CONSTRUCTION WORKERS – LABOR UNIONS – AUSTRALIA

Construction work deals blowing out project costs

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Original article by John Slater
Herald Sun – Page: 34 : 16-Sep-16

Construction unions have too much influence on big infrastructure projects, demanding excessive wages for no gains in productivity. The Menzies Research Centre has calculated that inefficient work practices and excessive wages on union-controlled construction sites increase the cost of major infrastructure projects by 20 per cent to 30 per cent. The Wonthaggi desalination plant in Victoria is a good example of union power and its consequences.

CORPORATES
CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, THE MENZIES RESEARCH CENTRE LIMITED

Seniors call for independent directors after breach

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Original article by Joanna Mather
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 : 13-Oct-14

The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance & Corruption has been told by Cbus member co-ordinator Lisa Zanatta that she leaked account holders’ details to the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union. Like most other industry superannuation funds, Cbus has a board composed equally of employer association and trade union representatives. This arrangement has now been criticised by National Seniors CEO Michael O’Neill, who argues all super funds should have independent directors

CORPORATES
NATIONAL SENIORS AUSTRALIA LIMITED, CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING UNIONS’ SUPERANNUATION FUND, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, ACTU

‘Blackmail’ worked, says Boral

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Original article by Lucille Keen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 10-Jul-14

Concrete supplier Boral has accused the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union of blackmail. On 9 July 2014, Boral CEO Mike Kane told the Royal Commission Into Trade Union Governance & Corruption that the union threatened contractors and created a cartel on Melbourne building sites. He said that the criminal conspiracy was effective, with Boral’s profits falling by nearly $A6 million since the boycott was launched. Kane said that he expects the inquiry to refer his allegations to Victoria Police

CORPORATES
BORAL LIMITED – ASX BLD, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TRADE UNION GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION, VICTORIA POLICE, GROCON PTY LTD, SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION

Union rushes to enlist

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Original article by Michael Bleby
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 10 : 4-Jul-14

Construction groups such as Lend Lease and Leighton Holdings off-shoot John Holland are warning subcontractors that they will have to comply with a new building and construction industry code. However the relevant legislation has not yet been passed by the senate, with the Federal Government needing the votes of the Palmer United Party and independents. The Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union is busy signing up subcontractors to an enterprise agreement. It hopes that if sufficient numbers can be reached, it will be easier to convince senators to vote against the reinstatement of the Australian Building & Construction Commission, which would enforce the code

CORPORATES
LEND LEASE GROUP LIMITED – ASX LLC, LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX LEI, JOHN HOLLAND PTY LTD, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES PTY LTD, PALMER UNITED PARTY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS