Page 7 - Newsletter#14

So, what’s the point attempting to be made here? That We look forward with hope and pride to the day that
should be obvious. This is a clear example of senior perhaps Thomas may be given the opportunity to
members of the leadership deliberately misleading the continue his work in the National Parliament in some
members to believe major changes are being proposed capacity. First and foremost, he will always be a proud
on the noble basis of enhancing support for both member and representative of his indigenous
indigenous and women’s interests within the community. We also know he will always be a proud
organisation. member and representative of the MUA.

That is just not so. The driver for this change was **************************************************************
nothing more than a need to fix a stuff-up in their sordid Tug crews at the Port of Melbourne plan to stop work
attempts in the circumstances, to gain more influence for 12 hours on Friday, July 9.
within the national union by getting one of their own into
the top job. In supporting this style of reporting to The protest is being announced after two-year talks on
members, National Council has become complicit in that the new agreement failed to bring concrete results. “In
deceit. that time, the company has used the COVID crisis to
introduce 30 claims that would slash the rights,
It has already been well reported to members that conditions, and job security of their Australian
Christy Cain is being supported in his attempts to workforce,” MUA said.
become the National Secretary of the CFMMEU. What
was the difficulty in simply reporting to members – MUA Deputy Victorian Branch Secretary David Ball
pointed out that MUA members continued to work
1. there’s a legal problem requiring a rule change throughout the COVID crisis, He added that community
before Christy can be considered for this position protestors would also be targeting the move by Svitzer
and its necessary to return him to his former status to axe their entire Geelong workforce, replacing the
on the National Council. crews with fly-in fly-out labour hire contractors.

2. that Comrade Thomas Mayor has graciously “Svitzer has demonstrated their contempt for loyal
offered or agreed to step aside from his position as Australian workers through a decision to make their
NT Deputy Branch Secretary to facilitate this entire Geelong workforce redundant “Our members
change as has comrade Will Tracey with respect to refuse to accept unilateral attacks on their job security,
his position as Divisional National Presiding Officer. rights and conditions, which is why they are undertaking
completely legal forms of industrial action in protest.”
3. the national CFMMEU is unable to continue funding
the indigenous affairs position, so National Council
has not only agreed to fund that role but taken the
opportunity to further enhance it along with that of Setka/Construction Division backed “Members First”
women’s affairs to propose the establishment of two Ticket, challenge to the O’Connor ticket for leadership
new Assistant National Secretary positions to of the Manufacturing Division of the CFMMEU, has been
respectively, take responsibility for those matters. unsuccessful in Victoria Districts. Michael O’Connor’s
ticket and his personal position as National Divisional
OK, there may be a debate on whether there ought to Secretary had been retained.
be two new full-time positions within the division, but
that’s another discussion. There’s a golden rule to be The Members first team apparently won positions in the
Qld, NT, and W.A. districts. Members Team spokesman
applied by union officials, if you decline to tell the said, “ the challenge to the incumbents was always
members the truth about something you wish to do going to be an uphill battle” The team claimed they put
without a very, very good reason, then you probably up a fair fight, scared the leadership into action, and
shouldn’t be doing it. garnered a massive turnout for a union without a history

Nothing in this article is meant to reflect against Thomas of contested elections. Though other sources indicate
the vote was in the 25% range.
Mayor personally or of his work within the union, or in
progressing the rights and interests of indigenous Members first indicate they will continue as a R&F
Australians. Despite Padraig wrapping his arms around movement within the union to ensure that the leadership
him for his own opportunistic reasons, there is no guile is held to account! and will fight tooth and nail to ensure
attached to Thomas. the voices of the members are heard and their interests
He was an activist and well respected by his workmates come before all other considerations. Sound familiar?
on the wharf when they elected him as their workplace
delegate and later, as a branch official.. He and Andy This newsletter is published by Mike Barber (6224) and Jeff Langdon
(5266/1819) on behalf of the Queensland Branch R&F Collective.
have had a very successful, collaborative, working Members wishing to receive Newsletter’s to their own email address,
relationship representing NT members interests over send details to cman45au@live.com.au. You can also go direct to the
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in response to editions we publish. Thanks Comrades