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           Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  May-Jun 2008        |
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Legal Services
MUA national office employs a legal unit providing members, branches and officers industrial and legal advice. Senior National Industrial Officer Bill Giddins holds degrees in law. He provides strategic advice to the national secretary, national office and national council. As well he instructs other other legal service advisors, including barristers and Queens' Council over disputes and other legal matters initiated for or against the union. The biggest and best known legal victory for the Maritime Union was the conspiracy case against Patrick and others initiated during the height of the Patrick lockout. It brought fame to the "B Team" led by top silk Julien Burnside, QC. But the bulk of Bill's day to day work is advocacy for the union in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and State commissions, drafting awards and applications to vary awards, including award simplification, ensuring registration and certification of enterprise agreements, pursuing unfair dismissal applications and protecting employees entitlements where business are merged, sold or transferred like BHP Bulletin, ANL and CGM. Free AdviceAny advice Bill provides to members is always free. But this is not always the case with advice from other legal service providers. It depends on the case. Members who have an industrial problem with potential legal ramifications should address inquires through branch officials who may then refer it on to the legal unit. Cases and issues are considered based on their merits, their relative strength and on the degree of importance they hold for the union as a whole and the individual. Given the significant costs of pursuing legal outcomes, great care is taken in reaching a determination as to what issues and matters will be pursued through the legal system. The legal unit must endeavour to preserve existing funds and constrain costs in the interests of the membership. Legal costs in recent years have been the single biggest expense to the union. Multinationals and corporations like CRA and Patrick Corp have deep pockets. More and more disputes were ending up in the courts because the Commission had less power under under the Howard Government¹s Workplace Relations Act. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - Free legal advice for MUA membersMaurice Blackburn understands the complex issues faced by people who are injured or have suffered loss due to the actions of others. Their commitment to justice and the rights of ordinary working people is at the heart of everything they do. Their team of expert lawyers can provide members' advice on:
They offer their services to MUA members on a no win - no charge basis*. With offices across Victoria and Queensland. If you have been injured and need assistance, call 1800 810 812 for a free no obligation consultation. Or visit http://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au for further information. Conditions apply. Wharfies, asbestos and Slater & GordonFor many years the Maritime Union of Australia has fought to improve the compensation rights of waterside workers who have suffered asbestos-related disease after their time on the waterfront. The law firm Slater & Gordon won the landmark case which opened the way for waterside workers and their families. This was the case of Brian Crimmins. Slater & Gordon won the initial trial, lost the appeal by the Federal Government, then pursued the case to a historic victory in the High Court. More recently, Slater & Gordon made headlines when it won entitlements for the widows of former waterside workers. A landmark settlement recognised the economic value of the work the men did in the family home - work which they now had to pay others to do. Since its first win for the asbestos miners of Wittenoom, Slater & Gordon has set an unparalleled record of achievement for victims of asbestos. In 1999 the MUA retained Slater & Gordon on a national basis to pursue the rights of its members and the families of deceased members in relation to asbestos claims. This applies whether or not you may have received an ex gratia payment. Slater & Gordon provides advice and legal assistance to MUA members and their families on No Win - No Fee basis. Contact Slater & Gordon
Other About Us articles:
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© 2001 Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) |
