Union pushing ‘indigenous voice’ for workplace agreements
CFMEU pressures bosses to hold indigenous ceremonies as part of site induction procedures.
The construction union is pressuring employers to hold “welcome to country” ceremonies, commit to the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “self-determination” and provide “cultural awareness training” as part of site induction procedures.
The Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union has inserted a “First Nations People” clause in an enterprise bargaining agreement lodged with the Fair Work Commission last month.
The agreement, with subcontractor Gabba Waterproofing, says the company must recognise the traditional ownership of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people in the Townsville area, as part of the $290 million North Queensland Stadium project.
FWC documents, obtained by the Menzies Research Centre, shows the company will be required to arrange a “welcome to country” ceremony when the “number of workers on the project reaches 20”. It also states the company must “maximise opportunities to provide employment and training to the local ATSI community” and provide “access to annual leave for participation in cultural and ceremonial activities”.
The CFMEU, which has previously pledged support for “First Nations voice to parliament”, last year set up First Nations peoples committees to “drive campaigning efforts and the development and implementation of indigenous policy across the union”.
Menzies Research director Nick Cater said the demands of the CFMEU “stink of hypocrisy”.
“They have nothing to do with Aboriginal land rights and everything to do with union turf wars. The same CFMEU officials who insist that employers respect the traditional owners of the land regularly flaunt the right of entry laws governing construction sites,” he said.
“They show no respect for the rights of sub-contractors to employ who they wish or the rights of workers to choose whether they want to join a union.”
Mr Cater said the “union’s real intention is to make workplace agreements as lengthy and intricate as possible to give them the maximum opportunity to intervene (pursuing) alleged breaches”. In April, a construction union official was accused of using unlawful industrial action at the North Queensland Stadium project to pressure a Townsville concreter to sign a workplace deal.
Mr Cater said: “No amount of virtue signalling from the CFMEU will compensate for its history of breaking the law in the pursuit of its own self-interest”.
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan told The Australian the “CFMEU is proud to stand with First Nations people in their struggle for social, economic and cultural justice”.
Liberal senator Eric Abetz, a former workplace relations minister, said the CFMEU clauses were an attempt by the union to “look woke” and would act as a distraction for workers.
“What this will mean is more unproductive time in the workplace,” Senator Abetz said.
“If there are more than 20 workers on a worksite, why not have a Catholic blessing or some other religious ceremony?
“It’s unfortunate when unions get involved in this sort of thing. And sensitivity is not usually something the CFMEU concerns itself with in any of its other activities.
“I dare say the CFMEU is trying to look woke and politically correct to recalibrate its image.”
Liberal MP Craig Kelly said the CFMEU’s welcome to country demands risked degrading the importance and status of the traditional ceremony.
“If something like this is done passe, it loses its meaning — it’s like if you sing the national anthem at every under-7s footy game,” Mr Kelly said.
“You save it for very serious and important occasions. If the CFMEU were really serious about this, do it on your own time, not the employers. More time will be spent off the work and the only people who pay for that are Australian consumers.”
CFMEU Queensland and NT secretary Michael Ravbar said there was “nothing radical” about inserting “very simple and common sense clauses in EBA agreements” in relation to the “principles of self-determination” and “respect for indigenous culture”.
Mr Ravbar, who claimed “racism” is “endemic in the National and Liberal parties”, said the CFMEU was promoting “training and employment opportunities” for indigenous workers.
“To attack efforts to recognise and support indigenous Australians on building sites is close-minded bigotry, nothing more, nothing less,” Mr Ravbar said.
“This (the CFMEU First Nations clauses) is nothing radical, it is basic respect for the custodians of a land who pre-date white Australia by at least 50,000 years.”
“Our union has a long and proud history of supporting First Australians and promoting opportunity. This dates back to the days of the old BWIU and our instrumental role in the Wave Hill walk off in 1966 to protest the abuse and underpayment of indigenous workers.”
Mr Ravbar said the union supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the “establishment of an indigenous voice to parliament”.
“At a grass roots level, for example, it sees us funding and organising training places for indigenous workers in the NT, succeeding where government programs have failed,” he said.
“To hear these dinosaurs dismiss “welcome to country” ceremonies by suggesting a Catholic blessing instead is just typical of the crass bigotry and race-baiting engaged in by sections of the Coalition.”
“We are proud of our support for First Nations people, and will continue to support efforts that bring economic empowerment and social justice and cultural recognition.”
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