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Construction deaths rememberedDate: 28 April 2009
Australian construction workers will observe one minute's silence during a nation-wide stoppage today in commemoration of colleagues who have been killed on the job. Today's action will mark the International Day of Mourning and lives lost in Australia's construction industry. On average, 50 workers are killed as a result of a workplace accident or illness in the sector every year.
In memory of those killed, Australia's construction unions have produced this one-minute commemoration videoAustralia's construction unions, whose members work in one of the country's most dangerous industries, said the day of commemoration highlighted the need for stronger work safety standards. Speaking ahead of a commemoration service in Melbourne today, CFMEU Construction National Secretary, Dave Noonan urged all Australians, including employers, to back union moves aimed at reducing the number of lives lost in the sector. "More than 50 worker deaths on Australian construction sites each year is, in my view, 50 deaths too many," Mr Noonan said. "It is a sobering statistic and strong reminder that more needs to be done to improve worker health and safety standards across Australia's construction industry." Mr Noonan also said that today construction workers would not only remember the dead but would renew their fight for the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) in the interests of reducing workplace fatalities. "Improving safety on Australian construction sites is a tough job but it's made that much harder when millions of dollars in taxpayers money are spent on an organisation like the ABCC, which undermines workers' rights and safety," Mr Noonan said. "Today, we remember those who have been killed and renew our fight for the safety of those still living." Australia's construction unions include the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union; the Australian Workers Union; the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union; the Electrical Trades Union; and the Plumbers' Union.
Events around the countrySydney: More than 300 construction workers will observe one minute's silence at 9.15am today the Westfield shopping centre building site on Pitt Street in Sydney's CBD. Similar actions on other sites.Melbourne: Memorial at 10am at Victorian Trades Hall, Victoria & Lygon Streets, Carlton South. Brisbane: Memorial at 10am at Queens Park, Cnr George, Mary & William Streets, Brisbane CBD. Perth: Construction workers will march from the Perth Esplanade (opposite the Bell Tower) at 9.30am to Solidarity Park, Parliament House. A commemoration service will follow at 10am. Hobart: Memorial at 11am, Baha'I Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman Highway, Hobart. Adelaide: Memorial Service at 10am, Flinders Street Baptist Church, followed by rally at 11.30am from Victoria Square and march down King William Street to Parliament House. Darwin: Rally at 1pm at Unions NT building, 38 Woods Street and march to federal MP Damian Hale's office.
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