Fundraiser for Barry Hemsworth

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) will be holding a trivia competition at 7pm on June 1 at its Lidcombe offices (12 Railway Street) to raise funds in support of sacked union delegate Barry Hemsworth.

On September 6, Hemsworth was sacked by Botany Cranes and Forklift Services for "insubordinate behaviour" — advising his fellow workers that they were not legally obliged to comply with Botany Crane's demand that they individually complete and sign off on OH&S job risk analysis declarations.

The employees at Botany Cranes have condemned the sacking, but they each face fines of $22,000 under the Work Choices laws if they take industrial action in support of Hemsworth.

The CFMEU has brought proceedings in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission under provisions of NSW legislation, which protect workers from victimisation for raising safety concerns. However, the company has challenged the jurisdiction of the NSW IRC, arguing that Work Choices negates workers' rights under NSW OH&S laws.

Visit Hemsworth's protest picket at 3-5 Exell Street, Banksmeadow. For more information on the June 1 fund-raiser, phone Michelle on 9749 0480.

From GLW issue 709