JOIN THE CFMEU TODAY! Text "JOIN" to 0480 020 233 or visit: membership.cfmeu.org.au - DEC
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JOIN THE CFMEU TODAY! Text “JOIN” to 0480 020 233 or visit: membership.cfmeu.org.au DEC 2020
A MESSAGE FROM
MICHAEL O’CONNOR,
National Secretary
Michael earlier this month with Kevin, our fantastic
CFMEU, Manufacturing union delegate at Parkside Bairnsdale
2020 HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR- AND FOR MANY, And as a movement we did so much, and eventually, the
THE TOUGHEST YEAR EVER. Government accepted and took up our idea of a wage
subsidy to keep people employed. They called it JobKeeper.
But not as tough as CFMEU Manufacturing members.
30% of manufacturing workers were on JobKeeper at one
In challenging circumstances, the toughness that has point or another. The Reserve Bank of Australia recently
been displayed by our members has been nothing short of outlined that the program saved 700,000 jobs.
incredible.
We are not out of the woods yet of course. COVID-19
During the summer bushfires, timber workers were at the continues to cause havoc overseas. By way of example the
forefront of firefighting efforts that kept their communities UK and much of Europe has been in lockdown and the virus
safe. Then they were at the forefront of salvage harvesting in the U.S is spreading at a great pace. There have been
and recovery operations to try to minimise the long-term over 1.5 million deaths including over 900 Australians. May
impact on jobs. It has been a huge effort. they Rest in Peace. The South Australian recent outbreak
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our members kicked into and temporary lock down proved how fragile the situation
action. remains.
First it was building products and materials manufacturing Much of the heath and economic recovery in 2021 will rely
workers who the construction industry turned to when on a vaccine being deemed safe and rolled out successfully
global supply chains ground to a halt because of China’s amongst the community.
lock down. In Australia, due to our collective efforts and continued
Then it was the toilet paper manufacturing workers who vigilance we will hopefully be able to enjoy a “COVID
picked up production in response to shortages on our Normal” Christmas and summer. For those having a break it
supermarket shelves in response to global disruptions and is well deserved. Enjoy times with friends and family if you
panic buying. can.
TCF members answered the call by using their skills and On behalf of the National Officials, District Secretaries and
experience to produce critical medical Personal Production all officials, officers and staff of the CFMEU Manufacturing
Equipment (PPE), uniforms for our nurses and doctors and Division we wish you the very best Christmas and Holiday
face masks for the public. season and we look forward to working with you in the
coming year to protect jobs and advance wages and
Throughout the tough, long Victorian lockdown many conditions at your workplace.
members slogged on, recognised as essential to the
functioning of the economy, something we already knew. Stay safe and strong,
Members across the country made similarly stellar In unity,
contributions and supported their workmates, their families, Michael O’Connor
and their communities. National Secretary
2 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020
TIMBER JOBS AND COMMUNITIES AT RISK AS GOVERNMENTS SIT ON THEIR HANDS
The union has warned that thousands of jobs are at risk Greater Green Triangle District Secretary Brad Coates has
following China’s sudden decision to ban log exports from warned of the severe ramifications of the ban and National
the port of Portland which is a key outlet of residue logs for Secretary Michael O’Connor has ramped up the pressure on
the timber industry. the Australian Government to fix the situation demanding
they “get out from under the doona”.
It was the dumping of toilet paper from China and
Government inaction in the face of the cheap imports Both Brad and Michael are also calling for a long-term
which was behind a decision by Kimberly Clark in Millicent strategy to support jobs which reduces exposure on
to close its pulp mill costing around 170 jobs at the start of unreliable export markets like China and multiplies jobs in
the decade and leaving 400,000 m3 of pulp log which forest the industry by value adding here.
managers no longer had a market for.
