Members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, part of the Building Industry Group (BIG) of unions, could join a statewide strike over the ongoing dispute between the Victorian CFMEU and builder Grocon.
Late night talks did not bring a resolution in the dispute between Grocon and the CFMEU, and at least 100 police assembled at about 3 am the Melbourne CBD’s Myer Emporium site, The Age reports.
The dispute – centred on safety and union presence on building sites – continues as Grocon rejected Fair Work Australia recommendation to put legal action on hold for a 14-day cooling off period.
“We want health and safety… shop stewards on the job that the men are comfortable with. We want the union to be recognised on the site” the CFMEU state secretary Bill Oliver told The Age.
"We want union apparel. We want to be recognised that with every other builder in Melbourne we have a good relationship, we get on, we build jobs."
Yesterday AAP reported that BIG was threatening a 24-hour strike in support of the CFMEU. BIG, claiming up to 150,000 workers, includes the AMWU, Electrical Trades Union, the CFMEU and the Plumbers Trades Employees Union.
The dispute is claimed to be costing Grocon up to $370,000 a day.