CPSU launches TV ads

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has launched a groundbreaking TV advertising campaign aimed at promoting the many benefits of union membership to public sector workers.

Watch the CPSU ad on YouTube here.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said: "The CPSU has decided to launch these TV advertisements to portray a more realistic face of modern unionism. "At a time when the Howard Government and militant employers are attempting to narrowly stereotype all unionists as overweight men in braces, the ad reinforces that the typical union member these days is a semi-professional, white collar worker looking for practical advice and support at work.
"This unusual step also reflects the fact that in the current industrial climate, union representatives find it extremely difficult to get into workplaces to talk with employees about their issues and the benefits of union membership. "This is an historic initiative. It's the first time unions have marketed the benefits of membership in the mass media via a TV campaign. "It's a positive campaign that links the individual 'value' in joining a union with the collective 'values' of working together.
"The ads are based on extensive research that shows that most workers are not opposed to the idea of union, but unions really need to do a better job of communicating to potential members the benefits of membership.
"These benefits include support at the workplace level if things go wrong, assistance in bargaining wages and conditions as well discounts on travel and home loans.

UNION TALKS TO MEMBERS... SHOCK!

If you want proof that the Your Rights at Work campaign is working, look no further than Howard Government hysteria this week around a leaked ACTU's phone polling document, writes CPSU National Secretary, Stephen Jones.

Over the last two years union members and supporters have been campaigning hard against WorkChoices.

We've conducted surveys and polls, put out emails, press releases and bulletins, held workplace and community meetings, worn tempory tattoos, baked orange cakes, organised massive rallies and even funded prime-time TV ads.

Despite this highly visible approach, the Howard Government claims the Your Rights at Work campaign is a secret, sinister and undemocratic plot by "union bosses" to "steal control of the country" and "ruin the economy."

Incredibly, the Government is arguing that union representatives shouldn't even be talking with their members about the most profound change to their workplace rights in 100 years.

So as the pre-election rhetoric heats up, it's important to remember what this campaign about... unfair workplace laws.

WorkChoices is an attack on the working conditions of millions of working Australian families. Despite the Government's theatrics, the fact remains that under WorkChoices:

• overtime and penalty rates are being cut;
• workers are being dismissed unfairly;
• collective bargaining is being undermined;
• the independent umpire is being sidelined;
• new starters are being forced onto AWAs.

Because we talk with them, we know most CPSU members oppose WorkChoices and want fairer, more balanced laws. We also know that if we want to change these unfair laws, we'll have to change the government.

This is why we'll be talking with CPSU members who live in key marginal seats. What happens in those seats will determine the outcome of the election.

The overwhelming majority of members we've contacted so far have been more than happy to have their say.

If people don't want to talk about WorkChoices - for whatever reason - we fully respect their decision not to participate.

Fair workplace rights will be a key election issue. Which means the CPSU has an obligation to find out what our members think, and argue for it passionately.

It's called democracy. It's a union thing.

Crossing the line

The removal of journey claims from workers compensation rules is fuelling confusion in public service ranks with employees and managers unsure exactly where coverage begins and ends.

A recent case in Victoria exposed one of the 'grey areas' created by the Governments recent cuts to the compensation scheme for Australian public servants.

Read more here and post your thoughts below.

TRENT SMITH'S WITCH-HUNT

After being the subject of an extraordinary political 'witch-hunt', CPSU member Trent Smith is at the centre of an explosive legal battle set to test the limits of the Public Service 'Code of Conduct'.
Trent Smith was dismissed from his Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) job last July after being accused of acting politically when he advised an Opposition staffer to check the Hansard record of Parliamentary proceedings and other public sources of information.

The case has taken 4½ years and involved DFAT trawling through 8000 emails and spending a million dollars of tax-payers' money.

Learn more here and post a comment below. Check out recent media reports here.

DFAT-sacking-a-gross-overreaction
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Govt should drop witch-hunt and reinstate Trent Smith now (CPSU media release)
DFAT-may-probe-spys-suicide
Bureaucrats-agog-at-evidence-of-skulduggery-in-ranks
Govt witness contradicts himself at unfair dismissal hearing
Diplomat-drops-more-bombshells
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Diplomat-tells-of-46m-in-bank-account
Key Govt witness admits being mystery source
Diplomat-tells-of-giving-loans-to-thai-drug-dealers

‘Our employees voluntarily choose AWAs' - Trujillo

Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo appeared on CNBC Asia this week to talk about various issues to do with the company. Of particular interest to CPSU members was what Mr Trujillo had to say about Telstra AWAs.

