OHS
Safety is Union Business
Australian construction has become safer because workers have stood up for their right to work to live.
Overseas research confirms that workplaces with strong union membership are safer. It's logical. Workers who are prepared to have a go, who form Safety Committees and refuse to accept unsafe working conditions, improve the industry for everyone.
The struggle against excessive hours, employers cutting costs and shoddy safety continues every day.
Howells report: tough penalties needed for bosses illegally employing overseas workers
The CFMEU has called on the Federal Government to adopt the recommendations of its own Howells Report and toughen laws to deter and penalise employers who illegally employ overseas workers and undermine the job security of Australian workers.
CFMEU National Secretary Construction Dave Noonan said reports the Government would accept in principle all the recommendations of the Report showed it was committed to cracking down on the employers of people working illegally in Australia.
He said it was crucial that the Government move swiftly to introduce the legislation to implement all the Howells report’s recommendations early in 2012.
US President tribute to workers' fight for safety
US President Barack Obama issued a proclamation in observance of Workers Memorial Day on April 28 by recognizing the workplace protections won by
generations of workers throughout the years and recommitting his administration to ensuring the health and welfare of working Americans.
Notably, he drew attention to the importance of organised labour in the struggle for safe workplaces.
Construction workers take up the Climate Change challenge
The debate on Australia pricing carbon pollution rages – in Parliament and in the media.
Unions have a responsibility to get involved to protect our members’ best interests. The CFMEU respects blue collar workers concerns about their jobs and the rising costs of living. That’s why the union’s bottom line is: that jobs must be protected and low and middle income earners must be permanently compensated in any pollution pricing plan.
Construction Training Opportunity for Indigenous Workers
Calling all Koori workers in NSW who are interested in working in the construction industry. The final Job Ready course for 2011 starts at Yaama Training Centre Darlington on Monday October 17. There are some places still available.
Attend the Information Day on Wednesday 28 September 2011 at 10.00am at Yaama Training Centre, 255 Wilson Street Darlington. Download the attached PDF for details of the 2011 Courses and location map.
Green Bans 40th Anniversary
We saved this city: construction workers mark 40th anniversary of first Green Ban
Imagine it: McDonalds at Centennial Park; modern high-rise at The Rocks; a “privatised” harbour foreshore lined by high-rise apartments, no Finger Wharf at Wolloomolloo, Newcastle’s historic East End demolished, Wollongong’s majestic Regent Theatre no more.
That's what the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong we live in would look like now, if not for the CFMEU and its predecessor unions’ use of Green Bans.
Today, June 16, the CFMEU marks the 40th anniversary of the first green ban. On that day Jack Mundey, then NSW secretary of the Builders Labourers’ Federation (BLF), joined forces with the FEDFA and a group of conservative Hunters Hill housewives to save the last patch of bushland on the Parramatta River.
William Hodge - UPDATE
Campbelltown bricklayer William Hodge has a message for all workers – if you don’t fight, you lose.
With the CFMEU’s help the father-of-three recently won his battle against DMW Bricklaying with the company and developer Skyton agreeing to a confidential payout.
Hodge, who was working under an ABN, was a victim of sham contracting and was owed $70,000 in unpaid superannuation
He began working for Darren Williams, the owner of DMW Bricklaying in 2000 and did not receive any superannuation benefits in 11 years.
Member Benefits
Being a member of the CFMEU, you are a part of the combined strength that is committed to improving and maintaining your work and family balance. In addition to the superannuation, long service leave and redundancy benefits which the CFMEU has won, there is a list below of other side-benefits that you get from being a member of the Union.
Your Union
If you want to be a member of a union that sticks up for workers and isn't afraid to take action, you need to be a member of the CFMEU.
CFMEU Construction & General Division members build Australia’s towns and cities, and the roads and railways that link them together.
We build the schools and colleges that train our young people and the hospitals that look after us when we are sick.
We build the mines and power plants that fuel our economy and the ports that handle our trade.
