members, staff and officials proved to be fantastic supporters of the Bail Out, breaking a 10-year record by raising over $83,000 and building awareness for the charity. Whitelion, through Executive Assistant Nicki Makris, has sincerely thanked our Union’s team for its involvement, along with the support of all members and the office.

99 The boys take part in Bail Out 2015.

and the activities, particularly speakers like Kristy McKellar and Steve Cain who were brave enough to step forward with their real life accounts of the tragic circumstances they found themselves in.’ said Whitelion CEO Mark Watt.

Touched by survivors’ stories ‘The Bail Out participants have commented on how confronting and thoughtprovoking the experience was, and how touched they were by the court experience

WHITELION Whitelion is a charity established over 15 years ago to fill a desperate need in the community. We open doors to opportunities, positive relationships and community connections for youth at risk, with practical support such as mentoring programs and employment.

99 Over 15,000 young people were supported by our buses.

Whitelion works with the most disadvantaged members of our community. They often come from extremely abusive families, and have experienced sexual, drug or alcohol abuse.

048

CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

WHITELION CASE STUDY

Escaping violence with a four-year-old daughter Leah* looked into her four-year-old daughter’s eyes – and knew she had to make a change.

here, a couch there –a space where she and her daughter could rest, safe from her stepfather’s violent hands.

Leaving her home was the hardest decision Leah has ever made. She had no employment prospects or extended family to turn to, and her four-year-old daughter Charlotte was completely dependent on her.

When Leah’s stepfather moved into the home she shared with her mother, it felt as though the missing part of her family had been filled. Laughter filled Leah’s home, as the three adults played with young Charlotte.

Leah’s friends were encountering difficulties of their own. Addictions to Ice and alcohol lead to unpredictable, violent behaviour. Leah and Charlotte moved from broken home to broken home, before turning to life on the streets. It was during this time that Leah was referred to Whitelion’s Street Outreach team.

Mood swings to violence

Finding a stable home

Leah lived under the same roof as her abuser, her stepfather.

Within months, that mood changed. Leah’s stepfather started coming home drunk. He would lash out at Leah if Charlotte’s toys were in sight.

He gradually started using violence every day to control the household, throwing items at the family, shoving Leah against walls and cornering her while he hurled abuse.

With no previous experience in securing private accommodation, Leah needed help to view houses, complete tenancy applications, and obtain grants for bond and initial rent payments. Whitelion also helped with donations of furniture, kitchen items and whitegoods.

One afternoon in 2014, he attacked Leah with more violence than ever before. He beat Leah black and blue, and inflicted severe injuries.

Leah knew she wouldn’t survive much longer. She had to get Charlotte and herself out from under this tyrant.

Sleeping rough She turned to her friends for help. They provided the best they could: a mattress

Whitelion’s first priority was helping Leah and Charlotte get into stable housing.

Reviewing Leah’s family situation, it quickly became apparent that living with immediate or extended family was not an option.

Now, Leah and Charlotte finally have a home of their own. At the age of 23 years, this is the first home where Leah can feel truly safe. Charlotte will begin kindergarten this year, knowing that she now has a home to return to after school.

Whitelion fights the downward spiral Leah and Charlotte represent many thousands of vulnerable young people in Australia who are classed as ‘secondary homeless’ – young people who are sleeping on friends’ couches, in emergency accommodation, shifting from place to place, and only one step away from sleeping on the street. With no consistency in housing, not knowing where they will sleep the next night, the spiral continues downward until young people feel they have no future.

Whitelion, with the help of money raised

by CFMEU members and others in the 2015 Whitelion Bail Out, is helping to turn things around for young people like Leah and her daughter.

*In the interests of safety, some names may have been changed.

Whitelion’s numbers for 2014 15,863

1,307

434

334

318

526

175

young people received support on the streets from our mobile bus services

young people received intensive support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people were supported by us

young people were enrolled in our learning centres

young people were matched with a fully trained volunteer mentor

young people received vocational support

young people were employed

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

049

cbus

and Unpaid Super Results that Matter

At Cbus we’re committed to ensuring that our members get the super they’re entitled to. Through our contracted service with Industry Funds Credit Control (IFCC) we have collected unpaid super on behalf of Cbus members.

As a result in the last financial year alone, $56 million was collected on behalf of our members. And over the last 12 years around $413 million in unpaid super has been recovered which is more than any other super fund.

To find out more visit www.cbussuper.com.au/unpaidsuper or give Cbus a call on 1300 361 784.

Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262. Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Contact 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy.

