Workers condemn construction code

Vanguard August 2012 p. 12
Marcus H.

12,000 construction workers, alongside workers from other unions, and community activists, marched through the Melbourne Central Business District on Wednesday July 4, 2012 to voice their opposition to the Baillieu Liberal Government’s new Construction Code that has been introduced into Victoria.

The Construction Code Compliance Unit has been implemented to restrict right of entry for Union Officials and to have any Union logos and flags removed from construction sites.

The workers, in full voice against the latest attack on working people by Government, converged on the Victorian Trades Hall, before the contingent passed by the Eight Hour Monument and along Russell and Bourke Street. The fluoro army arrived at Parliament House to deliver a sharp message that this latest attempt in dismantling worker’s rights would not to be tolerated. The protestors marched behind a massive Eureka Flag, the symbol of ordinary people’s struggle, as they demanded Premier Baillieu to “stick the code...”

The introduction of the new construction industry watchdog comes just months after the Australian Building and Construction Commission was abolished in name only, with most of its powers remaining in Fair Work Australia’s set up.

The Victorian Compliance Unit is to be led by former ABCC Commissioner Nigel Hadgkiss, who targeted Victorian Vice-President of the CFMEU Noel Washington and South Australian rank and file member Ark Tribe. Both men refused to inform on their mates. Both men were dragged through the legal system and threatened with massive fines and gaol terms.

Maritime Union Victorian Branch Secretary Kevin Bracken, in a passionate address, urged the construction workers to remember past victories, and called on them to continue on this fine tradition of working people standing up and fighting when things aren’t right. It was the Maritime Union, who was targeted by John Howard in 1998, which led to the three month long Waterfront dispute. The class solidarity seen in this dispute will be crucial once again in crushing Baillieu’s new law.

“The Nurses stuck it right up him (Baillieu)” National Secretary of the Plumbers’ Union, Earl Setches reiterated. When it comes time to campaigning against the Government, employers and the Master Builders, “The Victorian construction worker never lets you down”  said Troy Gray, Assistant State Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union, to great applause.