
Issue No 69		01 September 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Leightons, SOCOG Tremble Before Haka

By H.T. Lee

Maori workers performed a Haka, in front of over 200 CFMEU delegates at the Trades Hall on Thursday after union solidarity led to the recovery of their wages and entitlements.

Building firm Leightons coughed up the money - $100,000 - after one of their contracted security firms Weechase disappeared and refused to pay the workers.

According to CFMEU organiser Steve Keenan, the workers were ripped off-they were not paid super, overtime rates, redundancy and other entitlements.

Like the Deemah dispute (see last week's WorkersOnline story-$1milion reasons to belong to a union), a picket was organised at the AMP Circular Quay office. Leightons is building the AMP building at Angle Place.

One of the security guards Sonny Edwards in thanking the CFMEU said: 'We were employed by the security company to keep the CFMEU out and it ended with the CFMEU getting us out of the shit.'

Other Kiwis seek Unions' help

Before leading off the Haka, Joe Eru a Maori elder thanked the CFMEU in traditional Maori and also sought the union's support for other Kiwi workers left out in the cold.

Joe and about 70 other Maoris arrived in Sydney from New Zealand to take up jobs for the Olympics. They were recruited by an Australian training company-Aust Colnet which was given the contract by WorkForce.

When they arrived in Australia, they found their NZ qualifications were not recognised and were not allowed to work.

When they saw the Haka performed by the security guards at the AMP building they decided to contact the CFMEU for help who then contacted the LHMU and the Labor Council.

Joe said, 'I have been a union member all my life and without the union you are nowhere.'

After the Haka, the delegates demonstrated in front of SOCOG's office in Jones Street, Broadway. Over 100 delegates took part.

SOCOG agreed to meet with the LHMU, Labor Council and CFMEU. SOCOG have agreed to fast track the recognition of NZ qualifications and promised they would all be given jobs.

'We are glad we are able to help our Kiwi brothers and sisters,' Andrew Ferguson said.

Chris Chridodoulou from the Labor council said the priority is to find employment for these people who have been misled.

'Then we will be chasing up the people who misled them.'

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Issue 69 contents

Interview: Global Warrior
International unions have won a game of political football with soccer`s hierarchy - and Aussie Tim Noonan is behind the victory.

History: King of Broken Hill
John Shields recounts the colourful life of William Sydney 'Shorty' O'Neil (1903-2000) and his place in the rich history of a remarkable town.

International: History Repeats At Firestone
More than 8,000 workers, members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), are set to strike at nine Bridgestone/Firestone plants in the United States at midnight tonight.

Politics: The Past We Need To Understand
In his Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture Malcolm Fraser retraces the path of Australian race relations and laments the terrible impasse we've reached.

Unions: Economic Democracy
Sharan Burrow on making Working Australia's money talk and reforming corporate culture for the 21st Century.

Satire: Another windscreen washer joins millionaire list
SYDNEY, Monday: After just a year in his new job, John Samuels has added his name to the burgeoning list of enterprising Australians who have made their fortunes by offering partial car-washing facilities in convenient inner city road-side locations.

Review: No Long Term
Much political commentary is about the global marketplace and the use of new technologies as hallmarks of the new capitalism. Richard Sennett investigates another dimension of change: new ways of organising time, particularly working time.

» New Benchmark In Bank Greed

» Olympics Deal Sparks Soccer Ball Victory

» Two Day Strike Hits BHP Mines

» Leightons, SOCOG Tremble Before Haka

» Hilton Hotels Limp As Strike Bites

» Wran Lends Boffins A Hand

» ACTU Meets Joy

» Barracks Workers Put The Pinch On Local MP

» Olympic Win For Taxi Drivers

» Australian Unions Keep Spotlight on Fiji

» Staff Eye Telstra Prize

» Dice Loaded Against American Workers

» NZ Union Federations Heal Split

» Pressure Mounts On Nike To Live Olympic Ideal