Union bullying claim

pies4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: rosebud,vic,australia

Union bullying claim
John Masanauskas
March 31, 2007

VICTORIA'S most powerful building union official faces a fine of up to $22,000 after being prosecuted by the federal industry watchdog over alleged bullying at a Brunswick site.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union assistant state secretary Bill Oliver is accused of coercing a company into dumping a subcontractor because its workers were on non-union workplace deals.
Mr Oliver and two other CFMEU officials allegedly leant on Walton Constructions at the Brunswick police station site in November 2005.

Walton then dumped its contract with a firm hired to do traffic management at the site, according to the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The ABCC has lodged Federal Court claims charging the CFMEU, Mr Oliver and fellow unionists Gerard Bernstead and Steve Allen with breaches of building industry and workplace laws involving coercion and discrimination.

The ABCC is also prosecuting Walton for allegedly discriminating against the subcontractor because its workers were on Australian Workplace Agreements.

The maximum penalties for coercion and discrimination under the building laws are $22,000 for an individual and $110,000 for an organisation.

Mr Oliver effectively runs the CFMEU in Victoria after a power struggle that sidelined state secretary Martin Kingham.

Mr Kingham has retained his state title but is focused on national issues as an honorary federal assistant secretary.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21477215-2862,00.html

WhyPhilWhy? · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:25 pm

Yep - no prosecutions for the 1000's of managers bullying staff onto AWA's, but one union official...

stui magpie · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:29 pm

I love the hipocrisy of the unions.
They don't give a rats about anything except clinging to the little power they have left and they use any tacics they can to attract members and seem relevant.

I've met some very genuine union officials in my time, I've met a lot more to whom it's a pretence; a means to an end and that end is power.

London Dave · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:14 pm

I'd be all for union bashing, if all unions protecting 'restrictive employment practices' were bashed equally. Howard seems only too happy to bend over and let the doctors union and pharmacists union, for example, rodger him like a rhino...... but woe betide any union attempting to get a Howard 'fair go' for some poor bum on 250 bucks a week!

Dale61 · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:14 pm

Until the day comes that a union pays the wages of workers they coerce into going on strike is the day I'll support a union.

I was threatened with the sack some 20 years ago if I didn't join a union, so really had no choice. 15 months later, I left that employment anyway, but haven't paid a cent in fees since.

Because I didn't formally resign from said union, does it mean I owe 20 years of fees? If so, good luck getting blood from a stone.

member34258 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

Some very hefty men are coming to a front door near you Dale..............soon!

Dale61 · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:32 pm

Well I wish them luck getting past the man traps!

Oh, and my black-and-tan security system will then clean up what's left.

Brewer's Droop · HIC Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Location: Greater Albania

member34258 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

Your Black 'n' Tan security system hang out with Clark Kent and wears a cape Dale?

Dale61 · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:40 am

Joel · Joined: 23 Mar 1999 Location: Mornington Peninsula

I haven't been a fan of the unions since they tried to bully my dad, who runs a small business. He sacked a guy who was causing trouble, and was lazy.

So he went to a union, and they attempted to muscle in. Wankers. Sometimes employers rights need to come first in order for the business to stay alive. This is something that unions struggle to comprehend.

However, I know they have their place (sometimes).