Delegates from six building and construction industry unions have voted to hold work stoppages on 28 April 2009.
The ABCC has a responsibility to advise building industry participants about their legal rights and obligations. This includes providing information about work stoppages. This is a function conferred on the ABCC by the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act).
Employees who fail to attend work in order to take part in the stoppage may be engaging in unlawful industrial action.
It is possible that an employee may be absent from work and participate in the stoppage without engaging in unlawful industrial action, if:
- the absence from work is authorised by their employer in advance and in writing; or
- authorised annual leave or other leave is granted.
It is a contravention of the BCII Act to engage in unlawful industrial action. The ABCC will investigate any complaint made to it about possible unlawful industrial action.
For more information about your rights and responsibilities regarding work stoppages, contact the ABCC on 1800 003 338.
Related documents:
Fact sheet – Unlawful Industrial Action in the Building and Construction Industry