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Issue No. 146 | 26 July 2002 |
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Crean-ite Is Not A Dirty Word
Interview: Trans Tasman Cole-Watch: The Full Story Unions: The Right To A Life Bad Boss: Phoenix Rising Politics: The Virtuous State International: The Champions History: Mandatory Mums Corporate: Network Governance Review: Navigating The Doublespeak Satire: Hector The Galah Found Hiding Poetry: Eight Days a Week
The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard Week in Review Bosswatch
 No Need To Import IT WorkersKangaroo Court Horrifies ReaderSite Reunites Redundant WorkersCarr Off CourseThe Banners of GreedJoin The PartyShocks and Stares
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News Athens Workers Pay Ultimate Price
A spate of deaths during construction of the Athens Olympics site has prompted the CFMEU and NSW Labor Council to give the Greek Government an ultimatum: work with Greek construction unions to avoid further casualties or endure public protests over the shoddy safety record. Prompted by news of the fifth death since work began on the Athens site, a delegation from the NSW Labor Council and the CFMEU met with the Greek Consul General this week. They called on the Consul to alert the Greek Government to their concern over the deaths and their desire for the Government to establish a more effective way of consulting with unions over outstanding occupational health and safety issues. NSW Labor Council's Chris Christodoulou says that while he welcomes the fact that the Consulate is "talking with us" the Greek Government must treat unions with the same respect they were afforded during construction of the Sydney Olympics. "Greek unions could be at the forefront of assisting their Government in construction Olympic facilities to the highest standard, while helping them to overcome its OHS issues, as they did here," he said. An agreement negotiated by NSW Labor Council to facilitate consultation with Australian unions and the ongoing involvement of Australian unions during the Games' construction stage were widely credited as being the key to the Sydney Olympics good safety record. While one worker died during construction of the Sydney site, the overall standard achieved in relation to workplace safety was best practice. All sites had effective delegates and safety representatives. Meanwhile, Greece's largest labour union has condemned what it describes as the "indifference" to safety shown by contractors and their refusal to adequately consult with unions. This is an "unacceptable situation that costs human lives, especially at a project that concerns the Olympic Games," the union said in an announcement. Workers representatives have repeatedly complained of poor conditions, including a lack of drinking water, toilets and a general lack of oversight by officials, according to a Safety Online report. It says some workers have complained they have no contracts, overtime pay or benefits. Aside from the deaths, there have also been seven Olympics workers critically injured. CFMEU (Construction div) state sec Andrew Ferguson says that with construction of Olympic venues comes the responsibility to maintain best employment and safety practices. "This is a serious issue concerning a life and death situation that could easily be avoided if adequate consultation were to occur between unions, contractors, and the Greek Government," he says. "Unless genuine consultation takes place by mid-August we will take further action."
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