The Master Builders Australia (MBA) has appreciated the efforts of Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) for its action against union misconduct.
Richard Calver Acting CEO of Master Builders Australia said that 135 active investigations into union activity by FWBC showed coercion and unlawful industrial action were daily occurrences. Master Builders has noticed an increase in unlawful activity, including an increase in secondary boycott conduct.
According to Richard Calver, the Fair Work Building and Construction Agency has limited powers, particularly if a settlement is reached between an individual building and construction industry participant and the union, following the union’s misconduct. This has led to the union providing members with pro forma deeds of settlement that, on the payment of a small amount of money, settle any matter, which might otherwise be prosecutable by FWBC.
Richard Calver explains this tactic relies on the omission in the law that was deliberately established to strip the agency of powers to follow up on unlawful behaviour. Master Builders is therefore renewing its call for the Australian Building and Construction Commission to be reinstated as soon as possible and for the Bills currently before Parliament to be passed as a matter of urgency.
