|
||
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
||
|
|
Issue No. 135 | 10 May 2002 |
|
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Costs of War
Interview: Squaring Off Industrial: Heroes Betrayed History: At The Coalface International: Wobblies With Chinese Characters? Politics: Dancing with Trotsky Economics: You Are What You Eat Poetry: Alexander's Bragtime Band Satire: Stott Despoja Celebrates Engagement With Minor Party Review: Painting Paradise
The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard Bosswatch Week in Review Tool Shed
 Heaps and Heaps of Hate MailNo ChoiceWho Rules Australia?No Wrap for Song Comp Abbott's Contempt
|
|
|
News Unions Push into Regional QueenslandBy Liz Phillips
It has taken 30 years but in a scene similar to Backyard Blitz, there was only one hour left until the QCU Mackay office building was finished before over 100 Mackay union members, delegates and guests arrived to celebrate the opening of the first regional council building in Queensland in over 15 years. The opening has signalled a turn of the tide for unionism in Australia. Speaking at the opening ACTU President Sharan Burrow said the new Mackay office is an important symbol and statement for the rest of Australia. "This building shows we are still in the game despite what John Howard and his government might think," "And we are not going anywhere," she said. "This is really important for Australia and congratulations to the Queensland union movement for maintaining the fight in such a visible way" "Union membership is stabilising, new industry area membership is growing and old traditional areas of decline are arresting," she said. "If we can reverse the decline in country Australia we can do anything," "It's not easy, it takes guts, determination and a sense of history and above all, the need for all to have a fair go in the workplace," Australia's proud tradition of unionism has won vital battles for living conditions of ordinary Australians over so many decades and now has a steadily increasing membership. If there was any question that we don't need unions, think again. There is an epidemic of overwork, with Australia working the second longest hours in the world and women still earn $166 less than their male counterparts," "There is still a lot of work to be done," Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary Grace Grace said every union member should be proud of the Mackay building. "It is the enthusiasm of the members and delegates at the grass roots level that achieved this building," "Union membership in Mackay is going against the trend, around Australia regional councils are closing, not growing," she said. "This building is terrific for the Mackay community and for building a strong union community," Ms Grace said. Ms Grace said it also important for the QCU Executive to meet in Mackay to celebrate and mark the historical and contemporary significance of the new building. Architect Tony Battams and Mulherin Building Contractors completed the $350,000 refurbishment with $200,000 raised by the Mackay regional council and community. Guests at the opening included Industrial Relations Minister Gordon Nuttall, Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt, union stalwarts George Moody (QCU Mackay President for 26 years) and Jack Hill, QCU President & AMWU state secretary David Harrison and QCU Vice-President & QTU Secretary John Battams.
|
| Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
|
© 1999-2002 Workers Online 
|
|
