Northern Mining NSW Energy District

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL PRESIDENT TONY MAHER 


Today, the Mining and Energy Division’s National Convention has unanimously supported making an application to withdraw from the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU).

After a lengthy discussion about the reasons and practical implications, delegates from across all of our Districts voted to endorse a plan which will give all members a say in the future of our Union.

In my speech to Convention, I outlined:

Our National Convention is underway! COVID means we are doing it differently, with hundreds of mining and energy workers connected from around Australia. Check out our opening video (SOUND ON):

The Mining and Energy Union has struck yet another powerful legal blow against Australia’s ‘permanent casual’ labour hire rort, with a big win in the Federal Court for former employees of the Sub-Zero labour hire firm.

The Miners Union will today give evidence at a Senate Inquiry about how the Federal Government’s IR Omnibus Bill exacerbates rampant casualisation in the mining industry.

The CFMEU Mining Division’s submission to the IR Omnibus Bill Senate Inquiry beginning today in Townsville says the Bill gives big mining and labour hire companies a free pass to continue exploiting casuals in roles that are in practice full-time.

The Bill seeks to overturn important Federal Court wins for casual mineworkers that recognise the real, full-time nature of the hours and rosters they work.

The Federal Government has proposed a legislative change that would remove some of the barriers to trade unions demerging.
 
If it passes through Parliament, this may provide options for the Mining and Energy Division as we consider our future direction and relationship to the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU).
 

Applications for the 2021 Mineworkers' Trust Scholarship awards are now open.
If you are

• a CFMEU mining or energy worker, family member or dependent
• you are undertaking or applying to undertake a course at Diploma Level or higher at TAFE or a public university in 2021

then you are eligble to apply. Applications must be received no later than Friday 5th February 2021.

A High Court appeal against a landmark decision on the nature of casual work will further unfairly delay justice for mineworkers twice found by the Federal Court to have been employed unlawfully as casuals, the Miners’ Union said today.

Our Central Council has today made some important decisions regarding the future direction of our Division within the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU). General President Tony Maher explains the decisions in this Member Update.

DOWNLOAD MEMBER UPDATE

A proposed $32 billion investment in renewable energy contains no plans to support coal power workers or communities who will be affected as coal power stations close over the next two decades, CFMEU Mining and Energy said today.