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We Fight. We Struggle - Winter 2010 Even though the level of work and jobs available is not where we would like it to be, a lot has still happened since our last journal. During this time I spent a week in North Queensland with our organiser John Lund. The trip was an eye-opener with the week starting in Cairns and finishing in Mackay. We visited many jobs by major builders such as Laing O’Rourke, Theiss, Hutchinson, Watpac, Bovis Lend Lease and Baulderstone. It amazes me at the difference in wages and safety conditions. These builders compete for state and federal government work and are accredited to do so. So you might think this would result in some consistency, but this is definitely not the case. On a positive note we ended the week at Baulderstone’s Mackay job where they are using EBA sub-contractors and have BLF delegate Wayne Bell - much better feel on this job. I’d like to thank Lundy for his hospitality. My hat goes off to you Comrade for keeping up the struggle in such difficult circumstances, and for representing workers time and time again.
CBD
Since my last article, workers in the CBD have put the collective before selfishness on Parkview deciding to stand together until their safety concerns were addressed (in particular, a hoist consistently breaking-down). Also the ISD steel fixers sat in the sheds until their entitlements were fixed which involved a $21,000 payment to one of their workmates who was in intensive care.
The Bovis Law Court workers once again stood staunch following a horrible accident that had a formwork labourer fall 10 metres into an incomplete deck, snapping bearers when he landed. Thank God BLF member Brendon escaped with only a broken ankle, as he could have easily been killed. We wish him a safe and speedy recovery.
For workers on Laing O’Rourke’s Albert Street and Convention Centre jobs, their constant battle has continued with safety issues and near misses happening on a regular basis. Formwork tables have flipped over on separate occasions and a Peri handrail which fell through formwork screens nearly ending up on Albert Street.
At the Convention Centre, safety issues are made even worse by having workers pouring concrete well after dark. Another issue that came to a head on this project was the workforce not being offered the opportunity to change from casual to permanent. In fact there was only a handful out of over 100 workers in permanent positions on the job. This issue was finally rectified when the workforce made a stand. All the tactics used by Laing O’Rourke/Expanded in trying to divide the workforce have failed because of the solidarity of the workers on site. The Police have been called, jobs have been threatened, and workers have been pushed in to unsafe working areas, even personal details have been given to the taskforce. Some workers have even received phone calls from the ABCC informing them that if they don’t do as they’re told, they can face up to six months in jail. Even against these challenges, the workers have remained united and continue to demand that Laing O’Rourke/Expanded own up to their obligations to provide workers with a safe working environment and treat their workforce as human beings rather than slaves.
Ark Tribe
Recently in Adelaide, Ark Tribe a fellow construction worker and union member was dragged through court by the ABCC for exercising his right to silence. A number of delegates, organisers, and Myself flew to Adelaide to show our support. It was good to see union representatives from all over Australia rallying together outside court. It’s a sign that unionism is still alive in Australia and it is a taste of things to come. However the fight is far from over and Ark’s case was adjourned until the 20th of July with the taskforce still hell bent on making an example of Ark Tribe and any worker planning to stand up for their rights by jailing him. These Gestapo laws are designed not only to isolate Australian construction workers through intimidation, interrogation, and finally incarceration. They also undermine Australian beliefs and the concept of a ‘Fair Go’. These injustices will continue for as long as the ABCC exists. We all have to step up and continue the fight to have the ABCC abolished.
Delegates
On a final note I would also like to thank all my delegates including John Chambers, Steve McDonald, Pat Maher, ‘Killer’ Caldwell, James Fissington, Kevin Griffiths, and new delegates Tony Stott and ‘Yowie’. You guys continue to put the collective before yourselves and represent the workers through struggle no matter how hard it gets. Keep up the good work.
If you don’t fight, you lose.
Kane Pearson
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