VTHC Rally - International Women's Day
6 March 2009
Hundreds of people gathered on the steps today of the State Library to mark the 98th International Women's day. The Victorian Trades Hall Council rallied with its affiliated unions, supporters and the wider community to call for: paid Maternity leave for all women; equal and decent pay and conditions; safe and secure work; free and public childcare;
flexible working arrangements. Also the right to: be safe at work, at home and all public spaces; affordable housing, education and healthcare; be treated with dignity and respect.
Speakers included: Ann Taylor - Deputy Branch President of AEU and President of VTHC, Jenny Kruschel Assistant Secretary TCFUA, Angelina Ladera – National Executive of Kilusang Mayo Uno [KMU] Labour Centre in the Philippines.
VTHC Secretary
ENDORSEES: VTHC, ACTU, Domestic Violence
More Archive
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Join in the 2009 Eureka Stockade (1854) Commemoration
2009 - Dec - 07November 2009
5.30 pm Friday 27th November 2009 at the State Library Steps, Melbourne....read more -
Protest - Loss of Human Rights on 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
2009 - Dec - 04Thursday 10th December 2009 - 5.30 pm - 8.00 pm
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....read more -
Anti ABCC Campaign cranks up a notch
2009 - Oct - 30Friday 30th October 2009 By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Across Australia, rallies and protests occurred in support of Ark Tribe the S.A. building worker who fronted his latest court case today in Adelaide....read more -
National OHS model laws - protest action to continue
2009 - Oct - 15OHS Delegates - Lunch Time Protest Rally - At Annual OHS Conference 1pm Wednesday - 28 October 2009 adj Polly Woodside - outside Melbourne Convention Centre South Wharf (Southside of Yarra River)
15 October 2009
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
A well attended VTHC affiliates meeting yesterday endorsed ongoing activities to support efforts to win the best OHS national laws possible, during the current moves to ‘harmonise’ Australia’s multitude of OHS legislation. The meeting called for updated material on the outstanding concerns, paid radio ads during the current ‘public comment’ phase and a lunch time protest action at the upcoming Victorian OHS Health and Safety Representatives' Conference (see details)....read more -
National OHS Harmonisation - Campaign for best practice continues....
2009 - Oct - 01By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
1st October 2009
Back on the 28th September the Federal Government, through the Workplace Relations Minister’s Council, released for public comment a proposed new OHS national model law. The six weeks ‘public comment’ period gives the trade union movement an opportunity to promote and enhance its campaign to win the best OHS ‘harmonisation' laws possible. OHS in the workplace is a ‘bread and butter’ issue for trade unions. We cannot allow this issue to fall off our radar screen. It must be remembered that the so called “harmonisation” of the nation’s numerous OHS laws was started by the Howard government....read more -
Huge Melbourne Union Rally Demands "Best Practice" National OHS Laws - 1st September 2009
2009 - Sep - 011st September 2009
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Today over 7,000 workers marched on the Victorian Parliament in Spring St Melbourne.
They were led by a large contingent of women unionists who had gathered earlier in the day to push for equal pay....read more -
VTHC Rally - OHS National Model Laws - Not Good Enough!
2009 - Aug - 24OHS Rally - 1st September 2009 - flyer click here...read more
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Special Council Meeting/Public Lecture at Trades Hall: The Future of Trade Unions
2009 - Aug - 2121 August 2009
Four internationally renowned academics shared their thoughts about the future of trade unions today (Friday 21 August 2009).
The presenters were:
Professor Gregor Murray – Inter-University Research Centre on Globalisation and Work (CRIMT) and University of Montreal.
Professor David Peetz – Griffith University
Professor Eddie Webster – University of Witswaterand
Professor Charlotte Yates – McMaster University
The Moderators were:
Michelle Bissett (ACTU) and Brian Boyd (Victorian Trades Hall Council.)....read more -
OHS National Model Laws - Not Good Enough - Mass Meeting
2009 - Aug - 1919 August 2009
A huge turn out of Victorian workplace Health and Safety Representatives (HSR’s) and job delegates attended the VTHC organised mass meeting today at Storey Hall RMIT.
The meeting was provided with an overview of national and Victorian issues by Brian Boyd, Trades Hall Council Secretary and Geoff Fary, ACTU Assistant Secretary.
