CFMEU secures workers entitlements
SYDNEY — Sub-contractors working on luxury units at a Newport marina will be paid their entitlements despite their employer, Horvat Construction, leaving unpaid debts after going into voluntary liquidation.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union took action to assist the sub-contractors after the building company engaged to complete the project contacted the union to check on the status of the job. CFMEU joint assistant state secretary Brian Parker told Green Left Weekly that the project client Factoral Holdings had advised the new builder that all the sub-contractors had been paid up to date.
Following the establishment of a picket line, CFMEU representatives held discussions with Factoral Holdings. On May 8 the company said it would investigate the issue but gave no guarantees. The union persisted and, after another protest action was scheduled for May 9, the company gave a commitment to pay the contractors the money owed to them.
Workers strike at Regency
ADELAIDE — Members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union at Regency Robes and Shower Screens took strike action on March 6 in anger at stalled enterprise bargaining negotiations, which are already eight months overdue.
The company is attempting to force workers to work through extreme temperatures, such as Adelaide's recent heat-wave and are also attempting to remove the workers' right to attend the annual union picnic day, CFMEU shop steward Leigh McDonald told Green Left Weekly.
Nurses vote to lift bans
ADELAIDE — Nurses here voted on March 6 to accept an enterprise bargaining offer from the state government, and lift bans on elective surgery which they had imposed two weeks ago.
Members of the Australian Nursing Federation voted overwhelmingly to accept a revised offer which includes the creation of 200 nursing positions, a 17% salary increase over three years, and improvements to rostering. The government's original offer included no increase in staffing and had excluded enrolled nurses from the improved pay structure.
ANF state secretary Lee Thomas said that while members were satisfied with the offer, the ANF would continue to fight for minimum staffing ratios.
Protests as bridge opens
ADELAIDE — Two hundred opponents of the controversial Hindmarsh Island bridge held a dignified and peaceful protest during the opening of the bridge on March 4.
The bridge had been the subject of numerous protest actions and court cases, as environmentalists, local Ngarrindjeri people and other concerned citizens battled to prevent the bridge being built.
Ngarrindjeri activist Matt Rigney called it the "dollar bridge", while an elder said its final opening was a "giant step backward for reconciliation".