The union has been supporting a proposal to build a
The mill had always been an important outlet of residue pulp mill in Portland for years which will be able to take
for the saw logging industry in the Green Triangle and its chip and pulp logs. Meanwhile towns with mills hit by
closure meant that the industry relied even more heavily on the bushfires like Tumut, Tumbarumba and Myrtleford
log and chip exports to China. are screaming out for the Government to assist with a
freight subsidy to ensure sawlogs which were destined to
During the China Australia Free Trade Agreement
China can be redirected to their mills. This will save jobs
discussions, the union warned that the terms of the
and communities hit by resource loss from the summer
agreement locked in an unbalanced and unfair trading
bushfires.
relationship. It encouraged exports of both hard wood and
softwood logs and chips, at the expense of value adding Value adding initiatives and proposals which may require
and local processing in Australia. This has left Australian a little government assistance have been ignored by
industry vulnerable. governments for too long who have naively put their faith
in export markets which were always undependable. With
It was all fine during boom times, the Australian dollar fell
crisis comes opportunity and we need to redouble our
and chip and log prices on the international market went
efforts to get Governments on board to support timber jobs,
up, but these times were never going to last forever.
families, and communities.
And this year we have seen the folly of the strategy
exposed with devastating consequences. In May we saw
the collapse of the Green Triangle’s hardwood chip market
throwing the industry into chaos. In November we saw
the industry thrown into further disarray with logs from
Portland banned from China as part of their escalation of
bans against Australian exports, with a dodgy technical
barrier cited as their excuse.
DEC 2020 3 CFMEU MANUFACTURING
VALUE ADDING AND LOCAL MANUFACTURING OF
LOGS IS THE KEY TO SECURE JOBS
CFMEU manufacturing National Secretary Michael hardwood and softwood plantation harvesting, haulage
O’Connor recently told The Age that: and sawmilling sectors in the Green Triangle and Northern
"We can have a situation where we don't need to import as Tasmania.
many manufactured products. We can do something about Modest support has been requested for a feasibility study
our trade deficit, we can provide really good-quality jobs in from the South Australian and Victorian governments, but
this country," they have been sitting on this request for over two years.
“And in particular, we can grow good-quality jobs in In Victoria’s case, the clumsiness on their strategy for the
regional Australia, which is really fundamental for a lot of plantation sector is matched only their disgraceful plan for
communities."
the native forest industry.
“In forestry, for instance, there were opportunities to export
pulp.” Perhaps the jobs crisis caused by the bushfires, COVID-19
and the collapse of export markets for raw forestry
CFMEU Manufacturing is supporting a proposal which products will help politicians see the light, but more likely,
will support the construction of a pulp mill in Portland a collective effort will require members working hard to
which would create thousands of jobs during construction, open their eyes to the need to support timber jobs
hundreds of well-paid operator jobs in the pulp mill and
protect thousands of direct jobs by underpinning the
JOB LOSSES CAUSED BY BUSHFIRES AND
COVID-19 HURTS MEMBERS
Rossi CFMMEU members at the Kilburn factory during 2020
The threat to jobs hit home for members in November when Meanwhile, in another devastating blow forty-five workers
workers at a timber manufacturer and a boot manufacturer were told at Rossi Boots at Kilburn in South Australia
received devastating news. that the factory would close, ending a 110-year-old
manufacturing tradition at the site.
Fifty timber workers were told that their jobs would
disappear when Big River announced it would be closing its Adaptive Industries, which took over the Australian
Forest Hill NSW factory due to this year’s bushfires. manufacturing arm of the Rossi Boot brand this year, has
been placed in the hands of a liquidator.
The Border Mail reported that NSW District Senior
Organiser Alison Rudman said the bushfires would continue The company said that manufacturing supply chain was
to threaten the region’s timber industry, and that the “completely disrupted” by COVID-19.
government needed to step up to prevent more factories
CFMEU Manufacturing, National Divisional Vice President
going the way of Big River.
and South Australian District Secretary Dave Kirner said,
The union and members were shocked and disappointed by “It’s a sad day for members and the manufacturing industry,
the decision to close the factory and consolidate operations people were pretty shocked.”
at Big River’s Factory in Grafton which was a strategy Members at both Big River and Rossi Boots are being
revealed only after the company received a grant from the supported by the union to ensure the redundancy packages
NSW Government for Bushfire recovery. that they had previously negotiated as a safety net in
Media on the decision by Big River Timber announcement the event of closures are received in full, along with
featuring member Tony Smith highlighting opportunities for skills recognition, training
and re-employment.
