Workplace Tragedy Group Holroyd Plaque "Cheryl was shocked that exactly sixteen years after the death of her husband, nothing seemed to have improved"

Workplace Tragedy Group May 2009 Holroyd Council unveils plaque to workers killed The CFMEU continues to support the Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group in their endeavours to raise public awareness of workplace deaths and accidents, and to ensure that all families affected by a workplace death have a dignified place to go to reflect upon their lost loved one. Part of that campaign is to establish memorial plaques in all NSW Council areas. Many Councils see the need for an appropriate tribute as fitting with their mission statement in supporting the community. The latest Council to lay an appropriate memorial was Holroyd Council, who dedicated a plaque in May 2009. [full story]

September 2007 CFMEU Launches new Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group At the CFMEU’s Annual Construction Industry Dinner, held in September 2007, the union launched a new support group – the Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group. The now Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations – the Hon Julia Gillard MP – spoke on the evening wishing the group every success. This new group was formed when its Convenor attended the CFMEU Wall of Remembrance unveiling and heard Andreia Viegas speak on that occasion. Cheryl’s husband Bob Romer tragically died on 24th October 1989. Andreia’s husband Glen tragically died on 24th October 2006. Cheryl was shocked that exactly sixteen years after the death of her husband, nothing seemed to have improved in the process the families have to go through following the death of a loved one at work. There was still a legal and industrial minefield to wade through while going through intense grief, and families felt uninformed and frustrated by what they deem as a not very family-friendly system in place in the industry. At the 2008 Construction Industry Dinner, held on 29th April 2008 – International Day of Mourning for Workers Killed – the Hon Penny Wong attended, and again praised the courage of this group of people for wanting to change the system for people in the future, and for their wanting to act as a safety tool in the industry. The CFMEU and several job sites contributed a substantial amount of money to the new group to get it up and running. What they want to do The group’s aims include: 1. Having one benchmark set of policies and procedures to occur every time there is a major workplace accident or death – currently each company has their own based on Workcover NSW’s prototype’ 2. Providing support to families who find themselves in this dreadful situation - support provided by people who have been through the process themselves; 3. To develop a kit for families of workplace tragedy victims, to advise them on how to proceed through the legal and industrial minefields whilst suffering such intense grief; 4. To assist families of those who have also been badly injured at work; 5. To increase workplace and public awareness about the extent and consequences of workplace accidents; 6. To campaign with other community groups, including trade unions, for improved workplace OH&S and workplace laws:     - Greater government monitoring of OH&S practices, particularly where the Government is the client;     - Transparency in respect to workplace accidents, so that information about the death and circumstances surrounding is provided to families by Workcover NSW;     - Protection for workers from unfair dismissal;     - Enhanced right of entry laws for union officials investigating workplace safety.     - Greater compensation to the victims of workplace accidents and their families. Activities to date: The Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group has achieved a lot in the short time they have been running. They have: - Set up their own website and formed a strong and active committee – go to www.workplacetragedy.com  - Addressed job sites on the safety lesson of losing a loved one at work - Addressed various Councils at their unveiling of memorial plaques to workers’ killed - Addressed groups of Employer Site & Safety Managers about the impact of workplace deaths - Attended CFMEU Delegates Meeting - Met with the NSW IR Minister to advise him and his colleagues of the common issues impacting families who have lost a father/mother/brother/sister/daughter/son to a workplace accident - Will be meeting with the ACTU Fed Government Panel on OH&S Harmonisation to ensure new harmonised legislation understand the financial, social, emotional impacts of a workplace death The CFMEU and members have fully supported the development of this group, and wish them every success as they grow and expand to other industries in NSW. How you can help 1. Financially support the Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group – all donations are welcome. 2. Visit their website on www.workplacetragedy.com