Sol Trujillo: 'Our employees enter into these agreements voluntarily'
Not surprisingly, he's all for them and reckons everyone on one is too. "Our employees choose to enter into these agreements and they do it voluntarily," Mr Trujillo said.

So, has Mr Trujillo got it right? Do you like your AWA? Post your comments below

Read the interview with Sol here.

Tripped up by new compo rules

Twelve hours after new workers comp rules came into effect, an accident on the way to work sent one public service manager sprawling.

With the new laws, introduced by the Howard Government, public servants are no longer covered for accidents and injuries sustained traveling to and from work and during lunch breaks spent away from the workplace.

To read Annette's* story click here.

To read previous blog posts and comments on the new compo laws, click here, here, and here.

What do you think about the changes to compo laws? Post your comments below.

Flashy ads for Join2Win

As part of our new Your Rights at Work campaign initiative - Join2Win - we have created 2 'flash' promos designed to highlight the benefits of CPSU membership. Join2Win is about encouraging CPSU members to talk with their workmates about joining the union, and voting for their rights at work.

Find out more about the Join2Win campaign by clicking here.
Watch the Flash ads clicking here and here.
What do you think of the ads? Post your comments below.

Behind the Bastard Boys

The 1998 waterfront dispute was brought vividly to life this week in the ABC's Bastard Boys telemovie. Nine years ago a stevedoring company tried to sack its 1,400 employees and the ensuing battle between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia has gone down in history as one of Australia's most important industrial and political events.

To read an opinion piece by Josh Bornstein (a lawyer who played a key role in winning the dispute) click here.

What did you think of the ABC's portrayal of the dispute? Post your comments below.

ALP's IR policy revealed

Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard fleshed out the ALP's proposed industrial relations policies at Labor's National Conference over the last few days.

Click here for Kevin Rudd's "Forward with Fairness" speech to ALP National Conference on 28th April 2007

Click here for Julia Gillard's "Forward with Fairness" speech to ALP National Conference on 28th April 2007

Click here for Kevin Rudd's and Julia Gillard's "Federal Labor's Fair And Balanced Industrial Relations Policy" joint statement released on 28th April 2007

Tell us what you think
What do you think about the ALP's proposed changes to industrial relations laws? Post your comments below.

Join2Win campaign kicks off

More than 500 activists have signed up to CPSU’s Join2Win initiative - a key part of the union’s Rights at Work campaign in this election year.

Thirty-second radio ads promoting the value of union membership are currently running in Canberra as part of the CPSU's Join2Win initiative. You can listen to the radio ads here and here (mp3 format)

Join2Win aims to give activists the skills and support they need to get the message out in their communities; and to build support for the union in their workplaces.

In coming months these 500+ people will be talking with members and potential members about the urgent need to join the union and vote for fair workplace rights.

For more information or to join the campaign online click here

Already signed up to Join2Win?

Share your Join2Win experiences by posting a comment below.

Rudd reveals part of his IR agenda

In a major speech at the National Press Club yesterday, ALP Leader Kevin Rudd outlined some of his alternative workplaces relations plan.

It includes introducing a national IR system for the private sector, abolishing AWA's, outlawing strikes without secret ballots, and re-introducing streamlined unfair dismissal laws.

The ACTU says its "a good start". Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey called it a "donkey", while business groups remain "luke-warm".

But what do you think? Please post a comment.

WorkChoices: one year on

This week marks the one-year anniversary of 'WorkChoices' - the Howard Government's radical rewrite of Australia's industrial relations (IR) laws.  After twelve months, we want to know what you think about the new laws.  Please take a minute to vote in our snap poll here and post a comment about the new laws.

More information

ACTU fact-sheet: IR laws 1 year on 
download

ACTU full report: IR laws 1 year on
download

CPSU launches Join2Win

Join2Win is a new Your Rights at Work campaign activity designed help you talk to people in your workplace about building your union and voting for fair industrial relations laws.

With the 2007 Federal Election on the horizon, it is more important than ever that CPSU members stand up for their rights at work to protect pay, conditions and to provide job security for themselves, their families and their communities.

Join2Win aims to have 500 members signed up in March and April this year to have conversations about the importance of joining their union and voting for their rights at work. Each of these members will pledge to recruit at least two new members each.

