Archive
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From the Victorian Trades Hall Council and its Affiliated Unions
2011 - Dec - 1421 December 2011
Enjoy a well earned break, for 2012 will be another busy year for the labour movement. Besides any new challenges, there is much unfinished business, with employers demanding less rights at work, the Baillieu government not bargaining in good faith with a range of public sector unions and the uncertain economic climate threatening many thousands of jobs across the board....read more -
Julia Italia Retires
2011 - Dec - 13After ten years of loyal and dedicated service, Julia Italia has retired as Secretary of the Goulburn Valley Trades & Labour Council. The VTHC and its affiliates appreciate the great job she has done as Secretary and take this opportunity to thank her and wish her all the best in her retirement....read more
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VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS - 'THERE FOR YOU' CAMPAIGN
2011 - Nov - 3030 November 2011
Last Sunday 27 November 2011, the Victorian Public Sector Unions collectively launched their "There For You" Campaign. www.thereforyou.org.au ...read more -
Victorian Nurses’ huge rally sends a message to Premier Baillieu he can’t ignore
2011 - Nov - 24Thursday 24th November 2011
by Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Over 10,000 public sector nurses and midwives, supported by dozens of other unions and community activists marched through Melbourne today from Bourke St Mall up to Parliament House....read more -
Rally and March
2011 - Nov - 22The ANF has called a
MASS RALLY AND MARCH
for this Thursday 24 November 2011
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
12.15pm - Assemble Bourke Street Mall, City
1.00pm - March on Parliament House Spring St
Bring union flags and banners and wear red
...read more -
Victorian unions fully behind ANF Campaign for a fair and just EBA
2011 - Nov - 21Monday 21 November 2011
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Hundreds of cheering and clapping union and community supporters arranged an ‘honour guard’ style reception for thousands of Victorian public sector nurses and midwives, as they filed in for a mass meeting at Festival Hall today....read more -
ALL UNIONS TO WELCOME...
2011 - Nov - 1717 November 2011
ANF Statewide public sector members meeting - 21 November 2011...read more -
Upcoming HACSU Stop Work Meetings and Rallies
2011 - Nov - 15Tuesday 15 November 2011
Psychiatric nurses, mental health clinicians and support staff across Victoria’s mental health services are campaigning for a fair pay rise and to address staff shortages in our mental health system. Mental illness is a growing problem in our society. One in five Victorians will experience a mental health issue in the past twelve months, yet services have been cut by 2%. The Baillieu Government is failing to invest in the mental health system and address staff shortages. On top of that they have offered staff a pay rise of 2.5 per cent which does not even cover inflation!...read more -
Baillieu Government's hard line industrial agenda spreading
2011 - Nov - 15Monday 14 November 2011
The Baillieu Government’s hard line industrial agenda has seen police use force against workers peacefully exercising their democratic right to protest....read more -
Victorian Public Sector EBA Campaign hots up
2011 - Nov - 08by Brian Boyd
VTHC Secretary
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Members of the Community and Public Sector Union Victoria (CPSU), members of the Australian Nurses Federation – Victoria (ANF) and members of the Health and Community Services Union - Victoria (HACSU) have recently voted overwhelmingly to reject the Baillieu government’s pay and conditions offer and support their unions’ industrial campaigns. The CPSU has announced work bans in Victoria’s justice system with prisons, courts and the sheriff’s office being targeted. The ANF had a mass meeting of members on Friday last (4/11/11) that endorsed their union to organise an industrial strategy in the State’s health system, if negotiations fail....read more -
QANTAS Dispute - Lessons for all
2011 - Nov - 04by Brian Boyd
VTHC Secretary
Friday 4 November 2011 The Fair Work Act came to the fore when Alan (“The Destroyer”) Joyce decided at the end of October to close down the QANTAS airline during some EBA disputation. Suddenly the key thrust of the post-WorkChoices legislation – bargaining in good faith – was thrown out the window and the Howard era remnants in the Rudd/Gillard IR law kicked in....read more -
Vale Della Elliott
2011 - Nov - 04Unionist Activist
23/12/1917-2/10/2011
4 November 2011
Della Elliott worked hard for the union movement, from the days when she was often the “first woman” to hold a position to her retirement helping researchers piece together union histories....read more -
Victorian Public Sector Unions Continue Enterprise Bargaining push…
2011 - Oct - 2020th October 2011 Victorian Public Sector unions including the ANF, AEU, CPSU-SPSF, Victorian Police Association, HACSU, MSAV, UFU, NTEU, Ambulance Employees Australia, AWU and ASU etc are pursuing wages and conditions claims against the Baillieu government. All unions are at various stages of their campaign strategies. Watch this space for developments....read more
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Don’t forget the Afghanistan War – 10 years on
2011 - Oct - 1212 October 2011
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Last Friday, the 7th October 2011, saw the 10th anniversary of so called Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S invasion of Afghanistan. Pro-War commentators blamed “incompetent governments, not the military” for the drawn out war.
