I attended the FSU National Conference earlier this month as the FSU’s Insurance President. The theme of the conference was “100 years of putting finance workers first”.
I joined conference delegates from every state and across the breadth of our industry – delegates came from the big 4 banks, major insurers, mutual banks and mid-sized banks – all these delegates are just like me, we work in the industry and volunteer our time to represent workers and ensure our voices are heard.
We spent time considering the changes and challenges ahead for our industry and our union and we heard from a great array of speakers including Sally McManus, the ACTU Secretary, Stephen Jones, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Ged Kearney, Shadow Minister for Skills and Dr Marian Baird, Professor of Gender and Employment Relations. Some of the interesting sessions included first hand insights from the Royal Commission (“The Lawyer, the Journo, The Witness”) as well as the challenges ahead for the Finance Industry post the Royal Commission and considering technological changes and an aging workforce.
During Conference the new FSU website was launched: https://www.fsunion.org.au. Please take the time to have a look.
Call to Action
This week the government is busy trying to get the “Ensuring Integrity” Bill through parliament by putting pressure on the cross bench Senators. This is a shocking law that allows unions to be shut down for late paperwork. A “demerits points” system is being considered where a simple administrative error can result in unions being shut down and leaders sacked. Imagine if politicians had a “demerits points” system – misusing travel allowances or wrong paperwork would have the politician sacked and their party shut down.
It’s the same for employers. If the same law applied, only three instances of wage theft would see a company shut down.
The Senators need to know Christian Porter is selling them a pup and every union across the country will be under threat if they pass it.
We need your help to let the cross bench Senators know that ordinary Australians are concerned about this law. Let the cross bench Senators know how you feel – you can post a message on their social media. Details below:
Jacqui Lambie – Tas
Twitter: @jacquilambie
Facebook: Jacqui Lambie
Rex Patrick – SA
Twitter: @Senator_Patrick
Facebook: Rex Patrick
Stirling Griff – SA
Twitter: @stirling_g
Facebook: Stirling Griff
Pauline Hanson – Qld
Twitter: @PaulineHansonOz
Facebook: Pauline Hanson
Malcolm Roberts – Qld
Twitter: @mrobertsqld
Facebook: Malcolm Roberts
In unity,
Julie Engel
FSU National Insurance President