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Issue No. 302 | 07 April 2006 |
The Cowra Clause
Interview: Head On Unions: Do You Have a Moment? Industrial: Vital Signs Economics: Taxing Times Environment: It Ain�t Necessarily So History: Melbourne�s Hours Immigration: Opening the Floodgates Review: Pollie Fiction Poetry: The Cabal
Abattoir Boss Slaughters Andrews More Slaughter in South Australia Where The Bloody Hell Is Our Contract? Building Crusade Raids Pockets Howard's Skills Solution: Sack Apprentices Spineless Companies Block Safety
Politics Politics The Soapbox Postcard The Locker Room Obituary
Social Action French revolution Fan Mail Belly Spreads The Word All Out! Lying Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them Help Wanted
Labor Council of NSW |
News Spineless Companies Block Safety
The worker survived but officials from the CFMEU say it is suspected that his spinal cord is severed and may never walk again. The company concerned, All State Recycling and Demolition, came to the attention of unions after a worker had his head severed by a concrete saw. "Our delegate wanted to inspect the scene but was denied because we hadn't given 24 hours written notice. That means we couldn't inspect this accident site in its original condition," says Martin O'Malley from the CFMEU. "The CFMEU's number one job is to protect workers from death and injury." "Yet the $34 million Australian Building and Construction Commission designed to stymie unions at every turn, the new IR laws make it harder and harder for us to maintain safety standards," says O'Malley. "CFMEU members are rallying outside the accident site today to draw public attention to the increased dangers facing workers as a result of the new federal laws." "We want tough action taken against the two companies involved - Cox Constructions and All State Recycling and Demolition - who have a shocking track record in relation to industrial accidents." "Last year, an accident at a Cox Constructions worksite resulted in a man being minced to death from the feet up in an escalator. "These deaths and injuries take too long to investigate. While offences with the potential to cause death, such as drink driving attract immediate financial penalties and even jail terms, someone responsible for the death of a worker faces no repercussions for years, if at all" Mr O'Malley says. "The sad reality is that companies cut corners on worker safety because they can get away with it - and the new laws assist them by restricting unions from being safety watchdogs." Mr O'Malley says.
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