The mother of a building worker killed on the job has spoken out against the Queensland government at a protest outside Parliament House in Brisbane.
Thousands of building union members — including the CFMEU and ETU — marched this morning ahead of the formal opening of parliament, rallying against the suspension of Best Industry Practice Conditions (BPIC) for new major state projects.
BPIC sets out the pay and conditions for construction union workers and applies to projects costing more than $100 million.
Thousands of union members rallied in Brisbane today. (ABC News: Kate McKenna)
The LNP government paused the industrial relations section of the practice earlier this month, citing it as a main contributor to lost productivity and cost blowouts.
BPIC's two other sections – workplace health and safety systems and standards, and the best practice commitment to apprentices and trainees – aren't affected.
In extreme heat conditions, BPIC requires employers to take actions to reduce exposure, including rescheduling work.
FIFO worker Glenn Newport died in 2013 on a site near Roma after complications from working in more than 40-degree heat.
Speaking to the protest, his mother, Jenny Newport, said she chose to attend so nobody had to go through what she had.
"Our family changed forever after Glenn died and I miss him every day," she said.
"The gas project where Glenn worked did not have a heat policy and the contractor did not send him to hospital straight away.
"Instead, they sent him back to his donger where he collapsed and died. He was only 38."
Ms Newport called out Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie, over the suspension of BPIC.
"These decisions are made by politicians who don't know what it's like to work in extreme conditions, who put workers in harm's way from the comfort of an air-conditioned office.
Jenny Newport lost her son to heat stroke in 2013. (ABC NEWS)
"Heat stress kills and those in power have a responsibility to put people before profits.
"You deserve a proper heat policy and one that can't be tampered with by someone who has beef with the CFMEU."
Also in attendance at the protest were family members of Tyler Whitton, a 17-year-old who died on a construction site in Brisbane last year.
Ahead of the state election, the LNP pledged to re-introduce 24 hours right-to-entry permit notices for unions.
CFMEU construction coordinator Matthew Vonhoff railed against the changes while addressing the crowd.
"You have a commitment from the CFMEU and the ETU that when each and every one of you calls us, whether we don't have the right to answer in 24 hours or not, we will be there."
The Queensland branch of the CFMEU was placed into administration earlier this year, following allegations underworld figures had infiltrated interstate branches.
Sacked CFMEU leader Jade Ingham told the crowd the organisation would be taking their fight to the High Court next month.
The rally came in the wake of the Queensland government's decision to suspend a raft of policies for construction workers. (ABC News: Kate Mckenna)
"To our class enemies in the LNP and ALP, the Murdoch media, Channel 9, and anyone else from the ruling class of elitist pigs, this is my message to you; workers can never be defeated in this country.
"We will get the CFMEU returned to the democratic control of its members."
The crowd marched through the Brisbane CBD to Parliament House, with chants including, "Jarrod Bleijie killing workers", and "We are one, we are union".
In a statement, he said the government was committed to safety and productivity in the building industry.
"The Queensland government's position is that all workers should be provided a safe workplace and be well paid," Mr Bleijie said.
"Worker safety will not be compromised by the suspension of BPIC.
"Best practice workplace health and safety systems and standards will continue to remain in force."