INSERT COPY

Unpaid super Your employer is required by law to contribute at least 9.5% of your Ordinary Time Earnings into your super

To check your super is being paid on time, just: Login to the Cbus Member SuperSite, the secure online super account, at cbussuper.com.au/access or  Download the Cbus mobile app and check your account from your phone - visit cbussuper.com.au.au/app or  Call the Service Centre on 1300 361 784 from 8am to 8pm (AEST/ AEDT), Monday to Friday.

At Cbus we’re committed to ensuring members get the super they’re entitled to.

 Ask your employer which fund they are paying your super into (it may not be Cbus), how much they are paying and how often. It’s important to check with them that all your super details are correct too.

Cbus requires employers to pay super contributions monthly, to ensure members don’t miss out on investment earnings and maintain any insurance cover they may have.

 Speak to your Cbus Coordinator or Union Delegate - they have access to our Compliance Hotline and can check on your behalf.

For more information, visit cbussuper.com.au/unpaidsuper

Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Contact 1300 361 784 or visit www. cbussuper.com.au for a copy. Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262.

motor neurone disease tragedy ‘While no amount of money can alter the course of Lecia’s disease, it is our sincere hope that it will alleviate some of their stress and allow them to focus fully on what really matters.’

Geelong members raise over $30K for family.

Two years ago, former ETU employee Lecia O’Brien was tragically diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

H

er husband Stephen, a long-time ETU member and respected shop steward, has had to quit his job to look after Lecia and their three young boys under the age of 7.

All trades have been involved in the fundraiser, with everyone contributing.

Epworth Multiplex members gathered on Lecia’s birthday for a photo and an announcement that over $31,000 had been raised in Geelong alone.

‘Thank you all for your kindness and community spirit. Touch one, touch all.’

Troy Gray, State Secretary ETU.

99 Lecia and Stephen O’Brien with their three boys.

Geelong CFMEU organiser, Peter Booth commented that: ‘the best thing we do is look after our own.’

Message from the ETU

All trades pitch in When they heard about the family’s plight, CFMEU members at Geelong’s biggest construction job, Epworth Multiplex, along with smaller jobs across the Geelong region, joined forces with the ETU to support the O’Briens.

In thanking our members, the ETU singled out ‘brothers and sisters at the CFMEU’ for once again going ‘beyond the call of duty in their support of Stephen and Lecia.’

Over00 0 $300e,d in s i ra oria!

Vict

Women in construction Member profiles

Jacinta Harland Jactina works in traffic management in Fitzroy North.

She’s been in the industry since March this year after doing a few training courses.

Before construction, Jacinta worked on the wharfs doing a bit of everything.

With a keen interest in safety, Jacinta would like

052

to get into OHS, so she might look at doing some additional training.

Jacinta loves the industry, reckons it’s ‘awesome’ and completely different to other industries. The thing she likes most is that people in construction really want to work.

CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

CFMEU CLASSIFIEDS

Construction of concrete structures for multistorey office and apartment buildings; and large shopping centres. Including formwork, reinforcement supply and fix, post tensioning supply and installation, concrete supply, concrete place, concrete pumping, construction of concrete lift cores, structure safety screens and provision of other self climbing systems.

68-76 Drake Boulevard, Altona, Vic. 3018

Ph: (03) 8331 7100 Fax: (03) 8331 7150 Email: info@form700.com.au Website: www.form700.com.au CW 21/2

We’ve got your back Slater and Gordon is proud to partner with the CFMEU

Contact the CFMEU on

03 9341 3444 for a referral to Slater and Gordon Services for CFMEU members + Workers Compensation + Motor Vehicle Accidents + Asbestos + Wills and Estates + Conveyancing

+ Family Law + Criminal Law + Industrial and Employment Law + Much more

slatergordon.com.au CW 21/2

SPRING 2015

CFMEU WORKER

053

CFMEU CLASSIFIEDS

Coconut Steel Fixing Pty Ltd EMAC CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD ★ Shopfitting ★ Commercial Fitouts

Ph: (03) 9558 9881

Wilfit Interiors

Pty Ltd

33 Albemarle Street Williamstown, Vic. 3016

0428 100 037

5 Elsworth Street East, Ballarat, Vic. 3350

Fax: (03) 9708 6871

Ph: (03) 5332 1038

• DRAINAGE

• SEWAGE • ROADS • ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

ANTHONY CICCONE PROJECT MANAGER

0414 979 169

CIVIL

Wayne Roller Shutters P/L

Mob: 0418 145 011 Fax: (03) 5223 1202 CW 21/2

Straightline I & D Group P/L In support Excavations of the CFMEU & Pty Ltd Workplace Safety 19 Dawson Street Coburg North, Vic. 3058

