CFMEU and 19 union officials fined more than $800,000

THE CFMEU and several of its officials have been fined more than $800,000 over illegal stoppages at Brisbane construction sites, with a judge describing the actions of some as “deliberate, flagrant and systematic”.

THE CFMEU has copped almost $1 million in fines after being found guilty of a “deliberate, flagrant and systematic” campaign against builder John Holland.

The Federal Court handed down $551,000 in penalties against the CFMEU and a further $265,600 in fines against 19 of its officials.

It relates to almost 100 days of work stoppages between March and November in 2013 at the $777 million Enoggera Barracks and $60 QUT Kelvin Grove construction sites, where unionists called workers who stayed on the job “gutless grubs, scabs and dogs weak as piss”.

In late 2012 the CFMEU had published an article referring to John Holland as “the last major tier-one builder to knock over” in terms of it signing up to an enterprise agreement with the union.

Justice Darryl Rangiah said the actions of the union were “very serious and deserving of very significant penalties”.

“The (CFMEU’s) conduct was deliberate, flagrant and systematic,” he said.

“The respondents have shown no contrition or remorse for their actions.

“There is no evidence of any attempts by the CFMEU to take corrective steps to ensure that its official and agents comply with the law.”

Justice Rangiah said a high penalty was needed as a deterrent as none of the officials involved had resigned and they continued to work in the industrial relations sphere.

Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Stephen McBurney said “the sustained campaign on the head contractor impacted important major projects and risked the livelihoods of those who wanted to work.”

“The level of intimidation directed at both the head contractor and the workers is alarming,” Mr McBurney said.

Originally published as CFMEU and 19 union officials fined more than $800,000