14 November 2024
ETU condemns Bleijie’s decision to suspend Best Practice Industry Conditions on construction sites
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) condemns LNP Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie’s decision to ‘temporarily suspend’ Best Practice Industry Condition (BPICs) policies, labelling it a move aimed to score political points at workers’ expense.
“The LNP, assisted by some mainstream media outlets in Queensland, has blown BPICs up to be something it isn’t,” says ETU State Secretary Peter Ong.
BPICs, which the LNP often labels the ‘CFMEU tax,’ was, in reality, negotiated by all construction unions in Queensland, including the ETU.
“In the same breath he announced the suspension of BPICs, The Deputy Premier said he wants construction workers to be safe and well paid. Well, which one is it? BPICs ensures safety on construction sites, and fair pay for construction workers,” says Mr Ong.
“BPICs was created to deliver harmony on government projects, and to attempt to level the playing field. BPICs, in reality, are EBA rates of pay and conditions, which are being negotiated all over Queensland.” says Mr Ong.
When governments talk about BPICs blowing out the cost of projects, is because these projects are, more often than, not costed on Award rates instead of EBA rates, the latter being closer to market rates.
“All these lies about BPICs blowing out construction costs and increasing house prices is just the LNP using workers as a political football. House prices were increasing before BPICs was even in planning stages, and are driven by market forces.
“The Deputy Premier’s announcement is all about optics and makes me question if he even knows what BPICs is. BPICs was implemented to create as much of a level playing field as possible, and stop builders and developers making massive profits from government jobs, instead of workers being paid a liveable wage. BPICs also ensures safety and increases employment opportunities for more First Nations and women workers on site,” says Mr Ong.
“The LNP will have Queenslanders believe BPICs is a trojan horse or something to be feared. In reality it’s a combination of positive policies that already exist across many construction sites in the state.”
For more information, call Peter Ong on 0419 721 046 or Kristin Perissinotto on 0448 633 858