In 2012, growth in work in the construction industry in NSW, particularly commercial construction remained slow. The CFMEU is looking forward to improved conditions in 2013/2014, particularly as some large projects commence. Many of our members have felt the financial hardship due to the work slowdown. As work picks up we will concentrate on ensuring that our members rights and entitlements are met, including increasing EBA coverage. The CFMEU will continue to advocate for a level playing field for subbies who are meeting their legal oblications and providing construction workers decent wages and conditions. 

The Union is also committed to seeing less shonky operators in the industry and respect for, not only the wages and entitlements of our members, but also their safety. Early last year, our industry was marred by a number of fatalties and we do not wish to see that repeated this year. We need to campaign for a decent and respectful industry, not one that just turns over a profit. The CFMEU needs to maintain its presence on site. 

In 2013, we will build on the successes of 2012 through site visits to check compliance of 24-Hour Top-Up insurance, superannuation payments, workers' compensation and pay rates and safety. We will alongside other unions, particularly the construction unions, also continue our campaign against the cuts to workers compensation which disadvantage the most seriously and long-term injured workers. We need to have a presence on site to prevent death and injury and want WorkCover to toughen up so that workes are not killed or maimed and left to the scrap heap. 

2013 is also a Federal Election year and whilst we might have some get frustrated with the current governmnet, what Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party have planned for workers and their unions will strike at the heart of the wages and conditions of construction workers. the NSW Liberal Government has already shown wha the Liberal Party stands for, big business and big profits at the expense of the rights of workers. 

The NSW Liberal Government proposes to introduce a Code of Practice to limit the power of the Union to negotiate decent wages and conditions on our members behalf, even when those agreements are legal under the Commonwealth Fair Work Act, and we've already seen them take the axe to workers compensation. Yet they have done nothing about the increased number of companies that have collapsed leav eing subbies and workers without their entitlements. There's been a lot of talk, but not a lot of action. Under a Tony Abbott led Liberal Government should they be elected later this yea, this attack on workers' conditions and their rights will be magnified!

Your leadership team, State Secretary Brian Parker, President Rita Mallia and Assistant State Secretaries Rob Kera and Rebel Hanlon have an unparalleled breadth of experience and are ready to take on the challenges leading Australia's largest construction union, along with our hard working organisers, officers, staff, delegates and members. We want to improve conditions and stave off attacks to the benefits of construction workers and their families. 

However the union is only as strong as its members and we seek your support in continuing to build the Union's strength. 

Brian Parker, Rita Mallia, Rob Kera and Rebel Hanlon