Page 8 - Newsletter#15finalcopy

There has long been a history of R&F members in the Turner Freeman has instigated a formal list of members
SUA/WWF/MUA attending conferences, particularly who believe they may have been exposed to such
representing overseas solidarity organisations. cargo’s chemical mix or develop health concerns
Participation used to be endorsed by BMM members associated with such exposure. The article suggests
from across National State Branchs’, nominations put “the company has yet to recognise this danger or
forward, and then if necessary ballots held for those to educate its workforce”.
be successfully elected, and then party to R&F
participation Reports from Qube delegates and safety committee
members indicate that this issue is not new to the
The R&F Newsletter acknowledges ‘selected’ R&F workforce and preventative issues and awareness of the
members recently attended the ‘Jobs embassy’ in exposure to Silica, has been improving over several
Canberra. Given R&F participation in those relatively years with the engagement and commitment of the
distant rally’s’, domestic and worldwide, one would have Safety Committee, delegates, and the official with
thought that the Union’s reputation on member responsibility for Qube - Paul Petersen. Silica is a toxic
participation in its affairs and the short distance from substance and easily inhaled during the handling of
Canon Hill to Brisbane, why were R&F members not such mineral cargoes. It presents as critical a danger as
asked to accompany Branch official(s) to the inaugural Asbestos.
RBTU and NAIDOC meetings?
The Qube Safety Committee members and delegates
For an equally important yearly meeting by the Peak claim they were surprised when an unscheduled, last
Union body – the ACTU, the Qld Branch in its week of minute site meeting was arranged by the Acting Branch
training or in the Branch news #9, appears to have secretary, with P.Gallagher , Paul Petersen, and Aaron
neglected to mention or inform members, of the Johnson attending a week ago, over the Silica issue.
upcoming 2021 Congress, held via Zoom on July 27-28. The safety committee members raised concern about
not being informed that such an enquiry on the handling
It was therefore, a welcome surprise that I received an of ‘dust cargoes’ appeared to have been triggered by a
invitation to participate and register for the event by poorly worded email from P. Gallagher to management
National Secretary Paddy Crumlin and I have registered on the issue. The safety committee expressed the view
for it. I note though, it coincides with the Branch Monthly it placed them in an embarrassing situation when not
th
Meeting Tuesday 27 .July at Canon Hill. consulted or informed as they should have been,
without prior notification and requirement for such an
unexpected meeting on the issue.

th
Monday 26 July - Pre-Congress Meeting
And Tuesday – Official opening by President Michelle During the meeting other Qube members concerns were
raised by Delegate N01, on issues between Jason
O’Neil.
Miners and Delegate Graham Bell. Accusations of
phone conversations being ‘recorded’, were raised,
along with concerns on the removal of Paul Petersen
from responsibility for the Qube site, was one
highlighted during discussion and answers expected to
why the Branch had not responded to the members
resolution wishing to retain Paul Petersen as ‘their
preferred’ Official.

The Safety committee reps also raised concerns that
‘reopening previous incidents’ over the silica issue,
could be detrimental to some members. A Qube senior
delegate, defended Graham Bell from the personal
attacks he had faced by Jason Miners, and said he had
“never witnessed an official threatening to sue a
member” G. Bell expressed the view, “both J. Miners
and P. Gallagher have consistently avoided due process
since the last MUA quadrennial elections”

Apart from the obvious and blatant pre-election
promotion of sitting officials and relievers in the Qld This newsletter is published by Mike Barber (6224) and Jeff
Langdon (5266/1819) on behalf of the Queensland Branch R&F
Branch News #9, there is reference to P.Gallagher Collective. Members wishing to receive Newsletter’s to their own
making a “thorough investigation” into the entire Qube email address, send details to cman45au@live.com.au. Or direct to
managed site at Wagner’s wharf Pinkenba, on the https://www.facebook.com/groups/333788594736508 and ‘apply’
Thanks Comrades.
discharge of clinker dust, and high levels of Silica in
cargoes.