More than sixty thousand tradies walked off the job yesterday in a show of solidarity with the embattled CFMEU.
The unauthorised strikes took place from 11 am across most major capitals as workers downed tools in response to the federal government’s takeover of the union’s construction arm.
Chants of “F*** Albo” and “hands off our union” echoed through the streets of Sydney and Melbourne’s CBD throughout the day, with thousands of tradies also marching in Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.
Police estimate around 50,000 tradies attended the protest in Melbourne alone.
They were joined by hundreds more workers from the Building Industry Group of Unions (BIG), the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, the Electrical Trades Union and the Plumbers’ Union, each calling on the government to backflip on their decision to place the CFMEU into administration.
What led to the CFMEU rallies?
The protests are the latest in the CFMEU corruption allegations saga, which stems from last month’s 60 Minutes exposé which said the union was in cahoots with outlaw motorcycle gangs and members of the criminal underworld, in addition to claims of bullying, intimidation and corruption.
The accusations led to the federal government strongarming the CFMEU into administration last week by introducing new legislation to circumvent the union’s efforts in using courts to avoid accepting the proposal.
However, former CFMEU boss Jon Sekta has since claimed that the ALP failed to honour a secret agreement between the friends-turned-enemies, where the union would avoid administration in exchange for the leader’s resignation.
The deal’s fallthrough, alongside the newly appointed administrator, removing some 270 union officials since taking over, led to yesterday’s unsanctioned strikes, with protesters demanding the reinstatement of Sekta and Former CFMEU NSW secretary Darren Greenfield.
Greenfields attended the Sydney rally where he spoke to crowds outside state parliament, where he labelled Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a “dirty rotten bastard”.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he declared, calling for members to “vote the bastards out” at the next election opportunity.
CFMEU slams government overreach
At the Canberra protests, National CMFEU secretary Zach Smith declared the union here to stay.
“We are not a safe harbour for criminality; we are not a safe harbour for corruption,” he said.
“As long as you stick by and defend your union and defend trade unionism, defend your union, this is not the end.”
“I won’t be silenced as part of this process because workers around this country (deserve) strong voices that will stand up and advocate without fear for those issues.”
“We will continue to serve this union and serve our members, and we’ll make sure throughout this administration process and whatever rebuilding happens afterwards that members’ interests are put firm front and centre.
Meanwhile, Joshua Bolitho, the branch president of the ACT executive of the CFMEU, told crowds that the government’s administration push was more about reducing worker wages than repairing corruption.
“They have gone after working-class people, they have gone after our members, and they’ve gone after your wages and conditions,” he said.
“The reality is people don’t like how much construction workers make. You bargain. They don’t like that. You fight, and they don’t like that. You will demand a better living and a better life for your fellow workers and for your family.”
“If they want to come after our wages, f—ing come and get them.”
Government issues warning to protesters
The Fair Work Ombudsman issued a warning to workers to down tools in a show of support for the union.
Construction bosses are being asked by Fair Work to dob in any tradies who walked off-site in support of the CFMEU.
Those workers could then face tough penalties due to the protests being classed as “unprotected action”, with those without permission potentially violating workplace laws.
The FWO said employers are legally required to dock pay by a minimum of four hours from employees caught engaging in unprotected industrial action.
“Please be aware that if an employee fails to attend the workplace or stops work without authorisation from their employer, this conduct may be unprotected industrial action in contravention of the FW Act,” the Ombudsman said.
“Any person ‘knowingly involved’ in a contravention of the FW Act is also taken to have contravened that provision.”
“Where an employee has engaged in unprotected industrial action, the employer is required under the FW Act to deduct a minimum of four hours wages from the employee, even if the industrial action was less than four hours.”
“After national rallies today, employers are encouraged to notify the Fair Work Ombudsman of any potential unlawful industrial action at their workplace.”
