Games Edict: Dance for Free

Date: 10 March 2000

Performers at the Opening and Closing ceremonies at the Olympic Games have been told they'll have to dance for free if they want to be part of the event.

Organisers of the ceremony have begun advertising for performers - prepared to commit for five months and will hold auditions this weekend.

But despite a $62 million budget for the ceremonies, no money has been allocated for professional performers.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance says the decision is an 'insult to all professional performers' that could compromise the quality of the ceremonies.

MEAA state secretary Michel Hryce says its fine to involve school children and community groups in the ceremonies, but the spectacle would require some level of professional involvement.

"This is a chance to showcase Australian talent, instead it could end up being like a school Eisteddfod," Hryce says.

Pool Structure 'Started to Talk'

Meanwhile, the building workers union has reacted angrily to claims by the Olympic Coordinating Authority that their decision to ban work at Homebush Bay Aquatic Centre was 'a stunt'.

CFMEU organiser Graeme Childs told Labor Council there were a very real danger that workers could have been injured of the action had not been taken.

Childs says the CFMEU attempted to have the safety issues addressed for six weeks before workers walked off the job this week.

Concern was initially raised when concrete slabs, meant to weigh 2.5 tonnes, registered double that weight when being lifted by cranes onto the extension platform.

As the project managers refused to act, bolts started to pull and the structure "started to talk to us", Childs says. Riggers placed props under the structure and demanded action be taken.

WorkCover inspectors later vindicated the action, issuing prohibition notices speaking of 'ceiling tiles falling from roof'' and 'supporting structural steel not adequate and risk to public and workers.'

For further information

Contact:	Michel Hryce
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	0419 429746
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]