Phone:

(03) 9354 1220

336 Moorabool Street Geelong, Vic. 3220

Unit 4/3 Faigh Street Mulgrave, Vic. 3170

CW 21/2

Express Interiors Pty Ltd 1 Buckland Street Clayton, Vic. 3166

Ph: (03) 9548 7322

P: 03 9560 1812

Fax: (03) 9548 7255

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Camillo Concrete Structures Pty Ltd 262 Salmon Street Port Melbourne Vic. 3207

4 Kororoit Court Kurunjang 3337

Ph: 8746 4232 Fax: 8746 4216 CW 21/2

M Group Construction Services is a company primarily structured to accommodate the Construction and Civil industries’ needs for Professional Traffic Management focussed on protecting the public.

CW 21/2

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CYCON

PTY LTD

R & L Collins (Construction) Pty Ltd

CW 21/2

PO Box 77, Thomastown, Vic. 3074

ac.cyconciv@telstra.com

CW 21/2

Supporting the CFMEU

Your men of steel

CW 21/2

www.a1precision.com.au

GR & L Caldow

Pty Ltd

Ph: (03) 9708 6877

054

Providing solutions for all of your commercial and industrial needs

CW 21/2

Plinius Engineering

96 Wedgewood Road Hallam, Vic. 3803

CYCON CIVIL PTY LTD

Ph: (03) 9399 9766

CW 21/2

★ Structural steel ★ Commercial buildings and sheds

CC

ZEALMORE (AUST) PTY LTD

PHONE: CW 21/2

1 Expo Court, Mount Waverley Vic. 3149

COMMERCIAL CIVIL RESIDENTIAL

Supporting the CFMEU

M Group are ISO Accredited Company focussed on Health & Safety and Quality.

Phone:

(03) 9646 2188 CW 21/2

Phone: 0409 919 977 Fax: 03 9372 5288 www.mgroupcs.com.au operations@mgroupcs.com.au

CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

CFMEU CLASSIFIEDS

APM GROUP (AUST) PTY LTD

Complete Shotcrete Pty Ltd

11 Newton Street, Richmond, Vic. 3121 Ph: 03 8413 0000 Fax: 03 8413 0013

P.O. Box 167, Bannockburn, Vic. 3331 Email: matthew.dole@apmgroup.com.au Website: www.apmgroup.com.au

Mob: 0407 322 649 CW 21/2

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GIVE BLOOD

Support

PROUD TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFTEY IN THE WORKPLACE

BEYOND BLUE

CW 21/2

CW 21/2

Supporting the CFMEU

Sunrise Cleaning Services Pty Ltd

2/25 Production Drive Campbellfield, Vic. 3061

6 Brussell Close, Taylors Lakes, Vic. 3038

C2 Group

Ph: (03) 9390 3976 Mob: 0412 327 255 Email: sunrise055@bigpond.com

CW 21/2

PO Box 445, Essendon, Vic 3040.

528A Ballarat Road Sunshine Vic. 3020

Ph: 03 9370 5103

Ph: (03) 9312 3688

Email: info@c2­group.com.au Web: www.c2­group.com.au

CW 21/2

Aussie Lift & Shift (Melb) Pty Ltd

CW 21/2

Postenco Pty Ltd

41 Kambrook Ave, Melbourne, Vic. 3000

Mobile: 0415 959 999

Mob: 0419 542 575

CW 21/2

Supporting the CFMEU

SAS Steelfixing (Aust)

Email: ben@australasianconcrete.com.au CW 21/2

Oak Park Tullamarine Pty Ltd Specialise in Concrete Formwork

Concrete Reinforcement of Commercial & Civil Works

Mob: 0419 002 154 or 0425 830 773

CW 21/2

Email: renee@optulla.com.au

CW 21/2

P.O. Box 2129, Ringwood North, Vic. 3134

P.O. Box 158, Drysdale, Vic. 3222

Concut Victoria

BMK Pty Ltd

Pty Ltd

124 Pindara Blvd, Langwarrin, Vic. 3910

P.O. Box 504 Braeside, Vic. 3195

COMMERCIAL PLASTERING CARPENTRY

Ph: (03) 9587 4777

E: bmkptyltd@bigpond.com

243 Browns Road Noble Park North, Vic. 3174

CW 21/2

Phone: (03) 9095 6835 CW 21/2

MOBILE 0434 210 502 PHONE 03 9789 1114

EMAIL brett@urban1.com.au

Tel: (03) 9546 6882 CW 21/2

CW 21/2

Supporting the CFMEU

31 Albert Street 5248 8809 Moolap, Vic. 0418 522 433

Tile Effect (Vic) Pty Ltd P.O. Box 2147, Mount Waverley, Vic. 3149

CW 21/2

68-76 Drake Bvd, Altona, Vic. 3018

FAX 03 9789 1555

Independent Testing Service Project & Quality Control Testing NATA Accredited Servicing Geelong & Melbourne

