AWU VICTORIA BRANCH UPDATE

The AWU Metro branch is still closed at the moment in line with COVID-19 restrictions. We are still here and assisting members.

The Australian Workers’ Union is here to support you with expert industrial advice and professional assistance in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Our highest priority is making sure your health, safety, and workplace rights are protected.

The AWU has information and an FAQs section on all things JobKeeper. If you have any other questions about COVID-19 or JobKeeper please contact your local delegate or organiser.

WELCOME TO THE AWU

We have welcomed two new organisers into our team. Aran Mylvaganam and Rory Mackintosh.

Aran is a founding member of the Tamil Refugee Council and a longstanding activist for workers’ rights. Aran joins us from the FSU where he was an organiser for 9 years.

Rory is an organiser in construction and joins us from Fulton Hogan where he spent seven years asphalting. His first three and a half years were spent in New Zealand, followed on by the last three and a half here in Melbourne. Rory has worked his way from the shovel to foreman. In that time becoming a HSR and Delegate with the AWU after seeing the importance of having a safe and unified workplace when moving to Australia.

MERCHANDISE REVAMP

The AWU Victoria is currently overhauling its merchandise. This includes new designs, updated stock, a choice of products ranging from caps, beanies, hoodies, and shirts. It is a considerable task to get this organised, and we appreciate your patience. The next stage is to get the products online for ordering. Keep an eye out on the AWU social media pages as well as email.

It is always great to have our members input on what sort of products you want and also if you have any designs that you'd like to submit. Contact communications@awu.net.au

TRAINING 2020

Michael Simms is the AWU Trainer and Educator, having spent 18 years as a stevedore on the waterfront in Melbourne, He decided that he wanted to have more of an impact working in the union movement. Since joining the AWU in July 2019, he says "I have met some incredible people and would like to thank everybody who has helped me settle into my new role as educator."

Currently AWU training is going through a complete overhaul, with the goal being to build a strong, powerful and active union presence in all of our workplaces. "That requires buy in from all comrades and the charge led by delegates and HSR’s to achieve the common goal."

Training will commence soon and Michael is currently working through the best platform for that to be delivered. Further updates will be available soon, Michael and AWU Vic Branch look forward to seeing you at the next session.

NATIONAL AWU YOUTH COMMITTEE

As the union movement grows and adapts we want to know what sort of union our young members want to be a part of. The National AWU Youth Committee is here to create a community that builds knowledge from youth involvement, further our movement and the growth of the AWU. Our Victorian representatives Guy Stephens and Dylan Styles would love to hear from you. If you have any ideas, interested in getting involved or wanting to share why being a young union member is important to you, please don’t hesitate to email them on: Guy Stephens: guy.stephens@awu.net.au Dylan Styles: dylan.styles@awu.net.au The AWU Youth Committee has been founded to bring together voices from across the AWU and use those collective experiences and resources to improve the engagement and recruitment of young workers.