I am going to get my fingers burnt here, but the claim harms the union movement all of it.
Do not get me wrong, every inch a unionist for life never to change, that is the very reason I make my claim.
Its a recruiting tool, to make some feel the union is looking after them.
No worker fails to understand the claim is ambient , a claim made to shock bosses into a higher but not double figure rise.
if granted one in 3 jobs could go, never the intent but tell non unionists that.
the movement needs such headlines like we need another ten points fall on the share market.
Most union members look for leadership from unions , the official standing in front of them is the union.
Some standing in that spot, big noting them selves are doing great harm, unrealistic expectations never to be delivered are as near lies as I can find.
Unions need to sell our product not individuals, honesty not dead ideas , uniformity, knowing a union is the same town to town city to city state to state.
Nothing hurts more than to see some fail the movement, picking up the bits is a constant heart acre.

Dear Belly..... HOOORAY.. of course you are absolutely right.

This claim comes as:

-World econominc down turn.
-Aluminium prices plummeting.

This is just a classic 'we must remain relevant at all costs' grasping at straws by the CFMEU. How does a Union remain relevant? well.. most pleasinly relevant that is.. "GIMME MORE MONEYYYYY"

So..I support your wise criticism of this call and hopefuly we all will.

Belly “No worker fails to understand the claim is ambient , a claim made to shock bosses into a higher but not double figure rise.”

You might call it “Ambit claim”

I would call it a feeble attempt at stand-over tactics and intimidation.

It reminds me of that Margaret Thatcher quote

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.”

Obviously the unions are feeling less powerful by the day as their irrelevance,, incompetence and corruption has been revealed and their popularity wanes

To be honest, if unions were really concerned with their members employment prospects, they might consider the negative impact that such grandstanding demands make on investors development plans and decisions.

But since a lot of the union strength is now focused around the soft-centre of government employment, I wonder if the prospect of 15% drop in hourly rates is anticipated in response to dwindling tax revenues?

Workers should attend their union meetings,and speak out about what they think is wrong about union leaders and how they go about what the members want,then there will be no justification to say that there is corruption in the unions.Corruption is well known? that it exists in high places,Government Church and big Corporations,so hands off the unions

While I agree that this seems very poor timing for such an ambitious ambit claim, the "33%" is itself an alarmist headline designed to incite outrage:

<< ACTU president Sharan Burrow defended the union saying the claim amounted to annual pay rises of between five and 10 per cent over several years >>

I think that 5-10% p.a. is excessive in the current economic climate, but it is an ambit claim after all, which will be reduced via negotiation. But that reality doesn't make as good a headline, does it?

Thank goodness for CJ Morgan who knows about ambit claims - and the difference between 'ambient' and 'ambit'. Why are the usual suspects so poorly educated? And so ready to condemn what they don't properly understand?