Victorian Workers Compensation Changes - Many Workers Will be Worse Off
by Brian Boyd VTHC Secretary
1 February 2010
There was a comprehensive review of the Accident Compensation Act 1985 over the last two years. Peter Hanks QC oversaw the Review with union and employer representatives being involved.
During the review process the unions expressed alarm early in proceedings that some of the proposed changes being put forward would not be acceptable.
The VTHC’s WorkCover Committee has been very active over this period in analysing much of the material in the public domain. In particular, it ran a very critical eye over the government’s official response to the final Hanks Report at the end of 2009.
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Latest News
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Tony Abbott, "The Mad Monk" and the union movement
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
18 January 2010
It is right for the union movement to warn workers about the return of the right - wing rump now in charge of the federal Liberal / NP opposition.The turmoil inside the Liberal Party at the end of 2009 over a proposed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has only exposed to the wider Australian public the existence of the ultra conservative, born to rule group of politicians in Canberra, that the union movement has been well aware of for years.
We should be wary of their antics, their prograndising, pro- employer, wage cutting, work place destabilisation rhetoric. There is no way ordinary working people want these politicians running the country again.
Their arrogance knows no bounds. When their latest leader Tony Abbott said he’s going to resurrect the insulting concept of "Howard’s Battlers" and rename them "Abbott’s Army", it was pathetic.
They can try to reinvent themselves as much as they like, but unions know that the contempt they hold for ordinary people will never go away.
There is no way Mr Abbott is going to turn back time and play similar games. Yet he fancy’s himself.
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Join in the 2009 Eureka Stockade (1854) Commemoration
November 2009
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5.30 pm Friday 27th November 2009 at the State Library Steps, Melbourne. -
Protest - Loss of Human Rights on 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
Thursday 10th December 2009 - 5.30 pm - 8.00 pm
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Rally at the steps of Parliament to protest the loss of our Human Rights, especially Workers' Rights, Aboriginal Rights and Refugee Rights which have dominated the Australian political landscape under a Howard/Rudd Government. -
Walk Against Warming
30 November 2009
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Walk Against Warming 12pm - 12 December 2009 starting at the State Library. -
SECRETARY'S SOAPBOX
7 December 2009
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ACTU Executive deliberations after two years of Rudd and Gillard
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Inside Trades Hall
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VTHC OHS Unit
The VTHC OHS Unit provides health and safety reps with information and advice on how to address and resolve workplace issues. www.ohsrep.org.au
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VTHC Return To Work Unit
Challenging the barriers that stop injured workers returning to full and meaningful employment.
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VTHC Union Assist Unit
Union Assist provides WorkCover conciliation support for union members.
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VTHC Women's Officer
Contact Jennifer O'Donnell-Pirisi the VTHC Women's Officer.
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Young Unionist Network
The YUN aims to inform and provide access to reliable information about young people’s rights at work and the role of unions in society. www.yun.org.au
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Trades Hall & Literary Institute
The Victorian Trades Hall, rising grandly from the northern edge of the Melbourne CBD, is a national treasure and a symbol of the aspirations of the Australian people. www.tradeshall.org
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Current Campaigns - What You Can Do
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VTHC Climate Change Working Group
The VTHC Climate change working group was recently established to organise around issues of climate change and resources depletion. Unions recognise the need for action now to minimize the potentially catastrophic affects of global warming that will occur if we do not act. However we are committed to ensuring that working people and those less well off in our society are not disadvantaged by adaptation measures.
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TAFE 4 ALL
Higher fees, student debts and fewer courses - thats what the Brumby Government's plans for technical and further education will mean from July 1. www.tafe4all.org.au
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UFUA Dispute - MFESB in Crisis
The UFU has implemented a campaign website - www.firecrisis.com to enable members of the public to support their firefighters by contacting their local member of parliament by email and requesting that they rectify the current problems with their fire service.
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It’s your call: Improving Australian call centres for workers
The ASU has launched a new campaign to improve Australia's call centres for those working in the industry, for more info: www.callcentreunion.com.au. The call centre industry is a major employer in Australia and an integral part of our nation's economy. The ASU wants to make sure all call centre workers enjoy the same, high level working conditions and that all workers are being valued and paid fairly.
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'Don't Privatise our TAFEs'
The Victorian Government planned overhaul of our public TAFE system has serious consequences for workers in the education sector and every industry affected by vocational education. Click onto combined NTEU and AEU Campaign link - 'Don't Privatise Our TAFEs' - to voice your disapproval. http://www.ourtafesmatter.com.au/
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Union Information
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Join a union
Find out what union you should belong to.
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Union Directory
Contact VTHC's Affiliates across the state.
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Union Job Vacanices
Find out about the latest employment opportunities in the local union movement.
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VTHC Affiliates website links
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Upcoming Events
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Return to Work Unit Forum
Wednesday 17th February 2010, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Trades Hall For more info click here.
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