BACK TO WORK GUYS
But some tradies say it’s not worth it
HUNDREDS of workers abruptly laid off the Gold Coast’s biggest construction site Jewel have been told to return from Monday – but some say it is not worth their while.
In the first breakthrough since work halted on the $1.4 billion beach-edge triple towers two weeks ago, a union meeting on site yesterday endorsed a return to the job. However, some contractors said they “didn’t really care” about the restart as ”there is not much work to finish”.
Mayor Tom Tate blasted the decision to return to work as a “stunt”, saying it was up to the developer and “no one else”.
HUNDREDS of workers abruptly laid off the Gold Coast’s biggest construction site Jewel have been told to return from Monday – but some say it is not worth their while.
In the first breakthrough since work halted on the $1.4 billion beach-edge triple towers two weeks ago, a union meeting on site yesterday endorsed a return to the job.
Soon after, a source said Jewel’s major builder Multiplex had contacted contractors to say the site would restart from Monday.
Not everyone is celebrating. One contractor said they “don’t really care” about the restart as in some cases it amounted to a few weeks work to complete certain halffinished jobs. “There is not much work to finish. I’m more concerned that they come through for the other stuff already purchased,” the contractor said, adding many were awaiting six-figure payments for materials.
Work won’t begin immediately due to several hurdles, including several days worth of crane and hoist safety checks required plus regathering the 900 workforce that was axed or quit the site.
Officially as of yesterday, the Construction, Mining, Forestry and Engineering Union (CFMEU) estimated about half – about 450 – had been let go.
Another contractor said: “I let go five people and there’s probably another five that will come once it settles.
“It’s the first time our company has had to do it. It’s probably the worst timing because we have two other buildings finishing this week.
“Everyone was meant to be moving to Jewel and now I can’t move them. If I’d known months ago I would have been readjusting staff levels so it’s really thrown the whole company off,” the contractor said.
Despite a green light to return, CFMEU assistant secretary construction Jade Ingham said safety checks were required then an “orderly resumption of work will continue”.
Mr Ingham said workers had certainty now through to Christmas either with the work scheduled or payouts.
“It depends on each contract whether work will last until after Christmas or (if not) workers will have entitlements through to Christmas, a redundancy package.”
Developer Yuhu Group has said some work is awaiting finalisation of designs and will be retendered – it is also saying a hotel operator will be chosen within weeks. The Bulletin revealed yesterday it was “almost certainly” going to be Marriott International’s luxury St Regis brand.
In a statement yesterday about the work restart, Yuhu Group said: “It is a very encouraging development and we look forward to work recommencing on what is a vitally important project both for our company and the Gold Coast.”
It is understood $300 million worth of work is still to be done to complete the Jewel.