Union organiser run down on picket line

By Tim Gooden

CANBERRA -- On November 7, at a picket line established outside the government workshops in Fyshwick, Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union organiser Geoff McGowan-Lay was run down by a vehicle driven by a works supervisor. McGowan-Lay suffered bruises and ligament damage to his legs.

Workers immediately met and decided to strike for the rest of the day. Police are investigating whether charges should be laid against the supervisor, who allegedly left the scene of the accident. The minister concerned, Tony De Domenico, said on television news that disciplinary action would be taken, pending the police investigation.

However, unions criticise the fact that it took until 2.30pm on the afternoon of the incident before government investigators began to ask questions. Unions are also upset that the supervisor was not stood down without pay, pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The picket was established in response to government plans to corporatise part of the Department of Urban Services. The proposal would involve moving 600 government workers to TotalCare, a government-owned corporation where wages and conditions cannot be guaranteed. Public sector unions met last week to endorse a log of claims and to initiate an industrial campaign of bans to force the government to the negotiating table.

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