Australian Unemployed Workers Union hits back at ‘bludgers’ club’ claims

A SELF-STYLED workers union accused of being a “bludgers’ club” has hit back at claims it “coaches dole recipients to avoid work”.

The Australian Unemployed Workers Union aims to increase Centrelink payments, but denies it helps people cheat the system.

A SELF-STYLED workers union accused of being a “bludgers’ club” has hit back at claims it “coaches dole recipients to avoid work”.

The Australian Unemployed Workers Union — which is not a registered workers union but insists it works in the same way as one, only for people who don’t have jobs — was introduced to many Australians for the first time this week along with news it had received the backing of sidelined Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon.

The controversial senator told the Courier-Mail she donated hundreds of dollars to the union because she supports “the important work they do”, and wants it to gain more members and support.

But her support for the widely-denigrated group left commentators perplexed.

Queensland Senator Barry O’Sullivan told the Courier-Mail the Senator should be ashamed of herself for offending “fair-thinking Australians who want to support the genuinely unemployed”.

Federal employment minister Michaelia Cash dismissed the group as a “so-called union”.

And among other media commentators, 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham told listeners the group “coaches people how to dodge responsibilities when it comes to work for the dole or finding a job, and Lee Rhiannon wants to throw her support behind them”.

But AUWU vice president Ewen Kloas told news.com.au it couldn’t be further from the “bludgers’ club” label it so often attracts.

“We’re not bludgers and we really, really detest that label,” Mr Kloas said.

“Think of our name, ‘Unemployed Workers Union’. We represent workers that unfortunately have, not by their own fault, become unemployed.”

The AUWU says no matter how many job applications their members fill out, the government doesn't help finding jobs. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Mr Kloas said the organisation was about changing the system “to support unemployed workers and actually help them find a job”, and said those who suggested otherwise were “trolls”.

“They’re people who have not looked into what we do, they haven’t read our website and they’re following the same spew that comes out of the mouth of the right wing media to demonise unemployed people,” he said.

Mr Kloas said the union’s aims were to raise Centrelink, abolish work for the dole, end discrimination against Centrelink recipients, abolish private employment agencies and remove punitive suspensions to Centrelink payments.

When asked why it was believed the group “coached” members to exploit the welfare system, Mr Kloas said the advice the group provides could be misconstrued.

“What we tell people are their rights,” he said.

“When unemployed workers go to employment agencies or to Centrelink and have to jump over the high hurdles and burning hoops just to get their social security and live week to week ... all we do is point them in the direction.”

On its website, the AUWU offers guidelines and contracts between job agencies and Centrelink, as well as descriptions of “unemployed workers’ rights” that visitors are encouraged to download.

It includes sections advising unemployed people on what to do if their payments are cut off, where to complain if they are not happy with how they have been treated within the welfare system, and how to get out of work for the dole.

Mr Kloas said: “We quote sections of the deed and the guidelines. We do not encourage people to stay on the dole. We want people off the dole.”

The vice president, who volunteers at the AUWU, said he has been unemployed for four years himself and had got to know how difficult the system can be.

“I’ve been unemployed now for four years, I go to two appointments a month and I have not been sent to one job interview. I just get tossed around the system,” he said.

“Unless you’re in the system and you’re fronted with it and you have to deal with it, you don’t know what it’s like.”

Owen Bennett is head of the Australian Unemployed Workers Union. Picture: Norm Oorloff

Mr Kloas said the agency received calls for help from people who had been affected by the “punitive” welfare system, including some he claimed had been driven to contemplate suicide as a result of their treatment.

A woman who claimed to have been helped by the AUWU called 2GB radio to share her story.

“They are encouraged us unemployed or underemployed workers to fulfil our needs and wants as a human for this society and our community,” the caller identified only as Karen said.

“They want you to get a job, but they are simply there as a backup, for example, with job search providers who bully, harass, threaten.”

The AUWU claims to be an apolitical organisation, and said it didn’t have any supporters in politics.

Its website boasts it has official endorsement from the National Union of Workers and the Electrical Trades Union, and that it is in contact with a number of other unions across Australia.

According to the Courier-Mail, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon has donated $300 to the AUWU.

In a statement sent to news.com.au, employment minister Michaelia Cash slammed the AUWU and Senator Rhiannon.

“This so called ‘union’ needs to take a good hard look at itself,” Senator Cash.

“Australian taxpayers and indeed those looking for work would be offended by a ‘union’ whose sole purpose appears to be keeping members out of gainful employment and encouraging them to shirk their responsibilities.

“It is a pity Senator Rhiannon does not lend her support to those who genuinely want to get people off welfare and into work.”