Violent scenes have erupted at a building site in Melbourne’s CBD this morning as striking construction workers clashed with mounted police as they advanced on their picket line.
There were reports of unionists punching and hitting police horses while police were forced to use capsicum spray when four officers were pushed to the ground by protesters just after 7am. People attempting to work at the site have been threatened. The protest is aimed at forcing Grocon to bow to CFMEU demands that the company pay for union appointed stewards on the construction site.
Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said the federal government did not condone violence.
“We do not condone in any shape or form, regardless of whose doing it, unlawful action,”
The Labor government must abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and remove its coercive powers, the nation’s powerful construction union says.Prime Minister Julia Gillard told caucus on Tuesday legislation to abolish the watchdog would be introduced to parliament by the end of the year.
How thoughtful of them.
bobmcgee 