Thousands march to remember those who died at work and for removal of ABCC
Ten thousand workers from the construction industry marched from Trades Hall in Carlton to the office of Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard today, Thursday April 28, to protest the rising number of deaths in the construction industry.
Members of the CFMEU, ETU, AMWU and Plumbers Union were in force and called for the abolition of the ABCC.
Deaths in the construction industry have increased since the ABCC’s inception; with only 3.14 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2004, rising to 3.86 in 2005, 5.6 in 2006, 4.48 in 2007 and 4.27 in 2008
The rally, which was part of the International Workers’ Memorial Day – a day for remembering workers who lost their lives at work, – included speeches by CFMEU National Secretary Dave Noonan and Victorian Secretary Bill Oliver as well as Dean Mighell from the ETU and Jed Kearney – the President elect of the ACTU. The widow of a worker who lost his life while at work last year was too overcome with emotion to address the crowd.
Strong Feeling
Mr Oliver said he was pleased with the strong attendance and it showed the depth of feeling about safety among construction workers.
“The safety record of our construction sector is a national mark of shame. The only way to remove this mark of shame is to remove the ABCC.”
“Any death is regrettable and deplorable, but to have the number of construction deaths actually rise since the ABCC’s inception is the hardest to take.
“Construction laws stop workers taking action in the interests of their own safety and limit union access to ensure construction sites are safe for workers,” Mr Oliver said.
“But ultimately it’s bad laws that cost lives. Bad laws that stop experienced union organisers visiting sites to review safety.”
Dave Noonan who spoke outside Trades Hall said it’s these bad laws that are responsible for the plight of workers such as Ark Tribe who is facing six months in prison after safety concerns got so bad on his worksite he and his workmates decided they had to take some action.
Mr Oliver who addressed the workers outside Julia Gillard’s office in Treasury Place reminded everyone that in the forthcoming elections the union would be looking to support the party that supports the abolition of the ABCC.
“While there are a number of ALP politicians who support us against these laws, they tow the party line and we have to support politicians like the Greens who have undertaken to get rid of the ABCC.”
In memory of those killed, the CFMEU has produced this video of workers sharing their stories of workplace accidents.
