Disgruntled workers storm auction at former worksite
FIRST ON 7: A construction company boss recently fined over the death of a worker at Adelaide's desalination plant is back in hot water.
Former employees of Paul Maione stormed an auction at their old Pooraka work site this morning, claiming they are owed unpaid wages and entitlements.
Auctioneers and bidders were confronted by union representatives and angry workers who claim they are owned more than $500,000.
“Our members fear that he is selling everything, taken the money and simply going to run off with it,” union state secretary Aaron Cartledge told 7News.
Mr Maione was the boss of Q Structures, which sacked more than 30 workers in July.
As director of another Company, he was recently fined over the death of a worker at Adelaide’s desalination plant in 2010.
He was ordered to pay the victim’s family $20,000 in compensation.
Former Q Structures workers claim they stuck by Mr Maione until they were locked out and told the company was shutting down.
Today, police were called in to remove the workers from their former workplace during the auction.
”I’m owed about $60,000 because I’ve been here nine years,” one worker told 7News.
Another said: “When you work really hard and you get screwed over like we have, it’s pretty devastating.”
Workers are furious that while they are struggling to get by, Mr Maione appears to be living it up.
“Paul’s really struggling at the moment, driving around in his Maserati, living in his home in Tusmore,” Mr Cartledge told those attending the auction with a megaphone.
