Redeye
2nd March 2006, 12:16
WA Premier Alan Carpenter has warned striking workers on the southern suburbs rail project to go back to work or else face "cataclysmic" consequences.
His comments followed the workers' decision to extend their strike action, triggered by an unfair dismissal dispute.
"It's very, very disappointing, they should go back to work.
"This whole scenario could be headed towards a cataclysmic conclusion which will not be in the best interests of the workforce on that site.
"Their union leadership must make them realize what they could be headed for.
"Nobody, least of all me, wants to see ordinary working people dragged before the courts in civil actions and potentially lose their assets."
Mr Carpenter said the state government could do little to resolve the issue.
"I cannot force them to go back to work but they must.
"If they refuse to go back to work, we the state government can't stop what might be coming towards them.
"They must understand that, and time is running out."
Meanwhile, the chamber of commerce and industry has called on the Australian Building and Construction Commission and contractor Leighton Kumagai to pursue legal action against the CFMEU and the striking workers to the "bitter end".
CCI director Bruce Williams said the slow process of the court system meant it would be "many months" before any legal action was resolved.
However, he believed this was the only way of changing behaviour in the construction sector.
"The only answer is to pursue claims that are already on foot," Mr Williams said.
"They must be pursued until the bitter end, until the union understands that the cost does not justify this type of action."
He said the legal process could not physically force workers to resume work, but it did provide for penalties to be imposed and to recoup damages.
"There will never be a quick fix to this until we get into a cycle where the union and the workers understand that legal action can be used to impose penalties."
Mr Williams said the state government could join the legal action as an affected third party, given the disruption and costs flowing from the industrial action.
WA Business News
Not sure how to get the link thing to work, but this appeared in the WA (Western Australian) Bussiness News.
Also from ABC online
Western Australia's Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah Mactiernan, has intervened in an unlawful strike by workers on the city end of the Perth to Mandurah rail project.
More than 400 workers walked off the job five days ago in support of a sacked union delegate, despite a Supreme Court injunction issued in an attempt to end the strike.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union says its members today voted to remain on strike until Thursday.
Ms Mactiernan has urged the group to return to work.
She says an unfair dismissal hearing against the sacked delegate has been brought forward to Wednesday in an effort to resolve the matter.
The Minister says the decision to continue the action is unwarranted and the workers now risk exposing themselves to further court action and penalties.
ABC Online
The strike is over the unfair dismisal of a Union Delegate. The Workers have voted to stay on strike despite a court order to return to work.
Under the laws of mongrel Howard, the workers could be jailed, fined, lose their house etc, if the industry groups persue legal action.
Of course mongrel Howard has stacked the courts with right wing judges. The state government in Western Australia is Labor and generally opposed to Howard's new anti-worker legislation.
His comments followed the workers' decision to extend their strike action, triggered by an unfair dismissal dispute.
"It's very, very disappointing, they should go back to work.
"This whole scenario could be headed towards a cataclysmic conclusion which will not be in the best interests of the workforce on that site.
"Their union leadership must make them realize what they could be headed for.
"Nobody, least of all me, wants to see ordinary working people dragged before the courts in civil actions and potentially lose their assets."
Mr Carpenter said the state government could do little to resolve the issue.
"I cannot force them to go back to work but they must.
"If they refuse to go back to work, we the state government can't stop what might be coming towards them.
"They must understand that, and time is running out."
Meanwhile, the chamber of commerce and industry has called on the Australian Building and Construction Commission and contractor Leighton Kumagai to pursue legal action against the CFMEU and the striking workers to the "bitter end".
CCI director Bruce Williams said the slow process of the court system meant it would be "many months" before any legal action was resolved.
However, he believed this was the only way of changing behaviour in the construction sector.
"The only answer is to pursue claims that are already on foot," Mr Williams said.
"They must be pursued until the bitter end, until the union understands that the cost does not justify this type of action."
He said the legal process could not physically force workers to resume work, but it did provide for penalties to be imposed and to recoup damages.
"There will never be a quick fix to this until we get into a cycle where the union and the workers understand that legal action can be used to impose penalties."
Mr Williams said the state government could join the legal action as an affected third party, given the disruption and costs flowing from the industrial action.
WA Business News
Not sure how to get the link thing to work, but this appeared in the WA (Western Australian) Bussiness News.
Also from ABC online
Western Australia's Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah Mactiernan, has intervened in an unlawful strike by workers on the city end of the Perth to Mandurah rail project.
More than 400 workers walked off the job five days ago in support of a sacked union delegate, despite a Supreme Court injunction issued in an attempt to end the strike.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union says its members today voted to remain on strike until Thursday.
Ms Mactiernan has urged the group to return to work.
She says an unfair dismissal hearing against the sacked delegate has been brought forward to Wednesday in an effort to resolve the matter.
The Minister says the decision to continue the action is unwarranted and the workers now risk exposing themselves to further court action and penalties.
ABC Online
The strike is over the unfair dismisal of a Union Delegate. The Workers have voted to stay on strike despite a court order to return to work.
Under the laws of mongrel Howard, the workers could be jailed, fined, lose their house etc, if the industry groups persue legal action.
Of course mongrel Howard has stacked the courts with right wing judges. The state government in Western Australia is Labor and generally opposed to Howard's new anti-worker legislation.