Peak industry body Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has added its voice to the chorus of calls to remove the current union veto of subcontractors on building sites.
Master Builders Association NSW has already advised builders not to sign up to the new CFMEU NSW enterprise agreement in a bid to remove the requirement to consult the union on which subcontractors to hire.
MEA CEO Kate Raymond said she supported the move by MBANSW and would like to see similar action occurring across the rest of the country.
“Subcontractors provide a crucial role on job sites – without them major construction projects simply wouldn’t happen,” Ms Raymond said.
“Good subcontractor businesses are tendering and winning projects but risk being vetoed by the CFMEU if they don’t have a union EBA. This isn’t fair.
“When a head contractor has been put in charge of a construction project they should be free to select the subcontractors they believe will best do the job. There should be no need to be restricted to a short-list of CFMEU-approved businesses who may not necessarily be the best fit for the project.
“MEA fully supports Master Builders Association NSW in urging builders from signing up to the new enterprise agreement until the union veto for subcontractors is removed. We’d also support similar action across the rest of country which will provide a level-playing ground for all subcontractors.”
Ms Raymond also called for an end to ongoing strikes by union-workers employed by NSW transmission and distribution providers that are causing disruption to small businesses, households and much-needed housing projects.
“Unions absolutely have a role to play and employers accept the need to negotiate on issues such as pay and working conditions. But the prolonged strikes have dragged on far too long and must end,”
“The ongoing industrial actions are having damaging impacts on small businesses and homeowners who need power connected to their premises and resulting in delays to work programs for small electrical businesses.
“It’s time for all this industrial action to come to a head and end for the sake of all those affected.”
Kate Raymond is available for interview.
Please phone The SAS Group on (07) 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.
