CFMEU’s ‘intimidating’ protests to continue over $250k pay demands
Stalled negotiations over a CFMEU push for traffic controllers to be paid $250,000 have sparked tense protests – likely to continue all week.
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Stalled negotiations over a CFMEU push for traffic controllers to be paid a $250,000 salary sparked tense protests on Tuesday with workers fighting to access Cross River Rail constructions sites intimidated and Queensland Police called to keep the peace.
A breakdown in days-long pay negotiations between the CFMEU and CPB Contractors, the Cross River Rail lead contractor, prompted the militant union to again picket construction sites on Tuesday.
People familiar with negotiations revealed the CFMEU asked for traffic controllers on sites to be paid the equivalent of an entry-level construction worker – some $250,000 if the union is successful in its call for a pay increase.
Efforts to avoid stop-work action failed and more than 100 union workers descended on the Roma St, Albert St Boggo Rd and Exhibition Station sites, discouraging workers from entering.
Queensland Police were called to maintain peace and avoid a repeat of the brawls experienced at a similar protest earlier this year.
CPB Contractors, however, reported incidents of harassment on the picket line as non-CFMEU workers attempted to enter sites.
“We have received concerning reports from our people of intimidating behaviour by union representatives which prevented workers from attending site and we are therefore disappointed with action taken by the CFMEU,” a spokesman said.
“Due to these tactics which are an attempt to interfere with the work planned to be completed by our supply chain and subcontractors today, despite the sites being open, workers did not attend all sites impacting planned work on the project.
“CPB Contractors condemns any acts of intimidation.”
The protest action is expected to continue until Friday, and restart on Monday.
Following days of pressure to act, Premier Steven Miles on Tuesday directed Queensland Police to ask Victorian investigators to “share any information” about allegations of criminality in the CFMEU that could relate to Queensland.
Mr Miles, who on Monday played down concerns about the CFMEU’s conduct on Queensland construction sites, on Tuesday also put a temporary pause on receiving donations from the militant union.
The pause – despite the construction division of the CFMEU not donating to Queensland Labor since 2020 – will only occur “while these allegations are being investigated”.
Mr Miles has not called for an investigation into the conduct of the CFMEU in Queensland, but instead asked Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to speak with Victoria Police – as they investigate the CFMEU – to share “any concerns” that could apply to Queensland.
“The commissioner has given me his assurance that he will report back to me the outcomes of that conversation and if there are any matters that should be investigated here in Queensland,” Mr Miles said.
“There are no current active complaints or allegations or investigations into similar matters to those that have been raised in Victoria and New South Wales.”
Meanwhile, the federal government is likely to appoint an independent administrator to run the CFMEU following concerns about senior officials overseeing the Victorian branch. The CFMEU this week declared itself the administrator of its Victorian branch in a bid to cauterise wounds exposed by allegedly criminal behaviour.
Concerns have been raised that the executive includes members of the Victorian executive and a NSW official facing bribery charges.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke, who has been awaiting advice from his department about his powers to intervene, is expected to announce the government’s response as early as Wednesday.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black noted allegations of kickbacks, intimidation and links to organised crime in southern states and indicated it was not isolated.
“These alleged tactics by CFMEU officials and delegates are a national problem and I’m concerned similar behaviour may have occurred on government-funded projects in other states,” he said.
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie earlier repeated calls for Mr Miles to call out the conduct of the CFMEU and “cut ties” with the union.
“The militant behaviour of the CFMEU must be called out, holding infrastructure projects to ransom and intimidating workers on job sites is unacceptable,” he said.
“Leadership is standing up for Queenslanders, not standing behind the CFMEU.”
A CFMEU Queensland spokesman slammed CPB Contractors over major occupational health and safety hazards.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the workers who, over the past four years, have given everything to turn this job around despite immense pressure and mismanagement by CPB,” the spokesman said.
“Many workers are labouring long hours, and with none of the usual protections afforded to permanent workers.
“That’s why CPB workers are resolute in their demands for equity across the entire project, so that no worker is left behind in the agreement.
“The workers are united in this democratic action and expect CPB to engage in good faith.”
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