Brian Boyd warned that the Federal government’s own work safety targets will already not be met – a government failure that undermines the move to harmonise each State’s OHS laws. Brian also pointed out that reducing rights and protections will only contribute to even lower OHS performance. “Now is the time for governments to be harmonising laws up – not down. Each State's protection has to go to the highest levels”....read more -
OHS National Model Laws - Not Good Enough
2009 - Aug - 0419 August 2009
Mass Meeting organised by the VTHC to go ahead this morning re OHS National Model Laws....read more -
National OHS ‘harmonisation’ process – ongoing campaign
2009 - Jul - 2424 July 2009
The VTHC Executive Council has recently re-iterated that as part of the ongoing national campaign to achieve a better outcome out of National OHS harmonisation....read more -
AFL "Eureka" Game at MCG - Honours Workers - Sunday 19th July 2009
2009 - Jul - 20By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
In 2008 the AFL conducted the inaugural “Eureka Game” between North Melbourne and Richmond Football clubs. The brainchild of AFL veteran Kevin Sheedy, the aim of the match is to celebrate the working people of Australia. He hopes the annual event will become “one of the great days of Australian sport”. As with last year, the VTHC was asked to support and promote the Eureka Game this year. AFL football fans at the MCG witnessed the famous Eureka Flag being hoisted in the middle of the ground and a brief re-enactment of the Eureka rebellion, including red-coated British colonial troops ‘firing’ on rebellious gold miners with old fashioned military muskets....read more -
ACTU CONGRESS (1-4 JUNE 2009) - Time for Plain Speaking
2009 - Jun - 1110 June 2009
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
It is a worthwhile exercise to assess some aspects of the recent ACTU Congress to aid future activities for trade unions.
The ACTU officers said at the beginning of the Congress that its deliberations should focus on the need for more IR legislative reforms, a renewed Growth and Campaigns strategy, how unions should respond to the Global Financial Crisis and how to achieve the best OHS national harmonisation laws framework.
The Congress led with a major discussion to update and fine tune the ACTU’s Industrial relations legislation policy with a key demand that a second tranche of IR reform is needed post the introduction of the Fair Work Act on the 1/7/09....read more -
Anna Stewart Memorial Project - May 2009
2009 - May - 28Thursday 28 May 2009
The Anna Stewart Memorial Project participants for May 2009 (pictured) with Jennifer O'Donnell-Pirisi, VTHC Women's Officer. This year, the Anna Stewart Memorial Project celebrates its 25th anniversary. An ASMP commemorative DVD will be launched on Friday 4th September 2009 to mark the occasion. For more information on the Project - click here. (Story compiled and picture taken by Helen Atkinson, VTHC Website Co-ordinator)....read more -
Telstra rally still on regardless of Telstra PR Claims.....
2009 - May - 25Thursday 28th May 2009
Telstra Workers deserve your support on their
DAY OF ACTION
- WEDNESDAY WALKOUT -
Wednesday 27 May
10.00 am
35 Collins Street, Melbourne
Celebrate the departure of Trujilo & McGauchie
Be there and show your support
LET THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA KNOW COMMUNITY SUPPORTS TELSTRA WORKERS...read more -
Melbourne Trades Hall 150th Anniversary Celebration a great success
2009 - May - 2525 May 2009
Last Sunday 24th May 2009 marked the opening of the first trades hall building constructed in Carlton. A 'Celebratory Street Party' was organised to mark the occasion. Food, drinks, music, song and the obligatory speech or two occured between 5.30 pm - 9.00 pm.
The VTHC will shortly produce a commemoration booklet in order to have a permanent record for future generations. A commemorative badge has also been produced. Orders can be placed at Trades Hall by calling Shelley Mildren on 9659 3511.
...read more -
Melbourne Trades Hall 150th Anniversary Celebration - book now!
2009 - May - 1515 May 2009
Sunday 24th May 2009 marks the opening of the first trades hall building constructed in Carlton. A 'Celebratory Street Party' has been organised to mark the occasion. Food, drinks, music, song and the obligatory speech or two will occur between 5.30 pm - 9.00 pm.
It's time to book a table. Call Shelley Mildren on 9659 3511....read more -
Lively Rally outside Federal Minister Lindsay Tanner’s Office - Demands Paid Maternity Leave
2009 - May - 066 May 2009 Hundreds of people gathered outside the Federal Minister for Finance, Lindsay Tanner’s Office in King St, Melbourne today to support paid maternity leave being included in the 2009 Federal Budget.
