Workers demand restoration of WorkCover
By Chris Slee
MELBOURNE — More than 4000 workers marched to the office of the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) on March 23 to demand improvements to WorkCover, Victoria's compensation scheme for injured workers.
VECCI was selected as a target because of its opposition to moves to reverse the drastic cuts made by the former Coalition state government.
The workers' demands included: restoration of the right of injured workers to sue negligent employers under common law; improved access to lump sum compensation for permanent injury; improved weekly benefits; and increased employer premiums to fund the system.
Jenny Veares, an injured ambulance worker, told the rally about the devastating effect her injury has had on her family, as a result of her loss of earnings, physical disability and depression. An injured worker from the Kodak factory called on the state Labor government to honour its promises to improve WorkCover.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Martin Kingham foreshadowed a two-pronged union strategy, combining pressure on politicians with pressure on employers. The CFMEU already has an agreement requiring building employers to contribute to a fund to make up for the inadequacy of the existing WorkCover system.
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard said that if the government's package is not good enough, the unions will build "the biggest rally this city has ever seen".