Courageous Cummins

The atmosphere at the Regent Theatre confirmed why John Cummins was so loved. He would surely have been proud of his sons as they stepped his comrades through the poignant moments of his life. The quirky sense of humour and the courage; this was a real bloke in the very best sense of the words. Searching for his keys in the canteen at North Heidelberg after a young bloke asked for a Lift. Advising a son that given he didn't tell a judge how to do his job the bloke in the wig should reciprocate. The stories simply rolled on and the tears followed. In between were the laughs. 'That's another fine mess you've got me in'. How those words from colleague Ralph Edwards captured the mischief in the man?

Who'll forget the sight of John Cummins swinging his green commodore into Swanston Street for yet another skirmish? Like a general heading into battle there was always a little smile and the gentle wave of the hand. Yet, for all the ferocity of the industrial disputes that engulfed him, his faith in humanity never deserted him. It was this grasp of the big picture that enabled him to find a solution, invariably achieved with the consummate skill that was his trademark. The green commodore might be gone but the memory will never die. As they said of the legendary American trade unionist, Joe Hill, John Cummins is and will always be 'As alive as you or I'.

Not surprisingly, the Member for Deakin, Phil Barresi, has put his hand up to lead the Federal Government's taskforce, the one that has to sell the discredited WorkChoices legislation to the community. How can Barresi seriously believe that this legislation serves the interests of working people? Who cares? He simply deserves to lose his seat.

Doorknocking is a crucial part of any election campaign. With that in mind there will be a meeting on 10 September 2006, beginning at 12.30 pm. The meeting will include a 2-hour training session to assist people involved in doorknocking the electorate. Doorknocking residents will not only assist with the Your Rights at Work campaign, it will help to identify potential voters who are unregistered.

Where: The Courtyard Room, Whitehorse City Council, 379 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading. Melways Map 48 G9. Enter at the rear of the library.

The ETU's political officer Mike Symon is asking for as many ETU members and friends as possible to attend the meeting. If you care about your future and that of your kids then you should assist Mike in doorknocking Barresi out of Deakin. Email mike@etu.asn.au or call 0400 411 410.

ETU Indigenous Apprenticeship Project

With assistance from the Department of Victorian Communities the ETU has engaged in a groundbreaking Indigenous apprenticeship project, that involves the union actively seeking out employment for indigenous youth. The program will provide full support services in the form of best practice training, case management and mentoring. Christian Gaylard has taken up the position of Project Officer and can be contacted on 0438 327 716 or email on Christian@etu.asn.au

The official launch will be held in the Comrades Bar, 514 Swanston Street, Carlton South, on Wednesday 6 th September between 2.45pm - 4.30pm. The Minister for Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs Jacinta Allan MP will formally launch the project in conjunction with ETU branch secretary Dean Mighell. .

Please advise of your attendance, by phone 8341 5517 fax 8341 5566 or linda@etu.asn.au

Rocking Your Rights at Work

A Rock For Your Rights At Work (RFYRAW) series of events will be staged across Melbourne over the Melbourne Cup weekend. The ACTU advises that the aim of these events is twofold:

Firstly, to maximise community support for the ACTU's Your Rights At Work campaign, particularly in the lead up to the next national day of action which is scheduled for 30 November.

Secondly the events will act as a fundraiser for the ACTU's National and Victorian Your Rights At Work campaign.

There will be 4 events across the city:

The Esplanade Hotel (Friday 3/10) and (Cup Day from 3.00pm)

Grand Central (Sat 4/10) - Acoustic RFYRAW

The Northcote Social Club (TBC but plan is for Mon 6th - Cup Eve) 

Yes Minister, Couldn't Agree More

In these days of Howard's WorkChoices IR legislation it's rare for a worker to receive a thank you. While waxing lyrically about the sad death of the 'crocodile hunter' John Howard couldn't find a word for John Cummins. Not so the Victorian Minister for Sport, Justin Madden, who sent a letter to the ETU saying 'I am writing to thank you for the support provided in making the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games the outstanding success it was'.

