Hundreds of union workers raised their voices in unified protest outside various Bunnings stores across Australia this past Saturday. The collective call was for the hardware giant to cease the sale of a popular kitchen benchtop that has been connected to an incurable disease.
Members of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) gathered in significant numbers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia, actively participating in the “Stop This Killer Stone” campaign.
The heart of the matter lies in the use of engineered stone for kitchen benchtops, a material that has been alarmingly linked to a fatal disease. Dozens of union members stood resolute, brandishing placards and distributing informative pamphlets, intending to bring attention to the urgent need for Bunnings to discontinue the sale of these hazardous products.
Representing tradespeople, including stone masons, the union emphasises the necessity of safeguarding its members from the perils of silicosis. In Australian kitchens and bathrooms, the trendy engineered benchtops are known to harbour a substantial concentration of crystalline silica.
Zach Smith, the national secretary of CFMEU, expressed that Bunnings customers should be informed about the company’s profit from hazardous stone benchtops.
“Our members have been actively enlightening Bunnings customers, ensuring that as many individuals as possible possess accurate information regarding engineered stone and the safer alternatives that do not endanger workers’ lives,” he said.
Bunnings asserts that all the engineered stone benchtops in its inventory are pre-cut to specific dimensions and underscores its commitment to addressing safety concerns.
At present, federal and state ministers are in the process of evaluating a report from Safe Work Australia regarding the potential prohibition of high-concentration crystalline silica slabs.
Recent research conducted by Curtin University, which was released earlier this year, anticipates that over 10,000 individuals in Australia will develop lung cancer, with up to 103,000 workers being diagnosed with silicosis during their lifetimes due to their exposure to silica dust.
Jen Tucker, the Director of Merchandise at Bunnings, acknowledged that the hardware retailer is cognizant of the concerns raised and affirmed its commitment to “vigilantly observe and adhere to guidance provided by regulatory bodies.”
It is known that following a letter from the union, the store extended an invitation to hold discussions with union officials.
