CFMMEU SA branch boss Aaron Cartledge resigns after 19 years with the union with one supporter claiming he was ‘pushed’
THE head of the state’s construction union has resigned with a supporter claiming he was pushed.
THE head of the state’s construction union has resigned with a supporter claiming he was pushed.
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Aaron Cartledge made the announcement on social media on Saturday but gave no reasons for his decision.
“I would like to thank the...members, community activists that I have worked (with) who have made this job rewarding,” he said. “Now I look forward to the next chapter of my work life.”
Mr Cartledge was with the union for 19 years, including six as state secretary.
Under his leadership the union and delegates — Mr Cartledge included — have, in the past five years, been hit with $1.5 million in Federal Court-imposed fines for illegally entering building sites.
The Advertiser understands that national assistant secretary Andrew Sutherland has assumed control of the SA branch.
The paper has sought comment from Mr Cartledge and Mr Sutherland.
Mr Cartedge’s decision comes after 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 so-called Strategic Direction Committee was endorsed at the union’s national conference, in part, to manage finances of the SA branch “in conjunction with the branch secretary” and “direct the branch secretary and executive to implement such other measures as may be necessary and expedient to achieve the goals of the union, and refer any issue to the Divisional Executive for action if necessary.
The conference also appointed Mr Sutherland as strategic co-ordinator for the SA branch for a two-year term.
Mr Cartledge was re-elected state secretary in October 2016 but said in an interview last year that he needed to change the way the union operated to win back support amid declining membership.
Pam Gurner-Hall, partner of RAH worker Jorge Castillo-Riffo who died from injuries suffered during the hospital build, said that Mr Cartledge had been “pushed”for a “good year” to resign.
“And he finally caved,” she said. “It’s a really big shame because he has been wonderful for the union.
“Aaron has personally been a great support, he has represented the union with a great deal of honour.”
She said that Mr Cartledge had been a “constant” since the 2014 death of her partner, which is now the subject of a Coronial inquest.