Wallace Trohear speaks about the primary role of unions as an organisation to represent and empower workers, and explains why it is that people join a union.
Wallace Trohear talks about his and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's (CFMEU) reaction to the 2001 Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry.
Michael Weise explains the advantages of the CFMEU affiliating with peak bodies, such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), and the government on a local and federal level. He highlights the importance of delegates in optimising the success of these affiliations.
Michael Weise discusses the role of unions in addressing social issues such as violence in mining towns. He emphasises the commitment the CFMEU has to its social conscience.
Michael Weise discusses the CFMEU's Let's Spread it Around campaign, with particular reference to the issue of housing afforability in mining communities.
Michael Weise talks about the involvement of union delegates in government initiatives in the Pilbara. He explains how the process currently works, and what needs to be done to improve the relationship between the two organisations.
Michael Weise explains the importance of mining unions having an international presence, particularly in terms of their responsibilites to workers in parts of the world that have less protective legislation than workers in Australia. He describes the challenges and strategies that are undertaken at an international level by the mining unions.
