Summary
Produced for the CFMEU Mining & Energy Division’s 2012 Convention, this video presentation highlights the union’s recent achievements, campaigns and struggles. Presented by General President Tony Maher and General Secretary Andrew Vickers, the video includes in situ interviews and footage from miners and their wives in various regions.
Topics include: the defeat of Work Choices and support for the Your Rights At Work campaign, the Marginal Seats and Super Profits Tax campaigns, the resurgence of unionism in the Pilbara, the long and bitter fight against BHP attempts to de-unionise the mines in Queensland, reduce health and safety, as well as the company’s refusal to give back to coal mining communities.
The lesson of the Pike River disaster in New Zealand is demonstrated, as is the appalling safety record of non-union mines in the United States, which includes the prevalence of black lung disease. Other issues concern attacks on long service leave, and crowded and dangerous roads in Queensland coal communities.
The video includes a number of skits from the Fair Go For Billionaires campaign, produced for the CFMEU by Manic Studios.
Special Notes/Achievements
Author: J Bird, 2023