...read more -
Anti-Poverty Week - 16-22 October 2011
2011 - Oct - 07October 2011
Join the Victorian Trades Hall Council and guest speaker Shelley Marshall, Senior Lecturer at Monash University as part of Anti-Poverty Week 2011 - 17 October 2011.
...read more -
Union Summer
2011 - Oct - 044 October 2011
Union Summer is a three week internship program coordinated by VTHC. It is aimed at people interested in workers’ rights and social justice. Interns are placed with a union for 3 weeks and receive training in industrial relations and organising. The program will run 30th January-17th February 2012. Applications close COB Monday 14th November. Click here for 2012 application form....read more -
‘Fair Protection for Firefighters’ Campaign
2011 - Oct - 033rd October 2011
The United Firefighters Union of Australia has been campaigning for presumptive legislation to ensure firefighters with occupational cancer can access medical assistance and workers compensation. The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011 was introduced into the house of Representatives on the 4th July 2011 and a Senate Standing Committee inquiry resulted in a report which recommended that the Bill be passed. It is likely that the Bill will have its third reading and be voted on in the House of Representatives on the 13th October 2011. To further the campaign and seek political support for the Bill, the UFUA has commissioned a website to generate letters to every federal politician....read more -
Airport strike escalates as cleaners locked out
2011 - Sep - 2626th September 2011
An industrial dispute between low-paid airport cleaners and their employer Spotless has become increasingly bitter as the cleaning giant effectively locked out workers this morning in a desperate attempt to break rolling strike action across Melbourne and Avalon airports....read more -
Equal Pay campaign update
2011 - Sep - 1313 September 2011
Following the interim decision released by Fair Work Australia (FWA) on 16 May that ruled the ASU have proved that social and community services workers in the not for profit sector are underpaid and that at least part of the reason for that underpayment is gender, we have been preparing further submissions for the ongoing hearings but there has also been a lot happening....read more -
VTHC/ACTU Equal Pay Day Morning Tea at Parliament House 1 September 2011
2011 - Sep - 022 September 2011
More than a hundred trade unionists, union members, ALP Members of Parliament and others gathered at parliament house in Melbourne to mark Equal Pay Day on September 1 2011....read more -
September 1 is Equal Pay Day - women a million dollars behind
2011 - Sep - 01Events were held at Central Melbourne, Footscray, Ballarat and Geelong...read more
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More threats to jobs and workers' rights on the horizon
2011 - Sep - 011st September 2011
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
The world’s economy is a worry to many. The unstable nature of the international fiscal environment, after years of globalisation policies, affects our domestic outlook. And not for the better, as promised by the free marketeers....read more -
Current Economic Uncertainty - No Cause for Panic
2011 - Aug - 12August 2011
At it's 12th August 2011 meeting, the VTHC Executive Council conducted a preliminary discussion on the growing concerns around the global financial markets. Many working people are understandably worried about their jobs, superannuation, savings and the future in general. The VTHC issued the following media comment after the meeting: The VTHC Executive today called on the Victorian government and the States’ employers not to panic in the face of the uncertain, volatile economic scene. The VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd said after the meeting that Victorian unions are very concerned about any potential impact on workers jobs, entitlements, savings and general standard of living....read more -
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
2011 - Jul - 1111 July 2011
Send an Email to the Premier of Victoria and Tasmania
The VTHC welcomed last week's announcement by the Federal Government to commit extra funding for the pay increases that are expected to be awarded in the union's Equal Pay Case for community and disability workers. see attached....read more -
Equal Pay Campaign Latest
2011 - Jun - 2323 June 2011
Attention all Unions:
Do it today. Call and leave a message with your Federal MP’s office now. It’s quick and easy – just go to http://www.asuvic.asn.au/calling_your_mp_1.pdf for a step by step guide on how you can make the call that could win Equal Pay! If your Federal MP is not a member of the Gillard government, then call the Prime Minister’s office instead, her electorate is Lalor and her office number is also provided in the link above!...read more -
The historic link between Melbourne Trades Hall and RMIT
2011 - Jun - 20By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
15 June 2011 Last week the RMIT University, across the road from the Melbourne Trades Hall, held its regular Founders’ Day function. The VTHC was an invited guest....read more -
IBEW - American electricians union video - Labour Start Video of the Year
2011 - Jun - 088 June 2011
Click here to see YouTube link to video....read more -
Melbourne Equal Pay March - great success....Campaign to continue
2011 - Jun - 08Wednesday 8 June 2011
by Brian Boyd, Secretary VTHC The current campaign for genuine equal pay in the social and community services sector took a step forward today with successful rallies and marches in capital cities around the country. The Melbourne rally was a lively and colourful affair....read more -
ASMP May 2011 Course Graduates
2011 - Jun - 033 June 2011
ASMP May 2011 Participants....read more -
RMIT installs new Chancellor
2011 - May - 2520 May 2011
By Brian Boyd
The RMIT University, across the road from Melbourne Trades Hall, has installed a new Chancellor....read more -
Equal Pay in 2011
2011 - May - 24Click here for youtube link - Pro Equal Pay stunt at Parliament House on Thursday 19 May 2011. ...read more