4 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020
SOLIDARITY FOR COMRADES AT SOLARIS PAPER
You would think that being classified as an absolutely
essential worker and making 2020’s most valuable item
(Sorbent toilet paper) would result in a reward for the
workers who kept production going at the height of the
public health crisis. You would think that after demand
for toilet and tissue papers sky-rocketed due to panic
buying and the breakdown of international supply chains,
management would want to show these workers how
much they are valued. Not at Solaris Paper at Greystanes.
After management delayed bargaining because they
were “too busy”, the union team used the Fair Work
Commission to bring management to the bargaining
table. However once at the bargaining table, the “too
busy” excuse was forgotten and suddenly management
were “too broke” to offer a pay rise and even tried to strip
back workers’ allowances and penalties.
That is why being a union member is so important.
Members at the Box Hill site were not going to stand by
and let management cut conditions anywhere in their
company without a fight. Box Hill members recently
“stickered up” to proudly display their solidarity with
members at Greystanes whose conditions are under
attack on ‘Solidarity Sticker’ Day.
The whole Manufacturing Division and the whole country
are behind the union members at Solaris in their fight for
a fair share. Indeed, support has been received from as
far away as Geneva, Switzerland.
Check out the support for the Solaris members from
Sorbent Box Hill members on ‘Solidarity Sticker’ Day!
UNION CALLS OUT SA WATER RULE
RISKING TIMBER JOBS
Greater Green Triangle Secretary Brad Coates has slammed
water licensing requirements in evidence he provided to a
Parliamentary Committee inquiring into matters relating to
the timber industry.
Appearing at the inquiry recently, Brad warned that the size
of the plantation estate in South Australia could reduce by
25% in ten years if the unfair water licensing requirements
are not fixed.
Brad highlighted the incompatibility of the State
Government’s water licensing rules with the goal of
attracting investment in local value adding and reducing
the industry’s current reliance on export markets.
Brad also used the hearing to agitate for the South
Australian Government to respond to the union’s concerns
Greater Green Triangle District Secretary Brad Coates has
outlined in a detailed submission to the committee arguing slammed water licensing rules risking jobs in the timber industry
for policies to be put in place which will support members’ in evidence to a South Australian Parliamentary Inquiry.
job security.
The union submission argues for specific reforms and decline and expanding the plantation estate, the reform of
initiatives needed to secure wood supply by reversing the water licencing requirements and the encouraging local
value adding.
DEC 2020 5 CFMEU MANUFACTURING
UNION BATTLE FOR JOBS AT MARYVALE AGAINST
CHINESE PHOTOCOPY PAPER CONTINUES
Campaign posters highlighting the consequences of Officeworks’ tactics are at the ready
The fight against dumped paper imports from China is “The union won’t stand for this blatant cheating” said PPW
continuing to be fought by members at the Maryvale pulp District National Secretary and Manufacturing Division
and paper mill in the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland Victoria. President Denise Campbell-Burns.
In 2017 a 35% tariff was slapped on A4 photocopy imports The union is also turning its attention to the paper sourcing
from China after a major victory in a trade case supported policy of a major office supply company Officeworks.
by the union resulted in Chinese imports being temporarily Popular Officeworks copy paper brands – Keji and J Burrows
knocked out of the market. – are now made with imported paper, putting jobs at risk.
The union is now supporting an application from Australian The paper – made in China and Brazil – is marketed
Paper to stop importers from avoiding these tariffs by by Officeworks with an Australian logo, deliberately
importing paper with 68 GSM thickness. The Anti-Dumping misleading unsuspecting customers about where this paper
tariffs only apply to paper with thickness between 70 and is manufactured in the union’s view.
150 GSM and most copy paper sold in the Australian market “Now more than ever retailers must support Australian
is 80 GSM. made products; local jobs and regional communities” said
Maryvale Sub-Branch Secretary Anthony Pavey.
THE UNION WILL NOT LET BOB BROWN DESTROY
TASMANIAN TIMBER JOBS
Former Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown is at it again
trying to destroy jobs in the Tasmanian timber industry.
Brown has challenged the Tasmanian Regional Forest
Agreement in the Federal Court in a case set to be heard
this month.
