Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today confirmed the ABCC is investigating industrial unrest on a number of Queensland construction sites.
‘This week we have seen stoppages on some major Queensland infrastructure projects. The ABCC is investigating disruptions to these projects,’ ABC Commissioner Johns said.
‘It is alleged the industrial action was unlawful. Noting that some of the sites returned to work today, the ABCC is concerned that all the affected sites get working again and productivity losses or delays to project completion deadlines are minimised.’
‘Dispute resolution procedures exist in all of the agreements covering these projects. It is incumbent on all parties to fully utilise dispute resolution provisions before reverting to unlawful conduct.’
‘Having previously intervened in related legal proceedings, the ABCC has acted promptly in relation to these more recent disputes because the strength of the Queensland economy and the national economy is directly linked to ensuring that work continues productively. Delays caused by protest activity do real damage as each day rolls on.’
‘Important public infrastructure projects like the Gold Coast Hospital have already lost more than 45 days to strike action. There is a significant cost to the community at large as a result of this unnecessary industrial action.’
‘We understand that some of the workers who downed tools have made allegations of sham contracting and underpayment issues. The ABCC is also paying close attention to these claims and encourages the reporting of them so that they can be investigated properly by the industry specific regulator with the legislated mandate to do so.’
‘Having already recovered tens of thousands of dollars for building and construction workers and concluded the only successful prosecution of a sham contracting matter in the building and construction industry, workers in the industry can have confidence that the ABCC will address claims of under-payments and sham contracting.’
‘The ABCC has written to each of the unions involved seeking information about claims of underpayments and sham contracting. The more fully they co-operate, the more promptly we can identify and address concerns. I am also seeking to convene a meeting with the relevant head contractors, in co-operation with the Master Builders Association in Queensland.’
‘The ABCC is committed to ensuring that building work is carried out fairly and productively for the benefit of our economy. Working with all building and construction industry participants in Queensland, I am confident we can bring that about,’ ABC Commissioner Johns concluded.