Seasons greetings from the AWU

21 December 2011

On behalf of officials and staff at The Australian Workers' Union, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish our members, delegates and their families the very best for the upcoming festive season.

We’ve had some big fights in 2011.

Winning the Rio Tinto campaign

At our National Conference in February, we launched our campaign against Rio Tinto and their union-busting tactics. It was a huge win for workers rights across Australia when in June, Rio Tinto Alcan were slapped with a court order granting the AWU access to crib rooms at their aluminium smelter in Bell Bay, Tasmania. The decision was symbolic of Rio’s waning stranglehold over their workforce, with the FWA recognising the fundamental right of these workers to talk to their union.

Winning in the fight against illegal dumping

At National Conference, we also we launched a campaign targeting China’s illegal dumping of manufactured goods onto the Australian market. The union again delivered an important victory when in June this year, the Government announced a package of reforms to strengthen Australia’s anti-dumping regulations.

Winning in our stand against climate extremists

We stood up to the climate extremists who threatened the jobs of thousands of our members – especially in the steel industry. We fought long and hard for good, Australian jobs to be protected under a carbon pricing mechanism, and we got the Steel Transformation Plan – a $300 million boost for our domestic steel industry. Our steel manufacturers now have the opportunity to put into place plans to re-grow as the resource sector booms.

Winning for manufacturing sector workers

But our biggest fight this year has been to defend manufacturing jobs – and ensure that the highly profitable resource sector accepts its responsibility to the rest of Australian society.

It’s a fight we’ll need to continue throughout 2012, but the creation of a high-level manufacturing taskforce personally chaired by the Prime Minister – where the AWU has a seat at the table – gives us great hope.

The Taskforce includes the top leaders of our manufacturing sector, cutting edge research sector leaders and manufacturing unions with a primary focus on securing a strong future for Australian manufacturing and its workforce. 

New challenges in 2012 created by global economic pressures and review of Fair Work laws

In the coming year, we’ll face the threat of new global economic pressures on the security of good Australian jobs. There’s no doubt that at the same time, we’ll also see pressure from some within the business community to roll back the Fair Work laws.

While those loud voices demanding a roll back of workplace rights might grab the occasional glib media headline, there are of course many employers of AWU members who know that in times of economic uncertainty, the best course of action is to work co-operatively with the workforce.

Working co-operatively is part of the long and proud tradition of this union – and I don’t plan to veer from that tradition as your National Secretary. We’ll argue for that position when the review of the Fair Work laws takes place in 2012, and we’ll be proud to do so.

Time to cherish families and loved ones

But that aside – over the coming weeks, it’s time for us to cherish our families and loved ones, to enjoy their company throughout the holiday season and New Years celebrations.

I’m looking forward to working cooperatively with all AWU members and employers again in 2012 to make this great nation of ours a better place for all. All the best for a safe and happy festive season.

 In unity,

 Paul Howes

NATIONAL SECRETARY

Christmas and New Year Office Hours

 The AWU National Office will close at 5pm on Thursday 22 December 2011, and re-open on January 3, 2012.

In case of an emergency, please phone AWU Assistant National Secretary Scott McDine on 0458 370 907.

* The Victorian Branch operates a skeleton staff from 10am-2pm on 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December