Australia

Just this month, two workers were killed at Vestas Wind Farm. One died at Golden Plans in Victoria and the other at Wambo in Queensland. Vestas, the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world, regularly confronts the CFMEU over safety on the job.

Zach Smith, CFMEU national secretary, said Vestas routinely ignores CFMEU Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) concerns and denies union access to sites.

This is despite WorkSafe Victoria issuing 22 compliance notices to Vestas since March last year.

Tim Gooden, spokesperson for Victorian Defend the Unions – Defend the CFMEU, said on November 24 that Vestas’ response to the tragic death of CFMEU member Jess Patience at Golden Plains on November 11 was an outrage.

Patience’s body was left in full view, while police conducted interviews from a car boot and workers were drug and alcohol tested. Gooden thought this might be “so the company could try to blame other workers rather than its own procedures” for the tragedy.

“It was only once the CFMEU was allowed on site that surviving workers were led from the scene and offered counselling to limit PTSD reactions,” Gooden said.

What the fuck.