Chris Slee, Melbourne
"Union rights are civil rights was the theme of an October 12 public meeting organised by the Socialist Alliance at the Victorian Trades Hall bar.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union legal officer Jesse Maddison spoke about the draconian building industry legislation passed by the federal parliament on September 7, which bans pattern bargaining.
Maddison said that in the Victorian building industry alone there are 4000 employers. Since it is impractical for the CFMEU to negotiate individually with each one, the union sets an industry standard and persuades employers to sign. The new legislation makes this illegal.
The legislation severely restricts union organisers right of entry to job sites and makes it illegal to include right of entry provisions in enterprise agreements. It also gives the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) the power to demand that people answer questions. Those who refuse to attend a meeting with investigators, or refuse to answer questions, face mandatory six months' jail. These powers can be used not only against unionists, but also against employers deemed too friendly to the unions.
The ABCC can seek damages and legal costs against unions. Maddison said he believed that the ABCC will start its attack by trying to drain union finances, rather than by jailing union officials or workers.
Tim Stevenson from the Electrical Trades Union also addressed the meeting, explaining the Howard government's plans to override state occupational health and safety legislation.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, October 26, 2005.
Visit the