Government Asleep In Dispute Over Sleeping Arrangements

Government Asleep in Dispute Over Sleeping Arrangements

Thursday, 28 January 2010

Attempts by the leadership of the CFMEU to distance themselves from the decision by workers on Western Australia's Pluto LNG project to continue with illegal strike activity are being viewed sceptically by a major resource and energy sector employer organisation.

AMMA Chief Executive, Steve Knott, said the CFMEU's attempts to now distance themselves from the ongoing strike activity were very hard to swallow.

"Everyone in the sector knows this illegal strike activity was instigated and perpetuated by the CFMEU leadership as part of their bid to increase union membership," Mr Knott said.

"The leadership of the CFMEU has been hypocritical all of the way when it comes to this dispute. They deliberately encouraged Pluto workers to go on strike over this issue - while at the same time encouraged other workers in the State to accept similar accommodation arrangements."

Mr Knott said for many decades now operators in the resources and energy sector had been improving the standards and quality of accommodation and catering provided to employees in remote and regional areas.

"Most fair-minded people understand there is a shortage of accommodation in these areas and the importance of ensuring all available accommodation is used."

Mr Knott said it was also very disappointing to see that the government's new workplace relations laws have been completely ineffective in preventing this illegal strike activity.

"It's time the Government woke up to the fact that Fair Work is not working.

"As with the ongoing dispute we are seeing with the MUA, AMMA is once again calling on the Federal Government to revisit the workplace relations framework to ensure there are effective deterrents and penalties to prevent these deliberately destructive activities from occurring in the future."

ENDS

Media Contact:

Minna Knight
M: 0407636153
E: [email protected]


SOURCE: Australian Mines and Metals Association