Despite employers taking court action and using the police to get scabs through picket lines, construction workers in Australia have won a massive victory against the bosses.
Despite employers taking court action and using the police to get scabs through picket lines, construction workers in Australia have won a massive victory against the bosses.
Workers at Bovis Lend Lease Construction had been on strike for 48 hours at 22 sites across the country- demanding increased pay, improved working conditions, and significant changes in the terms and conditions of casual and temporary workers.
Following clashes with the police and scabs on picket lines yesterday, a deal was struck that gives workers a 20% pay rise staggered over four years.
The deal also means that temporary workers will work a maximum of four weeks, and will receive the exact same pay, terms and conditions that substantive workers receive. Currently Bovis Lend Lease employ around 40% of their workers on temporary / causal contracts, which give absolutely no job security, and low rates of pay.
A union spokesperson said that:
“The deal will improve job security, which will in turn have a roll on effect for safety on worksites. It is a huge win, a watershed moment; it is the beginning of turning the industry back into a full time industry”
Bovis Lend Lease - a company that made half a billion dollars profit last year have declined to comment on the dispute. They are likely to be busy focusing on the many fraud cases they currently have hanging over them - from massively overcharging many customers across the world.
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