Regardless of whether you are a CPSU activist or a recently joined member, everyone who participates in Join2Win will be supported. Members who sign up will have access to training and resources such as t-shirts, badges, stickers and flyers. They will also have the full support of CPSU organisers throughout the Join2Win campaign.

Join2Win week, starting 30 April 2007, will be the first big Join2Win activity involving all members. Your workplace might hold a Join2Win day, or have a morning tea to welcome new members.

To find out more about Join2Win click here or to sign up to participate, click here.

Have you signed up to Join2Win? Tell us your experiences below.

Survey says... hands off our compo rights

A CPSU survey of more than 500 public sector workers from all major government agencies has revealed alarm and confusion about a Howard Government plan to slash public service compensation arrangements and remove cover for journey to and from work.

Over 90% of respondents to the survey were 'very concerned' at the proposed legislative changes.

The legislation currently before the Senate includes:
* removal of compensation protection for injuries sustained during travel to and from work;
* removal of coverage for accidents during lunch and other breaks, or during lunch-time sporting activities.
* harsher claim assessments for workers suffering from psychological and stress related conditions
* an expanded list of management actions that can be potentially excluded from future claims

Close to one-third indicated that the removal of compensation for travel and lunch-time activities would make them less likely to continue walking or riding to and from work, exercising or keeping active during rest breaks.

Nearly 65% of public servants surveyed also felt their employer was not doing enough to reduce the causes of work related stress.

"At times I like to take a walk during breaks or ride my bike, promoting a healthy lifestyle. What am I to do if I have a serious fall or hit by another person?" asked one Medicare employee.

"Many of my staff travel interstate for meetings. Will they be covered on their way to the meeting locations, no matter how they travel, and on their return?" asked Veronica, a public servant.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones condemned the changes as "unfair and unworkable".
"The Government is using these changes simply to cut costs rather than taking positive steps to ensure public sector workers work in an safe and healthy environment," he said.

"The removal of travel and break coverage is just dead wrong. These changes are in stark contrast to existing arrangements for Federal politicians who retain full coverage for injury or illness - whether on the job, traveling or on a break." he said.

"We all know that a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can reduce the chance of getting stress related injuries. So why is the Government making it harder and more risky for its own staff to stay healthy? asked Mr Jones.

CPSU members are stepping their campaign against the changes with hundreds of online protests sent to Government ministers and Senators last week and further actions planned.

"We'll continue to take this issue up to the Government. All politicians need to be aware of the negative implications of these changes on the public service," he said.

Despite an overwhelming majority of critical submissions, a recent Government controlled senate enquiry rubber-stamped the legislation. The bill is now due for final consideration by the senate later this month.

How you can help:

Post your comments below
Send a protest letter
Complete our brief online survey
Read other members comments
Read the ALP's position.
Download and distribute a bulletin
Keep up to date with all the latest compo news

Have your say on the new ACTU WorkChoices ads

New ACTU television ads launched at the weekend use the Howard Government's own official figures to demostrate how the new IR laws are hurting many Australians.

The new ads reveal how AWA's are being used to reduce many employment conditions including: overtime, penalty rates, annual leave loading, public holiday pay, shift allowances and rest breaks.

What do you think about the ads? Check out the ad on YouTube below and post your comments below.

Media report: ACTU probes details of AWAs (from ABC online)

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

Compo rights slashed for PS workers:

Did you know the Howard Government has just endorsed new laws which radically reduce workers’ compensation rights in the public sector?

The wide-ranging changes will affect public servants who drive, use public transport, ride bicycles or walk to or from work.

They will also make work-related injury claims more costly, contentious and complicated. We need your help to raise awareness about the issue your workplace.

Follow the links to find out more, complete our survey and send a protest letter.

The challenges ahead in 2007

Dear CPSU members and supporters,

This year will be crucial - not just for the union movement but for all Australians.

The federal election - which is expected in about seven months - represents a turning point for Australian Society.

Do we accept the continued denigration of worker’s rights under the current Coalition Government or is Australia a country that still believes in the fair go?

CPSU has consulted widely with members, delegates and activists about alternatives to the Government's extreme WorkChoices legislation.

The message we are getting back is loud, clear and unmistakable - people do care about their rights at work, a fair go and want a system that benefits the employee as well as the employer.

We will continue to consult with members both in face-to-face meetings and through phone conversations. In marginal seats CPSU members and supporters are banding together to ensure the issue of worker's rights is front and centre in the minds of candidates from all parties.

