Joint VTHC /ACTU Rally re proposed national ‘harmonisation’ of Workers Compensation - Not again!
30 March 2010
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
Today the federal government's Safe Work Australia (SWA) bureaucracy began a two day national forum on the future of workers compensation.
At the request of the ACTU’s Workers Compensation Committee last week, the VTHC’s WorkCover Committee hastily called a protest outside the forum venue, the Windsor Hotel in
The ACTU Assistant Secretary Geoff Fary and VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd addressed the protest after the main presentations had been made at the forum.
Unions Queensland Secretary Ron Monahan and Unions South Australian Secretary Janet Giles also attended the protest.
The key union movement concern is that since the Federal government has already made a mess of the proposed national harmonisation of OHS laws, why would the union movement entertain the harmonisation of Workers Compensation laws!
It is true that part of the brief of SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA is “to develop national policy relating to workers compensation”.
However it has other key functions relating to the draft model OHS legislation that haven’t even been tackled never mind finalised, such as:
Developing model OHS regulations, model OHS codes of practice and policy on OHS compliance and enforcement. As well it is supposed to establish effective OHS data collection, conduct OHS research and revise the current National OHS Strategy (2002 – 2012). The list goes on.
The VTHC Secretary reported to the protest that the union delegates inside the forum had protested about union representatives being excluded from the “closed” sessions and that ACTU Assistant Secretary Geoff Fary had strongly made the point that with OHS harmonisation on the nose, why would the unions want to even consider harmonisation of Workers Compensation law.
He also reported that Dr Helen Sutcliffe from the Workers Occupational Health Centre at Melbourne Trades Hall had emphasised out to the forum that before the government goes down the so called harmonisation track, in order to help employers cut red tape, it should look at the more deep seated issues affecting injured workers. Dr Sutcliffe pointed out that there was still a ‘stigma-type’ culture surrounding injured workers, especially when it comes to the Return to Work issue. For example there was often no risk assessment of proposed duties conducted before RTW happens. This often leads to more injury! Terminations also regularly occur, leaving many workers hanging out to dry.
A key forum speaker Dr Mary Wyatt told the audience:
- Return to Work is important but is not going well.
- Harmonisation, as it has been discussed so far, won’t improve return to work.
- Instead the creation of harmonised tools and techniques to aid the RTW process is an opportunity not to be missed.
Facilitator Barry Sherriff admitted that Dr Wyatt’s data on how RTW was failing injured workers was “damning”.
Geoff Fary told the protest that the campaign for justice for injured workers will continue and the “bottom line” will always be no worker should be worse off, if the Federal Government persists with another harmonisation agenda.
Legal advice received recently by the VTHC suggests that the Rudd /Gillard government have the issue of harmonising workers compensation ‘on a list’ for the next term of government, following the next federal election.
More Archive
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Melbourne Equal Pay Rally Today - Great Success
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By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
(photos by Helen Atkinson, VTHC Website Co-ordinator) Unions again rallied in the centre of Melbourne today, to press for ongoing support for the equal pay case, currently running in Fair Work Australia (FWA). Yesterday the unions had a win when the Federal Government clarified its support for the case, after its earlier FWA submission caused great concern. The submission had asked for the potential impact of any positive outcome on its federal budget process, be taken into account....read more -
Rally to Support Equal Pay
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Business as usual for Unions - after Ballieu/ Ryan win Victorian State Election
2010 - Dec - 02By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
2 December 2010
The Victorian ALP led by John Brumby lost government. While there will be plenty of time to analyse all of the issues around the election (such a process is still occurring around the last federal election that occurred back in August - see Secretary's Soapbox) one thing is clear – it is business as usual for the union movement....read more -
Victorian State Election Result - Business as usual for the Union Movement
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The Victorian ALP led by John Brumby is not going to form a government, even though there are many votes still to count. While there will be plenty of time to analyse all of the issues around the election (such a process is still occurring around the last federal election that occurred back in August) one thing is clear – it is business as usual for the union movement....read more -
