Unions opposed to Bell bid

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 21

Unions opposed to Bell bid

PA Sydney Senior officials from unions representing thousands of steel workers will meet in Sydney today to discuss tactics in their opposition to the takeover bid for BHP by the Perth businessman, Mr Robert Holmes a Court. It is understood that they will press for a full Government inquiry into the take-over bid, arguing that it is in the public interest. The conference was called after last Friday’s meeting between Mr Holmes a Court and the ACTU senior vice-presi-dent, Mr John Macßean, and the Federated Ironworkers Association national secretary, Mr Harry Hurrell. The prime concern of the union movement is whether the industries steel plan, which guarantees jobs and production,

will be jeopardised by the take-over bid. They are also worried about the possibility of BHP being broken up at a later date as a means of financing the huge loans needed for the SNZ4.S billion raid. But beyond this they also oppose the concept of Australia’s largest private employer being controlled by one man. Mr Holmes a Court has emphasised that the unions have nothing to worry about. He says no jobs will be lost and he has no intention of breaking up or reorganising the company. Another meeting between the Bell Resources chairman and the two union leaders will be held some time this week, when Mr Holmes a Court will submit written answers to a list of 15 questions given to him last Friday.