United Voice News
Premier misleads Parliament
LHMU has denied Premier Colin Barnett’s claims that the Union has deliberately targeted the family of Jandakot MP Joe Francis.
LHMU secretary Dave Kelly said: “Mr Barnett has chosen, under Parliamentary Privilege, to attack LHMU publicly in a forum where we have no right of reply.
“We deny categorically that we have targeted Mr Francis’ wife or family. No one from the Union has met or spoken to Ms Francis. It is a baseless assertion.
“We also deny blocking access to the Francis’ driveway. This did not occur.
“However, Mr Barnett misled the Parliament by waving around a photograph he claimed was evidence that we had blocked the driveway.
“The photo shows ‘Terrance Trailer’ driving past the Francis’ property.
“We have asked Mr Barnett to correct the public record in Parliament by acknowledging that his claim that LHMU targeted Ms Francis was without foundation.
“Mr Barnett also threatened to have no contact with LHMU. But Mr Barnett has refused our request to meet and discuss the cleaners’ pay issue at the heart of this dispute.
“We remain willing to meet to discuss the underlying issue - the government’s decision to put a stop to the pay rise promised to government contract cleaners. These workers are some of the lowest paid in our community.”