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2010 - Nov - 26Issued Friday 26th November 2010 - 12 Noon
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Victorian State Election - 27/11
2010 - Oct - 28November 2010
Victorian I.R Minister Martin Pakula (2nd from left) and Williamstown ALP MP Wade Noonan (Centre) join VTHC Full time officers David Cragg (VTHC Assistant Secretary – Far Left); Bronwyn Halfpenny (VTHC Campaigns Industrial Officer – 2nd from Right) and Brian Boyd VTHC Secretary – Far Right) at the launch of the VTHC’s Victorian State Election banner....read more -
VTHC OHS Representatives Conference
2010 - Oct - 19VTHC OHS Representatives Conference - Wednesday 27th October 2010
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40th Anniversary of the West Gate Bridge Collapse
2010 - Oct - 01Friday 1st October 2010
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
At 11.50am on 15th October 1970 the then partially completed West Gate Bridge collapsed killing 35 workers. Many workers were also injured. It was one of the worst industrial accidents in Australia’s history. Forty years on the union movement and working people in general will commemorate this event with a major event on Friday 15th October 2010....read more -
Anti-Union Hack Hits the Road...John Lloyd Won't be Missed
2010 - Sep - 2727th September 2010
Tomorrow Mr John Lloyd becomes the former head of the infamous Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC). “Mr Lloyd won’t be missed, especially by tens of thousands of Australian construction workers”, said VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd today. “With 200 compulsory interrogations of building workers under his belt, his legacy will be steeped in the anti-union bashing of the Howard years....read more -
Trade Union Climate Conference Saturday 9 October 2010
2010 - Sep - 23The Trade Union Climate Conference is being held on Saturday October 9, 2010 at Trades Hall....read more
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VTHC Records Secure at Melbourne University Archives
2010 - Sep - 14By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
14 September 2010 Recently over 400 archival boxes of Victorian Trades Hall Council files and records were transferred to the Melbourne University Archives (M.U.A.) in Dawson Street Brunswick. The last time such a transfer occurred was in the 1980’s. A lot of work was done by VTHC staff. The co-operation with the M.U.A. was excellent and professional....read more -
Federal Election – Next Phase, with a Minority ALP/ Greens /Independents Government (7/9)
2010 - Sep - 08By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
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Federal Election - What Now?..30 August 2010
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30 August 2010
The recent Federal Election (21/8) has come and gone.
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Federal Election - What Now?
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Monday 23 August 2010
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2010 - Aug - 17By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
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Abbott's Not the One on 21st August 2010
2010 - Aug - 12By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
12 August 2010
Working Australians may be bemused by the topsy -turvey antics and game playing during the current federal election campaign. But we didnt rally around the country leading up to 2007 to see anti-union reactionary Tony Abbott become Prime Minister, three years later!
When you cut through all the media hype and mis-information the issue is clear cut – it’s a No vote for Abbott....read more -
The Federal Election..........Saturday 21 August 2010...
2010 - Jul - 28What's at Stake?
27th July 2010
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
The federal election is in full swing. 24 hour news services report everything, even the most banal of events and offer commentary.One thing we can agree on, it is not the same as the lead up to 2007. ‘Kevin 07’ is already becoming a distant memory. Tony Abbott now leads the conservative forces and cannot hide his ‘WorkChoices’ DNA....read more -
SUPPORT FOR ARK TRIBE GROWS - BIG RALLY IN MELBOURNE
2010 - Jul - 20By Brian Boyd
VTHC Secretary
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Rallies occurred across Australia today in support of SA building worker Ark Tribe. The ABCC court case against this rank and filer restarted this morning at the Adelaide Magistrates Court (see background below).
Thousands of Victorian building workers rallied in Melbourne outside the ABCC Headquarters at 553 St Kilda Road. They heard reports and speeches of support from John Setka CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Troy Gray ETU Assistant Secretary, Steve Dargavel Secretary AMWU, Kevin Bracken Secretary MUA and VTHC President and Brian Boyd VTHC Secretary....read more -
March On ABCC.......
2010 - Jul - 09SUPPORT ARK TRIBE
MELBOURNE RALLY-
Tuesday 20 July 2010 , 10.00 am
Assemble 417 St Kilda Road (cnr Toorak Rd) Rank and file S.A. building worker Ark Tribe faces 6 months jail, after being singled out by the ABCC. His trial restarts 20-22 July 2010 in Adelaide.