Thousands of timber workers rely on the Tasmanian Bob Brown’s selfish actions risk thousands of jobs in the
Regional Forest Agreement including CFMEU Members in Tasmanian timber industry including those of CFMEU Members
the hardwood native forest industry. at Britton Brothers in Smithton where the timber industry is the
main employer
Tasmanian District Secretary Scott McLean slammed
Brown describing his latest attempt to harm timber The letter reminded the Prime Minister what he said about
workers and communities as a disgrace. Tasmanian native forestry jobs during the 2019 Federal
Pre-empting the challenge after similar challenges have election campaign in response to a question about the
locked out contractors and their crew from coupes in Tasmanian industry:
Victoria, National Secretary Michael O’Connor wrote to “Wherever these jobs are…our government doesn’t sneer
Prime Minister Scott Morrison in August calling for him to at the jobs of Regional Australians, we think they’re very
urgently amend Federal laws including the Environment important - it’s an honest, hard decent living.”
Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act and
Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulations to stop legal Actions speak louder than words and members will
loopholes being exploited by opponents of Australia’s continue to call on the Prime Minister and Tasmanian MPs
sustainable hardwood native forest timber industry. and Senators to amend laws to defend workers, families,
and communities from attacks against their jobs.
6 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020
FIGHT FOR JOBS IN VICTORIAN NATIVE FOREST
INDUSTRY RAMPS UP
Timber workers’ jobs are under threat, including mill workers in communities like Bairnsdale, Orbost, Heyfield, Swifts Creek, Yarra
Junction, Powelltown, Noojee, Langwarrin, and Dandenong
The battle to reverse the Victorian Government’s ridiculous “Regional jobs are more important than ever right now – we
and heartless decision to shut down the native forest can’t let outdated regulation put them at risk.”
industry by 2030 continues in full swing but there are However, instead of changes to the Code which fix the
more immediate threats to workers, their families, and problem it seems like we might get changes which simply
communities. do not go far enough to bring certainty and job security.
Following thousands of emails from members and In a recent media release National Secretary Michael
supporters, the Victorian Government agreed to review of O’Connor said, “Timber workers their families and
the Code of Practice for Timber Production. communities demand certainty now and, after all this time
This was necessary in the face of contractors being ordered waiting, our union won’t accept a half-baked, band-aid fix
out of coupes and VicForests being unable to sign contracts which continues to risk the jobs of our members.”
with mills because of a legal uncertainty due to actions In addition to changes to the Code in Victoria, we need
taken in the Federal and Supreme courts by opponents the Australian Government to act to amend Federal
of the industry which claim that timber harvesting is laws including the Environment Protection Biodiversity
incompatible with the Code. and Conservation Act and Illegal Logging Prohibition
Appeals and counter arguments have been lodged but the Regulations.
uncertainty has led to more legal action which is crippling For much of 2020 COVID-19 restrictions on rallies, town hall
the timber industry with thousands more timber workers, meetings and demonstrations has prevented some of our
contractors, and their crews at risk of being stood down. traditional campaign tactics from being rolled out but the
The Victorian Forestry Minister when agreeing to the review fight for jobs and justice for timber communities is well and
of the Code stated: truly on.
UNION CHASES GREENIE JOB DESTROYERS
The union has raised the spectre of more than $1 million “This is money that could be used to benefit the community
worth of legal costs owed by a green group trying to destroy including by assisting in bushfire preparedness and
timber jobs. assisting workers and communities impacted by last
summer’s catastrophic fires” said Michael O’Connor.
The union has instigated Freedom of Information (FOI)
proceedings with VicForests about why costs have not been “Our union will stand up against the attacks on the jobs
paid despite the Supreme Court awarding them against My of our members regardless if the attacks come from
Environment Inc in 2015. big government, big business or in this case, from big
environment.”
