Union workers march down Swanston St this morning. Picture: Angus Thompson Source: Herald Sun
A UNION has vowed to keep pressure on investigations into the Swanston St wall collapse, saying "we're not going to let them sweep this under the carpet".
More than 5000 construction workers started the rally at Trades Hall at 10am to protest against what they claim is lax safety standards by building giant Grocon.
A short time later, the workers from multiple trade unions walked to the scene of the wall collapse that killed three people on March 28.
The union members were silent as they passed the site of the tragedy.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Victorian Secretary John Setka the "minute's silence" was a mark of respect for the young victims.
"If people see it as disrespectful then so be it," he said.
The workers held a minute's silence at the scene of the tragic Swanston St wall collapse. Picture: Fred Zhang
"If we were having a rally and we didn't go there and have a minute's silence we'd probably be accused of being insensitive."
Mr Setka claimed the Victorian Government is involved in a cover-up over the collapse of the Swanston St wall.
He said Premier Denis Napthine had failed to announce a hardline stance against Grocon, who were responsible for the site where the March tragedy happened.
"We're not going to let them sweep this under the carpet," he said to thousands of construction industry workers outside WorkSafe's Exhibition St headquarters.
He condemned WorkSafe for being quick to clean up the site soon after the accident.
"A wall comes down and their people come and start cleaning it up," he said.
"WorkSafe has a lot to answer for."
He also alleged crane workers were using their phones as torches on the Myer Emporium site following the death of crane driver Bill Ramsey, whose family members were at the rally.
His comments follow widespread condemnation of the rally, which Dr Napthine branded as a shameless political stunt.
Mr Setka said the union's only demand was to be allowed to choose its own safety representatives at Grocon work sites.
"We want Grocon to do what every other builder does and provide a safe working environment," Mr Setka told a press conference this morning.
The CFMEU has also released a list of reported safety incidents at Grocon sites, including the four highly-publicised deaths, a carpenter who served his finger and a worker who was in hospital after a demolition mishap.
CFMEU Victorian Secretary John Setka wants the union to be able to choose its own safety representatives at Grocon sites. Picture: Jon Hargest
But the Herald Sun can reveal the number of infringement notices Grocon has faced in the past five years is similar to those received by similar-sized firms.
Workplace figures show that out of 142 inspections, Grocon received nine improvement, prohibition or voluntary compliance notices. Most other big builders received between four and 10. However, one company, which has CFMEU safety representatives on sites, received 82 notices in that time.
Workcover Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips said the union's campaign against Grocon was misleading and Victoria had a good workplace safety record.
The rally finished at midday. Traffic was affected, and Yarra Trams had extra staff on hand to divert trams when needed.
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