CFMEU backs workers’ strike action against SA-based Crane Services

The Setka-led CFMEU has accused Adelaide-based Crane Services of “orchestrating a media stunt” with the Libs, as a stand-off with the militant union nears the end of its fourth day.

The boss of an Adelaide crane company says the livelihoods of workers are at stake as a stand-off with the militant CFMEU nears the end of its fourth day.

Workers at family-owned Crane Services at Wingfield walked off the job over an industrial dispute fuelled by the union’s demand for an eye-watering payrise of about 25 per cent in a single year.

Company director John Nicholls revealed on Thursday he had recently been in contact with Premier Peter Malinauskas, who told him the government would look into the matter.

“He’s said he’s going to make some calls and see what he can do,” he said.

“He just thought that our offer was very fair and reasonable, which it is.”

Mr Nicholls said the offer made by the company to workers included a range of allowances and a 16 per cent pay rise in the first year, with subsequent rises in the following years.

But the deal proposed by the union included a payrise of “probably around about 25 per cent” in year one, which he said the company could not afford.

“We’ve got 78 employees here, we’re worried about their livelihoods and their families, especially going into Christmas, so we’re trying to get this over the line,” he said.

“The union want us to sign an agreement which we simply cannot sign. It would put the control of our business in the hands of the CFMEU.”

CFMEU SA Members picketing out the front of Crane Services at Wingfield. Picture: CFMEU SA / Facebook

Any raise would be added to the current rate of pay for employees, which Mr Nicholls said is just over $50/an hour, plus penalties.

He said about 30 employees on the site were union members, and there have been up to 40 people sitting outside the business on the picket line this week.

However, he said a “very small handful” of those were actually employees.

“It’s the CFMEU rent-a-crowd from Melbourne, Sydney, to make it look like it’s our employees out there picking and it’s not,” he said.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said the situation at Crane Services highlighted the need for a state-based industry watchdog.

“Allowing John Setka’s CFMEU to infect South Australia’s building and construction industry is akin to giving Dracula the keys to the blood bank,” he said.

“We warned Peter Malinauskas and now the consequences of his choices mean small and family-run businesses and local jobs are being put at risk.”

The CFMEU released a statement confirming “the CFMEU made an offer yesterday and again this morning that would have ended the protected industrial action immediately.

“This offer should have resulted with the parties coming back to the table to finalise a deal. But rather than responding or accepting the offer, Crane Services has chosen to orchestrate a media stunt with the opposition leader of the SA Liberal Party.

“We have no idea why the SA Liberal party would involve themselves in this industrial action,” SA CFMEU Assistant Secretary Marcus Pare wrote.

Members of the CFMEU SA are holding a strike out the front of Crane Services in Wingfield over a wage dispute. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The CFMEU has backed members’ industrial action against a South Australian-based crane company, saying workers’ demands had been met with “disrespect”.

About 20 workers gathered out the front of Crane Services head office in Wingfield on Monday, calling for a stronger enterprise agreement.

The group of union workers set up camp outside the facility on Thursday, for the fourth-straight day of action.

It is understood they have just rejected a 16 per cent pay rise.

CFMEU’s Marcus Pare said the union “wholly supported” the action and hit back at Master Builders Association chief Will Frogley who, on Wednesday, said the union weren’t showing good faith in negotiations.

“We do not know why the MBA is making commentary from the sideline,” Mr Pare said.

“As far as we are aware the company did not seek the assistance of the MBA in bargaining, but has instead preferred to engage former Master Builders employees.”

“If (Mr Frogley) wants to help, he might try convincing the company not to take its offers backwards.”

CFMEU members striking outside Crane Services in Wingfield over a wage dispute. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A bitter dispute between the John Setka-led construction union and a Wingfield crane business has escalated with workers striking for a fourth day. The latest in 7NEWS Adelaide at 4pm and 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfFYTVQ#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/lW5wZjaj91

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) November 17, 2022

The CFMEU claims Crane Services reneged on an agreement with workers and made offers which removed a year’s worth of pay rises.

Mr Pare said workers had requested base rates of pay consistent with the company’s latest offer, but payable sooner than half a years’ time, and protection for rostered days off.

But Master Builders Association chief Will Frogley said the company’s offer was “very generous”.

“(It includes) things like a $10 a day performance allowance just for turning up to work on time and doing your paperwork,” he said.

“From all accounts there has been no negotiation or flexibility from the union.”

He said Crane Services have been “hamstrung” by the action.

“It’s frustrating for a company like Cranes Services because they have all these jobs they should be working on and they’ve been forced to grind to a halt,” he said.

Crane Services is a South Australian owned and operated hirer of mobile cranes with over 40 years of industry experience.

They claim to have the largest range of cranes in SA.