DEC 2020 7 CFMEU MANUFACTURING
UNION CRITICISES $5.3 BILLION SOCIAL
HOUSING PACKAGE FOR LACK OF JOBS PLAN
National Secretary Michael O’Connor has written to the In the Letter Michael says:
Victorian Government welcoming the social housing “Purchasing guidelines in a program of this importance
package announced recently but calling for the program to should provide more structured opportunities for Victorian
include purchasing guidelines which ensure locally made supply chain participants…especially as they face such
products are used in the new builds and refurbishments tough economic conditions due to COVID-19 impacts…
in order to underpin jobs in the domestic building products
“Local content requirements should be set for glass and
and materials manufacturing industry.
glass products, cabinetry, joinery and kitchens, shower
screens, curtains and blinds, timber, carpets, Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), work uniforms and other
locally manufactured materials and/or products.”
Union officials, delegates and members will drive the
campaign to defend jobs in the building products and
materials supply chain in 2021 including by ensuring social
housing is built with locally manufactured products and
materials.
The union wants members working at companies like Prima
Architecture, Wesbeam, TimberWood, CHH Myrtleford and Kaplan
Clothing (pictured) who worked so hard this year in challenging
circumstances to benefit from the record spend on social
housing by the Victorian Government by them mandating locally
made building materials and work uniforms in and on the builds.
Total Windows Concepts is the sort of company which should benefit from Victoria’s Social Housing spend - Senior National Assistant
Secretary Leo Skourdoumbis and TCF National Secretary Jenny Kruschel recently met with members in the Venetian Dept of the company
with delegates Alvin, Jenny & George
8 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020
STAY COOL
Don’t let your workplace get too hot for comfort and your health!
Here are some tips to help you keep cool at work over summer
DISCUSS WORKING IN HEAT WITH YOUR EMPLOYER
Your Health and Safety representative (HSR) should raise heat and hot work as an issue in your workplace.
Raise previous issues with heat and hot work and find out what precautions will be put in place to ensure
your workplace is safe. *If you don’t have a HSR at your workplace contact the Union and we will assist you.
NEGOTIATE A HEAT / HOT WORK POLICY FOR YOUR WORKPLACE
The CFMEU can help you with drafting and negotiating a policy with your employer.
A heat / hot work policy can cover a range of things that will address comfort and health concerns.
These can include:
• Adequate facilities - such as air conditioning and/or fans, cool vests; cool drinking water etc.
• Extra rest breaks – paid rest breaks can be negotiated so that extra breaks can be taken when the
temperature exceeds 30 degrees or where conditions affect your health.
• Rescheduling work – strenuous work, such as loading; unloading or moving materials, can be
performed during the cooler part of the day.
• Working outdoors - where work is performed outdoors, work should be scheduled to minimise time
outdoors at the hottest times of the day. Workers must also be provided with appropriate PPE – glasses;
hats; sunscreen; adequate shaded areas for rest breaks and cool drinking water.
• Know your rights - by law employers must provide you with a working environment that is safe and
without risks to your health. The law doesn’t specify a maximum reasonable temperature, but employers are
expected to take steps to deal with situations where the temperature is uncomfortably high.
If you already have a heat / hot work policy in your workplace, make sure it’s working for you and your
work mates. If you think it needs to be improved or changed, speak to your union organiser and HSR about
arranging a meeting to renegotiate the policy.
Want more information? Visit our website for a 14 page heat pack with all the information you’ll need.
manufacturing.cfmeu.org.au/how-tackle-heat-workplace
CFMEU MANUFACTURING CAN HELP
If you want better health and safety at work, make sure you’re
JOIN THE UNION!
all in the Union. The workplaces with the best health and safety
membership.cfmeu.org.au/
policies are the workplaces where everyone is a member of the
join/manufacturing
Union. The CFMEU supports members and Health and Safety
Reps (HSRs) in their work to ensure a safe workplace. We can Call us on 1800 060 556
also investigate problems and take them up with management
to get improvements.
Union Workplaces are Safer Workplaces
DEC 2020 9 CFMEU MANUFACTURING
ACTIVE MEMBERS FIGHT FOR JOB SECURITY AND
BETTER PAY AND CONDITIONS
Union member Kosta and Shop Steward Dave at Bedford Geofabrics Albury bargaining team who are leading the charge
Industries South Australia as negotiations kick off for a new agreement.
