If I, who comes from a foreign Union movement do not trust the Australian Unionists do you expect the other migrants to trust them? NO! The Union must create the channels to contact migrants, to contact ethnic minorities. The Union movement must improve its relations with ethnic minorities, with religious minorities, with women organizations.
Muslims labors have huge problems. Did the Union contact Muslim Associations? Did the Union contact Asian Associations? (we have many new Asian migrants) The Union must appoint a union officer to improve the relations with ethnic and religious minorities.(In federal and state level) The Union sent a letter to minorities' organizations expressing its deep interest for labors rights from any origin and ask for an appointment with their committees. Before they go in the meeting they care to find a person from the community, Muslim, Asian etc and go together. Very soon the Union will find how easy is to establish good and productive relations with minorities. Do not underestimate them. The labors from these groups have many reasons to become member of the Union.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

Dear Antonios,

I don't know enough about the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).

Or what they do or don't do for migrants.

I would have thought that they would have rather strong migrant representation.

Have you actually contacted the ACTU or its local branch about some of the matters that seem to be of concern to you?

Foxy
About 8 months I was in the State Council of Printing division,of AMWU. My time was and is limit and I wanted when I went there to do something very specif and to be productive. I want to create something, not to west my time. My top interest is Migrants rights, I was ready to work hard and productive for it but I thought that it was not on their priorities or I was ready to work for the creation of Union camps for children, in Europe many Unions or even city councils have camps and they are very good to start promote the unionism from the childhood. In Cyprus we started from zero and they was in the District I was secretary and they was under my supervision. We can create many of them in Australia, it is easy, helpful and increase the ...assets from the Union. For some reasons I did not find any interest about it. When I went there I went ONLY for work, I am ready to work for the Union for free of cause but only under a very specif plan, very specif goal. No discussions for discussions. If it is possible to undertake a responsibility to create something and leave me alone to do my job! If I have to waste my time there I prefer to do something from my home on the internet etc.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

AS I come back to the thread because it is clear you care but can you understand your wish here is so hard?
Australian children do not in numbers go to such camps.
I think you must understand we are different than your place of birth.
If you came to my union we would be concerned about the safety of the children and you must not be offended by that it is part of modern life.
Our annual children's picnic is bogged down by costs and insurance.
You will find much unions should do, but please remember it has always been the few true unionists like you who carry the load, I hope I too do so for the movement not myself.
Being a good union official is being a good Friend, being honest and just being there 24/7.
It is answering the phone always, and hearing every word spoken to you.
It is knowing and understanding people like you are few most want only workplace insurance to receive but not give.
I shudder each time some one says unions let down members because some do, and it hurts.
But for every true story of union failure ten lies exist from some who can not stay out of trouble and will not except accountability for the actions than constantly get them in trouble.

Dear Belly,

Beautifully put.

I've been a union member all of my working life.

I don't know what I'd have done without them.

They supported me through thick and thin - and were always there for me. Even the credit union came to my aid when I needed it.

I've got no cause to complain.

Foxy
probably you was working in an office or in an environment with educated and civilized people. In my workplace the word equal opportunities or respect to human integrity was unknown. I saw many migrants crying or with big problems Italian, German, Jews, Norwegian, me etc. When I say I AM INTERESTED MAINLY FOR MIGRANTS I MEAN IT, BECAUSE I CAN NOT FORGET WHAT HAPPENED THERE, BECAUSE I CAN NOT FORGET THE 30-40 YEARS OLD CRYING MIGRANTS. Your experiences Foxy in Australia is very different from my experience and from the experiences of many, other migrants. I will never forget the race discrimination and always I will be ready to fight against racists. OF CAUSE I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM, THAT AUSTRALIA COMPARING WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IS NOT VERY BAD.

READ THIS NEWS FROM GREECE!
Fighting has erupted in Southern Greece between strawberry farmers and migrant workers striking for higher pay.
According to a Greek trades union support the migrants, about 400 were attacked by farmers and what were described as "hired thugs". By Malcolm Brabant
BBC News, Athens, 20 April 2008