Union Bans Hardie Products

Date: 01 October 2004

The United Services Union has endorsed a total ban on James Hardie products and other asbestos related products as part of a campaign to force the company to deliver more money to victims. The USU Executive and Annual Conference held on 21-22nd September, condemned James Hardie for its failure to meet moral and ethical obligations to people who are suffering as a result of exposure to the company's asbestos products.

The United Services Unions joins with fellow unionists in a concerted campaign to make James Hardie meet their obligations to those exposed, undergoing treatment and suffering the effects of asbestos related diseases. The Union is concerned that the compensation fund for asbestos victims appears to be at least $1.5 billion short of the requirement. Consequently thousands of Australians who suffer or will suffer a painful asbestos related disease will be unlikely to obtain adequate compensation or may receive no compensation at all.

USU General Secretary, Brian Harris stated today that "this outrageous corporate scandal is one which the Union finds abhorrent and will not let go until justice is achieved. The misleading and deceptive conduct of the company and its senior executives needs to be called to account. The health of our members is a primary concern for us and the union is very conscious that the whole community is paying a huge price for the profits raked in by James Hardie over the many years of its operations. The fact that the company appears to lack any concept of basic humanity towards the asbestos victims is an approach which the Union movement can only view with disgust. If profit margins are all that this company understands then a total ban on James Hardie products appears to be one way forward."

The United Services Union has called on its members to register their name with the Dust Diseases Board if they have been exposed to asbestos. The Union will also undertake further discussions with the Dust Diseases Board as well as making approaches to the superannuation board to determine if any of the superannuation funds have James Hardie shares which the Union is able to divest.

For further information contact USU Manager Ben Kruse or USU Research Officer Lyn Fraser on (02) 9265 8211.

For further information

Contact:	Brian Harris
Union:	United Services Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Email:	united@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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