Not ‘thugs’

February 18, 2009 in Rants & Raves, Thoughts
Tags: ACTU, Australia, CFMEU, community events, democracy, education, events, human rights, Indigenous Australians, Parks Victoria, politics, sponsors, sponsorship, state government, union movement, unions, Victoria, Victorian Surf Life Saving Assoc, workers rights

There is a notion that is prevalent in the community that unions and unionists are thugs, bullies and/or corrupt.  These dodgy old portrayals of unions and unionists are just that – dodgy – and couldn’t be further from the truth. Examples of the union movement being there in times of hardship and supporting members and their families are numerous.  And I’d like to add the following tales about being more than just ‘thugs’.

On Saturday (7 Feb) I ventured down the Great Ocean Road through Torquay to a beautiful beach called Urquhardt’s Bluff. Admittedly it was bloody hot even at the beach and the water was very cold – well compared to the apparent temperature.  My friend and I had been discussing on the way down about who was sponsoring the event and how it came about, as well as the inter-state pecularities and differences.  What was surprising was who were a major sponsor of the event. As it turned out the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining & Electrical Union) were a major sponsor.

Walking down the hill to the small park and picnic area, we could easily see the CFMEU were there with their recognizable flags and banners.  But apart from letting everyone know they were there, they stood behind a BBQ cooking snags and burgers for people, free of charge; even the drinks were free of charge.  They were even giving out sunscreen. Although this is one of those things that goes largely unreported and unseen by the mainstream media.  These kinds of things shouldn’t be forgotten.

They shouldn’t be forgotten because the CFMEU is helping a great weekend of sun, surf and sand happen. It’s something that gets communities together to catch up and spend some time with each other.  But without the support of the communities with organisations like Victoria Police, the Victorian Surf Life Saving Association and the CFMEU.  This isn’t an isolated case of a union supporting black fella and white fella community events.  Actually Australia’s unions support a bunch of community events, festivals and programs.

On top of that the fire tragedies in Victoria have shown how the union movement has pitched in for the community and its members more importantly.

Not only has the union movement raised more than $1 million towards charities working with the survivors of the bushfires but they have made sure that union members have been looked after.  For instance on the Monday following Black Saturday the ACTU sent out a call to its affiliates and subscribers to the Your Rights at Work campaign site for donations.  The call out included a special request to help identify union members affected either directly or had loved ones in the fire zones.  There was a massive response from rank and file members and Australia’s unions.

So indeed unions are more than the dramatized image congured up by the Liberals’ ‘thugs’.