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Last week I started doing a weekly thread on significant happenings for workers in Australia. A lot has happened this week! Hope comrades find this useful or interesting! #auspol #ausunions
Josh Frydenberg decided to invoke Thatcher & Reagan as examples of "success" on Insiders. Just worth noting this has occurred at roughly the halfway point of the tripartite IR roundtable process between gov., unions & business which is expected to conclude in September. #auspol
Some health sector workers won paid pandemic leave this week. Only those employed under the award, or casual workers working on a “regular and systemic” basis are eligible, and it only lasts for 3 months at this stage. #ausunions https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/27/aged-care-workers-awarded-pandemic-leave-in-fair-work-commission-ruling
Stats last week showed only FIVE COVID-19 cases in public aged care settings, compared with 900 in the private sector. The @anmfvic calling for ratios, appropriate staffing levels & infection control training across all aged care. #ausunions https://otr.anmfvic.asn.au/articles/it-is-not-the-fault-of-hard-working-aged-care-nurses-and-carers
Woolies workers at Wyong are still locked out! The workers are seeking pay parity with Sydney based workers and casual conversion. The @UnitedWorkersOz have set up a strike fund. Please support these workers if you can. #ausunions https://www.gofundme.com/f/wyong-strike-fund
UWU members who work at the JBS meat processing centre in Brooklyn walked off the job on Tuesday over OHS concerns. JBS has been linked to a cluster. Work resumed after bosses agreed to safety measures. Direct action gets the goods! #ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/meat-industry-staff-return-to-work-after-covid-19-walk-off-20200728-p55g2w.html
A Spotless laundry has been closed over a COVID-19 outbreak. Earlier in the week, workers refused to come to work after 2 positive COVID cases, & then the boss tried to go to the FWC to force workers back to work despite the health concerns! #ausunions https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-31/melbourne-laundry-business-shut-down-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/12510774
Business lobby is pushing for “permaflexi” workers again. 10% loading, pro-rata leave, no guaranteed shifts. Have a look at “zero hour contracts” in the UK - this is NOT a model Australia should pursue. #ausunions #auspol https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/29/small-business-ombudsman-calls-for-new-and-simpler-award-for-employee-pay-and-conditions
The CFMEU has been fined $160k over a picket line, including 3 personal payment orders for officials. Many have pointed out the ridiculously large sum for 3 hours disruption. At what point does the CFMEU stop paying these fines? #ausunions https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/159000-penalty-for-unlawful-cfmeu-picket/news-story/64878cf71e060cb1d055e792c3eb516f
Printer Ovato is applying to the TWC to terminate an agreement that covers 850 workers allegedly in order to reduce redundancy payouts. Most workers took a 40% pay cut in March to try and help the company survive. #ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/womens-weekly-new-idea-printer-goes-after-staff-pay-20200730-p55gy8.html
Feel like some extra reading? Good piece from the ABC mapping the intersection of COVID-19 and the world of work during the corona-crisis in Victoria. #ausunions #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-30/coronavirus-covid-19-melbourne-job-types/12504896
This look at the SDA is also worth a squiz. 
#ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-a-controversial-union-underwent-a-quiet-revolution-20200720-p55do2.html
#ausunions https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-a-controversial-union-underwent-a-quiet-revolution-20200720-p55do2.html