Last month Adelaide Magistrate David Whittle ruled that the ABCC case against Ark Tribe would continue. This followed a 3-day legal battle that began on Tuesday 15/6 to have the charges dismissed, due to the validity of the proceedings. Brind Zichy – Woinarski QC for the federal DPP and the ABCC argued the Federal Crimes Act allowed the charges to be laid the way they were served on Ark Tribe....read more -
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Ark Tribe Trial - 5 July 2010
2010 - Jun - 18Support Ark Tribe
Trial Continues - 20 - 22 July 2010
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Last month Adelaide Magistrate David Whittle ruled that the ABCC case against Ark Tribe would continue....read more -
Ark Tribe on trial June 15 2010 at Adelaide Magistrates Court
2010 - Jun - 10Most people are horrified to find out there is no right to silence in the laws that underpin the ABCC. Building workers and their unions are being singled out under Rudd and Gillard’s laws. There is the possibility that an ordinary worker will go to jail. This is something that all working Australians need to be mindful of....read more
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ASU Day of Action
2010 - May - 0711am
10 June 2010
Federation Square
Opposite Flinders St Station
Melbourne
Rally then March up to Parliament
Pay Up No more lip service to equal pay
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Suport AEU Campaign against 'League Tables'
By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
The VTHC Executive Council has endorsed the current campaign by the AEU nationally and in Victoria to improve the usefulness of the federal government's “My School” website. In particular, the nation’s teachers professionally want to stop the mis-use of this website by sections of the media by creating “league–tables” that artificially depict what is happening at the school by school level. Of great interest is the federal minister’s rush to use the “big stick” against the AEU in an attempt to quash their professional concerns. The full weight of Fair Work Australia, the Fair Work Ombudsman and State Government Education Ministers is being used against the AEU. Fines against both individual teachers and the union have been threatened. It clearly illustrates the ongoing concerns of many in the union movement that Howard’s IR legacy is still embedded in the new Rudd/Gillard Fair Work Act. As the AEU Vic Branch President Mary Bluett has recently said: “WorkChoices–style industrial laws” are being used by the Federal government against AEU members....read more -
Events for May Day 2010
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Unions are crucial to workplace safety
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By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
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VTHC Labour Day Dinner Dance a big success
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Important Upcoming Events
2010 - Apr - 12Workers Memorial Day, Wednesday April 28, 2010
MOURNING THE DEAD AND FIGHTING FOR THE LIVING
On Wednesday April 28 workers around Australia will be holding commemoration ceremonies, rallies and marches to mourn the dead and fight for the living. The theme of International Workers Memorial Day for 2010 is Unions and Health and Safety Reps Make Workplaces Safer. Australia is currently in the process of nationally harmonising its OHS legislation: Act, Regulations May Day 2010 Melbourne, Assemble 1pm in Lygon Street, Sunday 2 May 2010
Outside Victorian Trades Hall, Carlton South
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Launch of the ASU Campaign to Abolish the Local Government Inspectorate
2010 - Mar - 033 March 2010
The Australian Services Union launched their "Recover Our Rights" campaign today to get rid of the secretive Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate - LGI. A funeral procession was organised starting from the Melbourne Town Hall and marching up Collins St to the LGI Offices. The funeral procession was symbolic of the State Government's attempt to bury basic human rights via the actions of the LGI.
The LGI is staffed by about a dozen Inspectors who are granted sweeping powers under sections of the Local Government Act. It is led by former police detective David Wolfe. The LGI is not governed by specific legislation and answers only to the Minister. It is similar to secret Ministerial Police found in countries run by dictators....read more -
SLAM RALLY - Dont Kill Live Music
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The Victorian Trades Hall Council supported the “Save Live Australian Music’ (SLAM) Rally held on Tuesday, 23 February 2010. Thousands of musicians and fans gathered in Melbourne CBD to protest against the State Government’s liquor licensing laws. The Rally recreated AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (if you Wanna Rock’n’Roll) film clip shot in Swanston Street 34 years ago today, travelled from the State Library to Parliament House, filling the streets with musicians and their supporters....read more -
Workplace Bullying - VWA's 'Respect at Work' campaign needs to make up lost ground
2010 - Feb - 17By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
17 February 2010
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has welcomed the recent successful prosecution for bullying and said the establishment of WorkSafe’s “Respect at Work” campaign needs to hit the ground running.
For many years in many WorkSafe forums unions have been raising concerns about the inadequacy of WorkSafe’s response to workplace bullying. The VTHC is pleased that this campaign is up and running but workers in Victoria deserve a stronger response from WorkSafe on this issue. For some workers bullying is a life and death issue for others bullying is an all too common occurrence. The move to prosecute bullies, and the employers who allow it to happen, is welcome. Sadly, there are many more workers who continue to suffer bullying in the workplace and their stories also need to be told. The VTHC also says that federal moves to uniform health and safety laws around Australia, if allowed to happen based on current drafts, will result in reduced Victorian OHS standards. ...read more -
Tony Abbott, "The Mad Monk" and the union movement
2010 - Jan - 18By 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 fancies himself....read more