sector workers can build a stronger, better resourced and more effective union. We can deal with these challenges but to meet them we need to gain the resources to tackle the big problems and win.Contributed by: Alex Scott
Across the public sector members have been continuing to strengthen our union presence in all of their workplaces. We have continued to sign up new members, and our campaigns like HP Stronger Together and Stand Up, Step Down are still gaining in support and strength.
But we need to do more to build strength into the future. We face a lot of challenges in ensuring that public sector workers can build a stronger, better resourced and more effective union. We can deal with these challenges but to meet them we need to gain the resources to tackle the big problems and win.
One of the challenges to becoming stronger, better resourced and more effective is competitive unionism.
It is difficult to convince workers to join and become engaged in their union if they see unions fighting each other.
Competitive unionism has been a dead weight in the efforts of Queensland Health workers. It’s hard to make ground on the challenges that affect public sector workers – things like workplace bullying and public sector independence – if QPSU resources and strength are sapped by fighting taking place in Queensland Health.
And as the Queensland Health EB8 agreement gets closer, that weight becomes more and more threatening.
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That is why the QPSU executive has been discussing the idea of amalgamating with the 8,000-member ASU, Central and Southern Queensland Branch.
Our two unions have worked together on the Wages Balance – It’s Only Fair, Your Rights at Work and Climate Connectors campaigns. ASU and QPSU members work together every day in universities and especially Queensland Health.
It is crucial that we can overcome competitive unionism in Queensland Health in particular. Without a strong Queensland Health EB8 campaign, it will be more difficult for public sector workers across the sector to achieve good outcomes.
We need to commit ourselves to becoming a stronger and better-resourced organisation to overcome challenges for members in the future. This is one way we can make this happen.
Our QPSU Council will shortly be receiving information about what an amalgamation proposal could look like, for a full discussion at its next meeting on 1 September. If Council endorses the resolutions an application will be made to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to enable a full ballot of union members to take place.
In the meantime if you have questions about the Unite Queensland amalgamation process you can email amalgamation@qpsu.org.au.
This is an important step in ensuring that we build a stronger, better resourced and more effective union.
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