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AUSTRALIA Rio Tinto actions

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15 October, 2014IndustriALL affiliates, the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Australian Workers Union (AWU), took action on 7 October against Rio Tinto.

CFMEU

CFMEU circulated the global flyer to workers at all Rio Tinto mines sites with CFMEU members.

At these sites, CFMEU also circulated a new report it released on 7 October which exposes the anti-union philosophy behind Rio Tinto's 'direct engagement' management strategy.

Bradon Ellem, the author of the report, argues that the long-held policy sounds innocent but is really code for a ruthless effort to exclude unions from playing a meaningful role in its workplaces.

In Mackay, CFMEU did a training for CFMEU members employed by Rio Tinto about the global day and Rio Tinto’s history of labor disputes around the world.

CFMEU in the north near mine sites drove a trailer pulling a sign with the Rio Tinto The Ugly Truth logo and a variety of messages about the need for less precarious labor at Rio Tinto. It was part of the effort to build awareness among union members and communities about the global campaign at Rio Tinto and Rio Tinto’s bad employment practices.

ABC News Australia extended interview:

CFMEU National Vice President Andrew Vickers speaks to Ticky

AMWU

AMWU leadership attended the event to launch CFMEU’s report which exposes the anti-union philosophy behind Rio Tinto's 'direct engagement' management strategy.

AWU

AWU participated in the global day of action at Rio Tinto by promoting the day to its members at Rio Tinto through social media.