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Assistant Secretary Journal Entry Winter 2010
This year’s May Day was a massive success with one of our biggest and best contingents ever. All over Queensland, from Cairns to Mackay, Townsville, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Builders’ Labourers marched proud. In Brisbane the BLF was joined by the National Executive of the CFMEU. Ark Tribe also joined the march, sending home the message that workers all over Australia are in support of Ark’s cause. To top the day off, the BLF won the Eddie Brady Trophy for Best Labor Day Contingent. It was welcome recognition of the passion and pride our BLF members marched with.
At the end of July, the BLF held our Centenary Luncheon at Suncorp Stadium. It was a huge success with almost 800 people showing their support in attending the Charity event. We look forward to putting the proceeds to good use to help re-build a classroom in tsunami ravaged Samoa. The Queensland construction industry came together at the Luncheon, looking back on how far the union movement in Queensland, particularly the BLF, has come.
Greg Simcoe launched the Union’s 100 Years book at the Centenary Luncheon. The book shows an account of the BLF’s history in Queensland- in our own words. It is a reflection on the past and how far the Union has come. To have a future, we must know our past, and the Luncheon was certainly a celebration of the BLF’s achievements. I’d also like to congratulate BERT and BUSS(Q) on their respective 21st and 25th anniversaries.
It was a pleasure to see a range of local and national unions represented at the Centenary Luncheon. Many of the old school BLF from other states also made the journey. There was a great deal of influence in the one room with the Premier, Attorney-General and other Ministers along with some of Queensland’s major employers.
Anna Bligh gave an impressive speech offering her support to the Union. She said she enjoys seeing Eureka flag flying from cranes around Queensland. On the back of this, the Union put Anna Bligh on the spot asking her to fast track some of the many jobs which have been patiently waiting to start in South Brisbane, Milton, Newstead, and the Fortitude Valley area.
And so the start of August has seen the ‘Jobs for the Future’ Campaign kick off. Both the BLF and CFMEU have been in talks with Local and State Government in a bid to fast track some of the upcoming jobs for workers. Just under 11% of Queensland’s entire workforce gains its employment through the construction industry. Protecting the health and longevity of this industry is paramount. Brisbane workers should expect to see an increase in work available in 2011.
With the end of the year fast approaching, many questions about amalgamation have been surfacing. In the coming months, I will personally be visiting numerous jobsites with the hope of gaining a better insight into how the membership feels about amalgamation. This is not something which will be forced upon the members and I am keen to keep in mind what the membership wants.
“We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free." Ronald Reagan
David Hnna
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