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Subscriber only Mine workers will today plead their case before a Senate Inquiry on proposed workplace law changes which the union has labelled a detriment to Mackay and its resources industry. Tightening the definition of casual employment will be a key aspect of a 27 page submission union representatives will present to the committee, which is sitting in Townsville. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland southwest vice-president Shane Brunker said the casualisation of mine jobs was a cancer that s spreading through the industry . He said there were thousands of workers across the Bowen Basin, contracted through labour hire companies as a casual employee but working a full-time roster without benefits such as annual or sick leave.
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Subscriber only One of Queensland s powerful unions suffered a significant hit to its membership while others recorded mammoth uptakes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 1200 people left the Electrical Trades Union in Queensland during the 2019-20 financial year, while 372 left the CFMEU. However the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union welcomed 3137 new members - the largest increase of all unions in Queensland. The SDA, which is still on a holiday from Labor s Right Faction, recorded the second biggest increase with 1603 people signing up. Members of Electrical Trades Union are seen during the annual Labour Day march in Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England