2017 QCU Congress

Image Not Found.

The Triennial Congress of the Queensland Council of Unions has decided that secure jobs will be its key battleground during the forthcoming state election.

Union members, delegates and leaders, including a significant QTU delegation (pictured above with ACTU Secretary Sally McManus), identified job creation and secure employment in regional communities as critical to building a better future for all Queenslanders, a position endorsed by regional forums previously held in Mackay, Cairns, Townsville, Bundaberg and Rockhampton. The Congress recommended a “Good Jobs, Thriving Communities” campaign for the lead up to the state election, focusing on issues that will make the greatest difference to workers’ lives.

Good jobs

  • Prioritising permanent and secure jobs in existing and new industries.
  • Wage increases that lead to improved living standards.
  • Protecting penalty rates.
  • Safe workplaces, including protection from workplace bullying, discrimination, and intimidation, as well as protection from the public.
  • No asset sales or contracting out.
  • Positive union rights.
  • Abolishing the ABCC.
  • New laws to reduce inequality.
  • Encouraging union growth.
  • Restoring union investigative rights.
  • Respecting the right to take action.

Thriving communities

  • Enshrining Medicare as a universal healthcare system that focuses resources on prevention and early intervention.
  • Increased school funding that addresses educational disadvantage, and that is not tied to additional workload for teachers.
  • Free, accessible, and high quality TAFE.
  • Safe, affordable public transport for all Queenslanders.
  • Increasing government expenditure to deliver more secure work for regional Queensland.
  • Public investment in the private sector to only occur after the private company has demonstrated a commitment to fair wages, decent growth, union rights, and a demonstrated commitment to health and safety of workers.
  • Strong government investment in training and apprenticeships.
  • Penalties for those who put workers lives at risk.
  • Active health and safety inspectorate that supports health and safety officers in workplaces.
  • Portable long service leave for workers in temporary or insecure jobs.
  • Environmental protection services that are appropriately staffed, and that are supported by an effective legislation and administrative framework.

The Congress unanimously endorsed a QCU policy agenda that prioritises:

  • the creation of good jobs for Queensland workers through direct government employment and by leveraging the government’s spending power
  • investment in skills and training
  • support for regional communities
  • keeping public assets in public hands
  • protecting penalty rates and employment conditions
  • reducing inequality
  • support for union growth and workers’ rights
  • the provision of high quality and accessible health, education, transport and public services
  • a progressive social agenda.

Kerry O’Connor and Craig Wood                                                                                       QTU Executive

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 122 No 5, 21 July 2017, p6