Branch Secretary’s Message – December eWorker

Right across Queensland, AWU members are fighting for safe and secure jobs – and a fair go at work.

It’s union members standing together who are making the difference day in, day out in your workplace.

Which is why the Federal LNP Governments continues to attack unions and union members in an effort to weaken the rights of working Australians. They know there is strength in being part of the union.

The AWU continues to fight against these forces to stand up for your rights at work.

Queensland Health Members Fight for a Fair Go

AWU members working in our public hospitals are continuing to fight for a fair Queensland Health agreement which takes real action on the issues facing our members.

From Brisbane to Babinda to Barcaldine, from Cairns to the Gold Coast, AWU members have been standing together to take industrial action including stop-work meetings and work bans. It’s not a decision members have taken lightly – and I congratulate members for your efforts.

It’s because of the hard work of thousands of AWU members across Queensland that we’re so close to winning this fight – and they’re not giving up now.

Industrial Manslaughter Laws for Mines

In a significant step forward for AWU members, the Queensland Government last Friday committed to introducing industrial manslaughter laws for mines and quarries in Queensland.

Over the last eighteen months alone we’ve seen seven workers on mines and quarries in Queensland tragically lose their lives while at work.

As far as we’re concerned, one death or injury at work is one too many. That’s why we’ve been fighting to get industrial manslaughter law for the mining sector to hold mine bosses to the highest possible level of accountability for safety.

This means that mine and quarry workers will finally have the same protections that many other Queensland workplaces take for granted.

The AWU has spent years fighting for this change, because making sure our members have access to safe workplaces is always our first priority.

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AWU Delivers in Cross River Rail Agreement

As the Cross River Rail union, the AWU has secured one of the best civil construction Agreements in Australia with civil construction workers expected to earn $220,000 a year or more.

The Agreement delivers some of the best wages and conditions for tunnel and civil construction workers – they’re right are up there with the very best in the industry. And with 450 apprentice positions, Apprentices and Trainees will earn from double up to four times the Award rate.

The AWU is extremely proud of this deal, which comes as a result of months of intense bargaining negotiations.

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STEVE BAKER
AWU QUEENSLAND BRANCH SECRETARY