Melbourne Dispute Resolved.

The dispute between the builders' unions and the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix which, at one point threatened to cause a possible delay of the Grand Prix itself, has been resolved.


Construction work on Albert Park's pit complex and grandstands will now continue on schedule and there is no threat of the work not being completed by the time the event begins on March 10th.


It is understood that it took some personal intervention from Victorian State Premier Steven Brack to break the deadlock which included concerns over the number of working hours per week and allowing apprentices to work on the site.


Australian Grand Prix chief Ron Walker, who had also personally involved himself in an effort to resolve the argument, finally agreed to the union's request of a 36 hour working week and to allow apprentices to help with the construction of the vast amount of infastructure that the Albert Park venue uses. This is a resounding victory for the buider's union who said they were "very happy" with the outcome.


This isn't the first time that controversy has surrounded the Australian GP before it has even started. In 1996 and 1997, there were many protests from environmental health groups who threatened to invade the circuit and block the track and although that, like the most recent union dispute, never materialised, it has just added another headache for the hard working team who make the Melbourne event one of the most popular on the calendar.


Story added on 19/02/00 by Henry Beaudette.