CFMMEU SA branch deputy Jim O’Connor has resigned, two months after the departure of former boss Aaron Cartledge

ANOTHER top-ranking member of SA’s construction union has resigned, throwing control of the powerful union into turmoil and stoking fears of an escalation in militant behaviour on building sites.

ANOTHER top-ranking member of the state’s construction union has resigned, a source has revealed, stoking fears of an escalation in militant behaviour on building sites.

A former Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union official has told The Advertiser that assistant state secretary Jim O’Connor resigned yesterday, after five years in the deputy’s role.

His resignation comes two months after that of former union boss Aaron Cartledge, who left the union after six years at the helm on what he said at the time were “good terms”.

The union’s SA industrial officer also resigned to take up a role with the maritime union – which merged with the CFMMEU this year – leaving the construction union without anyone to handle wage claims or enterprise bargaining agreements, the source said.

Mr O’Connor is yet to respond for comment about his decision but The Advertiser understands he had become isolated after he was removed from the union’s national executive and a senior WHS position.

Some union figures now fear the SA branch will soon be controlled by militant factions from across the border.

The ex-union source has described the current situation in the SA branch as “a complete shambles — I think they will now bring interstate organisers in and the games will really start on site”.

The Victorian branch of the CFMMEU has been embroiled in controversy after its secretary John Setka tweeted a Father’s Day photo of his young son and daughter holding up a sign saying “GO GET FU#KED”, directed at the construction industry watchdog ABCC.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the photo and said the union had behaved like “a bunch of thugs”.

The union is also facing criminal charges in the ACT over alleged “cartel conduct” following a joint investigation between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Federal Police.

CFMMEU SA deputy Jim O'Connor, right, has quit, two months after the resignation of former state secretary Aaron Cartledge, left.

A committee of CFMMEU national heavyweights – including national construction division secretary Dave Noonan and Queensland state secretary Michael Ravbar – was established last year to oversee SA operations.

The union’s national secretary and Queensland union official, Andrew Sutherland, replaced Mr Cartledge as acting SA branch secretary.

It is understood that Mr O’Connor has given two weeks’ notice.

The union was last month fined $71,400 over behaviour by members at the Royal Adelaide Hospital site, including Mr O’Connor’s threats to “go to war” with a subcontractor unless he found a union member a job.

The penalty is among more than $1.5 million in fines handed out to the SA branch for breaches of right of entry laws by officials at Adelaide building sites in 2013 and 2014.

The Advertiser has sought comment from Mr Sutherland about Mr O’Connor’s departure.

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Master Builders Association SA branch policy and communications manager Will Frogley said the construction industry is deeply concerned about the “takeover” of the union’s SA branch.

“Although there was resistance from local officials, they were eventually swept aside by more militant interstaters,” he said.

“We’ve just had a State Budget handed down that focuses heavily on infrastructure, with a total spend of $11.3 billion over four years.

“The last thing South Australia’s rejuvenated construction industry needs right now is unlawful and thuggish behaviour from interstate CFMMEU officials.

“In our smaller economy, relationships are essential to doing business. The ‘sledgehammer’ approach that is so typical of the CFMMEU in the eastern states puts everybody off-side and causes unnecessary delays and massive blowouts in the cost of projects.

“It also discourages young people and women from pursuing a career in the industry.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has threatened to deregister the union over a pattern of misconduct.