Workers on Strike Endangered by Fire

Press Release SuperSizeMyPay.com/Unite Union

14 February

Botany Downs KFC workers involved with the SuperSizeMyPay.com campaign were endangered by a scrub fire while on strike outside their store this afternoon.

Two people who arrived for the strike at four o’clock said they had seen a smouldering patch of grass and each had attempted to put it out. They thought they had succeeded but an hour later the scrub caught fire. A group of workers tried to smother it with their placards.

Police told workers they were implicated in the incident because they were at the scene where it happened but workers and their supporters clearly explained there was no connection between them and the fire.

“It is unfortunate that any connection was made between the workers on strike and the blaze given that it was the workers who were put at risk by the fire,” said Unite union organiser Kane Forbes.

“There is no way any of the workers or their supporters would do anything as stupid as lighting fires. Workers were there to strike for a $12 minimum wage, an end to youth rates and secure hours, not to cause any kind of destruction of property,” he said.

The fire was thought to have started from a cigarette thrown from a passing car. It was successfully controlled and a fireman on the scene said he appreciated the help of the workers to contain the fire and that he supported what they were doing.

When police and fire services arrived, a woman was arrested after she reacted to being pushed by a police officer by swearing. She was held in the officer’s car and was released without charge after about 30 minutes.

Workers continued the strike until police threatened them with trespassing. The group then peacefully left the premises.

ENDS

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