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Workers warned about wagging as ‘Change the Rules’ union rally takes over Melbourne’s CBD

Construction workers were warned they could face prosecution if they were part of Wednesday’s “Change the Rules” rally in Melbourne’s CBD without their bosses’ approval, unions say.

Tom Minear, Tamsin Rose and James Dowling
4 min read
April 10, 2019 - 7:35PM
Change the Rules rally

Construction workers were warned they could face prosecution if they were part of Wednesday’s rally without their bosses’ approval, unions say.

Union leaders slammed the “bully boys” at the Australian Building and Construction Commission, claiming they were trying to suppress workers’ rights to participate in the Change the Rules protest.

The protest saw more than 100,000 workers, led by ­Premier Daniel Andrews, march in the city, shutting down large swathes of the CBD.

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Workers gather for the ‘Change the Rules’ union protest rally in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Mark Stewart
Workers gather for the ‘Change the Rules’ union protest rally in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Mark Stewart
More than 100,000 were expected to turn out for the march. Picture: Mark Stewart
More than 100,000 were expected to turn out for the march. Picture: Mark Stewart
Kids have also joined in on the rally action. Picture: Mark Stewart
Kids have also joined in on the rally action. Picture: Mark Stewart

The ABCC had notified builders that workers must have obtained annual leave to attend the rally, or it could be considered they engaged in unprotected industrial ­action.

Building firm John Holland told its subcontractors on one site workers were expected at work and must be docked pay if they attended the rally without pre-booking leave.

Australian Council of Trades Union president Michele O’Neil said the ABCC was a “bully boy organisation” that was politically motivated by the government.

“They intimidate and threaten workers for doing nothing other than our democratic right to protest,’’ Ms O’Neil said.

“We are seeing a government-funded body that is designed to persecute ordinary workers in the construction industry who were simply trying to have a point of view about the sort of country they want to have.”

Before the event, ABCC Commissioner Stephen McBurney said workers needed prior approval from employers to attend the rally and it should not be withheld unreasonably.

He urged both workers and employers to follow their legal requirements.

Ms O’Neil said more than 250,000 people marched at 14 locations in Australia to ­campaign to change workplace rules and laws that govern ­industrial bargaining. She said unions would be launching a “mighty campaign” against the Coalition in the upcoming ­federal election.

Premier Dan Andrews addressing the media. Picture: Mark Stewart
Premier Dan Andrews addressing the media. Picture: Mark Stewart
The rally attracted massive crowds. Picture: Mark Stewart
The rally attracted massive crowds. Picture: Mark Stewart

Premier Daniel Andrews defended his appearance at the rally, saying fighting for a “fair go” was worth the disruption the rally caused.

“I think a fair go, properly funding schools and hospitals, is worth everything,” he said.

“There is so much at stake, people are angry, people are disappointed, they want to change the government, they want a fair go.”

He said while people might be critical of his support for the protest, it was important he was consistent in his attendance of workers’ rallies both before and after the election.

Mr Andrews went to the last rally in the weeks before the November state election.

Unions had been critical of the government setting a 2 per cent pay rise cap for public sector workers but Mr Andrews said he would negotiate in good faith and deliver a fair pay deal for them which allowed the government to still deliver the services the state needed.

Mr Andrews said it was only a Shorten Labor government that would deliver a proper pay deal for Victorian workers.

The “Change the Rules” march — down Russell St, then west down La Trobe St, south down Swanston St and then north up Bourke St towards parliament on Spring St — closed roads and disrupted trams.

Drivers were urged to avoid the city until after the rally, while Yarra Trams said routes along Swanston, La Trobe and Bourke Streets would be affected until about 2pm.

Commuters were urged to use city loop trains instead.

The massive turnout also disrupted bus replacements between Caulfield station and the CBD, Metro Trains said.

Western suburbs construction worker Joe said he came to every union march to fight for the rights of workers.

“It’s about wages and conditions,” he said.

“The Government needs to back off and stop trying to take them from us.

“The protest shows the power of people.”

East Burwood construction worker Damien Rafferty said “it’s inspiring to see everyone here for those who can’t be.”

“Wages haven’t gone up but everything else has.”

Melbourne schoolchildren Cayley, 11, and Amy, 9, were spending the day marching with their mother for equal funding for all schools.

“Some schools have lots of funding and some don’t have as much,” Cayley said.

She said she enjoyed marching.

“It’s fun and there’s lots of people.”

Amy said she was marching “so we can have more teachers to help us learn”.

The march ended about 1pm.

Victoria Police said officers were on hand to manage traffic disruptions and monitor for violent or anti-social behaviour.

There was a heavy police presence at the march. Picture: Mark Stewart
There was a heavy police presence at the march. Picture: Mark Stewart
Road closures were in place around the CBD. Picture: Mark Stewart
Road closures were in place around the CBD. Picture: Mark Stewart

Earlier, the Premier said he expected the rally to be a “peaceful assembly”.

“I won’t be chaining myself to anything, and I think that protesters will have had conversations with authorities about how working people can make their point without completely disrupting the city,” Mr Andrews said.

Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said those marching were “taking action because they’re angry and they’ve had enough”, as he urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to bring on the federal election.

“We want our penalty rates back. And we need an industrial relations system that puts the power back in workers’ hands. We’re a month out from the federal election, and this rally is an opportunity for the people of Victoria to speak up,” he said.

tom.minear@news.com.au

@tminear

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/change-the-rules-union-rally-to-shut-down-parts-of-melbournes-cbd/news-story/484c3cd93ac4d5edafa24ca6dedb3c45