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Demand Equal Pay in 2011
2011 - May - 20Rally 11am Wednesday 8 June 2011 Assemble at Trades Hall...read more
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VTHC Acknowledges the traditional owners of Australia
2011 - May - 1919 May 2011
VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd said today:“Today the VTHC expresses its extreme disappointment at the decision of the Baillieu Victorian government to step away from giving proper recognition to the original people who lived here before white settlement....read more -
Equal Pay Day of Action
2011 - May - 06Equal Pay Supporters Rally 11am 8 June 2011 @ Trades Hall....read more
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Prodigal Window Returns to Trades Hall
2011 - May - 06by Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
6 May 2011
In the early 1990’s internal heritage restoration work at Melbourne Trades Hall began in earnest.The then ALP Victorian Government through the Department of Planning and Heritage Victoria found money to commence this important work. Expert plasterers and painters were commissioned to bring back to life the hall ways, main rooms and stairways of the first trades Hall ever built in the world to house the growing union movement in 19th Century colonial Victoria...read more -
VTHC Welcomes New Presidential Officers Elected Last Night
2011 - May - 06Friday 6 May 2011
At a full Council meeting last night Victorian unions voted in a new team of VTHC honorary presidential officers for a two-year term. VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd welcomed new VTHC President Ingrid Stitt from the ASU – Private Sector union to the VTHC leadership team. ...read more -
Celebrating 100 years FCU - ASU
2011 - May - 02Thursday 5th May 2011 marks the centenary of the ASU’s founding organisation—the Federated Clerks Union of Australia—founded here in Melbourne by 107 clerical workers fighting for better wages and conditions. ...read more
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We Remember...
2011 - Apr - 28Thursday 28 April 2011
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
Thursday 28 April 2011
MOURNING THE DEAD AND FIGHTING FOR THE LIVING
At the ‘Remembrance Rock’
Corner Victoria and Lygon Streets
Carlton South...read more -
We Remember...
2011 - Apr - 15WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
Thursday 28 April 2011
MOURNING THE DEAD AND FIGHTING FOR THE LIVING
At the ‘Remembrance Rock’
Corner Victoria and Lygon Streets
Carlton South...read more -
VTHC's Annual Labour Day Dinner Dance 2011
2011 - Mar - 30The VTHC's Annual Labour Day Dinner Dance for 2011 is on again. It is being held on Friday 15th April 2011 at the famous San Remo Ballroom, 365 Nicholson Street, North Carlton....read more
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Media conference & Cleaners' Rally today
2011 - Mar - 3030 March 2011
United Voice, the Cleaners Union (formerly LHMU)
11am TODAY: Media Conference Outside Federal Court
12pm TODAY: Cleaners Rally Against Spotless...read more -
Victorian Union Movement.....
2011 - Mar - 25Remembers the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
100 years ago
25 March 2011
In New York in 1911, 146 mostly migrant women workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire....read more -
International Women's Day Event
2011 - Mar - 02...read more
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LHMU and name change to United Voice
2011 - Feb - 2121 February 2011
The Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union is changing its name to United Voice on the 1st of March 2011. ...read more -
Intervention in NT not working
2011 - Feb - 1111 February 2011
Exploitation of Aboriginal workers continues to take place under the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP), despite it being reformed by the Labor government in 2009.
Aboriginal workers in the Northern Territory are working at least 16 hours a week under the scheme, but only being paid their Newstart allowance through Centrelink. In many cases, workers are subject to Income Management and have 50 percent of these payment 'quarantined' onto a BasicsCard.
See youtube link for more information...read more -
Equal Pay Case In Melbourne
2011 - Feb - 04Friday 4th February 2011
Words by VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd
(compiled by Helen Atkinson VTHC Website Co-ordinator)
The VTHC Council meeting last night (3/2) received an updated report on the important equal pay case currently running before Fair Work Australia. The application for an “equal remuneration order” under sec 302 of the Act is centred around the social and community services industry....read more -
United Firefighters Union of Victoria – Centenary Celebrations 1911 – 2011.
2011 - Jan - 3131 January 2011. CITY PROCESSION AND FAMILY DAY. On Sunday January 30, 2011 firefighters in from most of Victoria’s provincial cities joined their Metropolitan Fire District comrades in a procession of uniformed Firefighters and their Families through the streets of Melbourne, to bring to the attention of the community that the Union that represents Victoria’s Career Firefighters has been doing so for 100 years. The parade included Fire Appliances that firefighters have used to carry out their duties over the last 100 years. These appliances were generously made available by Fire Services Museum of Victoria and the relevant fire services....read more
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Equal Pay Campaign Continues on in 2011
2011 - Jan - 24Monday 24 January 2011
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
A Fair Work Australia full bench will hear the Equal Remuneration Case over two weeks starting at the end of this month. In a notice issued on Monday the 17 January the full bench listed the matter for hearing from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 11 (excluding weekends). It will sit in Sydney for all but the final three days of the hearing, which will be held in Melbourne....read more
