Workers Online
Workers Online
Workers Online
  Issue No 98 Official Organ of LaborNet 01 June 2001  

 --

 --

 --

.  LaborNET

.  Ask Neale

.  Tool of the Week


Compo

Undampened Spirits


Despite atrocious weather, building workers took to the streets this work over the carnage in their workplace. Mark Hebblewhite was there.

 
 

Compo Rally

*********

Andrew Ferguson's words were chilling. Just a day earlier he reported, a building worker in Manly had fallen down a lift shaft and severely injured his back. Admittedly, it wasn't the ideal day to hold a rally, but these words reinforced the concerns plaguing ordinary workers in the building industry- and all of a sudden, the weather didn't seem that important. Let me explain.

Monday 28th May, 2001 was perhaps one of the most perfect crisp, clear autumn days the city of Sydney has delivered in a very long while. Tuesday 29th May was another matter altogether.

A timeline: 7:00 AM- Rain 8:00 AM- More rain 9: 00 AM- Even more rain- and it was getting heavier 10:00 AM- This isn't rain, it's a flood. Surely it can't get any worse? 11:00 AM - The speaker of previous statement was at this point forced to eat his words, it wasn't a pretty site.

Initially, things weren't looking good for the CFMEU's day of industrial action to protest changes to workers compensation and the shocking state of workplace safety in NSW. From an original estimation of between 10- 15

thousand construction workers, the more pessimistic amongst us were muttering something about 'being lucky if a couple of hundred people turn up'. Yes, the weather was that bad. Originally, the idea was for members across Sydney to stop work at 11AM and make their way to the rally. But with the disastrous early morning weather many sites had closed and many workers were beginning to go home. The question now was should the rally continue as planned?

The majority of voices said yes. It was felt that although an in principle agreement had been met between the Labor Council and the State Government over most of the proposed changes to Workers Compensation, it was important for the building industry to register it's protest over safety concerns and employer compliance issues unique to the industry.

With this in mind, the decision was made to soldier on, and upon reaching Town Hall Square at 11:30 a miracle occurred that rates somewhere between Lazarus and Canberra's 1989 grand final victory. The rain actually stopped. With one

miracle under our belt, things were beginning to look a little more promising, and I guess miracles beget miracles because we were suddenly sliding into second. That's right, people began to stream into Town Hall station until the square was literally overflowing with people. Co-ordinated by the CFMEU on behalf of the building unions, the rally was a collage that represented all facets of the organised labor movement. After a traditional Maori Haka the march began it's trek up George Street; ultimate destination the hallowed halls of the State Parliament. Over 5,000 strong we turned the city streets into a sea of colourful banners as we wound through Pitt Street mall where the Maori contingent gave another rendition of one of New Zealand's most famous cultural exports.

Upon reaching Macquarie Street a number of speakers were on hand to address the rally including State Secretary of the CFMEU (Construction) Andrew Ferguson and ACTU Secretary Greg Combet. A petition signed by over 20,000

workers was then handed to Labor MLC Ian West registering their opposition to the proposed changes to Workers Compensation in NSW. But before proceedings came to an end, there was one speaker left, a speaker who perhaps had the most profound impact on everyone in attendance. Todd Philpott is one of Australia's premier wheelchair athletes. Before tragically losing a leg in a motorcycle accident, Todd had worked in the construction industry for many years in a number of roles. While addressing the rally, Todd said something that that made me realise just how important the Union movement's quest for workplace safety is. 'In the mid 1970's when I began work, I saw a man fall to his death on a building site. A quarter of a century later, these unnecessary accidents are still occurring," pointed out an obviously sad Todd. Later I was able to talk to Todd one on one where he told me a story that is unfortunately par for the course in many industries.

"Many of these companies care about profits before people," said Todd. "That's why a strong union presence in the building industry is so important, it's the only way workers can be assured of getting a say," said Todd, who also wanted to point out that the CFMEU had not only contributed to his working life, but his personal situation as well. "I was having trouble with the financial commitments that go along with being a wheelchair athlete," explained Todd. "The CFMEU saw my plight and offered to sponsor me and other paralympians so we could represent our country. I think their actions in this case really shows the commitment the union movement has to its rank and file members, and I don't think this fact is recognised enough by people such as the media," pointed out Todd.

These words got me thinking, so I decided to abandon my original plan of cornering the union leadership for candid commentary and instead set out to talk to some of the rank and file members that had taken part in the rally. The results were interesting to say the least.

