Ruth Ratcliffe, Sydney
On March 11, 35 workers attended the first meeting of the Construction Workers' Compensation Support Group. An initiative of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the meeting was organised by Wayne Gardiner, a former union delegate and construction worker, now on worker's compensation due to a back injury.
Gardiner slammed the current NSW workers' compensation legislation, labelling it a disgrace. He directed his fire at Premier Bob Carr's Labor government, which introduced the legislation, but added that "the whole trade union movement is shamed by this legislation — it should never have gone through; we should have stopped it".
CFMEU NSW secretary Andrew Ferguson was unable to attend the meeting due to an accident on a construction site. Gardiner, Dick Whitehead, the CFMEU health and safety officer, and representatives from a legal firm, the long service board and rehabilitation services addressed the meeting.
At times emotions ran high as workers expressed the impact their injuries had made on their lives and incomes.
Gardiner told Green Left Weekly that the support group intended to "find any loopholes in the legislation that would give injured workers access to decent compensation and support. We want to be a political voice within the CFMEU and the broader community and trade union movement to build support for the rights of injured workers."
The support group is also intended to provide a forum for sharing resources on pain management, addressing self-esteem issues and seeking sponsorship or fundraising to ease the financial burden on injured workers and their dependants.
Gardiner welcomed the support of the union leadership for this initiative and stated the "support group is going to be by the members for the members. It's important that members on workers' comp have access to the trade union movement and can play a positive role."
To get involved with the Construction Workers' Compensation Support Group, phone Wayne on 0423 698 581 or email <gads66@hotmail.com>.
From Green Left Weekly, March 17, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.