Federal Court grants ‘urgent injunction’ order stopping CFMEU blockades at Cross River Rail sites

An “urgent injunction” order has been granted to stop the “thuggish” CFMEU from blocking access to Cross River Rail sites following a wild shirts-off, all-in brawl.

• Qld reacts: ‘Sack them all’

The Federal Court has granted an “urgent injunction” order stopping the CFMEU from blocking access to Cross River Rail sites.

Non-aligned workers had reported two days of blockades on project sites across the city, meaning they could not work despite not being covered by the CFMEU’s protected industrial action.

The Federal Court injunction was brought by CPB Contractors - the major contractor on the $6.2bn project - and granted late Wednesday.

A CPB Contractors spokeswoman confirmed it had sought an “urgent injunction” in response to the union’s “intimidation tactics towards people working on the Cross River Rail project”.

Union members had walked off Cross River Rail worksites for a second day on Wednesday and blocked non-union workers from accessing the site - causing tensions to erupt in a fight at the Dutton Part site.

A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating reports of a physical altercation between two groups off Cope St at Annerley at 6:50am.

A CFMEU spokesman accused CPB Contractors of sending labour hire workers to the site to bait protestors.

“The CFMEU backs Cross River Rail workers taking protected industrial action and is keen for CPB to return to the bargaining table,” he said.

CFMEU Old Boss Michael Ravbar met with Premier Steven Miles in March, it has been revealed Picture: Liam Kidston

In parliament the state government was grilled over its position on the CFMEU’s conduct and new revelations Mr Miles met with CFMEU boss Michael Ravbar in March.

The meeting marked a departure from his predecessor’s ban on the union following its invasion of the Transport and Main Roads office in August 2022.

Mr Miles defended the meeting and, in the wake of the brawl vision, did not rule out future meetings.

“I don’t always agree with everything they say or do but I am always happy to meet with them,” Mr Miles said.

Footage taken Wednesday morning reveals CFMEU and non-aligned workers scuffling after the union blocked access to the worksite near Cross River Rail building site at Fairfield.

The Premier was asked in parliament what he would do to allow Cross River Rail workers to access the worksite without being assaulted by the CFMEU.

“Bullying and violence and intimidation should never be tolerated in any workplace, whether it is union related or not,” he said.

A spokeswoman for CPB Contractors slammed the conduct of some CFMEU members.

“We stand firm against any unlawful tactics used to intimidate workers and delivery partners supporting this essential infrastructure project for Queensland communities,” she said,

“CPB Contractors applied to the Federal Court for an urgent injunction against the CFMEU in response to intimidation tactics towards people working on the Cross River Rail project.

“CPB Contractors will not tolerate acts of intimidation towards its people or any workers on our construction sites.”

CFMEU blocking workers at the site of the Cross River Rail station Dutton Park. Picture: Liam Kidston

CFMEU protestors were again present outside CRR sites in Brisbane on Thursday morning, however its blockade had softened.

As of 8am, about 40 union members had settled in front of the site as more non-aligned workers entered.

As members arrived they brought camp chairs, CFMEU flags and signs while others dropped of supplies for a BBQ.

Other nonalinged workers - who it was understood can still not do their jobs due to the impacts of the strike - were sitting across the road.

Members were engaging with some non-aligned workers as they entered but talks were peaceful.

Industrial action is expected to continue for the rest of the week.