Building unions face biggest challenge

by Vic Williams

Two thousand building workers packed the Perth Concert Hall last Monday and 
unanimously resolved to work to reject Howard's agenda to attack building 
unions through the recommendations of the Cole Commission.

They called on building unions to be united and strong. The wider union 
movement must be informed on all issues.

One hundred and fifty chanting MUA members arrived at the meeting in four 
buses and marched in with banners flying.

The CEPU, AMWU, the Plumbers and Transport unions gave strong support.

Kevin Reynolds, Secretary of the WA CFMEU outlined the menace of the 
recommendations coming from the final report of the Cole Commission.

The proposed Building and Construction Commission is to have unbelievable 
powers of questioning in secret. A penalty of six months jail for refusing 
to answer questions is provided.

A special police force of 200 persons is planned to enforce the 
Commission's activities and will cost $17 million.

Under the proposals unions going on strike can be fined $100,000 a day and 
individuals $20,000 a day. Recruiting to a union can become a criminal 
offence.

Martin Kingham, Secretary of Victorian CFMEU who refused to give names to 
the Commission, said employers were breaching the Industrial Relations Act 
every day.

Jock Ferguson of the AMWU said the urgent task was to get rid of the 
stinking rotten Federal Government.

Les McLoughlin of the CEPU said they must fight. In reply to a question he 
said, "We can't wait for the ACTU, we must bring them along".

Chris Cain of the MUA said, "Bad laws are there to be broken. Your struggle 
is our struggle".