G21 councils join Geelong bid to reject CFMEU takeover

The fight to keep the militant CFMEU out of the local government sector has significantly ramped up with a number of councils joining City Hall’s push back against any “infiltration”.

John Setka is the Victorian boss of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt.

The fight to keep the militant CFMEU out of the local government sector has significantly ramped up with a number of councils joining City Hall’s push back against any “infiltration”.

Golden Plains Shire, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe, and Colac and Otway Shire share the City of Greater Geelong’s concerns that a CFMEU “takeover” of council workers would be detrimental on several fronts.

The councils recently received notification from the CFMEU that it wanted to participate in the enterprise agreement negotiations.

Headed by controversial figure John Setka, the Victorian branch said it was entitled to represent the interests of some council employees, including maintenance crews and machinery operators.

The Fair Work Commission will rule on whether the CFMEU is legally allowed to negotiate the pay and conditions for council workers.

News Corp recently revealed on Tuesday that the union was seeking a takeover of blue collar council workers, such as garbos and gardeners, who have been represented by the Australian Services Union.

Councils fear the hostile takeover, if allowed to proceed, would see costs and inefficiencies balloon, coupled with reduced productivity and their ability to deliver services.

The group of five councils, which collectively make up the Geelong Regional Alliance, are also concerned that gains made regarding respect and equality would be eroded if the CFMEU got a foothold in local government.

Ali Wastie, the CEO of the City of Greater Geelong wants the CFMEU to stay out of Geelong council projects. Picture: David Crosling

City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the decision of neighbouring councils to unite highlighted the critical importance of the issue for the region.

“Our council’s focus is on delivering quality services and infrastructure for our growing population, but the CFMEU’s attempts to muscle into our workforce will only cause angst and damage our culture,” she said.

Colac and Otway Shire Council boss Anne Howard said the CFMEU’s efforts to expand into local government was a distraction for employees who already received representation and advocacy from relevant unions.

“Colac Otway Shire Council values the constructive working relationship it has with the various unions that already legitimately represent the interests of employees in its workplace,” she said.

Ms Wastie said COGG had for more than two decades had enterprise agreements in place with unions that included the Australian Services Union, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, and Professionals Australia.

“We hope that this issue can now be resolved swiftly, so that we can recommence formal enterprise agreement negotiations at the earliest possible time,” she said.

Surf Coast CEO Robyn Seymour. Picture: Alan Barber

Surf Coast chief executive Robyn Seymour said the shire believed in a level playing field for employees.

“And when we enter into enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations with workers, it is done to get the best outcome for everyone,” she said.

Golden Plains boss Michael Tudball said “good faith” negotiations with staff and their union representatives was extremely important.

“We maintain a very good working relationship with both the ASU and ANMF and understand that all of our staff value the role their representatives play in enterprise bargaining and workers’ rights,” he said.

Chief executive of the Borough of Queenscliffe Martin Gill said employees believed they were well represented by the ASU.

“We appreciate the role that the ASU plays in representing our employees,” he said.

The CFMEU has been contacted for comment.

Mr Setka launched a savage attack on the AFL, vowing to halt construction projects linked to the AFL, that would make those jobs a “f---ing misery” for the league.

Mr Setka threatened to stop all construction projects linked to the AFL unless the league sacked its umpiring boss, Stephen McBurney, who clashed with the union in a previous role.

Mr Setka warned he would pursue Mr McBurney, formerly the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, “until the end of the earth”.

Originally published as G21 councils join Geelong bid to reject CFMEU takeover