Bedford EBA Geofabrics Albury
The union has lodged claims and commenced bargaining Union Members and delegate at Geofabrics have
with Bedford Industries South Australia for a new enterprise commenced bargaining with their employer for a better
agreement following the submission of a majority support deal at work. The delegates are on a roll after already
determination to the Fair Work Commission. negotiating an extra day of public holiday pay following
each shift agreeing that their old arrangements on Boxing
Day should be honoured.
These members manufacture geotextiles (often from
recycled materials) that are essential for building new
infrastructure and maintaining public spaces.
The union has also commenced with discussions with
the company on opportunities to maximise work in NSW
Government procurement.
Click on image to watch Sharon’s short address or find the
footage on the CFMEU Manufacturing Facebook page
NSW District Secretary Michael Aird supported members Sharon addresses Australian Council of Trade
throughout the negotiations at Sweetmans Timber
Unions (ACTU)
Solid gains by members at Sweetmans Timber NSW District President and AKD mill worker and delegate
Sharon Musson made an impressive and impassioned
NSW District Secretary Michael Aird reports that members speech at the Australian Council of Trade Union Conference
stuck together at Sweetmans Timber and a deal with making the case for more support for regional jobs.
management was reached before a Protected Application
Ballot for Industrial Action was necessary. Members Sharon thanked union members around the country for the
secured the national wage case increase plus 1% for each support that her community received during the devasting
year of the agreement, an extra week’s annual leave and an summer bushfires and spoke about the impact on jobs in
extra 8 weeks for redundancies. Well done to the members the timber industry through the loss of resources, including
and the bargaining team! Forestry Corp’s 30-40% loss of the softwood resource.
10 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020Taking the Fight to South Pacific Laundries
SECURING JOBS
At the Broadmeadows laundry, some workers had been
working as casuals for over 5 years. This meant that they
had no sick leave, no guaranteed hours and, no way to know
how they could support themselves from week to week.
Those workers got together and joined their union. Together
with their organisers, they were able to use their combined
voice to demand a change. They have been successful and
now have secure jobs because they are union members.
STANDING TOGETHER
In April, approximately 180 workers at the Bankstown
laundry were stood-down without pay due to a business
Delegate at Comfort Group Eti is building workers’ power in the
downturn caused by COVID-19. A group of workers decided
sector in which he works
that being endlessly stood down was unfair, so they joined
Eti goes on the road to help build worker power the CFMEU and started working together to get everyone
back to work. After months of non-stop media interviews,
Union Delegate Eti from Comfort Group spent the day on education meetings and industrial disputes, all these
the road with CFMEU District organiser Alan Doyle recently workers returned to work in early October. What a win for
visiting Sealy, Comfort Sleep and ABMT textiles. this united group!
Good conversations with members were had across the
sites.
Building solidarity amongst union activists, delegates,
and officials across different sites in our sectors will help
members enforce their workplace rights and increase
members’ power and improve our industries. Well done Alan
and Eti!
OUTWORKERS CALL-IN HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED
WORKER EXPLOITATION IN TCF INDUSTRY
The union’s TCF compliance team’s outworker outreach
campaign, held over 3 days in November was a success
with workers given an opportunity to talk to the team about
their situation.
Outworkers who work from home sewing were encouraged
to call in to inquire about their rights including whether they
are being paid correctly.
They were provided the opportunity to speak to someone in
our team in English, Vietnamese, or Chinese reflecting the
demographic of workers in the supply chain.
The call in was accompanied by an awareness campaign Divisional Senior Vice President Beth Macpherson speaks to
where it was revealed that an outworker was asked by her outworkers as part of the outworker organising campaign.
employer to make face masks for just 80 cents per mask
which came to about $7 per hour, or about a third of the Divisional Senior Vice President, TCF Assistant Secretary
minimum hourly wage of $20.41. and National Compliance Officer Beth Macpherson
participated in the campaign:
As part of the awareness raising campaign, in an interview
with the ABC, TCF national secretary Jenny Kruschel, said “Outworkers are calling to know what they should be
the working conditions of fashion industry workers in receiving for working at home. Education on working rights
Australia and overseas were similar in some ways: is very important for outworkers to help stop exploitation
nationally.”
