Since the formation of the Miners Federation in 1915 and the subsequent coming together of the mining and energy unions that stands us under the CFMEU M&E Division, we have had a proud history of defending member’s rights, improving conditions, health and safety. We have set the standards in wages, leave provisions and compensation throughout the years. We have taken on and beaten multi-national c
ompanies and right wing conservative governments and have engaged in history making events and legal cases to protect our members. A wide range of working conditions enjoyed by many today is the fruit of our union’s commitment to its members. The introduction of the Howard anti-union laws/legislation provided the unscrupulous and selfish operators and those workers with no moral standing to bargain away many of those hard fought for conditions for money and greed. Those individuals stand alone and isolated in a world of compassion and respect for your fellow man and should hang their heads in shame. Our union has just come through over a decade of attack not only against the organisation but against those with the individual courage to stand up for their rights and we have fought legal costs and litigation on behalf of those members that had they not been in the union, would undoubtedly be bankrupt. We have a long and proud record of working with and helping communities and families in need and members have access to the many services not available to or afforded by those not in the union. In addition to the defense of member’s industrial rights, we have developed a range of other services and benefits including discount shopping, medical benefit coverage and financial banking facilities. The mining industry is a very hazardous industry and despite the best efforts, workers get injured and in some cases fatalities occur. As a member of our union you are entitled to a range of legal services at no cost to you, from preparing your will to representing your claims in court. In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a fatal accident at work, as a financial member of the Union Assistance Fund, your next of kin will receive a substantial financial payment to assist them in their time of need. In addition we have our Mortality Fund in which each member contributes $20 to your beneficiary, regardless of the circumstances of your passing. As a member of our National Assistance Fund you are entitled to financial assistance during time of protected industrial action or a disputed workers compensation matter. Our Union is a partner in the Maritime, Mining and Power Credit Union (MMPCU), which offers union members a full range of banking services, with rates that are extremely competitive and supported by service unmatched by any other financial institution in the country. Senior Union Officials sit on the Board of the MMPCU and in doing so are there to protect your interests and have the discretionary power to freeze your loan and interest repayments in times of financial hardship and loss of employment due to protected industrial action or natural disaster. We can provide direct banking through employer, credit card facilities, worldwide ATM access, home, investment and personal loans, savings and investment products for you and your family. The strength of our Union is with the depth and number of members and you can help by engaging with other workers who are not in the Union and inform them of what you get by being a member of our union and the importance of strength in numbers. With our numbers falling and a non unionised workforce becoming evident, we are already starting to see the cracks forming with wages and conditions being affected as well as a disregard for workers safety. We can NOT allow this to happen again in Australia and as it still does in many other countries worldwide.
