Death Halts Sydney Tunnel

The death of 42-year-old father of two has halted work on Sydney’s Cross City tunnel project.

Hundreds of AWU and CFMEU members downed tools after learning of the killing and won't return until they have safety assurances on the future of the $680 million Baulderstone Hornibrook job.l

Ronald Shaws, a Maori tunneler, had been a member of the AWU since starting work on the site.

AWU secretary, Russ Collison, said tunnel workers would hold a mass meeting on Monday at which they hoped to learn the contents of coroner's and Workcover reports into Shaws' death.

"Tunneling is a very, very dangerous occupation and we are not apportioning blame at this stage," he said. "But we do have the ability to limit risks and we insist that is done.

"Workers want to know what caused this tragic accident and want some assurances about future safeguards. They will discuss those issues on Monday before deciding whether or not to return to work."

Collison said the union would also be insisting that Maori cultural requirements were observed.

The CFMEU, which has a large Maori membership, is liasing with the community about holding a ceremony to honour Shaws.

State secretary, Andrew Ferguson, said if reports pointed to culpability in Shaw's death, his organisation would insist on prosecutions.

"We again call on the NSW Government to pursue a relentless zero tolerance policy when it comes to workplace safety," Ferguson said.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:37 EST