Retaliation fear as CFMEU turns out to fight ‘execution’

The CFMEU will wage war against Labor in retaliation for the mass sacking of hundreds of union officials, prompting fears Brisbane’s construction projects could be held to ransom.

CFMEU workers will take part in widespread rallies on Tuesday. File picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

There are fears the militant CFMEU will hold Queensland construction projects to ransom in retaliation for the mass sacking of hundreds of union officials.

Widespread protest rallies are planned across the state on Tuesday, with the CFMEU threatening revenge against the federal and state governments and warning it is gearing up for a long war.

The militant building union was plunged into administration by the federal government – supported by the state government – last Friday.

About 280 CFMEU officials, including 21 in Queensland led by state secretary Michael Ravbar, were sacked.

On the eve of rallies in Brisbane and Cairns, the CFMEU’s Queensland/Northern Territory branch launched an attack video, prompting Brisbane’s building and civil construction stakeholders to quietly prepare for disruption to projects by the union in retaliation for the administration.

Major state government projects including Cross River Rail and the Centenary Bridge duplication site – both previously the scene of union-related incidents – are the most at-risk of disruption.

The CFMEU has an existing notice of protected action on the Cross River Rail site until August 29 – meaning eligible workers on the project’s tunnel and station sites can stop work.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said on Monday he was not concerned about retaliation on government projects.

The Brisbane rally will move from Queens Gardens Park to 1 William St.

But Major Contractors Association CEO Andrew Chapman said CFMEU disruption would affect the recovery of the construction sector.

“While the CFMEU’s previous approach has been to delay and disrupt at the drop of a hat, it would be extremely disappointing to see the CFMEU not recognise the call for immediate change by conducting any form of strike action, illegal action or stop work issues in protest against the administration process,” he said.

“The commencement of the administration process with the CFMEU is a landmark intervention that the construction industry in Queensland has desperately needed for many years.

“The QMCA call on all parties to now work together constructively to deliver an industry without the CFMEU’s former approach of harassment, intimidation and standover tactics that do nothing to deliver safe, productive and rewarding workplaces.”

The attack video posted online by the CFMEU of a fired-up member named “Gav” labelled the assault on the union as like a scene from the wild west.

“They’re carting us straight to the hanging tree – judge, jury and executioner – without due process,” he said.

“It’s like the wild west. Take you straight out of town, tie you up to a tree and hang ya.

“It’s darkest before the dawn. We’ve got a battle on our hands, maybe not a short battle, it could be a long war. We’re in it and we’ll stick together.

“This is an attack on the working class. Our membership will stand together and we will fight, we will not go away. We will not cop this, it’s just wrong. We will not be dragged straight to the hanging tree. It’s just crap.”

Despite the CFMEU and leaders including Mr Ravbar being hit with hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for unlawful activity over the years, “Gav” said the Queensland branch was run with the utmost integrity.

“No judge, no judge, no jury, no proper process. There’s proper processes in place and they’re not being followed,” he said.

“They want to crush us. If they succeed in crushing us, look out everyone else.

“The message to the Labor Party is, watch your membership disappear. You’re all voted up to look after working people, do your job, run the country.

“Your membership is going to disappear, it’s a disgrace what youse are doing. And enjoy your time in opposition because you’re going to be there a long time.”

Administrator Mark Irving KC will have three years to reform the CFMEU, and has indicated he would use forensic accountants to probe the union’s finances.

CFMEU members will also remain on government boards for the foreseeable future, with Mr Dick unable to say when Premier Steven Miles’s pledge to remove them would be fulfilled.

“We’ll work through that,” he said.

“I’ll need to take advice from (Industrial Relations) Minister (Grace) Grace about the operation of the legislation, but my understanding is it came into operation on Saturday and we’ll now look at relevant action to take in relation to those board members.”

Tuesday’s mass protest in the Brisbane CBD will start at Queens Gardens Park at 11am before moving to government headquarters at 1 William St.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said officers would attend to help minimise impacts on traffic.

“The QPS expects the protest to be conducted peacefully and lawfully, with officers available to provide support, direction and control as may be required,” he said.

Originally published as Retaliation fear as CFMEU turns out to fight ‘execution’