Council agrees that our success as a union in the current environment requires us to organise in the workplace and politically.
The Governments harsh industrial laws follow a 10 year agenda to remove unions from industrial and political life in Australia. It is clearly in the interest of CPSU and our members to see a change of government and of the industrial laws. Equally it is clear that CPSU should seek to shape the policies of Labor in Government so that they reflect the values and policies of the CPSU.
For this reason Council resolves to develop a political claim which will include clear industrial and social objectives to be pursued with the Labor Party. This claim shall include:
The adoption of the CPSU / ACTU industrial relations policy and the commitment to legislate for their introduction;
Guaranteed minimum employer contribution of 15.4% to employees superannuation for all Commonwealth and Territory government employees;
Guaranteed access to a minimum of 14 weeks paid maternity leave for all Commonwealth and Territory Government employees.
Restitution of employees rights to union protection in occupational health and safety matters
Commitment to an independent apolitical public service.
Council resolves to review this claim on an annual basis.
Council authorises the affiliation of CPSU to the Australian Labor Party for the purpose of achieving these objectives.
Council further requests that NS Jones develop a detailed political campaign plan which outlines the strategies required to deliver on the political core claim.
Principles: Any affiliation must be consistent with the following principles:
political power must work in addition to workplace power which is derived through organising members in the workplace
political influence will be derived from a combination of lobbying, workplace and community campaigning and participation in party forums genuine activist and rank and file participation members may opt out of having their membership counted for affiliation purposes
delegates who represent CPSU at any party forum (state or national conferences) are bound to vote in accordance with Governing Council policy and decisions
prior to any federal or territory election the CPSU will continue to canvas the policies of all parties and promote them to members, and will not seek to direct or recommend that members vote for a particular party or candidate
that any affiliation to the Australian Labor Party be reviewed by Governing Council after three years to determine its effectiveness before further affiliation is continued
that affiliation to the Australian Labor Party need not include every region
