Union members protest Queensland government's suspension of conditions for construction workers

Nov 27 2024
ABC News

Thousands of CFMEU members protest in Brisbane over working conditions.


The mother of a building worker killed on the job has spoken out against the Queensland government at a protest outside Parliament House in Brisbane.

Thousands of building union members — including the CFMEU and ETU — marched this morning ahead of the formal opening of parliament, rallying against the suspension of Best Industry Practice Conditions (BPIC) for new major state projects.

BPIC sets out the pay and conditions for construction union workers and applies to projects costing more than $100 million.

A picture of men rallying in Brisbane's streets
Thousands of union members rallied in Brisbane today. 

The LNP government paused the industrial relations section of the practice earlier this month, citing it as a main contributor to lost productivity and cost blowouts. 

BPIC's two other sections – workplace health and safety systems and standards, and the best practice commitment to apprentices and trainees – aren't affected.

In extreme heat conditions, BPIC requires employers to take actions to reduce exposure, including rescheduling work.

FIFO worker Glenn Newport died in 2013 on a site near Roma after complications from working in more than 40-degree heat.




Jenny Newport speaking at today's CFMEU rally.

Speaking to the protest, his mother, Jenny Newport, said she chose to attend so nobody had to go through what she had.

"Our family changed forever after Glenn died and I miss him every day," she said.   

"The gas project where Glenn worked did not have a heat policy and the contractor did not send him to hospital straight away.

"Instead, they sent him back to his donger where he collapsed and died. He was only 38."   

Ms Newport called out Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie, over the suspension of BPIC.

"These decisions are made by politicians who don't know what it's like to work in extreme conditions, who put workers in harm's way from the comfort of an air-conditioned office.


Jenny Newport lost her son to heat stroke in 2013. (ABC NEWS)

"Heat stress kills and those in power have a responsibility to put people before profits.

"You deserve a proper heat policy and one that can't be tampered with by someone who has beef with the CFMEU."

Also in attendance at the protest were family members of Tyler Whitton, a 17-year-old who died on a construction site in Brisbane last year.

Election pledge to re-introduce permits for entry
Ahead of the state election, the LNP pledged to re-introduce 24 hours right-to-entry permit notices for unions.

CFMEU construction coordinator Matthew Vonhoff railed against the changes while addressing the crowd.

Construction conditions policy suspended
Photo shows worker smooths concrete at a slab pour with other workers in background.
The Best Practice Industry Conditions Policy lays out pay and conditions for construction union workers

"You have a commitment from the CFMEU and the ETU that when each and every one of you calls us, whether we don't have the right to answer in 24 hours or not, we will be there."

The Queensland branch of the CFMEU was placed into administration earlier this year, following allegations underworld figures had infiltrated interstate branches.

Sacked CFMEU leader Jade Ingham told the crowd the organisation would be taking their fight to the High Court next month.

CFMEU heat stress
The rally came in the wake of the Queensland government's decision to suspend a raft of policies for construction workers.

"To our class enemies in the LNP and ALP, the Murdoch media, Channel 9, and anyone else from the ruling class of elitist pigs, this is my message to you; workers can never be defeated in this country.

"We will get the CFMEU returned to the democratic control of its members."

The crowd marched through the Brisbane CBD to Parliament House, with chants including, "Jarrod Bleijie killing workers", and "We are one, we are union".

In a statement, he said the government was committed to safety and productivity in the building industry.

"The Queensland government's position is that all workers should be provided a safe workplace and be well paid," Mr Bleijie said.

"Worker safety will not be compromised by the suspension of BPIC.

"Best practice workplace health and safety systems and standards will continue to remain in force."

People tend to do lots of mistakes when overheated, fixing mistakes cost time and money so removing reasons for making mistakes may lead to productivity increase.

Is there a heat policy where people are working, if not then why not?.   

Having worked Construction and Foundry at 60C degrees.
Having suffered heatstroke twice.
Having watched Project Managers come out of their air-conditioned on-site offices with sweaty armpits and ask why work has slowed down.

All that I can say is that White Men are pussies that can't take the heat and such work is best done by Darkies who worship the One God Sun of daylight. Unlike Whities who worship the Stars of night on their flags because they belong on the nightshift.
The Union is milking it for the weakest worker as usual.
This Country is just too tough and dangerous for weakling white male Unionist worker.

One kid breaks his arm on see-saw and 800 see-saw are banned and removed around the country. That's Unionism for you. Hence why nothing gets done and achieved in this country.

White men are too inferior to work under hot Aussie sun.

I have just mowed the yard for an hour. I feel like I have played an intense game of rugby league.

whiteknight wrote on Nov 29^th, 2024 at 4:12pm:


People coped fine in the past.

Today we have news outets claiming a heatwave when it hits 28 degrees in Summer.

These snowflakes haven't experienced life without airconditioning in cars and homes.

Extreme cold kills ten times more than heat.