2019 has been a great year for the AMWU, and our members have a lot to be proud of.
Your Union has been working tirelessly through the year to ensure you get to go home after work each day with good pay, good conditions, and that you get home safe.
With some massive wins like the OI dispute, and the Visy delegates reinstated, through to EBAs, Industrial disputes, and OH&S issues, each and every AMWU representative, whether they’re a member, delegate, HSR, officer, official or staff member should be incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished.
One of the most notable wins for members is the introduction of Labour hire licencing laws, coming off the back of a 3-year campaign from AMWU members to help crack down on dodgy operators in the Labour hire sector.
Labour-hire companies have had up until October 30, 2019, to have or to have at least applied for a license. Companies that haven't run the risk of fines of up to $500,000.
The high price has seen hundreds of dodgy labour-hire operators walk away from the business, precisely what this law is meant to do. Labour-hire workers now have protection against bosses that exploit, abuse or mistreat them.
I want to make a special mention of Barry Terzic. Barry is one of our Industrial Officers, and he has been one of the most diligent people in reporting shonky operators to the Labour-hire Authority.
If you work in labour-hire and believe your operator is unlicensed, you can always contact the Labour-hire Authority or your organiser.
Further to this, the AMWU is incredibly proud to have been one of the strongest campaigners for industrial manslaughter laws, and after a lengthy campaign, the final vote has come in and we won!
As of July 1 2020, any employer that is found to be negligent in their workplace that leads to the death of an employee will face massive fines and prison time. These laws are long overdue and will aim to curb the numbers of workplace deaths that occur in our great state.
2020 is going to be another big year, with a large number of EBAs up for renewal. We’re going to need our members to be there for each other and stand by each other through any potential dispute that arises, the way AMWU members always have.
We’ve beaten the Ensuring Integrity Bill for now, but we still have a Liberal Government that is intent on attacking unions wherever they can in Canberra that we’ll have to deal with. It’s not going to be an easy year, but we’re ready for it.
From everyone at the AMWU Victorian Branch I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas and a Happy new year.