"All I want is the chance to work in safety," said Steve, a bricklayer. "But sometimes I get the feeling that my employer couldn't give a stuff about my working conditions. This is my life and I'm not going to lose it because an

employer has decided to cut corners on safety- it's simply not on".

"Our union has been working hard to remedy this situation though," said his brother John, also a bricklayer. "Our delegate has made sure that regular safety meeting are happening on site and we've got to build on this good work - that's why I'm here today. Along with workplace safety, the proposed changes to Workers Compensation also seemed to strike a chord among many members.

"I'm really worried about changes to Workers Compensation," confided Andrew, an apprentice. "These changes aren't just an attack on workers, but also our families."

Despite the awful weather, May 29th was a remarkable success with over 100,000 building workers on strike in Sydney. With this action behind them, I asked Andrew Ferguson what would be next for the CFMEU?

"The issue of Workers Compensation, and of course safety in the building industry has galvanised our members," said Andrew. "We're going to remain vigilant on both these issues and take whatever action is required to protect workers rights". And what of Tony Abbott's claims that union misuse safety claims in the building industry?

"Tony Abbott has never been on a building site in his life and he doesn't have any right to criticise building workers. If he was even handed he would crack down on the behaviour of employers who cut corners and jeopardise

workers safety. Our members see through his anti-union hysteria and won't stand for it," said Andrew.

Oh, by the way, just for the record: May 30th: A perfect sunny day. Figures.


------

*    Visit the LaborNet compo page

*   View entire issue - print all of the articles!

*   Issue 98 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Balancing the Books
Opposition Finance spokesman Lindsay Tanner on bringing a Labor agenda to managing the nation�s finances.
*
*  Compo: Undampened Spirits
Despite atrocious weather, building workers took to the streets this work over the carnage in their workplace. Mark Hebblewhite was there.
*
*  Unions: Giving Blood
Local government workers are mounting a campaign to have leave to give blood donations recognised in their award.
*
*  Women: A Checklist for Women Voters
With a mountain of demands on Australian working women, the biggest question could well be which is the biggest?
*
*  History: May Day Meditation
May Day has been and gone, but we thought Peter Linebaugh�s take on its meaning was worth reading on all the other days too.
*
*  International: The Weeks of Living Dangerously
The now almost inevitable fall of Indonesia�s President Abdurrahman Wahid could have drastic consequences for the increasingly militant working class movement in that country.
*
*  Economics: No More Mr Nice Guy
In his new book, Steven Keen outlines why the public needs to know that economics is intellectually unsound.
*
*  Satire: NZ to be Disbanded
Following the successful disbanding of the armed forces the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, has unveiled a new bold plan to total disband the entire nation.
*
*  Review: Action in the House
Workers Online�s Big Brother Addict argues the time has come for the contestant�s to take some industrial action.
*

News
»  Twenty Grand � The Cost of a Life in 2001
*
»  Compo Protest Virtually Ignored
*
»  Workers Tell Jodie: It's a Bit Rich
*
»  Disbelief at Dubai in the Sky
*
»  Wage Rise For Two Million Workers
*
»  Casuals Win Parental Leave Rights
*
»  Egan Budget Welcomed � But Social Audit Still on Agenda
*
»  Bad Rosters �Like Being Drunk�
*
»  Nurses Act on Ward Rage
*
»  Council Workers Brace for Border Skirmish
*
»  Meatworkers Win in Federal Court
*
»  Hotel Bosses Linked to Tobacco Industry
*
»  Workers Demand Treaty With Indigenous Australia
*
»  Activists Notebook
*

Columns
»  The Soapbox
*
»  The Locker Room
*
»  Trades Hall
*
»  Tool Shed
*

Letters to the editor
»  Pop and Politics - Where's Billy??
*
»  Satire is not Serious
*
»  Toasting May Day
*
»  WorkCover - Questions for NRMA
*

What you can do

Notice Board
- Check out the latest events

Latest Issue

View entire latest issue
- print all of the articles!

Previous Issues

Subject index

Search all issues

Enter keyword(s):
  


Workers Online - 2nd place Labourstart website of the year


BossWatch


Wobbly Radio



[ Home ][ Notice Board ][ Search ][ Previous Issues ][ Latest Issue ]

© 1999-2000 Labor Council of NSW

LaborNET is a resource for the labour movement provided by the Labor Council of NSW

URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/98/b_tradeunion_rally.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005

[ Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Credits ]

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW

 *LaborNET*

 Labor Council of NSW

[Workers Online]

[Social Change Online]