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I’ve been working on a weekly thread of significant happenings for workers in Australia. There’s so much going on at the moment, but I’m trying to keep an eye on strikes, industrial action, campaigns, the FWC & FWO & other stuff that affects workers. #ausunions #auspol THREAD
This week the Victorian Government released data showing 70-80% of healthcare workers with COVID-19 caught it at work. They had previously said the figure was around 10%. #ausunions #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-25/health-workers-covid-coronavirus-case-numbers-victoria/12582468
One nurse who has contracted COVID-19 has anonymously told the media she had requested a N95 mask while she was looking after coronavirus patients, but was told it wasn’t necessary. #ausunions #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-06/melbourne-nurse-contracts-coronavirus-after-denied-better-ppe/12526430?fbclid=IwAR3Apth1TmJkZAL6C6JLVZ_4_EY1teq1BLLF94d_qTbqF8xXx8r0PrFcQiI
And as healthcare workers now represent more than 14% of active COVID-19 cases in Victoria, they are demanding the state government guarantee those who contract the virus at work will qualify for Workcover. Seems reasonable! #auspol #ausunions https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/health-staff-want-automatic-workcover-rights-as-new-mask-concerns-emerge-20200818-p55mvt.html
Workers at Officework distro centres in NSW & Vic took 24 hours strike action on Monday demanding action against outsourcing and a better pay rise. Art by @wallmansam #ausunions
On Sunday the ACTU launched their new campaign “For The Workers” which is encouraging workers to sign a petition; email MPs and pass a workplace resolution. On seeing a Facebook image saying “Australian Unions: For The Workers” all I could think of was this GIF.
The @CFMEU_ME have launched a campaign to try to protect benefits won in the Workpac v Rossato case that is being appealed. The campaign is asking workers to email their MPs and demand they “respect the Federal Court ruling.” #ausunions
Some serious issues with new ferries procured by the NSW government: asbestos found in gaskets; & passengers will have to move to the lower deck when passing under some bridges. A great reminder to get involved @apheda's campaign for an international ban on asbestos!
JobKeeper changes are before the Senate. It looks like bosses that stop receiving JobKeeper will be able to slash workers’ hours by up to 40% and access other “flexibilities”. Apparently the ACTU okay’d this. #ausunions #auspol https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/businesses-who-lose-jobkeeper-will-still-be-able-to-cut-staff-hours-20200824-p55ot0.html?fbclid=IwAR2chNrIr6h7jhSpSwCpjJASCx47JZel1VCYv4sc3UebmuqMaVueuyuTY8I
The @NHEANetwork (a rank and file network) held a mass online meeting on Monday afternoon endorsing positions “with the goal of making democratically planned unprotected industrial action possible”. #ausunions https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/25/hundreds-of-university-academics-around-australia-vote-to-take-unprotected-strike-action
Any reports about the Government’s IR working groups are speculative, with most participants adhering to confidentiality agreements. The process is winding up & soon we will be able to see what the bosses & the ACTU have cooked up for us. #ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bogged-down-industrial-relations-talks-struggling-over-old-ground-20200821-p55o2q.html
The @TWUAus held a demo at Sydney airport on Thursday in response to Qantas’ decision to cut another 2400 jobs by outsourcing all ground handling work at Australian airports. The union is calling for the resignation of Alan Joyce. #ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/qantas-set-to-cut-another-2400-jobs-by-outsourcing-ground-handling-20200825-p55p3l.html
Just while we’re talking about Qantas, a reminder that they stood down a worker who raised concerns about COVID-19 in February. The Spirit of Australia or the Spirit of fucking over workers? #ausunions #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-02/coronavirus-qantas-investigated-by-safework-nsw/12113712
With the borders firmly closed, farmers are facing a labour shortage for the fruit picking season. Someone might want to suggest paying decent wages and providing safer workplaces and accommodation might help! #ausunions https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/seasonal-workers-victorian-farmers-facing-labour-shortage-for-harvest-season/news-story/158701e75bd896aecba8039fe7e93634
Legislation passed this week which prevents EBAs from specifying a particular super fund. This plus attempts to wiggle out of the 2021 scheduled increase to the superannuation guarantee shows us the pandemic won't stop the Libs’ attacks on super. #ausunions #auspol
CFMEU Qld has quit the ALP’s left faction saying it is "a creche for party hacks." The union says “our only factional alignment is with the interests of our members” - perhaps unions should always side with their members over factions? 
#ausunions https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-26/cfmeu-quits-queensland-labor-left-faction/12596266
#ausunions https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-26/cfmeu-quits-queensland-labor-left-faction/12596266
Kate Carnell has proposed that if bosses use approved payroll software, they should be exempt from prosecutions and penalties for #wagetheft. This makes no sense. If you can’t work out the award, don’t run a business. #ausunions #auspol https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/25/payroll-software-could-protect-employers-who-commit-accidental-wage-theft-ombudsman-says
From the very start of COVID-19 it was clear that the disadvantaged, poor and working class communities would bear the brunt of the pandemic - in terms of health and economics. We’re now getting the data to confirm this. #auspol #ausunions https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/all-in-this-together-how-rich-and-poor-are-travelling-in-lockdown-20200821-p55o6i.html
And here's the second part of @gemoase's “Plague” series in Overland. “Give workers a chance to take a stand, and they will move the Earth.” #ausunions https://overland.org.au/2020/08/a-plague-of-the-working-classes-part-two-we-need-to-stand-up/
Finally - the DPP has this week decided not to lay charges against the cops involved in the death of Tanya Day. Tanya's daughter called for #JusticeforTanyaDay to get trending again. Remember the dead, and fight like hell for the living. https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2020/08/27/tanya-days-family-shocked-and-hurt-police-involved-her-death-wont-face-charges
As always I'm ready and willing for union/labour/worker chats, tips, suggestions or comments! Solidarity, comrades. #ausunions #auspol