CW 21/2

Plaza Interiors (Aust) Pty Ltd Mail to: P.O. Box 7083, Hawthorn North LPO, Vic. 3122 Ph: 03 9859 8766 Fax: 03 9859 8477 Mobile: 0412 496 600 www.plazainteriors.com.au Email: graham@plazainteriors.com.au

MP Interior Linings Pty Ltd

Geelong Concrete Testing P/L

Mob: 0419 269 069

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SUMMIT CONCRETE PUMPING PTY LTD P.O. Box 5100, Mordialloc VIC 3195 Bookings: Maurice Pinzana – 0418 368 758 Office: Michelle Lampard – 0403 11 11 00 Phone: 03 9551 1411 Fax: 03 9558 2693 www.summitconcrete.com.au CW 21/2

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59 Tanbridge Way Warranwood, Vic. 3134

Ph: 0413 740 685 or 0419 872 051

Fax: (03) 9312 1735

Mobile: 0411 701 417 CW 21/2

Baron Forge Contractors Pty Ltd PO Box 186, Highpoint VIC 3032

Ph: 03 9315 3225 CW 21/2

SEAHAVEN SERVICES PTY LTD

DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS Fact 4, 53-55 Spalding Ave, Sunshine, Vic. 3020 Ph: 03 9311 7382 Mobile: 0400 076 947 Email: seahavenservices@bigpond.com

CW 21/2

Ph: (03) 9357 6225 Fax: (03) 9357 7969 Mobile: 0418 302 601 John

CW 21/2

Statewide Concrete Pumping Co. Pty Ltd

CW 21/2

Raven Scaffolds Pty Ltd P.O. Box 917, Eltham, Vic 3095 Telephone 03 9359 3880 www.ravenscaffolds.com.au

CW 21/2

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE CFMEU

CW 21/2

SPRING 2015

John 0402256202 Billy 0413511211 Toby 0451141215 www.phoenixtraffic.com.au info@phoenixtraffic.com.au

CFMEU WORKER

CW 21/2

GIVE BLOOD 055

Membership Up! 1,000 new members in 12 months.They attack us, we grow stronger.

Be 100%

paid up! & proud

CFMEU CLASSIFIEDS

P.R.I. Pty Ltd 5/121 Fairbairn Road Sunshine, Vic. 30121

Clean City Services Vic Pty Ltd

Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd

l Carpentry

Commercial Carpentry Residential Construction

0403 060 607 Peter

P.O. Box 489 Kew East, Vic. 3102

Email: pschafer@priptyltd.com

Mobile: 0404 446 633

 



Email: cleancity@optusnet.com.au CW 21/2

CW 21/2

Bazmatt Pty Ltd

3/7 Chaplin Drive Lane Cove, NSW 2066

Ph: (02) 9420 0313 Fax: (02) 9420 0118 Email: Kerry@cityrendering.com.au

41 Schooner Bay Drive Frankston, Vic. 3199

Grampians Excavations & Soilyard P.O. Box 315, Stawell, Vic. 3380

Ph: (03) 9776 6592 Mob: 0407 168 371

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Mob: 0419 866 920 Email: grampexc@netconnect.com.au

CW 21/2

PMC Enterprises (Aust) Pty Ltd 2 Hobsons Bay Parade, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

P 03 9592 6332 M 0418 530 568 E pcavedon@pmcaust.com.au

CW 21/2

Supporting the CFMEU

Robertson Coatings Pty Ltd

33 Wangara Road, Cheltenham, Vic. 3192

Ph: 1300 262 846

CW 21/2

CW 21/2

Service West Melbourne Pty Ltd Commercial furniture installation & logistics

STEELVISION PTY LTD P.O. Box 72, Chelsea, Vic. 3196 Office – Suite 32, 93 Wells Road, Chelsea Heights, VIC 3196

36 Tennyson Street Williamstown Nth, Vic. 3016

T – 03 9772 9956 M - 0424 908 798

Ph: (03) 9397 1000

E – admin@steelvision.com.au W - http://steelvision.com.au/

CW 21/2

RELIABLE SCAFFOLD SERVICES PTY LTD 315 UNION LANE BYLANDS, VIC. 3762 PHONE: E:

(03) 5781 0639

INFO@RELIABLESCAFFOLD.COM.AU CW 21/2

056

CW 21/2

Master Painters Accessories Pty Ltd

FALL PROTECTION & TEMPORARY GUARDRAIL SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SITES.

