Queensland ‘complete disaster’Industrial conditions are...

Queensland ‘complete disaster’

Industrial conditions are significantly worse in Queensland than the other states, the builders and developers said, confirming reports that productivity on some CFMEU-controlled projects now averages just three days a week.

“It’s just too much. You are not in control of your job in Queensland any more,” one top builder said.

Builders singled out the new rules on wages and workplace conditions the state Labor government introduced under the Standard Best Practice Industry Conditions, which effectively pushes contractors to adopt CFMEU-style conditions on public projects worth more than $100 million. The regime is also fuelling a union turf war as the CFMEU expands it reach into civil projects, traditionally the domain of the rival AWU.

“The Queensland BPIC policy is a complete disaster for the industry,” a veteran at one large national contracting firm said. “Our productivity levels are lower now than they were 40 years ago when I first joined. It’s just a disgrace when you start thinking about it.”

Another senior executive at a national construction company said: “Queensland is the most militant part of the CFMEU. It has never been great, but has got worse. The union has an absolute stranglehold on the industry.”

But as much as the major builders are in thrall to the militant construction union, senior industry leaders acknowledge the perception they could be seen as complicit in the situation.

Many say they need to ensure a working relationship with the CFMEU.

“They represent the guys so you’ve got to speak with them, but you don’t cut a deal,” said Scott Hutchinson, the executive chairman of Queensland-based builder Hutchinson Builders. “You just stick to the EBA that you’ve legally come to.”

Mr Hutchinson said his commercial building company only had a small civil division and rarely dealt with the AWU.