The present CFMEU has grown out of an amalgamation of unions
which have represented Australian workers in the construction, forestry, mining
and energy industries for over 150 years. While its main focus is on “looking
after its own” by improving wages, conditions and safety for its members, the
CFMEU has a strong social conscience and as National Secretary, John Sutton, says in his website message, “Our
campaigns have made Australia
a better place to live for everyone.”
In 2002, Les Tobler, an Aboriginal Liaison Officer employed
by the CFMEU for many years, was the driving force behind a Koori Job Ready Course which taught young, unemployed
Aboriginal men basic skills in the building industry. 16 students completed the
6-week course and all found employment either as apprentices or labourers.
The CFMEU then developed a partnership with TAFE to assist
in the Course provision and funding. Treloar TAFE has set up an 8-week program
open to approximately 17 students, including women and older long-term
unemployed. Rohan Tobler, Les’ son, is now the CFMEU Aboriginal Liaison
Officer. He says the Course has an 80 percent retention rate, measured by the
graduates’ success in gaining employment.
The Redfern-Waterloo Authority, a NSW Government body formed
to revitalize
Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington, was so impressed
with the results that they joined forces with the CFMEU and, in May 2005,
Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, Frank Sartor,
announced the signing of a 10-year Jobs
Compact agreement.
According to Tim Vollmer,
Media Liaison Officer with the CFMEU, this means training will continue and
ensures a minimum number of Indigenous workers are employed on all projects in
the area. “For instance, the new $120m Channel 7 building (at Australian Technology
Park) will provide up to
60 plus Indigenous jobs during the various stages of construction.” Under the
terms of the agreement all tenders put out for work on State-owned land in
Redfern-Waterloo have to include an “Aboriginal participation plan”; as well
the contractor has to invite Aboriginal businesses to tender for the job.
Employment possibilities will increase as projects such as
the Redfern Station upgrade and the North Eveleigh
vocational training centre commence. Rohan Tobler is currently mentoring 10
apprentices employed by the FRH Group on Building B at the ATP. When the
Redfern Oval Redevelopment begins soon, he expects a further 10–15 Indigenous
workers will be given work. “This is especially exciting for the community
because our youth have played sport on that oval for generations and now they
will be able to say they helped rebuild it as well.”
A Sports Academy planned for Redfern School
will operate in conjunction with the Oval project. Rohan says that it will mean
“Our kids can come down from the bush and stay while they learn and train. It
is great to work with your people and see recognisable changes.”
Denny Hall, Principal
Project Manager Training, Enterprise
and Employment with the RWA, confrms the success of its partnership with the
CMFEU. Since the 2005 Jobs Compact
began, 80 positions have been created for Indigenous people and a further 80
will be flled in the next 18 months. “These are mostly apprenticeships,” she
said. “We believe employment, not welfare, is the key to moving forward.” Denny
credits Les Tobler with being a critical component of the scheme. “Les’ early
work was the building block for the Jobs
Compact agreement. To move in behind a respected elder of the community is the
best way of achieving our mutual outcomes.” Les is currently a member of the
Ministerial Advisory Committee on Employment and Enterprise Development for the
area.
The CMFEU is helping to give local Indigenous people
opportunities to learn, work and play – universal goals. A model for part of
the solution to Aboriginal problems elsewhere, perhaps?
Source: South Sydney Herald July 2007 http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/