United Voice News
In this issue:
2. City cleaners show migrants not afraid to stand up for fair work
Dear friend,
It’s been an exciting few months here at LHMU.
A highlight was seeing our Service Stars graduate Abuk Bol toss the coin at Essendon Footy Club’s annual Walk in Harmony match at Docklands Stadium.
Abuk said she will never forget the warm reception from the crowd, meeting the players and then watching the game from the Chairman’s Lounge.
In June, LHMU Melbourne city office cleaning members also had an unforgettable experience: marching through the city to celebrate winning their first ever union collective agreement.
Migrant community leader Melba Marginson said the win was historic because it showed migrant and refugee workers are not afraid to stand up for their rights.
More recently LHMU officials stood proudly at the Walk for Harmony, in solidarity with about 5000 other people from the 230 communities that make up multicultural Victoria.
Our membership is as diverse as our state; they come from every imaginable cultural and religious community. Without your on-going support they could not stand up for real change in their jobs.
We thank you once again for that support, and we look forward to working with you to help these members win good jobs and better lives.
In unity,
Cyndy Connole
Community Coordinator
LHMU Victoria
1. Abuk kicking goals
Footy fan Abuk Bol will never forget standing in the middle of Docklands Stadium in front of thousands of people.
The Sudanese refugee was there to toss the coin for the AFL’s multicultural round in June.
‘It was an amazing feeling to be in front of so many people like that. I felt so happy. I felt like I was famous,’ she beamed.
‘I showed the pictures to all my friends, they were like, no way, you didn’t do that.’
Before Abuk arrived in Australia, she had lived in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing war-ravaged Sudan.
Adapting to life here was not easy, especially because the then 14-year-old spoke little English.
‘It was difficult when I first arrived. Getting used to a new culture, making new friends and helping my two younger brothers to settle in was hard. And we missed our mum and youngest brother – they are still waiting to join us – I was 11 the last time I saw my mum,’ Abuk said.
Abuk was determined to make a good life here in Australia but despite having completed high school in Melbourne, and speaking four languages fluently, she was unable to find work.
‘It was a very difficult time because I wanted to work, to help make a future for myself, and to help my family.’
But all that changed last year when Abuk was accepted into the first intake of Service Stars, LHMU’s community jobs project.
Abuk is one of 28 graduates placed in work with union employers in the hospitality and cleaning industries. Since graduating, Abuk has been working for Spotless Catering at the MCG and Peter Rowlands Catering at Flemington Racecourse.
She loves her work and the opportunities it provides.
‘Having a job means I can plan for the future. I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity.’
‘I really appreciate the opportunity that LHMU and Australia have given me to make a good life for myself and my family.’
‘I’m not a refugee anymore, I’m an African-Australian,’ she said proudly.
2. City cleaners show migrants not afraid to stand up for fair work
Cleaners marched through the city recently to celebrate winning their first ever union collective agreement after over three years of campaigning.
Under the agreement, city cleaners’ minimum pay rises from $199 to $427 a week.
‘I’m just really, really happy that we won Clean Start. We are working so hard. We deserve it,’ ISS cleaning member Katalina Santos said.
Melba Marginson, a long time supporter from the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition, joined cleaners in their celebrations.
‘It’s you, it’s migrants and refugees really out in the forefront fighting for their rights. For me that is really very historic because we need more of us really being active in the union movement and it’s happening now. It has started with the cleaners,’ Melba said. 
‘It is not just a win about fair wages and other concessions, it is a win about migrants and refugees rights.’
Spotless and Mutual cleaning member Marie Angrilli addressed the crowd after their celebratory march down Swanston St.
‘We, the cleaners in the city buildings of Melbourne, have a lot to celebrate. Standing together we have fought and we have won,’ Marie said.
‘We supported each other and we also had great support from our communities.’
‘Cleaners know how valuable the support of the community was in winning this agreement,’ agreed LHMU Victoria Secretary Jess Walsh.
‘We’ve won so much more than just an agreement, we’ve won the union. We know that when we stand together, with the support of the community, we win real change in our jobs and our lives.’
3. One union, many faces
About 5000 people from Victoria’s 230 multicultural communities came together for the recent Walk for Harmony to Melbourne’s Federation Square.
LHMU were among them, showing our strong support for multiculturalism Australia.
‘We come from every corner of the world.’ LHMU State Secretary Jess Walsh said.
‘The bonds between our members cut across every border.’
