Strikes data
justifies ABCC but
more reform needed
Master Builders Australia says data released in March supports the
Parliament’s decision to restore the ABCC, but shows why further
broader reforms are necessary.
It said that the number of industrial disputes hit an 11-year high in 2016
with 124,500 days lost to industrial disputes, the highest in three years,
and other measures all generally trending upwards. This demonstrated
changes to the Fair Work laws as recommended by the Heydon
Royal Commission and Productivity Commission deserve substantive
Government attention.
“Construction again remains the highest sector in terms of days lost,
representing almost half of the total working days lost in all sectors,”
Master Builders said. “Construction days lost are almost three times
more than mining that has historically been the sector with most
disputation, seven times more than the next highest sector after mining,
double what they were three years ago (Sept 2013), and seven times
higher than when the ABCC previously existed.
“This shows why the ABCC is necessary, justifies the decision to restore
the ABCC, and is further evidence as to why it should be retained.”
Unhappy wife, unhappy life?
The Fair Work Commission rejected a disingenuous defence
by the CFMEU(SA) when a senior union official had his right
of entry permit renewal rejected following his involvement in
unlawful industrial action which contributed to the union incurring
$456,000 in penalties. The defence? His wife had severely
chastened him for his stupid behaviour. That will work every time.New ACTU leader sets low benchmark
New ACTU secretary Sally McManus, in what can only be
described as brain fade, openly stated in the media she is happy
to break laws that she views as bad. Rightly, she was heavily
criticised for these ill-considered comments. Sadly, the comments
unmask the true belief of some senior union officials in recent
years that they are accountable to no-one but themselves. Little
wonder private sector union membership has crashed to about
10 per cent of the workforce. Workers have voted with their feet
and these comments only hasten the exodus.Long reach of the law
Former AWU official Ralph Blewit has been charged following the
Heydon Royal Commission’s examination of alleged fraud in the
1990s involving an AWU training slush fund which ensnared Julia
Gillard when a young solicitor.Judge loses plot
A Federal Court Judge slammed the ABCC for prosecuting a
CFMEU(V) official for allegedly not complying with federal union
right of entry laws as the official was only on site to have a cup of
tea with mates. Threats of going to war made to site management
was only banter in the view of the Judge. On last checking,
construction sites do not act as side street cafes?Miners not happy
The mines lobby group is unhappy at a recent Federal Court
decision allowing union right of entry in the crib room of massive
open cut drag lines. The decision arguably is technically correct,
but a cramped room on drag lines never intended to hold
meetings is being pedantic for pedantry’s sake. Maybe employers
can also choose to ignore this law as bad law, much like the new
ACTU secretary advocates.GOSSIP
COLUMN
MAY–JUNE 2017industrial relations UPDATES^35