The letter went on to describe how the 'Critical contribution of the union movement to the success of Games cannot be overestimated'. With an election around the corner Justin Madden probably has an interest in praising workers, nevertheless it is all very true. ETU members, like all other workers, should be proud of the city they've built.

It's instructive however that the agreement about which Madden spoke when he said 'I would like to thank the ETU for its longstanding support of the Memorandum of Understanding between the state and the construction unions' is illegal under WorkChoices. In a nutshell such agreements are deemed to be non-code compliant. Members would be aware that the federal government has prohibited many of the things we have taken for granted - right of entry for example - from agreements. As secretary Dean Mighell puts it: 'Yes, the Memorandum said good things - apprenticeships numbers etc - about working conditions'. Can't have that!

Whilst ETU members are now aware that shop steward Mike Symon has taken up a role as the union's political officer and is heavily involved in the campaign to oust Phil Barresi in the seat of Deakin there are more strings to Mike's bow. Another seat of interest to him is Latrobe, which in 2004 was won by Liberal Jason Wood, a police sergeant.

The margin in 2004 was 5.8%, which makes it the kind of seat that can be won. In his maiden speech all Mr Wood spoke about was the so-called 'war on terror'. He, of course, supports the government's barbaric IR laws. If you want to see the end of him then you can join the marginal seats campaign. Mike, who has already attracted the local media to his campaign against Barresi, will in attendance at a major meeting in Latrobe, on Thursday 7 September.

The meeting will be held in the Beaconsfield Community Complex (In the hall) in O'Neil Road, Beaconsfield (Melways Ref 214 B2). The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will include a presentation by ACTU President Sharan Burrow.

If you want more information or wish to RSVP contact Katie Hall from the Latrobe Your Rights At Work - Community Coalition, on 0409 405 826 or email khall@actu.asn.au

At the last Apprentice Committee meeting organiser David Mier and Union Solidarity's Dave Kerin inspired apprentices with their political and industrial perspectives. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13 September and Ray Crampton is calling on all interested members to attend. The meeting will be held at the Comrades Bars starting at 4.30 pm. Ray is particularly interested in building a list of people prepared to share stories of relevance to apprentices. 'Although Dave was talking about South America rather than apprenticeship issues the apprentices found it to be most enlightening,' says Ray. It was the same when Dave spoke about Union Solidarity, he said. 'It's good for apprentices to learn some history, put things in perspective and understand what it really means to be a unionist,' he added.

If you think you have some stories to tell then the Apprenticeship Committee meeting is the place to tell it.

Ray can be contacted on 0400 135 900 or ray@etu.asn.au

Want to WIN $100 worth of adidas sports gear?  Get yourself registered on the fitness2live website before 30th September to be in the draw to WIN an adidas backpack including adidas socks, drink bottle, cap and key change.  

For your chance to WIN one of 3 packs follow these steps:

1)  Log on to http://etu.fitness2live.com.au
2)  Go to "Membership" and click on "Register Now"
3)  Complete the "Registration Form"
4)  Lastly, in the "My Health" section complete your "Wellness Record"

Once a member you can create your personalized exercise program and diet program or get fit for a fun run and download our healthy recipes. All these are and more are available on-line with fitness2live.

Rights Out West

With Howard's IR legislation causing him grief in the polls we need to maintain the pressure. With that in mind the Western Suburbs Legal Service invites unionists and members of the community to a public meeting on Wed nesday, 27 September from 7.00 pm till 9.00 pm

The venue is the Newport Senior Citizens Centre, 13-15 Mason Street, Newport - Next to Paine Reserve - rear of Newport Library.

Speakers will include:

Sharan Burrow  -  ACTU President

Yasser Bakri      -  Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union

We'll also hear from other people about their experiences of fighting for their workplace rights.  The meeting is organized by Western Suburbs Legal Service - 9391 2244 (or 0417 456 001).

Next edition eTU Online

Thanks for reading this issue of eTU online.

You'll receive your next issue in October, 2006.