BY JODY BETZIEN

MELBOURNE — Around 600 workers from Grocon's five construction sites and two construction yards staged a four-hour stop-work meeting on January 17 to determine what industrial action would be taken to pressure the company into signing a union-negotiated workplace agreement.

In response to Grocon's rejection of a union-proposed truce, the workers resolved to implement bans on pouring cement, steel work and the erection and dismantling of cranes from January 22. The bans will continue until February 15.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) had offered a four-week suspension of industrial action on the condition that the company adjourn three legal actions against the union to allow enterprise negotiations to resume.

In an escalation of the conflict, on January 17, Grocon managing director Daniel Grollo threatened to lock out the company's 650 workers if the union goes ahead with its bans. A lock-out would stop $2 billion worth of projects, including the MCG redevelopment.

Last year, Grocon was the only major Victorian building company to opt out of an industry-wide enterprise agreement. In December, the company tried to introduce a non-union agreement that would have given it more control over working hours. In a secret ballot, the offer was overwhelming rejected by the workers.

CFMEU state secretary Martin Kingham said Grocon has rejected three previous union proposals and would have a final chance to accept a truce or make a counter-proposal at a meeting on January 20.

From Green Left Weekly, January 22, 2003.
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