Comment on role of union picket lines

27/4/96

Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath said today that union picket lines were meant to be expressions of protests, not impenetrable barriers.

Mr Kierath was commenting on a recent spate of picket lines where protesting workers refused to let other workers and contractors go about their lawful business.

The latest incident involved trains being stopped and roads and rail lines being blocked at the Western Mining operation at Kambalda.

"The unions are trying to make an argument that this industrial action revolves around civil rights," the Minister said.

"What about the civil rights of men and women who wish to go to work or travel somewhere unimpeded?"

Mr Kierath warned that any person who threatened or coerced people not to cross picket lines was breaking the law.

"We live in a democracy. People have the right to protest, other people have the right to ignore them," he said.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133 or 222 9595