Grocon sacks MCG workers

The Construction Division of the CFMEU in Victoria has condemned the 
developer Grocon for sacking workers and effectively sabotaging the 
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) project.

CFMEU Secretary, Martin Kingham, said 30 form workers were being sacked and 
another 25 were expected to lose their jobs. There had been no discussions 
with unions about labour needs on the project.

"Are these the thanks workers get for taking on extra shifts to get extra 
seats ready for the AFL finals?" Mr Kingham said.

"This is unbelievable action on a project with a strict deadline. Does 
Grocon want to get the 'G' rebuilt in time for the Commonwealth Games or 
not? It doesn't look like it."

Mr Kingham said the union had already tolerated nine months of stalling 
from Grocon over negotiations for an MCG site agreement.

The union had held off taking action over the stalled negotiations to 
prevent any disruption to the AFL finals matches.

"Union members, and all Victorians, are being taken for a ride by this 
mob", Mr Kingham said.

"It's now obvious that Grocon see nothing special about the MCG, the people 
of Victoria who want to host a great Commonwealth Games in 2006, or the 
fans who want to see their footy and cricket over the next couple of years.

"It's time we all told Grocon we're calling them to account."

The union believes the State Government should intervene as Grocon's client 
to pull the company into line before they make it impossible for the MCG to 
be ready by the 2006 deadline.