“Whether you’re in Australia, or whether you’re overseas, if
you’re a garment worker, you’re more likely to be exploited Outworkers will best protect themselves against
and not be paid properly, have a casual job, and to be unscrupulous employers by joining the union which a
hidden,” she said. number opted to do after contacting the team.
DEC 2020 11 CFMEU MANUFACTURINGPPW MEMBERS STAND FIRM IN THE FACE OF
OUTRAGEOUS ATTACK BY MORRISON MINISTER
Members at the egg carton maker Huhtamaki in Preston It was left to CFMEU National President and PPW Secretary
have staunchly stood by each other despite an incredible Denise Campbell-Burns to explain to the media that
intervention in their bargaining dispute with management members were simply seeking to maintain the existing
by an Australian Government Minister. conditions and receive the wage increases they've received
in previous years, following the company having a bumper
There were plenty of alarmist claims when the workers
year.
lodged plans to take Protected Industrial Acton in defence
of their pay claim, but no worse than by Agriculture Minister Despite the hyperbole from management and the
David Littleproud who erroneously claimed the union was likes of Littleproud, industrial action was averted. The
“risking Australian families’ access to eggs”. company compromised in a hearing held by the Fair Work
Commission and a majority of members accepted the
The fact that Littleproud attacked the union but was quiet
company’s new offer in principle which included an array
on the company’s disproportionate threat to lock the
of family friendly provisions and clauses in the EBA which
workers out of the factory in response speaks volumes
were won.
about the Government’s anti-worker bias.
GAINS FOR FOREST WORKERS ON THE
HORIZON DUE TO UNION’S WORK ON
RESPONSIBLE WOOD STANDARD
There are over 6,000 workers in the forestry industry in The definition of forest worker has been expanded to
Australia who work in harvesting, planting, or silviculture. include “a person who carries out work in any capacity
The majority do not work directly for big forest managers for the forest manager and/or its contractors and
like Hancock Plantations, OneFortyOne Plantations, subcontractors”.
VicForests, Sustainable Timber Tasmania or NSW Forestry
Unlike the current version of the Standard, this means there
Corporation but for employers contracted to provide
will be an onus on the Forest Manager to ensure forest
services to these forest managers.
workers, regardless of whether they are directly employed
According to forestry researcher Jacqui Shirmer who has by them or by a contractor, are enjoying their workplace
analysed Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures, rights including their:
at least 58% of jobs in the forestry industry which are
• right to collective bargaining consistent with the
not in timber, wood product or paper manufacturing
requirements of the ILO conventions
operations involve workers being hired or by contractors
and subcontractors of forest managers as opposed to being • right for equal treatment and non-discrimination
directly employed by them.
• right to be paid wages, salaries, superannuation and
This is the reason the improvements, won by CFMEU other entitlements and employment contracts on time.
Manufacturing working closely with FIRST Union in NZ
In addition, the forest manager will be required to provide
reflected in the public comment draft of the Responsible
and facilitate access to unions on request so that forest
Wood Australian and New Zealand revised Standard for
workers can be informed about the advantages of union
forest management, are so important.
membership.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual
BTF picnic day in South Australia did not
go ahead this year but in its place a raffle
was held and several members won $1000
vouchers to Boating Camping Fishing including
members from Viridian (pictured) and
Stegbar. Congratulations!
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JOHN MADIGAN, THE BLACKSMITH SENATOR
Our union did not agree on every issue with Senator John highlighting the outrageousness of Australian government
Madigan but on most issues, we did agree with him and we purchasing imported instead of locally produced paper, and
loved how hard he fought for Australian manufacturing jobs an early moving in about the prevalence of substandard
in his time in the Senate from 2011-2016. dangerous and dodgy imported building products including
plywood and flatpack kitchens.