220 Normanby Avenue Thornbury, Vic. 3071

M: 0412 044 369 CW 21/2

CFMEU WORKER

(03) 8773 7255 industrialsales.vic@scopesafety.com.au CW 21/1

SPRING 2015

CFMEU CLASSIFIEDS

As (Aust) Pty Ltd t/as CHAMPION STRUCTURES (AUST) PTY LTD P.O. Box 4036, Mulgrave, Vic. 3170 Mobile: 0412 346 669 GJ REID BRICKLAYING PTY LTD P.O. Box 216, Belmont, Vic 3216 Mobile: 0418 521 645 Gary Email: g.j.reid@bigpond.com GUZZARDI CRANES PTY LTD 3 Carolina Street, Selby, Vic. 3159 Mobile: 0408 775 711 Email: guzzardi@hotmail.com HIGHRISE CARPENTRY 8/27 Ascot Vale Road, Flemington, Vic. 3031 Phone: (03) 9376 6333 Fax: (03) 9382 0407 Email: info@highrisecarpentry.com.au Web: www.highrisecarpentry.com.au

L. U. SIMON BUILDERS ★ Building on quality and innovation for over 60 years 818 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North 3068

Ph: (03) 9488 0000 CW 21/2

Matic PLASTERING Pty Ltd 18 Reema Boulevard Endeavour Hills, Vic. 3802

Ph/Fax: (03) 9708 0559 Mobile: 0401 681 748 CW 21/2

LL INSTALLATIONS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD P.O. Box 942, Williamstown, Vic. 3016 Mobile: 0400 150 580 Email: admin@llinstallations.com.au MERCURY INDUSTRY PTY LTD 28 Wren Road, Moorabbin, Vic. 3189 Phone: (03) 9532 2889 Fax: (03) 9532 0682 Mobile: 0413 789 518 Marty Email: mercuryindustry11@gmail.com MONTE CARLO TILING 1/61 Gateway, Broadmeadows, Vic. 3047 Ph: (03) 9359 6262 Fax: (03) 9359 6242 Mobile: 0425 824 363 Web: www.montecarlotiling.com.au

We offer a one-stop civil construction solution for our clients and their projects.

RENMAR CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD 11 McPherson Place, Werribee, Vic 3030 Ph: 0400 677 023 Email: renmar61@bigpond.com

www.mitchco.com.au

Contact the team at Mitchco Group Australia Pty Ltd.

Phone 03 9646 6972 CW 21/2

STILCON SCAFFOLDING PTY LTD 134-140 Fairbairn Road, West Sunshine, Vic. 3013 Ph: (03) 9314 9922 Fax: (03) 9314 6822 Web: www.stilconscaffolding.com.au TAFFY GRIFFITHS CONCRETE CUTTING P.O. Box 305, Leopold, Vic. 3224 Mobile: 0411 427 604 Neil Email: neil@taffygriffiths.com.au WCM CONTRACTING PTY LTD 3/51 Kalman Drive, Boronia, Vic. 3155 Mobile: 0418 148 020 GIVE BLOOD XERRI GROUP PTY LTD 5 Wayne Court, Dandenong, Vic. 3175 Phone: (03) 9794 8305 Fax: (03) 9793 5870 Email: mxerri@xerri.com.au Web: www.xerri.com.au

SPRING 2015

Specialised Wet Abrasive Blasting (95% less dust) Abrasive Blasting Surface Preparation Quality Assured Website: www.wetsandblasting.com.au Email: waspblasting@hotmail.com.au

0402 609 990 CFMEU WORKER

CW 21/2

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YOUR WAGES

EBA WAGE RATES ONSITE 36-HOUR WEEK: Site allowances and Incolink contributions increased from 1 Oct 2014.

Final 5% pay rise of current industry standard EBA due from 1 March 2015.