‘Our diversity has been source of immeasurable strength for our union, and our society.’
‘We are proudly multicultural.’
4. Community Notices
Wednesday 12 August, 9.30am - 3pm
Rev Up! Program on Peacemaking
With Alan Marr, Director of Ministries, Baptist Union of Victoria and Angie O'Gorman, Noted Theologian and Advocate of Nonviolence
Cost $25 includes lunch.
Further information: Contact Dale d.hess@ozemail.com.au
Whitley College, 271 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne.
Thursday 13 August, 8pm
Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria)
The Challenge of Interfaith Relations in Israel
Dr Deborah Weissman is co-chair of the Inter-Religious Coordinating Council in Israel, as well as President of the Itnernational Council of Christians and Jews. A prize winning Jewish educator, Deborah worked for twelve years at the Hebrew University.
Issa Jaber is the Director of Education of the town of Abu Ghosh, just west of Jerusalem. He is a veteran educator and interreligious activist in Israel. He has lectured for the Education branch of the IDF on issues facing the Arabs in Israel, and served as a facilitator for Education for Arab-Jewish Coexistence in the Knesset.
Rula Shubeita has a BA in English Literature and Linguistics with a Diploma of Education and a BA in Theology - Catechism, both from Bethlehem University, and speaks Arabic, English French and Hebrew. Rula has been involved in interfaith, specifically in women's dialogue between Israeli Jewish women and Palestinian Christian and Muslim women.
If possible please advise the Council of your attendance ccjvic@bigpond.net.au
Adele Southwick Hall, St Kilda Synagogue 12 Charnwood Ave, St Kilda
$15.00 admission $12 concession
Saturday 15 August, 9am - 5pm.
Theology of Peacemaking Retreat
with Angie O'Gorman
At the invitation of Pax Christi USA, Angie has developed a training program in nonviolent response to personal assault.
Angie will lead in a day of reflection for spiritual formation (how do we deepen our spiritual centre and our spiritual resources for our work in nonviolence?) and for the practice of nonviolence (how can we become more consistent in our lives and adapt nonviolence as a way of life?).
Sponsored by Pace e Bene, Australia Inc.
Lunch provided. Cost $60/$45.
Register now as space is limited. Contact Dale d.hess@ozemail.com.au
Australian Volunteers International Building, 88 Kerr Street, Fitzroy
Sunday 16 August. 2pm - 4.30pm
Who am I in my inner life? Mysticism across religions.
Monash University, Caulfield Campus Room K309, 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East
Sunday 16th August, 2pm-4.30pm
Victorian Shared Values Symposium
How to Reach and Maintain Inner Peace?
Applied Learning Centre, Mansfield Secondary College, 15 View Street, Mansfield
www.multifaithnetvic.net.au/events-symposium.php
Wednesday 19 August, 7.30pm
Sharing Wisdom from Faith Traditions
Indigenous Australian Vicki Clark is a Mutthi Mutthi woman from Lake Mungo in NSW. Since 1990 she has been the Coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Victoria.
Further enquiries: Fr John Stewart 9417 3341.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, corner of Hotham and Clarendon Streets, East Melbourne
28-30 August
MAPW National Council Meeting
MAPW members welcome to attend this meeting. Events from Friday evening to Sunday early afternoon; for this annual event.
Contact: mapw@mapw.org.au
Professor Fred Mendelsohn has agreed to speak at the Saturday dinner, which will be held at the University Restaurant.
Sunday 11 October - Saturday 17 October
Anti-Poverty Week 2009
The United Nations has designated 17 October as International Anti-Poverty Day.
Wednesday 14 October, 7.30pm
Sharing Wisdom from Faith Traditions: Islam
Professor Ismail Albayrak holds the Fethullah Gulen Chair in the study of Islam and Muslim-Catholic Relations in the Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Australian Catholic University.
Further enquiries: Fr John Stewart 9417 3341.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, corner of Hotham and Clarendon Streets, East Melbourne
Wednesday 18 November 2009, 7.30pm
Sharing Wisdom from Faith Traditions: Hinduism.
Brni Nivedita Chaitanya lives at the Templestowe Ashram of the Chinmaya Mission Australia. She is deeply committed to interfaith dialogue, and is currently the secretary of MIN (Manningham Interfaith Network). She has been a Hindu Nun since 1998.
Further enquiries: Fr John Stewart 9417 3341.
Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, corner of Hotham and Clarendon Streets, East Melbourne
