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Issue No. 323 | 08 September 2006 |
Double Jeopardy
Interview: Australia�s Most Wanted Industrial: The Fox and the Contractor Unions: Industrial Wasteland International: Two Bob's Worth Economics: National Interest Environment: The Real Dinosaur History: Only In Spain? Review: Clerk Off
Gas Man Won't Say What's Cooking World Bank Hollers for Marshalls Finger Man Gives For Sale Sign
Legends The Soapbox Obituary Fiction
Catch a Tube
Labor Council of NSW |
News Crane Boss Lifts Her Profile
Botany Cranes boss Anne Bradstreet gave Barry Hemsworth his marching orders after he objected to the company shifting OH&S responsibilities to its staff.
Bradsteet, named top tog at the Crane Owners Association barely two months ago, used WorkChoices to avoid unfair dismissal repercussions. A meeting of over 75 percent of his workmates, last week, gave Hemsworth a unanimous vote of confidence but Howard's building industry specific laws prevent them acting in his defence. Howard's Building Industry Commission has dragged 107 construction workers before the federal court after they struck in support of a sacked delegate on the Perth-Mandurah rail project. It is seeking $28,000 fines against every individual. Hemsley has erected a shed outside Botany Cranes Bandsmeadow gates and says he is going nowhere. "They can't get rid of me that easily," he told Workers Online. "I am going to make the public aware of how some companies are using this legislation. During my 10 years as delegate we hadn't had a single stoppage at Botany Cranes but I opposed their move to make workers draw up their own risk analysis statements. "It was trying to move its OH&S obligations onto workers. We accept that workers have their own responsibilities but that doesn't mean employers can evade their duty of care.' Hemsworth was in the process of bringing industry players - unions, employers, WorkCover and peak bodies - together to thrash out policy for the sector. The CFMEU is calling for community support, urging Sydneysiders to visit Hemsworth at Exell St, Banksmeadow, or contact the company. Botany Cranes can be contacted by phone on (02) 9666 6366 or by email at: [email protected] Workers Online understands CFMEU lawyers are considering avenues to contest Hemsworth's axing under WorkChoices laws that bar unjustified dismissal actions to people from jobs with less than 100 staff. In the past eight years, with Hemsworth as delegate, Botany Cranes, has gone from nine to 15 cranes, and staff has jumped from 15 to 36 operators.
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