For sector EBA’s see cfmeuvic.com.au (civil, contract scaffold, precast, traffic control, demolition, apprentices, mobile cranes, steel erection, shop fitting)

RATE PER HOUR

RATE PER WEEK*

WEEKLY PRO-RATA HOLIDAY PAY (INCLUDING 17.5% LOADING)

SATURDAY OVERTIME (INCLUDING 20 MINUTES CRIB)

39.31

1415.16

141.43

642.06

Painter – new work

38.43

1383.48

138.33

627.69

Painter – re-paint

38.38

1381.68

138.16

626.87

Marker/Setter-out, Letter Cutter

40.92

1473.12

147.11

668.36

Signwriter

40.07

1442.52

144.11

654.48

42.47

1528.92

152.57

693.68

38.21

1375.56

137.56

624.10

36.95

1330.20

133.11

603.52

(36 HOUR WEEK)

Tradespersons Carpenter, Shopfitter, Joiner Tile-layer Onsite Stonemason Artificial Stoneworker Marble & Slate Worker Plasterer Solid Plasterer Sign Industry Worker Bricklayer

Roof-tiler Special Class Tradesperson Carver *Weekly rates includes tool allowance at 100% rate

Labourers group ONE Rigger Dogman DLI Certified Operator (Boom or Tower pump) Stationary Pump Operator

group TWO Hoist Driver/Winch Driver Line Pump Operator (Truck or Trailer mounted) Scaffolder Steel Fixer Concrete Finisher etc.

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CFMEU WORKER

SPRING 2015

YOUR WAGES

Labourers (continued) group three Pile Driver

35.82

1289.52

129.13

585.06

Operator and Dogman/Crane hands

44.51

1602.36

159.76

727.00

Trainee Dogman/Crane hand (fixed cranes)

41.40

1490.40

148.80

676.20

Aluminium Alloy Structural Erector Gantry Hand Drilling Machine Operator Dump Cart Operator Hoseman & Trainee Operator Skilled Labourer and all others

Crane crews Tower crane crew

Plant operators – building and construction (weekly hire) OPERATOR GRADES ONE AND TWO Mechanical plant operator: Groups 1 & 2

37.02

1332.72

133.36

604.66

38.60

1389.60

138.93

630.47

40.11

1443.96

144.25

655.13

Winch driver Mobile hydraulic platform operator

OPERATOR GRADE THREE Mechanical plant operator: Groups 3 & 4 Mobile crane drivers: up to 15 tonnes

OPERATOR GRADE FOUR Mechanical plant operators: Groups 5 & 6 Mobile crane drivers: 15 – 100 tonnes Note: If unsure if agreement applies to you, check with the Union for your company sector-specific EBA, e.g. Civil.

The following site allowances apply under CFMEU construction industry enterprise agreements (EBAs) from 1 October 2014.

Multi-storey Allowance

Site Allowances

Start to 15th floor

$0.51 cents/hr

New projects Melbourne inner suburbs and shopping centres

Floors 16 – 30

$0.61 cents/hr

Projects between $3 million and $224 million: $4.00 per hour.

Floors 31 – 45

$0.94 cents/hr

For projects over $224 million, see chart below.

Floors 46 – 60

$1.22 cents/hr

Renovations and refurbishments, Melbourne and inner suburbs: $3.45 per hour.

Floors 61+

$1.49 cents/hr

New projects elsewhere

EBA Benefits and Allowances Travel allowance: $39.30 per day

Project value $ million

Site allowance $ per hour

Superannuation: $175 per week

$3.0 – 7.6million

$2.25

$7.6 – 18.6 million

$2.45

$18.6 – 37.4 million

$2.75

Incolink payments: $74.50 per week paid into Incolink. Income protection, trauma insurance and portable sick leave are also available (paid into Incolink).

$37.4 – 74.7 million

$3.25

$74.7 – 149.3 million

$3.90

$149.3 – 224.0 million

$4.00

$224.0 – 298.5 million

$4.15

$298.5 – 447.9 million

$4.30

For projects above $447.9 million, there shall be an increment of 10 cents per additional $100m or part thereof.

Long service leave: 13 weeks after ten years, pro rata after seven years (paid into CoInvest).

Overtime meal allowance: $24.90 when required to work overtime for one and a half hours or more on an ordinary working day.

Living away from home allowance: $750 per week Site allowance: Check the CFMEU Allowances Schedule for more information.

As well as a 5% pay rise every year for the four-year life of the current EBA, all overtime is double-time, fares and travel are up, living away is up, super is up, and meals are up. Stay paid-up and proud, it’s worth it!

CFMEU WORKER

059