Issue No 15 | 28 May 1999 | |
NewsUnions Wins Own Safety Prosecution
A trade union has been awarded $50,000 after successfully mounting its own prosecution of a firm over the death of a member in 1996.
CFMEU construction division state secretary Andrew Ferguson personally prosecuted Nelmac Pty Ltd under a seldom-used provision of the Occupational Health and Safety Act which gives unions the right to run its own cases rather than rely on WorkCover prosectors. The union was awarded half of the $100,000 that Industrial Relations Commission President Lance Wright fined the company this week, along with the union's legal costs. The prosecution was mounted after carpenter Mark Poi fell 18 metres to his death while working on a bridge. Nelmac, a contractor with the Roads and Traffic Authority has been constructing the bridge over Myrtle Gully, 50 kilometres south of Nowra. In his judgement, Justice Wright found the work undertaken was "inherently dangerous" and imposed the fine, while recognising Nelmac's good safety record Ferguson says the CFMEU intends to use the money to continue to fight for improvements to safety in the building industry.
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Interview: Back to the Grassroots Trade union trainer Jill Biddington looks at old problems through a new lens. Her message: talk to the workers. Unions: TWU: The Workplace Union Ring Tony Sheldon, State Secretary of the NSW Transport Workers Union, and if you don't get through straight away you're told it's because "I'm organising members at the moment". History: Proud to be a Member Retired transport workers remind young members of the struggles which produced the benefits they now enjoy. Indigenous: Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide Australia's treatment of its indigenous people is a problem that won't go away. Review: Popcorn Goes for the Crunch A Sydney production attempts to bring Ben Elton's satire of film-shplatt cinema to life. Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre View the latest issue of Labour review, Labour Council's fortnightly update on industrial issues. Health: Being Lead Astray Workers in a range of occupations are exposed to lead and are not being made aware of the hazards
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