Union and RWA build community

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/