Construction workers face prosecution by the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) for walking off the job in support of desalination plant workers.
Resumption of work at the Brumby government's $5 billion project hinges on a meeting this morning of members of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), who yesterday voted to stay on strike.
The ABCC yesterday raised the prospect of the workers being prosecuted for "unlawful" industrial action. He also suggested workers at Thiess sites in NSW had gone on strike.
In a statement the commissioner, Mr Johns said: "The ABCC is aware of the failure of workers to return to work at the desal plant in Victoria and of what appears to be sympathy unlawful industrial action at other Thiess sites in Victoria, Queensland and NSW.
"The ABCC is closely monitoring the situation and investigations are continuing."
Bill Oliver, the CFMEU's Victorian secretary, last night attacked the ABCC, comparing its conduct to the company at the centre of the controversy.
"The ABCC have surveilled, spied upon and secretly investigated workers and their representatives since its inception," Mr Oliver said. "Their behaviour is strikingly similar to that of Australian Securities Investigations at the desalination plant, except for the obvious protection they're provided by dubious and contentious laws."
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