CPSU will also continue to support the ACTU's Your Rights at Work campaign to get rid of the utterly unfair WorkChoices.

More than 70 new agreements are to be negotiated this year - in agencies large, medium and small including Immigration and Citizenship, the Department of Health and Ageing, ACT Government, NT Government, the National Maritime Museum, Australian Federal Police and Medibank Private to name just a few.

At the same time as we are winning new agreements, we will also be focusing on enforcing existing ones.

We now know that under WorkChoices winning a good agreement is only half the battle. Thanks to the Howard Government's IR laws, employers have more opportunity than ever to wriggle out of commitments or undercut collective agreements.

In fact - to protect your pay, conditions and rights at work - it has never been more important to stick with the union.

As well as workplace laws and bargaining, CPSU members and supporters will face other challenges and opportunities this year including changes to super, workers' comp and OHS, attacks on the public sector, as well as the fallout from the federal election.

CPSU Governing Council - 70 workplace representatives directly elected by you - is meeting in March to determine the union's policy and priorities for the next 12 months.

There is no doubt 2007 is shaping up to be one of the busiest ever for CPSU members. But I am confident that with the right plan - and your ongoing support - we will not only survive 2007 but grow, so we can continue to make a positive difference in workers' lives.

If you are not a member, you can find out about joining today here or by calling 1300 137 636.
Please feel free to post your comments below.

In unity,

Stephen Jones
CPSU National Secretary

Maritime Museum strike action on target

Industrial action taken by staff members at the Australian National Maritime Museum has forced management back to the bargaining table following stalled negotiations for a new collective agreement.

On the eve of Australia Day, CPSU members gathered around the entrance of the museum and entertained visitors with colorful banners and union sea shanties (“what shall we do with a bad employer?”). A corporate ‘pirate’ was also on hand to make honest employees walk the plank. Click here to see photos from the day.

While the strike activities were lighthearted, the decision to take industrial action was a serious one. After their agreement expired in June 2006, Museum management continued to frustrate the bargaining process by delaying negotiations and failing to reply to correspondence. Management also refused to meet with staff and CPSU representatives.

As a result of the industrial action, Museum management agreed to recommence negotiations for a fair and reasonable union collective agreement. Both CPSU and management have committed to lodging an in-principle agreement by the end of February.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said that going on strike was the last resort for the staff members’.

"These CPSU members tried time and time again to reason with management, they did all the right things, but got nowhere,” Jones said.

“Museum management admitted they were under pressure from the Government to reduce conditions and offer AWAs. This is just another example of how John Howard's radical new workplace laws are affecting everyone in the community.”

Click here to send your letter to support to ANMM staff members, find out more information about the campaign or post your feedback on our blog.

Government's OHS Changes will be bad for our health

CPSU needs your help to produce a Senate submission about dangerous changes the Government is planning to make to Commonwealth health, safety and compensations laws.

The changes suggested in the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill will remove the right of Commonwealth employees to claim compensation for injuries sustained: during lunch and other breaks, travelling to or from work, participating in sporting activities at lunch time.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones believes the changes are a cost cutting exercise which place employees at risk. "Currently, workers have the peace of mind that if an unfortunate accident occurs after they leave for work, they will be covered by workers compensation.

"If these new laws are passed, employees will think twice about going out for walks or kicking a footy around with their mates at lunch time. They'll have to stay holed up in their office if they don't want to be liable for any accidents."

CPSU are also lobbying the ALP, the Democrats and the Greens for a commitment that the parties will repeal the unfair laws if they gain power in Parliament.

CPSU wants your views: Your union wants to include the experiences and views of our members in the Senate submission. Tell us what you think about the changes that are being forced through. Have you ever received workers compensation for a journey claim in the past? How do you think the changes will affect you? Will the way your local MP votes in this Bill change affect your vote in the next Federal election?

Email us your comments or post them on our blog.

For more information about the Bill click here

Hundreds and thousands rally on the National Day of Action

The Nov 30 rallies and marches across Australia in support of fairer workplace laws were an overwhelming success. It's estimated that more than 300,000 workers and their families - including many thousands of CPSU members - exercised their right to protest against the Federal Government's unfair workplace laws. Tell us your stories from the day or post your message of support below.

To read more click here. Check out photos here. Check out videos here. Send your photos / video links to pix@cpsu.org.au