‘Held hostage’: Union action to massively delay $63bn Cross River Rail project

Brisbane’s flagship Cross River Rail project faces major productivity delays as the CFMEU demands new powers to stop work without the need to seek protected industrial action.

• ‘Too many threats’: CFMEU in Qld

Brisbane’s $6.3bn Cross River Rail project faces major productivity delays as the CFMEU demands new powers to stop work without the need to seek protected industrial action.

The state’s largest construction site was hit this week with four days of stop-work action as the CFMEU demanded better pay and safety conditions for workers.

Allegations that workers who defied the picket line were harassed and recorded prompted the Federal Court on Friday to grant an injunction request by CPB Contractors.

It banned CFMEU members from going within 15m of the entrance to Cross River Rail sites and photographing or recording anybody who enters the site following claims of “ongoing reports of unlawful tactics” by CFMEU representatives.

Taxpayers are funding Cross River Rail $8.7m each week this financial year.

The protest action was launched after negotiations between CPB Contractors and the CFMEU over wages and conditions broke down on Monday following weeks of talks.

It is understood a sticking point of the talks was a union demand for it to approve outside hours work on weekends and public holidays in the rail corridor.

CFMEU union members man picket lines at Cross River Rail sites in Roma St , in Brisbane.

Under the proposal, the CFMEU could revoke the approval at any time.

A source familiar with the Cross River Rail work schedule, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told The Courier-Mail it could plunge the development schedule into chaos.

“It would effectively let the CFMEU hold CRR’s program and the contractor hostage,” one project source said

“It would allow the CFMEU to impact productivity through a written agreement without the need to undertake any form of industrial action.

“Work is planned months in advance, particularly in the rail corridor – (it) needs certainty and cannot afford to be held to ransom by one group.”

The CFMEU argues chronic mismanagement on the site and said workers faced significant pressure.

A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman did not comment on productivity concerns, but said the project would progress.

“Our focus is on making sure Cross River Rail is being delivered efficiently, and we are monitoring the impacts of industrial action closely,” he said.

“We encourage all parties involved to continue to bargain in good faith and to reach a resolution, so we can continue to deliver this transformational project.”

They said every day of industrial action could result in several days of lost productivity - but could be weeks or months.

CFMEU on a pickett line in Roma st Cross River Rail site.

It is understood tilers have been unable to complete work due to industrial action and were unable to return for several weeks - creating a cascading delay.

In another incident a concrete pour was cancelled and unable to be rescheduled for several weeks.

Cross River Rail is due to be operational from 2026.

Earlier this week, CFMEU’s Queensland Assistant State Secretary Jade Ingham slammed CPB Contractors over 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,” he 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.”