Page 4 - ETU Journal Autumn 2017

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY > TROY GRAY / ETU VICTORIA BRANCH
As we farewell another huge year in 2016 we
are surrounded by
political mayhem with the dysfunctional Turnbull Government and arrival on the world stage of President Trump. Fortunately, the ETU is in the best position we've ever been in to fight for our rights and defend our gains.
MEETING POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY AND ATTACKS HEAD ON!
ffffffffffffWe came together
This year’s Shop Stewards Conference was attended by more delegates than ever before, evermore committed to looking after members and building the union’s strength (see page 14).
The contracting sector EBA mass meeting was attended by more
than 3,000 members and was a tremendous display of our collective strength to achieve improved outcomes for our members and their families (see page 6).
Political uncertainty
We met the political uncertainty and attacks on our rights in 2016 head
on. We have built relationships in the political arena based on recognition and respect for our union and how we
look out for each other and the issues that matter to real working Australians.
In my living memory
I have never seen the
turnout of politicians
across the political spectrum to a picket that we have seen for the CUB55. Senator Jacqui Lambie, Adam Bandt (Greens) and Doug Cameron (ALP) have been down at the picket along with State Members of Parliament like Fiona Patten (Sex Party) Natalie Hutchins (ALP) and local councillors like Stephen Jolly (Socialist).
We were determined to leverage this support and fix the gaping holes in our laws that permit unethical exploitation of workers through labour hire tactics to happen.
f4
THE ETU > SUMMER 2016
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