Power union threatens F1 Australian GP

"The Grand Prix has statewide significance," said the minister. "It affects the Victorian economy and our international reputation. We will not allow the Grand Prix to be threatened."

As part of its campaign for a 5 percent pay rise and a 36-hour week, the ASU is refusing to reconnect power supplies to industrial and commercial customers. The ASU ramped up its threats when it asserted that it would consider action coinciding with the 2004 season-opening F1 event, over March 4-7. Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker immediately called on the state government to intervene.

"The dispute is not our dispute," he said. "We're just a customer of a power company. Obviously the union has an issue with the power company, so it's up to the state government and the minister to resolve that."

The ASU has decided to suspend industrial action until talks with the power companies tomorrow (Wednesday) and ASU Victorian branch assistant secretary Michael Rizzo accused the government of being premature in its approach. "The Grand Prix is still two weeks away," he said. "We've got plenty of negotiating to do this week."