Page 6 - Newsletter#16vfinaledition_Neat

Secondly, the Grade 1A contribution rate also applies in On FB pages I have described it as “Membership
the event of a person applying for associate Cleansing” You are deliberately ‘stripped of
membership in accordance with new Rule 6A and the membership protection,’ denied BMM attendance, will
amended Rule 12(c). not be able to stand for Union office, nor shall you
receive a ballot or have any voting rights., yet still
Branch Membership obligated to pay a fee to retain connection to your
Branch. Even life-members have all the rights of full
Another rule change approved by the Fair Work membership bar voting, are allowed to attend BMM’s
Commission on 13 April 2021 concerns Rule 7 – and yet, as prescribed in the Rules under life
Membership of Divisional Branches. This rule has been membership, pay NO DUES AT ALL.
altered to remove provisions enabling registered
members to be assigned to the Branch in the area in The MUA Associate Membership rule is in complete
which they are registered. Consistent with all other contrast to ‘incentives’ offered to America’s working-
members, registered members will be assigned to the class, by the United Mineworkers Union of America
Branch in the area in which they reside. (UMWA) and is offered to ‘any others’ i.e. workers who
support such an alliance with that Union and all for $5 a
Registered members of course relate to seafarers and month. The UMWA Associate Membership offers
there are many and varied reasons why such members equality of conditions and representation with ordinary
may not have registered in the state in which they UMWA members, here are some examples:
reside. Apart from a recommendation advanced to the
2016 National Conference in support of this change • AM is a way for a surviving spouse, family
there does not appear to be any substantive explanation member.
why the proposal was endorsed by National Conference • Is a general supporter of the UMWA and become
and subsequently, by decision of National Council. part of the movement to restore fairness, justice
and dignity for any working families?
Nevertheless, it would appear this rule alteration has • Includes access to benefits and services of full
more to do with apportionment of income amongst union members.
divisional branches than anything else. In any event, this • Union Plus: Free College courses online.
change should not be allowed to cut across members • Vision, prescription and hearing savings.
current rights to retain membership of their current • Savings on Internet costs with AT&T
branches if they have reason for doing so. • UMWA credit card.
• Union plus mortgage and qualify for interest free
In many cases, it will simply be a matter of convenience loans and grants.
to the member concerned and that should be sufficient • Rebates when buying a new union made car,
for approval to be granted by the Officials concerned. auto insurance tyres and more.
Above all else, such requests should not be dealt with • Home, life and retirement insurance and more.
arbitrarily or capriciously.
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Membership Cleansing – Stalinist ‘Herd mentality’

Concern and clarity on the Associate Membership (AM)
issues were raised and sought at the Qld July Branch
Monthly Meeting. The article above from one of our
contributors outlines the more substantive recent rule
changes. The publishers hope they better clarify some Yes, MUA members are NOT UMWA, but the purpose
of these comparisons is to show how a Union does look
concerns. if not, prepare your own questions for Branch
st
meetings on August 31 . The last Qld Branch meeting after anyone that seeks Associate Membership in
(July) P. Gallagher was unable to enlighten members on total contrast with the effect of rule changes on this issue
submitted by the National Secretary and approved by
the issue but was asked to provide answers to the rule
change and its impact upon members, for the next the FWC in April this year.
meeting. Officials will defensively say they have been approved

The MUA associate membership rule, despite ensuring by the membership through the various so-called
‘democratic’ forums, from its embryonic proposal in
you receive a 30-day warning deliberately and 2016, (see above) to the FWC approval, there is a
negatively changes your status. It places unemployed
members, unable to prove they have ‘tried to obtain dramatic difference from the original resolution and
more importantly, that resolution intent.
work in the industry’, into a second-class membership
outcome. It forces you to accept the negative impacts or This newsletter is published by Mike Barber (6224) and Jeff
to increase your dues, to enable you to move up in the Langdon (5266/1819) on behalf of the Queensland Branch R&F
Grades Scale, and escape being put into the ‘herd’ Collective. Members wishing to receive Newsletter’s to their
Associate Membership. own email address, send details to cman45au@live.com.au. Or
direct to https://www.facebook.com/groups/333788594736508
and ‘apply’ Thanks Comrades.