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Volume 4, Thursday June 14, 2007
UNION BOSS OFFERS HELP The Australian Workers Union has called on BHP Billiton to provide internet and telephone access to its workers staying at camps in Roxby Downs. The National Secretary of the AWU, Bill Shorten in a flying visit to Roxby Downs told The Monitor the union wants to work with the company to provide services that will enhance the quality of life for its Olympic Dam workforce. “The AWU and the face of unionism is changing, and our union is leading the way in that regard,” Mr. Shorten said. “We’re not zealots and don’t use old fashioned strategies to assist our members. We work with their employers, in this case BHP Billiton, to ensure they’re not alone in the big planning challenges that lay ahead. “We believe that we can work hand in hand with the company to ensure there is provision of good lifestyle choices to our members and its workforce,” he said. “Look, the company can’t be the Mum and Dad for its workers, but we can provide a high range of skills and expertise to effect change in the future planning of Roxby Downs and its workforce. “The company should think about providing free telephone connection and internet services to its employees at its camps. “Its not going to be a big cost, probably about $100 per new employee, but the benefits to the company are immeasurable in terms of employee loyalty,” he said.
Mr. Shorten was in town to discuss with workers and the community about how to improve their conditions at work. The meeting at the Olympic Dam Football Club attracted a big audience. “We’re going to talk to BHP Billiton about the plans they have for the expansion especially in the provision of more health services in Roxby Downs, childcare facilities and a bigger, improved hospital to cater for that expanded population. “We’re also going to talk about the way in which the company plans to source its proposed workforce especially in regard to the use of visas to employ overseas workers,” Mr. Shorten said. “With the planned ability to fly in 747 aircraft direct into the new airport we don’t want a situation where Australian workers jobs are put at risk. “It would be old style strategy to have guest workers living in barrack style accommodation, rather than having the expansion workforce integrated into the wider community. “But these are the topics we need to discuss with the company to ensure the workers lifestyle and amenities are adequate to cater for their needs whilst they undertake their work,” Mr. Shorten said. The AWU National Secretary sprang to prominence during his compassionate control of the Beaconsfield Mine Disaster Recovery effort on behalf of his trapped miners. Above: National Secretary of the AWU, Bill Shorten in Roxby Downs recently.
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