Thursday 5 March 2009
Workers protest underhanded attempts at wage-cuts
Over a hundred people have gathered at the project office of the Monash/Westgate Upgrade to
protest the sacking of 39 workers from the project, who have now been offered employment on
substantially lower conditions.
John Holland has terminated their relationship with the subcontractor, leaving the 39 employees
without work.
While the subcontractor had agreed to employ the workers on site according to industry standards,
John Holland is now offering some of the workers interviews for direct employment with wages that
are approximately $10 less per hour.
John Holland has refused to discuss the issues with the unions representing the workers, the
CFMEU and the AMWU.
CFMEU Vice-President Frank O’Grady has said the protest will continue until genuine consultation
is undertaken by the company. ‘We will continue to press our members’ case with John Holland.’
‘These people must be re-employed in a way that doesn’t undermine the conditions of the industry,
many of which were won by workers who lost their lives on this very same bridge 38 years ago,’
The recommencement of construction on the Westgate Bridge after the collapse in 1970,
established an agreed standard for all work on the bridge, known as a mixed-metal arrangement.
‘Holland’s are attempting to establish a new low, that overturns that history and significantly
reduces the rewards that people can expect from working in such difficult, complicated and
potentially dangerous conditions,’ said Mr O’Grady.
‘John Holland’s mismanagement of this project is letting down not only their workers, but their
client, VicRoads and therefore the people of Victoria.’
‘John Holland’s attitude is an insult to all those who have previously been associated with the
Westgate bridge and the current workforce. We are calling on John Holland’s to immediately enter
into meaningful discussions regarding appropriate employment conditions for our members.’
ENDS
Protest and Media Conference.
Protest of workers and supporters from 7:00am, Thurs 5th March 2008.
John Holland Project Office
275 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne
Media Conference at 10:00am with Frank O’Grady, Vice President of the CFMEU.
For more information please phone Jesse Dean on 0419 747 772
NEWS 
