Antinuclear

Asbestos and cancer – uranium will be next, says powerful Electrical Trades Union

“‘Uranium will be the next asbestos. All those years ago they said it was safe to work with asbestos. Then years later the companies didn’t want to know about it when workers started dying from diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer,”

ETU in uranium mining no-go Townsville Bulletin, JOHN ANDERSEN  |  November 10th, 2012 UNION bosses have instructed the 12,800 financial members of the Electrical Trades Union in Queensland not to work in any start-up
uranium mines in the state.

The ETU directive against members taking jobs in uranium mines has been in place since 2010, but with no uranium industry in the state it has lain dormant for the past two years. With the Queensland Government last month overturning the state’s ban on uranium mining and companies keen to develop already explored prospects near
Townsville, the Gulf Country and north of Mount Isa, the ETU has
activated the no-work directive for members.

Ingham-based North Queensland organiser with the union, Wal Giordani,
said the ETU directive was based on concerns for safety of members.

Assistant state secretary of the ETU, Keith McKenzie, said uranium
miners were the 21st century equivalent of asbestos miners.

“‘Uranium will be the next asbestos. All those years ago they said it was safe to work with asbestos. Then years later the companies didn’t want to know about it when workers started dying from diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer,” he said.

The ETU has produced a DVD starring comedian Austen Tayshus, who plays
an electrician who intends working in a uranium mine for the big money
it pays, but in the end turns the job down because of the risk to his
health and the wellbeing of the wider community.

Mr McKenzie said the ETU would be campaigning against a uranium
industry in Queensland. He said the campaigns would be run in
conjunction with the Australian Conservation Foundation and “other
like-minded people”…..
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/11/10/369757_news.html

November 15, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | opposition to nuclear, Queensland