Mulgrave
I start this month’s report by congratulating my friend Eden Foster for her monumental effort to retain the seat of Mulgrave for the Labor Party and the Allan Labor Government at this month’s byelection. Labor delivered a positive, energetic and well-resourced campaign, focussed on the things that matter to the people that rely on Labor Governments: public transport, health, education, community services, and importantly, good representation.
What we have in Eden is a new Member for Mulgrave who has lived in the electorate her whole life, represented her community as the local Councillor and Mayor, and who will take these experiences - together with her expertise as a Psychologist working with students - to the State Parliament, as a strong advocate for her community.
I would also like to acknowledge all the work put in by Head Office staff, the Mulgrave Campaign Committee and every single Labor and union volunteer who contributed to the campaign.
Eden’s election to the State Parliament means that this is the first time ever that gender parity has been achieved across the Victorian Parliament, (averaged across both houses). This would not have been possible without the significant efforts of the Labor Party to support and promote women into winnable seats across successive terms.
The Voice
The Administrative Committee acknowledges the disappointing result of the referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and commends the tremendous effort of Party members and volunteers in campaigning for Yes.
The First Nations community put an immense amount of trust in us to uplift and amplify their voices - now is a time to continue the fight for First Nations rights and work to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have every opportunity to succeed in life.
We note Victorian Labor's Reconciliation Action Plan, and the work by the RAP Working Group that acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s inalienable right to self-determination and to maintain language, cultural lore and practices and connection to, and custodianship of their traditional lands, seas and waterways.
We commit to continuing to listen to and work with First Nations people in Victoria. We support the work being done by the Allan Labor Government with the First Peoples’ Assembly and the Yoorrook Justice Commission in achieving Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Municipal Forums
A reminder to all Municipal Executives that Municipal Forums need to be convened to decide whether or not Labor Party members running for Council at next year’s Local Government Elections are to be endorsed or not.
The Administrative Committee reminds all Councillors who are members of the ALP, and members of the ALP seeking to contest the 2024 Municipal Elections that they have specific and defined responsibilities to represent the Party within their respective municipal districts in accordance with the Rules of the Branch, (whether they are endorsed or not).
Specifically, the Administrative Committee reminds Councillors and prospective Candidates of the following Rules:
13.1. Overarching Objective
13.1.1. The Party will actively engage in local government to:
13.1.1.1. improve, shape, influence and contribute to effective decision-making at the local level; and
13.1.1.2. pursue Labor values and relevant policies at the local level; and
13.1.1.3. develop a Labor team approach that is tailored to specific local areas; and
13.1.1.4. support Labor MPs and candidates in each local area.
Rule 2.2: The Objectives of the Party, Rule 2.5: the Membership Pledge, Rules 5.3: Eligibility to join the party, Rules 6: Standards of Conduct, 13.7: Obligations of Non-Endorsed Supported Candidates and 13.8: Municipal Caucus Rules, all apply, and all Councillors who are members of the Party and all Members seeking to run for Council should familiarise themselves with these and all Rules of the party.
Industrial Reports
UWU - Largest dairy strike over after dairy workers win
The largest dairy strike in living memory has ended after 1400 dairy workers won secure, sustainable jobs and a cost-of-living pay increase, helping to keep the dairy industry as the lifeblood of regional communities. For more information click here.
SDA - Class Action against ALDI
The SDA is running an Australia-wide Class Action against ALDI on behalf of all ALDI supermarket and distribution centre workers. The SDA alleges that ALDI directed workers to work without pay before and after their rostered shifts for up to 30 minutes. They estimate that over 20,000 workers are owed $150 million in backpay and they are seeking proper compensation for impacted workers. For more information click here.
TWU - National Truck Convoys
On Saturday, hundreds of transport workers, employers and industry groups will participate in national convoys urging the passing of transport reform as truck crash deaths for 2023 surge to 202 and transport business insolvencies hit a five-year high. The industry came together to urge Federal Parliament to announce its support of the Closing the Loopholes bill so that work can urgently commence to establish fair, safe and sustainable standards in transport. For more information click here.
CPSU secures bolstered APS pay offer
After short and sharp industrial escalation, the Community and Public Sector Union has secured an improved pay offer for Australian Public Sector workers from the Australian Government that it will recommend to its members, for more information click here.
UWU – Show your support for Victorian school cleaners
School cleaners have been on the frontline of the pandemic, ensuring that our schools are kept safe and clean. They deserve a well-earned break to spend time with their family over the holidays. But instead, school cleaners will be struggling to make ends meet at Christmas because they’re only paid for the school terms. Sign now to show your support for school cleaners!
AMWU - CSL Workers won’t accept backwards step
Unions that represent workers at the multinational pharmaceutical company CSL are calling on the company to resolve the long-running dispute with its workers and stop their campaign to cut the conditions and allowances of its workforce. For more information click here.
Thanks everyone, and hope you have a great few weeks as our branch meetings and activities start to wrap up for the year as we head to the Christmas break.
Yours in solidarity
Steve Staikos
President