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Issue No. 135 | 10 May 2002 |
The Costs of War
Interview: Squaring Off Industrial: Heroes Betrayed History: At The Coalface International: Wobblies With Chinese Characters? Politics: Dancing with Trotsky Economics: You Are What You Eat Poetry: Alexander's Bragtime Band Satire: Stott Despoja Celebrates Engagement With Minor Party Review: Painting Paradise
Gun-Runners Threaten Aussie Coast Kings Cross Date For Commissioner Cole Sunbeam Irons Out Sydney Grand Mother NSW Libs Open to Abbott Takeover Terror Bill Needs More Work, ACTU Burma Release Fails to Blunt Campaign East Timorese MPs oppose Timor Sea Arrangement Airport Screeners Face Men in Jocks Unions Push into Regional Queensland
The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard Bosswatch Week in Review Tool Shed
No Choice Who Rules Australia? No Wrap for Song Comp Abbott's Contempt
Labor Council of NSW |
News Kings Cross Date For Commissioner Cole
Once again, it is the CFMEU rather than the Commission or any Government agency, that has uncovered large-scale rorting of safety requirements, wages, tax, super and workers comp provisions. The union has thrown a picket around the Gazebo Hotel site in Kings Cross and invited Cole to sift the evidence for himself. "We've done all the work and we have invited Commissioner Cole to see the results," CFMEU secretary Andrew Ferguson said. "The Commissioner must get out of his courtroom and visit building sites if he wants to really understand the industry." Cole won't miss the Gazebo. Besides the picketers, it is adorned with a 10m sign proclaiming "this site is closed" and inflatable eight metre rort rat, Stinky, is standing guard. The Gazebo redevelopment is a classic example of building industry problems the commission has yet to confront. Construction contractor, Australian Development Corporation Pty Ltd, hired around 15 backpackers, primarily from the British Isles and Canada, and set about undercutting wages and entitlements. Since the site was shut down on Thursday the CFMEU has launched investigations into the following issues ... - pay rates - cash payments - super and workers comp liabilities - compliance with tax laws - provisions for other employee entitlements - the apparent failure to run safety induction courses in the country's most dangerous industry When backpackers, being paid half the going rate, fronted the company about their entitlements they were summarily dismissed. "We're fighting for these young people because they are just being used. But we are insisting that any additional work be offered to Australian building workers," Ferguson explained. "The real problem is Federal Government doesn't believe in regulation and does nothing to police these situations. "They give the owners an incentive to find crooks who will do it on the cheap. Genuine operators and workers whose families rely on this industry lose out. "It's a ridiculous situation. We are talking about Australian law and the Australian taxation system and the only organisations defending them are trade unions." The CFMEU has yet to track down the principals behind Australian Development Corporation but suspect their company is a one-job operation. Typically, in those situations, owners take the money, close the doors and leave workers, state and federal governments, and often sub-contractors, out of pocket.
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