Fed: Writing off union damage was company policy, inquiry told

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Fed: Writing off union damage was company policy, inquiry told

The building royal commission has heard one of Australia's biggest construction firmsdid not consider seeking compensation for a union dispute that cost it $320,000.

Thiess human resources manager IAN IRWIN's told the Cole royal commission the companynever discussed the possibility of seeking damages from a dispute in mid-2000.

Mr IRWIN says the company's aim was to get a return to work as it would have been morecostly to go through the court.

He says this is the standard approach taken by Thiess.

The inquiry, sitting in Brisbane, has heard the four-month dispute was called off afterthe company gave assurances it would make its best endeavours to sort out union concerns.

The dispute centred on the $139 million redevelopment of the Lavarack army barracksin the north Queensland city of Townsville, which began in late 1999.

Queensland Housing Minister ROBERT SCHWARTEN will tomorrow become the first cabinetminister to give evidence at the inquiry.

AAP RTV pjo/sc/rsm/rp

KEYWORD: COLE (BRISBANE)