‘Your union has done nothing wrong’: Qld CFMEU strikes to continue

A CFMEU boss has addressed members to quell concerns over the branch being put into administration, with the union yet to receive any communication from federal agencies.

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The boss of the Queensland CFMEU has addressed union members to quell concerns over the branch being put into administration, with the union yet to receive any communication from federal agencies.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week appointed Fair Work Commission general manager Murray Furlong as the administrator of the national CFMEU as part of a nationwide effort to weed out corruption within the union.

CFMEU boss Michael Ravbar, Parliament House Brisbane. Picture : Liam Kidston,

The decision followed allegations of criminal activity within the construction arm of the union’s Victoria and NSW branches.

There is no suggestion of corruption or criminal activity within the Queensland branch.

Premier Steven Miles at the time encouraged the Queensland CFMEU to consent to the administration, but the union quickly released a statement rejecting the decision.

CFMEU Queensland and Northern Territory Secretary Michael Ravbar declared the Queensland branch would not support any administrator appointment over “unproven media allegations”.

CFMEU union members man picket lines at Cross River Rail sites.

Queensland CFMEU social media pages were flooded with posts of reassurance to members including a video of Mr Ravbar telling workers their branch operated transparently and had done nothing wrong.

It is understood the Queensland CFMEU branch is yet to receive any communication or advice from the Fair Work Commission over the administration process.

Police Minister Mark Ryan on Saturday confirmed he had not been informed of on any possible state or federal police investigations involving the Queensland CFMEU.

“The last week-and-a-half has been tough, because at the end of the day your union has done nothing wrong,” Mr Ravbar said.

“Why is the CFMEU being talked to be put in administration? If you’re going to have a look about criminality and corruption in the industry, you start from the top of the food chain, you don’t start down the bottom.”

Hundreds of Queensland CFMEU members protested at the Cross River Rail jobsite in Brisbane last week following a breakdown in pay negotiations between the CFMEU and lead contractor CPB. The protest, which falls under the union’s protected industrial action policy, began on July 16, with CFMEU members accused of engaging in “unlawful tactics” towards CPB workers crossing the union’s picket line.

CFMEU union members now protest across the road, away from the entrance at the Cross River Rail site in Roma St.

CPB Contractors were successful in securing a Federal Court injunction which saw CFMEU members banned from going within 15m of the entrance of Cross River Rail sites.

It was alleged in court that workers were told “think of your family” and “this is for your kids too,” with electrical contract workers allegedly turned away by CFMEU officials and supervisory and safety workers called “grubs” and “scum”.

Protected industrial action will continue at the Cross River Rail this week, which is expected to cause further delays to the $6.3bn project.