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Issue No. 265 | 27 May 2005 |
Hit and Myth
Interview: Fortress NSW Unions: Fashions Afield Industrial: Pay Dirt Politics: Infrastructure Blues History: Big Day Out International: Making History Economics: The Fear Factor Review: The Robots Revolt Poetry: The Corporation's Power
Victims Champ Joins Resistance Usual Suspects Lead Cheer Squad TAFE Teaches A Lesson On Winning
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
One Hell Of A Job US Fan Mail
Labor Council of NSW |
Letters to the Editor One Hell Of A Job
Dear Sir. Whilst browsing the net I came across an article on the "Employer from Hell" who is a mining contractor and won this award in Tasmania. I have recently had the unfortunate experience of working for this company and would say without fear of contradiction that this company displays an attitude towards safety and it's employees that I have not seen for the previous 20 years within the mining industry. I was employed as a shift supervisor and was expected to have my crew work with unsafe equipment and this was actively encouraged and promoted by the site manager and foreman. Danger tags placed on equipment by my crew were torn off the next shift and the gear sent back to work and this gear was then presented to us a shift later in the same unsafe condition. This came to a head when I advised the foreman that my crew would under no circumstances use unsafe gear. Two days latter I was advised that I was being "Culled" and was finished up on the day. I have no problem with this and am happy that my association with this company has ceased. My concern is that these type of mining contractors will continue to put people at risk and employee "Dinosaurs" to manage their sites and even more worrying manage their people. This cost me a position that paid in excess of $100,000,but it would not be enough for me to lower my standards to these peoples level of safety and regard to their well being of their people. Unfortunately we did not have any union representation on site and the OHAS rep was frightened that he would lose his job to the extent that he could do nothing. As an industry the mining industry still has a long way to go to eliminate these donkeys and there is a need for a greater union presence in the Wa industry. We all need to come home at the end of the shift. The best of luck in your endeavours and congrats on a good read. Robert Warburton
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