John was elected to the Senate at the 2010
election becoming the first Democratic He was also a critic of the Government’s
Labour Party (DLP) federally to take a obsession with free trade agreements
seat in the parliament since 1974. moving several “Fair Trade” private
member bills designed to level
He got people’s attention early
the playing field for Australian
on in his term by pledging
industry and workers.
to donate the pay increase
given to Members of After the election of the
Parliament of around Abbott Government in
$30,000 per year for the 2013, John stayed strong
purchase of Australian- to his union roots in the
made equipment face of the Liberal’s
for technical and anti-worker excesses. He
agricultural schools, became a staunch and
to encourage young active opponent of the
people into trades, Government’s bill to re-
farming, food processing establish the anti-worker
and engineering. Australian Building and
Construction Commission
Having worked as
which became the trigger
a blacksmith and
for Malcolm Turnbull calling
boilermaker for nearly
a double dissolution election
30 years prior to entering
in 2016 in which John was not
parliament and as a proud AMWU
re-elected.
member we knew we would have
plenty to talk about with John. John returned to the tools after
politics but stayed active in current issues
And he did not disappoint becoming a
impacting jobs, despite a long battle with cancer.
champion for jobs and regional communities working
He lamented before his death earlier this year that it took
closely with us to highlight in the Senate and the public eye
others a global pandemic and a collapse of global supply
issues of importance to jobs.
chains for them to realise the importance of manufacturing
This saw him becoming an advocate of the inherent in Australia.
sustainability of the Australian forestry industry,
TRAINING SURVEY FOR FORESTRY, TIMBER,
PULP & PAPER & FRAME & TRUSS MEMBERS
Harvesting and Haulage, Forest Growing and Forest sort of training they have done, either as a worker on the job
Management, Sawmilling and Processing, Timber or prior to employment in the industry.
Merchandising, Timber Truss and Frame, Timber
Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) and
Manufactured Products and Pulp and Paper Manufacturing
TAFE training systems need to be improved, and as a union
sector members will be contacted in 2021 about their
we determined keen to get it back on track to benefit
thoughts and experiences on industry training.
members and the community.
ForestWorks (an industry owned not-for-profit organisation
We want to make sure that formal and informal training
offering services to support the skills development of the
contribute to your skills being recognised, assists in
forest, wood, paper, timber and furnishing industries) is
establishing clear career pathways, builds on your skills
running a project and as part of the project the CFMEU
base along with advancing wages, conditions, job security
Manufacturing division is surveying workers about what
and options for workers.
14 CFMEU MANUFACTURING DEC 2020UNION MEMBERS HAVE THEIR WAGES, ENTITLEMENTS, AND THEIR SECURITY PROTECTED...
OUR ORGANISERS AND INDUSTRIAL TEAM HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK MAKING SURE THAT MEMBERS ARE
NOT RIPPED OFF OR TREATED UNLAWFULLY AND HAVE NETTED SOME BIG WINS FOR MEMBERS RECENTLY.
UNDERPAYMENT RECTIFICATIONS WORKERS COMPENSATION AND
INCOME PROTECTION
• Underpayment of night shift penalty rate resulted in
seven members receiving back pay totalling $30,000 • $70,000 won for member after the insurer cut his
• An outworker member represented by the union income protection earlier this year and the union
received a settlement of over $8,500 challenged the decision
• Seven members received over $14,000 as they were • A member was paid an extra $100 per week plus
not being paid the leading hand allowance despite backpay after originally having payments paid as a
performing that role labourer rather than a tradie
• An underpayment through a union ECA compliance • A member won accident pay payments of over $700 per
audit resulted in a member getting a pay increase, week and the employer is required to take the member
more hours, and a settlement of over $6,000 back and reasonable adjustments in-line with the
medical restrictions.
• $8,500 for a member following the employer admitting
breaching the award and Fair Work Act
• Classification upgrade and backpay for a member of
DISMISSAL OUTCOMES
over $1200
• A member received $10,000 and had dismissal changed
• An employer did not consider shift penalty rates in their to resignation
payment in lieu of notice, which the union raised and
underpayment of $350 was rectified • An employer paid a casual member over $4000 in
compensation
• A member received over $6,000 in dismissal
REDUNDANCY ENTITLEMENTS compensation
• An employer claimed a member had not been made
redundant, just dismissed due to downturn in business
(redundancy). The union helped ensured he was paid his
17 weeks redundancy
• A member received an extra $30,000 redundancy and
severance pay after redundancy was originally paid at
the wrong rate.
DEC 2020 15 CFMEU MANUFACTURINGJOIN THE CFMEU TODAY! Text “JOIN” to 0480 020 233 or visit: membership.cfmeu.org.au
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