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HANDS OFF THE CFMEU!
Worker dies as CFMEU administration ties union hands
25 November 2024
Jess was a Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) member. Yet the union’s national secretary, Zach Smith, has said that Vestas often blocked the unions’ access to the site and ignored their health and safety concerns. This was despite WorkSafe Victoria issuing 22 compliance notices since March 2023.
Tim Gooden, spokesperson for the Defend the Unions – Defend the CFMEU, a community solidarity group set up in the wake of the federal government’s draconian legislation putting the CFMEU into administration, said, ‘I’ve been told by workers that the day Jess was killed the company dealt with the situation really badly and it was only once the CFMEU was allowed on site that surviving workers were even looked after.’
‘Workers initially were not led from the scene and offered counselling, to limit PTSD reactions. They were immediately drug and alcohol tested – presumably so the company could try to blame other workers rather than its own procedures. And the deceased worker’s body was left out while non-investigatory personnel milled around and police conducted interviews from the boot of their car.’
Gooden said, ‘I’ve been a construction worker and CFMEU shop steward for 42 years and this is about the worst response by a company I’ve ever heard.’
‘The CFMEU has been instrumental in improving OHS on site. We never allow the bosses to get away with lax responses to OHS issues. This is one of the reasons why we are under attack on trumped up charges of corruption and intimidation.’
‘People have to realise that this is a tough industry, involving billions of dollars worth of profit. Do you think the bosses would stop cutting corners and creating safety hazards if we politely asked them to stop? No, it’s the unity of our members, their readiness to stop working if there’s a problem and the commitment of our shop stewards and officials that has been decisive.’
‘Now we hear that even our long fought for heat policies are under attack in Queensland and the ACT. Government ministers and companies are going to demand that construction workers continue outdoor work in temperatures above 35°C with oppressive humidity. This is despite the 2023 death of Queensland construction worker Daniel Sa'u and the hospitalisation of 25 other workers from heat stress.’
‘How many more deaths will we see as the major champion for OHS, the CFMEU, is legally blocked from responding due to the administration of our union by the Albanese government?’
‘The media keeps vilifying us as thugs, who are overpaid and unproductive, yet if we don’t go hard on safety, who will? What is a life worth? Obviously not much according to Vestas, the Queensland government and dodgy ACT company JWL. The disgraceful treatment of our union has to stop so that we can get on with the job of saving lives.’
– Tim Gooden, on behalf of Defend the Unions – Defend the CFMEU (phone: 0402 885 779)
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