CFMEU offers to extend cooling off period in Grocon dispute

The National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction Division Dave Noonan has written to Fair Work Australia proposing that the Tribunal vary its recommendation for a cooling off period in the Grocon dispute.

 Fair Work Australia President Iain Ross last week recommended a 14-day cooling off period to allow negotiations to occur. This recommendation was accepted by the CFMEU and rejected by Grocon.

 The CFMEU notes that Mr Grollo’s stated reason for refusing to agree to President Ross’s recommendation was that the that the 14 day period was not acceptable to the company.

 In the interests of reaching a resolution on this dispute the CFMEU has written to President Ross, advising him that it would accept a revised version of this recommendation which would remove the reference to a two-week cooling off period.

 "We have written to the Commissioner in order to find a way through this dispute. There are serious matters that require negotiation and this proposal addresses the key issue that the company has identified in refusing the recommendation of President Ross of Fair Work Australia."

"If this is accepted by Grocon, talks can resume with all protest action and court action suspended," Mr Noonan said.