Foreign Correspondence

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Union fears more extreme violence
May 17, 2010 - 3:49PM

AAP

Union officials fear another bomb attack on their Sydney headquarters after alleging that unscrupulous employers are turning to extreme violence in a bid to cover up the abuse of migrant workers.

A stolen, fuel-laden Mazda sedan was crashed through the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's (CFMEU) building in Lidcombe and set alight late last Friday.

Union state secretary Andrew Ferguson said gas bottles were planted and exploded in the basement of the building in Sydney's inner west in a separate attack 12 months ago.

It comes after years of threats by various organisations and an explicit threat to "destroy the union" 48 hours before Friday's firebombing, Mr Ferguson added.

He is linking the latest attack to a row with a building firm over a migrant worker wage claim.

Mr Ferguson urged the state government to make the issue a top priority and called on NSW Police to set up a task force to investigate the attacks.

"What we are seeing is an escalation in violence. We're anticipating further violence," Mr Ferguson told reporters on Monday.

"I think there are many organisations in our community be they trade unions, church or migrant advocacy groups that fight for the interests of people.

"Sometimes they come into conflict with people that have got power or money that are involved in the underpayment of worker's entitlements or abusive behaviour by landlords against tenants.

"There's all sorts of disputation in our society.

"We think we've been targeted because we've been fighting specifically for the interests of some migrant workers subject to abuse and exploitation."

Police have made no official comment on a motive for Friday's attack.

A spokesman told AAP on Monday that inquiries are continuing.

The union showed reporters the extensive damage caused by last week's attack.

The fuel-laden Mazda 626 crashed through a barrier surrounding the building before smashing through glass doors.

Petrol was then poured around the vehicle before it was set on fire.

There were no injuries but a local Maori group which shares the building had left about an hour before the attack, which happened just before 10.30pm (AEST).

Local community groups also spoke on Monday to condemn the attack and backed the union's stance on migrant workers.

"This is an inexcusable action," Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon told reporters.

© 2010 AAP

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