In this era of individualism and greed, giving thought to your workmates' needs and problems is not exactly encouraged. Yet despite the "me" approach that was institutionalised as government policy through the Howard years and is projected everyday by the big business controlled popular media, basic Aussie working class culture of mateship and solidarity remains strong.
The CFMEU and its forebears have a long and proud history of militant struggle to improve the lives of working families in the key industries where we operate. Our union has been a key pace setter in improving wages, conditions, safety and workplace democracy in Australia for much of our history.
Our campaigns have made Australia a better place to live for everyone.
The CFMEU looks after its own. No one can say we are slow or shy about protecting our members and our communities. Equally though, our members have made many great contributions through their union over the years to making the world a better place - through campaigning to get rid of the apartheid regime in South Africa, through the struggle to liberate East Timor, through active support over many years for world peace and disarmament and so many other big issues.
This legacy is something I want to build on in my time as National Secretary -but I need your help.
If militant trade unionism is an antidote to some of our society's ills, then it must also be stated that militant trade unionism can exist only with the active involvement of union members. I encourage you to take an interest in your union, to always be financial and to get involved.
With the pressure we all face on our time, active union involvement is one of the few avenues left to working people to help make the world a better place.
Effective unionism depends on interaction between members and the democratically elected leadership and so I also welcome your comment or contribution via this website. Feel free to use the comment box or email me direct on jsutton@fed.cfmeu.asn.au.
Best Regards,
John Sutton, National Secretary CFMEU
