‘Fight back’: Fired up tradies swarm Qld Parliament House to protest changes to working conditions
A swarm of tradies descended on one of Australia’s largest cities amid turmoil over changes to industry working conditions.
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Thousands of fed-up tradies have descended on Queensland’s Parliament House to protest the state government’s changes to industry working conditions.
Members from the CFMEU, Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and Plumbers Union rallied in Queens Gardens on George Street in Brisbane’s CBD before marching to Parliament House about 11am on Wednesday.
The workers, who marched under the banner of “Building Trades Group”, protested against the LNP’s changes to the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC).
The LNP paused the use of BPICs on new government-funded construction projects after taking office last year.
The BPIC policy, which was brokered with unions and the Labor government in 2018, included provisions for workers to stop working when the temperature reached over 35 degree and saw workers receive double time when it rained.
The policy also saw workers receive an extra $1000 a week for working on a project 50km or more from the employer’s address, among other provisions.
On Wednesday, crowds of workers in high vis were heard chanting “Stand up, Fight back” and “Union Power” as they rallied in the city, The Courier-Mail reports.
At least 6000 union members were expected to take part in the march, according to the publication.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie last November announced the government’s plan to pause the use of best practice industry conditions (BPICs) on new government-funded construction projects until a review had been completed.
The decision came after Treasury modelling revealed that if BPIC continued in its current form, rent would increase by 7 per cent rent over the next five years in Queensland and an estimated 22,000 homes would not be built.
“We need to urgently control the cost blowouts of government-funded construction projects, which ultimately hits the hip pockets of Queensland families and businesses,” Mr Bleijie said at the time.
“Queenslanders shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of this which is why we’ve ordered this pause and review.”
“It will also give subcontractors, especially small and family businesses and regional firms, a greater chance of securing work on government projects without all the costs and time involved in having to gain unnecessary prequalification.”
Moments before the major announcement, two men wearing shirt reading “CFMEU” shouted out during a panel discussion, according to the Courier Mail.
It’s understood their attempts to ask questions were thwarted when someone in the crowd yelled out “that’s enough from you, shut up”.
Police were called to escort the men out after they declined to leave the venue despite requests from BCEC security.
– With NCA NewsWire
Originally published as ‘Fight back’: Fired up tradies swarm Qld Parliament House to protest changes to working conditions
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