WA: Construction workers jeer and chant in court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2006
WA: Construction workers jeer and chant in court

By Adam Gartrell

PERTH, Aug 29 AAP - West Australian construction workers fighting unprecedented fines
for striking jeered and chanted in a packed courtroom today, provoking warnings from the
judge.

The 107 workers on the Perth to Mandurah railway project are fighting fines of up to
$28,000 each for going on strike, in February and March, in protest against the sacking
of a shop steward.

The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) issued writs against the
workers last month under the federal government's tough building industry laws, introduced
last year in response to recommendations of the building industry royal commission.

It is the first time individual workers, rather than unions, have faced such fines.

About 100 of the workers and their families today crammed into the Federal Court in
Perth today after a union rally through the city streets.

The workers raised union banners and chanted their familiar slogan "The workers united
will never be defeated!" before the proceedings began, drawing warnings from court officials.

Judge Robert Nicholson entered the courtroom soon afterwards but proceedings were disrupted
when the workers began chanting and hurling abuse at ABCC representatives, including barrister
Richard Hooker.

"You have to understand that the processes of the law require every side to be heard
and the law to be considered rationally," Justice Nicholson told the workers.

"They're unjust laws!" one worker called back.

Justice Nicholson threatened to close the court when the workers ignored repeated instructions
to quieten down.

The matter was later adjourned until October 18 to give the workers' lawyers enough
time to take instructions from each of them.

They are expected to file defences to the fines by November 1.

The solicitor representing most of the workers, Jeremy Noble, said the matter was likely
to become complicated and protracted.

"There are many of these people who have defences and they will be vigorously fighting
(the fines)," Mr Noble told reporters outside the court.

Earlier today, workers around the country rallied in support of the 107 workers.

AAP ag/lk/jt/bwl

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