Building industry witch-hunt comes to Hobart

BY ALEX BAINBRIDGE

HOBART — A range of local industry bosses — Chickenfeed boss Rudie Sypkes, Steven Auld of Auld Constructions and Robert Wilkins of Wilkins Constructions — utilised the beginning of the building industry royal commission's Hobart hearings on March 4 to make wild accusations against the unions in the construction industry.

Accusations prominently reported in the local media included: alleged threats by unionists to use baseball bats against subcontractors, and even other workers, if union enterprise bargains were not signed; threats to bring unemployed unionists from Victoria to force agreements; and accusations that "numerous" stoppages caused losses of up to $400,000.

Unions countered by denying the accusations and by bringing evidence of the poor safety and health standards in the industry. A protest outside the commission hearing on March 12 was organised by the plumbers' union and the Electrical Trades Union.

ETU state secretary Kevin Harkins brought 12 photos showing examples of dangerous work practices. The photos showed incomplete or non-existent scaffolds and protection rails, and unsatisfactory toilets. The union also alleged that asbestos was left exposed at a renovation site in a school, leaving children in danger.

From Green Left Weekly, March 20, 2002.

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From GLW issue 485