QLD body rises from the dead

Queensland's once dwindling industry association has reformed, unveiling a hard-hitting agenda that will include efforts to end sparring between businesses and the union.
The revamped Textile Clothing and Footwear Association of Queensland (TCFAQ) - which last month voted in a new executive - planned to aggressively increase its membership and launch educational programs, claimed newly-elected chair Philip Levy - formerly CEO of schoolwear specialist Stubbies.
"For the last two years [the TCFAQ] hasn't been very active, but a decision has been made to re-incarnate and now it's all systems go."
The educational drive, to include seminars on industrial relations as well as other business related toThe union has been actively prosecuting Queensland companies in recent years for non compliance with the federal award in regard to outworkers, with a number of companies - including Seaborne Clothing - accusing it of inflexibility [see Ragtrader January 27, p1.].
TCFUA Queensland state secretary Jacques Morel described the resurrection of the TCFAQ as "a step in the right direction".
"Philip Levy has a lot of experience in the TCF industry and seems to understand what the union is doing. There are a lot of cowboys out there who are getting prosecuted and making a lot of noise about it."
Morel blamed employer groups including Australian Industry Group and Queensland's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) for mis-advising members on their obligations to outworkers under the award, adding he hoped communications between the union and industry would improve.
"If [Levy] rings up and asks to attend [union] meetings I'd be more than happy to arrange that."