By Luke Voogt
The dispute between Kane Constructions and the CMFEU is unlikely to affect Geelong’s first home game, according to Cats chief executive officer Brian Cook.
Mr Cook was confident Kane could finish stage four of Simonds Stadium prior to the Cats facing the Bulldogs on 19 May.
“I’m naturally an optimist,” he said, “so it’s my best guess.”
The Cats’ website said the company expects to complete the $74 million grandstand shortly before the Cats face the reigning premiers in May.
Work resumed Tuesday after 150 workers walked off the job last Friday and had a scheduled day off on Monday.
The workers joined a number of CFMEU strikes at Kane sites across the site last week.
Mr Cook said he and Geelong’s 52,000 members hoped both parties could settle their differences.
“We’re kind of the meat in the sandwich. We just need to be patient and tolerant and let the parties work through the issues.”
A CFMEU spokesperson said Kane workers were lawfully engaged in a protected industrial action in line with the Fair Work Act
The union called on Kane to sign its new enterprise bargaining agreement.
“It’s been signed by the overwhelming majority of the industry with a few companies holding out,” the spokesperson said.
“The workers there just want to get on with the job.”
Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay called on the State Government to help negotiate the dispute.
“Last Friday’s full day of industrial action and the further delays have cast a shadow over the Geelong Football Club’s first home game,” he said.
“They’ve also put 150 workers’ jobs at risk.”