The rally, organised by Victorian Trades Hall Council’s Women’s Officer, Jennifer O’Donnell-Pirisi was an important landmark in the overall campaign for Paid Maternity Leave. Speakers at the rally were Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary, Ingrid Stitt ASU Secretary and Jennifer O’Donnell-Pirisi. 1000s of postcards, addressed to Lindsay Tanner, supporting paid maternity leave, were presented to the Minister's Office....read more -
VTHC Labour Day Dinner Dance a wonderful celebration
2009 - Apr - 2823rd April 2009 The Victorian Trades Hall Labour Day Dinner Dance held at the San Remo Ball Room in Carlton on Friday 17th April 2009 was a great success with over 260 guests attending. This annual occasion celebrates the achievement by Victorian unions gaining the world’s first 8 hour working day in 1856. The 8 hour day public holiday was celebrated on the actual day of victory for the 8 hour movement, 21 April, until 1934. The Victorian Unions have reinstituted the holding of their Labour Day celebrations closest as possible to the 21 April of each year. This decision was made in 2006, the 150th anniversary of the 8 hour day....read more
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National Anti-ABCC Action...A Success - Victorian Rally Outside MBA Huge
2009 - Apr - 28Tuesday 28 April 2009
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Following on from the successful shop stewards’ rally at Dallas Brooks Hall last 7th April (see latest news) the combined building and construction unions delivered over 10,000 workers to today’s mass rally in Melbourne. Despite cold and rainy weather the mood of the protest was vocal and determined.
Being International Workers Memorial Day, proceedings were started at the Trades Hall assembly point by Father Peter Norden of Melbourne University Law School, who called on the rally to pay their respects to workers killed or injured at work and fight for improved OHS laws. A minute silence was adhered to....read more -
National Campaign Against ABCC Grows....
2009 - Apr - 07Melbourne all construction unions delegates meeting a big success
By Brian Boyd VTHC Secretary
7 April 2009
Across Australia, all building and construction unions (CFMEU C&G, CFMEU – FFTS, CEPU – ETU, CEPU – Plumbers, AMWU and AWU) have conducted mass delegates rallies to promote the ongoing campaign to have the ABCC abolished. In Melbourne today (7/4) over 600 delegates met at Dallas Brooks Hall. After hearing reports on the latest developments the mass meeting passed a series of resolutions (see below) aimed at boosting the national campaign. ...read more -
Don't Put Public Sector Workers in front line in financial crisis response - says VTHC
2009 - Apr - 012nd April 2009
The State and Territory IR Ministers are in Adelaide tomorrow (Friday 3rd April) for the latest Workplace Relations Ministerial Council, with Federal IR Minister Julia Gillard.
The VTHC today has called on the Victorian IR Minister and the other IR Ministers not to sign off on a general strategy that places public sector workers in the front line to wear the brunt of the Global Financial Crisis.
The VTHC call comes after the Victorian Government recently announced a new wages policy that will reduce the capacity of ongoing and future wages negotiations, after the 4th May, to only achieve outcomes up to 2.5%....read more -
Trades Hall Photo Opportunity....
2009 - Mar - 27Demand Paid Maternity leave be included in the 2009 Federal Budget 27 March 2009 Union officials, members, supporters and friends gathered on the steps of the Victorian Trades Hall Council today (27/3) to take part in a photo holding up a sign saying "PUT PAID MATERNITY LEAVE IN THE 2009 FEDERAL BUDGET". The photo will be sent to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as part of the VTHC Campaign for Paid Maternity Leave to be included in the Federal Budget for 2009. ...read more
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Trades Hall 150th Anniversary Banner
2009 - Mar - 2525 March 2009
A banner to mark the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the first Melbourne Trades Hall was placed above the heritage building's Lygon St entrance today by workers John Newton, Oli Kas, Josh Wise and Jacob Grech. ...read more -
Fosters Contractor's Dispute Escalates
2009 - Mar - 1616 March 2009
It was revealed in the Magistrates Court of Victoria last week that Fosters, who also terminated over 100 long-serving maintenance employees, have replaced these Australian employees with a Contractor who is sourcing workers from overseas, including the USA and New Zealand....read more -
Bushfire Crisis - Update
2009 - Feb - 1717 February 2009
Following the discussion at the recent VTHC Executive Council, the United Firefighters Union (UFU) have forwarded the following three requests to VTHC Unions.
(i) Support and promote the following website: www.thankyoufiries.com;
(ii) Support and promote the Firefighters Welfare Fund and
(iii) Support request that unions place these links on their websites during crisis period.
The VTHC has also participated in preliminary discussions with the Premier's Department, the Ministry of Industrial Relations and Industry and the VWA, exploring ways to maximise trade union input into the response to the bushfire crisis....read more