Summer Issue 2012 - cfmeu

U N I O N N E W S
with Vinnie Molina
Broad needs to work with, not against union
Broad Constructions has picked
up a number of contracts at the
Perth international airport; around
$250 million worth of contracts
financed by superannuation
funds.
For months union organisers have
struggled to represent basic rights
for workers at the sites. The basic
right to organise is violated by
preventing contact between
workers and union officials. Broad
IR policies have been unreasonable
by providing a designated meeting
room for union meetings away from
workers crib huts.
Workers’ complaints over OH&S are
disputed by the builder who makes
it hard to gain access under State
Right of Entry. In recent times
workers have complained about
toilet cleanliness, blockages, the
number of amenities and safety
breaches.
All were refuted by the builder. The
few times we managed to enter the
sites to investigate breaches,
following some strong arguments,
we found the complaints were
justified.
Workers feedback has been that
they feared attending meetings or
speaking to union officials on site
due to victimisation. The
intimidation on workers has
worsened since Broad management
called in the Australian Federal
Police to remove union officials from
the site.
Up to six AFP officers arrived at the
job at 12:45pm early in November to
deal with an industrial matter.
Some of the workers who had
approached us felt intimidated after
seeing the way we were received on
site. This deterred them from
speaking further with us or
attending the meeting they had
been asking for. Later we organised
to meet off site. We left the site just
before 1:30pm after clearing our
right of access with the AFP.
The visit by the AFP on site didn’t
discourage us from visiting the
following week and passing on the
messages sent to them from the
workers “Don’t waste taxpayer’s
money”.
Construction and FIFO ALP Branch First Meeting
by Mick Buchan
As you are aware the CFMEU has been working hard to set up a direct branch of the WA Labor Party to get the Party
talking about the issues that impact you in our industry. We have had great success and the Construction and FIFO
Branch had its first meeting in October. There was a great turn out at the inaugural meeting and I have no doubt that this
meeting has set the scene for a productive year to come.
With representatives from the WA Labor Party in attendance, we elected our branch office holders and took care of the
formalities. In 2013 the Construction and FIFO Branch is set to grow. We will be focusing on driving debate on safety
standards, increasing training opportunities for future generations, discussing the impacts of the FIFO lifestyle and
ensuring that local jobs are prioritised.
It is an exciting time and I have no doubt that we will make a real difference to ALP policy development in the future. It is
time to stand up and have our voice heard on the things that matter to our industry and members. In moving forward, the
Construction and FIFO Branch will play a big part in providing a strong voice on industrial policy within the WA Labor Party.
After all, it is much harder to influence policy from the sidelines!
If you are interested in getting involved, contact Mia at the CFMEU office on 9221 1055.
Construction Worker – Summer 2012 Page 43
CFMEU