Building workers to strike

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) construction division has called a national strike for May 20 to protest against the government and the building industry bosses' attempt to strip back national building industry awards.

Andrew Ferguson, NSW construction division secretary, said the workers will also demand that the government legislate to stop companies "restructuring" to strip assets and then deny payment of workers' their wages and entitlements.

He said: "We'll be seeking to turn the strike and rally into a march against the industrial relations policies of the Howard government — not just to object to what they're doing, but to push for legislative change to strengthen workers' rights and job security."

The action will also involve the Electrical Trades Union, plumbers, metalworkers and the Australian Workers Union.

The rally in Sydney will commence at Town Hall at 11.30am, then march to the Industrial Relations Commission in William Street. For details of actions in other cities, telephone the local CFMEU office.

From GLW issue 317