We've Moved

Over the Christmas shut down period, the ETU Southern States Branch has relocated to its new offices at Level 1, 200 Arden Street North Melbourne . The new fitout will be completed over the next few months with new training and meeting rooms being added on the Ground level of the building.

The building was bought some years ago, and recently the Protect Severance Scheme moved into Level 2 of the building. http://www.protect.net.au/

The old office in Swanston Street Carlton was stretched beyond capacity as the Union expanded. The Union needed a larger working space to accommodate increased staff and member meetings.

Training and larger meetings will continue at Swanston Street until the new facilities are completed this year. Electrical and Electronic Group Training (EEIT) will relocate to Swanston Street to administer the Union 's training from there.

We hope to see you there soon at Level 1, 200 Arden Street North Melbourne .

Please note the change of phone and fax details.

Phone 03 8329 0000

Fax 03 8329 0066

The postal address is

PO Box 432

North Melbourne VIC 3051

Australia

location map is available at

http://www.etu.asn.au/graphics/2007/etu_location_map.jpg

After five years as Assistant Secretary and six years as an Organiser with the ETU - Southern States Branch, Alex McCallum has taken on a new role with the Union . At the Biennial Conference on December 6, at Rydges Hotel in Carlton , Alex was appointed as the ETU's Business Director. 

At the conference, Alex said, "It's been a great pleasure working closely with the Secretary Dean Mighell, Linda Dobson, Jacqui McMahon and the hard working team of organisers, administration staff, specialists and shop stewards.

"I'm proud of the achievements of the ETU during my time as Assistant Secretary. The Union has grown in every direction including membership, services and staff. This new position will further assist with membership retention and expansion.

"It's been a great honour to be an elected official of the Union , to represent our members over the past 11 years.  In that time I've seen the Union go from strength to strength under the progressive and passionate leadership of Secretary Dean Mighell. No union in Australia serves its members better than the ETU.

Howard Worthing now takes up the position of Assistant Secretary.

"I wish Howard Worthing well and look forward to the new challenges in my role as Business Director. Howard will do a great job, as he brings a new approach and vision", said Alex.

An ETU member for 27 years and an official for 15 years, Howard Worthing said he was excited about the new role.  "I'd like to thank Alex for the massive contribution he's made to the ETU and wish him well in his new role.  I'd also like to thank Branch Council for having the confidence to elect me as Assistant Secretary.  I see it as a great honour and challenge".

Faced with the task of removing the anti-worker Liberal government from office next year, the changes at the ETU are a sign that this Union will play its role.  Branch Secretary Dean Mighell said, "I wish Alex and Howard all the best. We'll need all hands on deck in 2007 and they have major roles to play".

A Worker in Parliament

On December 20, newly elected Member of the Legislative Council Shaun Leane made his first speech in the Victorian Parliament.

While family, friends and comrades looked on, Shaun thanked those who elected him, and those people and organizations who helped and encouraged him to enter Parliament. Shaun recounted stories from his family and working life, he spoke about the hopes and aspirations he carries for his parliamentary work and threw in a good measure of working class humour to boot.

Rare as it is, a worker has been elected to Parliament.

"In closing, it is my goal to do my best job in representing the people of the Eastern Metropolitan Region. I plan to do this by working hard.

I plan to do this by trying to learn fast. I plan to do this by drawing on all the lessons of a number of people I have come across in my life, and I will mention just a few: process workers who are on $15 an hour, labourers on building sites, people I spoke to in queues at social security offices, union officials of all unions and my family. I tend to draw on what my family has taught me. I intend to do as good a job as I can here. I thank you for the chance to speak today". [Shaun, quoted from Hansard]

To read Shaun's full speech click here.

Shaun has been an ETU organiser for 7 years, representing members in the Contracting and General Trade and Manufacturing sectors. The Union congratulates him on his success and wishes him well in his new work. We know he'll do a great job. Click here for Shaun's new contact details.

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