Construction workers ‘intimidated’ and ‘bullied’ into joining John Setka-led CFMEU

The powerful John Setka-led CFMEU is accused of employing “intimidating” tactics to force workers on Adelaide construction sites to join the union.

The powerful John Setka-led CFMEU is using “intimidating” tactics to force workers on Adelaide construction sites to join the union and threatening builders with losing future work if they refuse, industry workers claim.

Construction workers have told The Advertiser the union is “bullying” and “intimidating” non-union members on city work sites, refusing them entry if they are not members and shutting major construction projects down.

The workers, who spoke to The Advertiser on the condition of anonymity fearing reprisals on site, said the “aggressive” behaviour had increased since the Victorian takeover last year.

One senior construction worker at a major Adelaide project said the behaviour was reminiscent of union intimidation tactics used 20 or 30 years ago.

“They’re definitely trying to throw the fear and intimidation around,” he said.

The powerful John Setka-led CFMEU is accused of using “intimidating” tactics to force workers on Adelaide construction sites to join the union and threatening builders with losing future work if they refuse. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

He said his employer had been told by CFMEU delegates the company wouldn’t win tenders for future projects because it wouldn’t force employees to join the union.

“We’ve already had a couple of jobs that we’ve out in a tender for and we’re basically told we weren’t going to be getting it,” he said.

“(They’re saying) if you don’t do this you won’t have a job … they’re saying ‘you won’t get this job and you won’t be able to tender for that job because we’ll make sure you don’t get on that job and if you do get on that job we’re going to give the builder trouble’.”

A construction worker said the CFMEU had shut down construction of Adelaide’s biggest office building – known as 60 King William St or 60KW – 49 times in 12 months. Picture: Giuseppe Tauriello

He said the CFMEU had shut down construction of Adelaide’s biggest office building – known as 60 King William St or 60KW – 49 times over 12 months.

Mr Setka was contacted for comment.

Master Builders Association SA chief executive Will Frogley said “reports of bullying and intimidation on CBD construction sites are deeply concerning”.

“If you want to be a member of the union that’s absolutely fine, but young South Australians shouldn’t feel like signing up is the only way to avoid being hassled,” Mr Frogley said.

A former high-ranking CFMEU SA branch employee, who still works in construction, said builders were paying their employees’ membership fees for the duration of major projects to “keep the union off their back”.

Master Builders Association SA chief executive Will Frogley said reports of the union’s “intimidating” behaviour were “deeply concerning”. Picture: Matt Loxton

“They take the easy option which is write the cheques out for 20 guys and get some peace and harmony for six months,” he said.

But he said the new members were leaving the union once the job was done.

“Those blokes get out again as soon as they’re in,” he said.

A state government spokesman said any unlawful behaviour on construction sites should be reported to SafeWork SA or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

“The government condemns any unlawful behaviour on South Australian construction sites,” the spokesman said.

“The government’s clear expectation is that productive working relationships should underpin South Australia’s building and construction industry.

“This includes the ability for individual workers to wilfully choose to join a union or not.”

The concerns come as Victorian-based workers entitlement fund Incolink sets up a physical presence in Adelaide.

Incolink, which supports redundancy payments and provides construction workers with training over the border, gave more than $20m to the CFMEU in the past financial year, adding to fears the union is one step closer to a stronghold on the SA construction industry.

SA construction workers have been covered by the state-based BIRST system but as of July 1 this year, any CFMEU-negotiated agreements mandate Incolink, of which Mr Setka is a director, be used as their fund.

One major Adelaide construction company boss said if employer contributions into the Incolink fund increased from $81 to $160 per week as they had done in Victoria, construction costs in SA would skyrocket.

“More and more money will go to John Setka and the CFMEU,” he said.

“Any money paid into Incolink will to the CFMEU and will go back to Victoria.

He said Incolink offered no additional benefits that construction workers could not already access through the BIRST fund.

“I don’t know what the benefit of Incolink is at the moment,” he said.

“I don’t know what they’re pushing it for.”

Mr Setka has previously denied Incolink would raise costs in SA.