Mobile recruitment centre up and running
Friday March 31, 2006
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The NSW Branch's mobile recruitment centre
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By NSW State Secretary Derrick Belan
With the Howard Government’s extreme IR laws now in place, the NUW is looking for new and creative ways to ensure that working people’s rights are protected.
And these new strategies will need to continue for the foreseeable future, as Howard’s laws will be felt at least until the next Federal Election.
However, the NUW (NSW Branch) is ready for the challenge.
The NSW Branch has placed new member recruitment at the centre of its strategy for combating Howard’s radical IR laws in 2006, with the purchase of a mobile recruitment centre.
The re-fitted double-decker bus will be of great assistance for workers wishing to join the NUW in NSW.
With space for audio-visual presentations, as well as facilities for public addresses and speeches, the bus will be able to reach workers outside their place of employment.
Rather than waiting for workers to come to us, the NSW Branch will go to them, despite the Federal Government’s IR laws severely restricting union entry to worksites.
With its bright and proud NUW signage, the mobile recruitment centre is sure to not only grab the attention of workers and bosses alike, but also become one of the most highly recognisable symbols of the union movement in NSW.
The Branch will be raising the NUW flag without any fear of Howard and his anti-worker and anti-family laws.
The bus will undoubtedly raise the profile of the NUW – proving that we are an active and forward-thinking union committed to helping working people, wherever they may be.
The bus will also be used for rallies and for community awareness activities planned for later in 2006.
The NSW Branch has also established a Branch Members’ Services Office.
The Office – open on Wednesday, with the possibility of extended hours if needed – will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for our members.
Here they will be able to discuss a range of matters from workers’ compensation and rehabilitation to financial advice, health insurance and even forklift licensing.
The Branch will be working with a variety of organisations to provide this great new service to members, including Australian Injury Management, Members Equity, and Manchester Unity Health Insurance.
Meanwhile, NUW members at Green Corp in Botany had the pleasure of hosting Federal ALP Leader The Hon Kim Beazley last week (March 24) as he launched his policy for restoring unfair dismissal protections for workers.
Mr Beazley announced the policy in light of the Howard Government’s decision to remove unfair dismissal protections for workers employed by a company with fewer than 100 staff.
The Opposition Leader received a warm welcome from Green Corp site Delegate, Ravi Shankar, as well as all the other members at site.
NUW NSW Assistant Secretary Wayne Meaney and Organiser Amanda Perkins were also on hand during the launch.
Mr Beazley’s policy shows that Howard’s laws will not be set in stone forever. Australia’s workers have faced difficult periods before, but have come through them stronger as a result.
But for that to happen, all NUW members need to get involved in the Your Rights at Work campaign being run by the union movement.
By remaining active right up until the next Federal Election, working people can secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Last modified 2006-04-13 10:57 AM
