CFMEU members protesting over low wages for asbestos removal

Angered CFMEU members are protest over low wages for asbestos removal in northwest Sydney.

Outraged workers outside a cleaning firm in Norwest. Picture: Julian Andrews

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Dozens of disgruntled employees are protesting outside a cleaning company in Norwest Business Park — claiming to have been underpaid to remove dangerous asbestos.

A total of 50 members of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) are protesting outside the NSW Branch of commercial cleaning company, JaniKing, at 38 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest.

JaniKing chief executive Ben Stoltz is a major shareholder of national hazardous waste disposal firm, GBAR Group, which is accused of underpaying employees to remove asbestos.

Workers say they were underpaid while handling asbestos. Picture: Julian Andrews

CFMEU assistant state secretary Rob Kera told The Times negotiations over an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) had stalled between union members and the company.

“What we are doing outside JaniKing is a peaceful protest in support of the member’s pay claim from GBAR,” Mr Kera said.

“This company was paying our members up to 23 per hour to remove asbestos, which is well below the award.

“Our members approached us to support them to secure an enterprise agreement and that is what we are aiming to do.”

Dennins MacNamarra, union spokesman and Brian Williams, employee on the picket. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Kera said union members were “prepared to fight to the end to secure a better wage deal”. “The job they do is extremely high risk ... so members want to be remunerated appropriately, which is not what this company are offering,” he said.

Mr Stoltz said GBAR refused to negotiate with the union, “as it prefers to negotiate its own EBA”.

“GBAR’s proposed EBA is based on pay rates that exceed the minimum Award requirements,” he said.

The workers say they were underpaid. Picture: Julian Andrews

“As such the protest outside Jani-King’s offices are ... provocative and unreasonable.

“All employees of Jani-King and GBAR have always been paid remuneration that is the same or more than required by any relevant Awards.”

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