More support for 36-hour week

Date: 04 April 2000

The Compact signed today between the CFMEU and four of Victoria's biggest builders for a 36 hour week and 15% pay rise over 3 years was an historic agreement that sets a new community standard for the future of working hours in Australia, the CFMEU said today.

Today's agreement with Multiplex, Probuild, Walter Constructions and Lend Lease follows a similar agreement with major contractor Grocon last week.

Victorian Secretary of the CFMEU, Mr. Martin Kingham said the agreements were about offering a better future for workers, where excessive and unsociable working hours were no longer acceptable, and where the work could be shared between the unemployed and the over employed.

Mr. Kingham said that shorter working hours must become an acceptable political reality for the community, so that workers can reclaim their family and social lives.

"I am very proud of the rank and file members of the CFMEU, who have withstood sackings, intimidation, stand downs and 6 weeks of uncertainty, and they have now won an agreement that will set the pace for the many other employees." Mr. Kingham said.

"Despite the hysterical rhetoric of some in the business community, shorter working hours will not damage the economy. Shorter working hours are the way of the future in a society where we have to learn to share the work. This agreement will create more productive and safer workplaces and provide employment opportunities for young people in our industry," Mr. Kingham said.

CFMEU National Construction Secretary John Sutton said the agreements would provide security, productivity and stability in the Victorian construction industry and are a slap in the face to the divisive tactics and agenda of the Federal Workplace Relations Minister.

Mr. Sutton said that the fact that the agreement was being hailed as a good outcome by building companies and by the Property Council of Australia showed that the Workplace Relations Minister was out of touch with Australian businesses and workplaces.

Mr Sutton said that despite the interference of the Federal Minister in this dispute over the last few months, the outcome showed that co-operative negotiations, rather than ideological attacks on unions was a way to deliver improvements for workers and the industry.

"This agreement will set the template for the rest of the industry in Victoria, and we urge other employers to come to the table on this agreement. The industrial and ideological battle being waged by Brian Welsh from the MBA on behalf of the Minister, Peter Reith has failed and builders would be wise to join this agreement which will deliver good outcomes for workers and employers," Mr Sutton said.

"Mr. Reith's attacks on the union during this campaign show his true colours. He is not interested in cooperation in industrial relations or in better wages and conditions for workers. He is interested in creating division, and is driven by a desire to weaken workers capacity to campaign to improve their conditions," said Mr Sutton.

The agreement signed by the four builders today is expected to be taken up by many other employers in the Victorian industry over the next few weeks.

Mr Sutton said the national union had given support to the Victorian Branch during this campaign and that the shorter working week was part of a longer term national strategy.

For further information

Contact:	Bernadette Moloney
Union:	CFMEU
Phone:	0414 229660
Email:	bmoloney@fed.cfmeu.asn.au

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