The Age Article

Keep construction sector watchdog: MBA
May 23, 2008 -

The proposed abolition of a commission set up to enforce workplace laws in the construction industry would see a "return to the dark ages of militant unionism", the Master Builders Association of NSW (MBA NSW) says.
The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) was set up by the Howard government in 2005 and given powers to enforce workplace laws in the building and construction industry.
Workers can be questioned about union meetings and face a range of fines for breaches identified by the ABCC.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), the Australian Workers' Union (AWU), Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the Plumbers Union launched a joint national campaign earlier this month to abolish the ABCC.
However, the MBA NSW says it is important not to confuse the ABCC with the unpopular Work Choices legislation, saying the commission's purpose is to try to improve conditions for workers.
"We need to be very clear about this - the laws governing the building and construction industry were not plucked from thin air and are not part of Work Choices," MBA NSW executive director Brian Seidler said in a statement.
"They are the direct product of a royal commission, which found an established culture of violence, intimidation and thuggery on worksites.
"Since its introduction in 2005, the ABCC has been responsible for an enormous boost in productivity and a significant drop in industrial disputes.
"If the ABCC and the laws that it enforces are abolished, we'd almost definitely see a return to the dark ages of militant unionism on building sites.
"This would result in delays on major infrastructure projects and the cost of these jobs would skyrocket."
© 2008 AAPBrought to you by The AGE
http://news.theage.com.au/national/keep-construction-sector-watchdog-mba-20080523-2hg2.html