The Australian Workers’ Union is going back to the bush with its NSW Branch Executive to meet in Dubbo this week.
AWU NSW Branch Secretary Tony Callinan said it was the first time in more than a decade that the Branch had held a meeting in Dubbo.
“The AWU was born in regional Australia and this meeting is a chance for us to go back to our roots,” Mr Callinan said.
“We are one of Australia’s biggest and oldest unions, with widespread regional representation and members throughout the agriculture, mining and shearing industries.
“The meeting will look at a number of vital issues including prioritising jobs for rural and regional workers in areas such as Dubbo, as well as how we can win back jobs lost due to the COVID crisis.”
Mr Callinan said the AWU had a proud history of standing up for rural and regional workers.
Its most recent win resulted in the Fair Work Commission agreeing to a case brought by the union that will now require fruit and vegetable pickers to be paid a guaranteed minimum wage.
“It was a historic win for farm workers, and will put a stop to wage theft and system that at its worst was likened to modern slavery,” he said.
The AWU NSW Branch Executive meeting will host more than 20 members, and will be held at Dubbo Zoo from noon on Friday, December 10.
