Comrades,
Welcome to the latest edition of the Rank and File Bulletin
Read on for a write-up of our democratic process to finalise our campaign platform, and to get involved in:
- preparing for our first fortnight of ground campaign leafleting
- building our supporter base by liking, sharing and subscribing!
International Workers’ Memorial Day
Join us this International Workers’ Memorial Day as Victorian Trades Hall Council holds a ceremony to honour and remember those who have lost their lives at work or due to work-related causes.
- 10:30AM Monday 28 April, Argyle Square, Carlton
Rank and file bulletin: union democracy in action
On Monday 21 April, A Voice for Members (AVFM) comrades selflessly took time out of their Easter public holiday to join our policy platform general meeting.
This meeting was to debate, move, and confirm the key promises we are taking to the CPSU Vic elections. Anyone could submit an idea for discussion, and we started the meeting with 48 submissions to work through and debate. Members could ask questions about items, speak for or against these items, and move amendments to the items.
There’s no pretending, it was a long afternoon. But it was incredible to see comrades come together respectfully and genuinely, to build the foundations of our movement. We are now prepared for the next phase of our campaign with a mandated platform. We can boast that this platform was built by our membership, not top-down decision-making.
What was especially moving was the commitment to democratic process this meeting demonstrated for all of us. This is not something any of us have experienced in our CPSU lifetimes, and it’s what we want to bring back to our union. Seeing the commitment to this democracy in practice really made it clear that we can win this thing!
What comes next
After Monday’s meeting, the policy platform is going to the first Campaign Electoral Caucus (CEC) meeting to be endorsed. This caucus is made up of all our pre-selected nominees for branch council and executive.
Our campaign policies are then being turned into some snappy, snazzy leaflets and posters in time for our ground campaign to begin this coming Monday. It’s been a very quick turnaround in some already short weeks, so huge thank yous to everyone involved in this process.
Special shout-outs go to:
- Kimberley Johnston (candidate for President) for chairing the meeting
- Dylan Kelly-Morgan (VBC candidate) for his work putting together the policy platform and live-editing our many amendments
- Pip Grylls for all the background admin work that goes into a big meeting like this one.
We’ll share the final policy platform document shortly, after the CEC has endorsed it. In the meantime, sign up for our first fortnight of the ground campaign!
Ground campaign phase 1 starts next week – 28 April to 11 May
It’s time for our membership to take to the streets! We’re hitting workplaces from 8AM Monday 28 April, and we need you to bring our message to every corner of our union. Rope in your friends, coworkers, workplace situationships, whoever you can grab.
Mitch (our candidate for assistant secretary) has created some excellent documents to keep us across what’s happening each fortnight. These docs have all the links, maps, downloads, everything else you need to get involved in the ground campaign. To get involved, sign up to our mailing list or email cpsuavoiceformembers@gmail.com. There’s a job for everyone!
Rank and File member profile
Meet Chris Bydder
Where do you work and what do you do?
I work for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria and am based out in the burbs out at Macleod as the Principal Scientist for Odour. Yes an odd job title, but odour is the most commonly reported form of pollution in Victoria.
How long have you been in the union?
I am a proud, paid-up member of CPSU, have been for 24 years. I’ve been part of our branch as delegate for two stints, the first in the 00s for 5-6 years, the second stint more recently (started in 2023 and still forging ahead). I have been a very active union member and have achieved success in Appendix negotiation securing pay rises between 15 and 50% for after hours roles at EPA in 2012.
Why did you join A Voice for Members?
I believe very strongly in unionism and favour a collaborative approach that embraces our diversity.
What’s your vision for the CPSU?
A transparent, democratic union with clear structures and pathways from the rank and file to the very top where anyone can contribute and raise through the ranks. This should be actively encouraged or we just stagnate.
Call to action
The actions you can’t miss this week.
Help grow our movement
We need you to:
- follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn (it’s cursed we know, but it has reach)
- share our socials posts on your feeds and stories, in Teams, in other group chats, wherever you connect with other CPSU members
- send this bulletin to your friends, coworkers, neighbours, baristas, and encourage them to sign up
Missed the enrolment deadline?
The deadline to be a CPSU member to vote in these elections has passed. But! There’s still time to update your mailing address if you are an existing CPSU member.
Contact the AEC to update your postal address. The earlier you can do this the better!
Get trivial with us: Thursday 8 May
Join us for a night of trivia, laughs, and solidarity hosted by Tom Ballard at Fitzroy Town Hall.
We’re trying to raise $33,000 to fund a game-changing election mail out – and we need your help (plus your fact-friendly comrades) to make it happen. Every dollar brings us closer to building a democratic, fighting union that puts members first.
Put together a table of up to 8. Finger food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available by donation. And of course, there will be beers and wine.
It’s going to be a great night for a great cause – don’t miss it!
Where?
FITZROY TOWN HALL
201 Napier Street, Fitzroy
Thursday 8 May, 6:30pm to 9pm
Tickets: $50 or $100 solidarity