Construction workers take smoko on Lonsdale St in vaccination protest

The state’s building industry is on the cusp of closure, after tradies downed tools on massive infrastructure projects, in protest of new Covid rules.

Workers on the state government’s multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects have walked off the job in protest of new Covid-19 restrictions.

Chaos is now erupting across the industry, with more walk-offs being planned by unions and their workforces.

The $13.7bn Metro Tunnel project has been shut down for the weekend after workers downed tools on Saturday morning.

There are now expected to be widespread shutdowns across government projects, including at level crossing removals along the Williamstown line.

Union figures are divided about a response to new health orders, which put a ban on lunch rooms being used - similar to a ban put on shared spaces used by nurses several months ago.

There have been no protests by nurses over the health measure.

Senior figures in the state government are furious about the dummy-spit on construction sites, with some pointing out that it is one of the few industries where people are still in a job.

But it’s understood there are high level meetings being held to discuss compromises for lunch rooms, which angry workers moved outside to blockade streets on Friday.

Victoria’s construction sector has been warned it could face even stricter measures or close altogether.

Authorised Officers, WorkSafe and the Victorian Building Authority have been inspecting construction sites across the state as part of a mass enforcement blitz cracking down on Covid-safe behaviours.

About 200 surveillance and inspection activities have been conducted, with 73 per cent of construction sites failing to comply with health directions on Thursday alone, compared to 19 per cent noncompliance rates in other industries.

A government spokeswoman said the chief health officer’s directions for the construction industry were about keeping people safe.

The spokeswoman also said that there had been a number of breaches of CHO orders and the industry had been warned: “If you don’t follow the rules, we won’t hesitate to take action.”

She said the government was working with the industry on how to work through the lunch rooms issue and ensure people weren’t gathering in large groups outdoors and disrupting community travel around or through sites.

“We’re disappointed some in the industry have chosen to respond this way and we ask they continue to work with us to find that balance,” she said.

Covid-hit areas – including Hume, Wyndham, Whittlesea, Hobsons Bay and Port Phillip – were among the highest areas of noncompliance rates.

The most common noncompliance trends included no or inadequate COVIDSafe plans, failing to display density limit or face mask signage and not having the QR code.

Construction workers set up an outdoor break room on the intersection of A’Beckett and Elizabeth streets in Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The workers set up tables and chairs in the middle of the street. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

More than 50 dedicated teams conduct surveillance and inspection activities of the construction industry.

Tradies have vowed to continue taking their smoko breaks outside construction sites, with workers on Friday protesting against public health directions by blocking busy streets with tables and barbecues.

Further disruptions were ruled out as long as workers are banned from their tea rooms.

The move comes as the industry is privately seeking exemptions for double vaccinated workers to travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria to prevent delays and disruptions to projects.

On Thursday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced a new ban on movement for construction workers between the two areas and a requirement for all on-site staff to be vaccinated by September 23.

But it was a decree from chief health officer Brett Sutton that breaks were no longer allowed inside tea rooms or “smoko sheds” that triggered the biggest backlash.

The CFMEU and its members were behind a series of disruptive protests across Melbourne streets on Friday.

Workers moved their lunch breaks on to the road, stopping traffic as they camped out for coffee and lunch on thoroughfares such as Sydney Rd and Lonsdale St.

CFMEU state secretary John Setka said the union had not been consulted properly about the rule change.

“Hardworking construction workers who have fought so hard to keep everyone safe, and are then told by the chief health officer after dirty, hard, dangerous work, they can’t even sit down to have a cup of coffee,” he said.

Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said he did not think it was “too much of an inconvenience” for workers to have their lunch outdoors.

“Preferably not on tram tracks,” he said.

The protests stop traffic in the CBD. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Weimar said tea rooms posed a significant risk of transmission with workers — many from different parts of the city — sitting in small spaces to eat and drink.

“I think we all need to be humble on this and recognise the privileges that those of us who are still able to work can get,” he said.

“If you can’t sit next to your mates having a sandwich, that doesn’t seem to be a huge burden to bear.”

Construction companies have also warned of delays on site now that workers cannot move between the regions and Melbourne.

Talks are under way on how best to address the problem, with some pushing for exemptions that would allow fully-vaccinated workers to move more freely.

Master Builders Victoria executive manager relationships and growth Melissa Greenall said there would be issues for specialist trades, site supervisors and safety specialists.

“We are working closely with the Victorian government and hope to find workable solutions as we hit our vaccination target of 100 per cent vaccinated by September 23,” she said.

Mr Setka said this week that he did not support mandatory vaccination for members.

But when the new rules were enforced, he said the industry had to follow health directions.

“I don’t think anyone likes being told you have to do this but unfortunately it's a worldwide pandemic,” he said.

“We’ve got a delegate in intensive care hanging on to life. I would have liked for people to do it voluntarily.”

Construction workers block High St in Kew to protest the ban on using work site tea rooms. Picture: Manuela Cifra

Mr Andrews flagged that other industries could be forced to be vaccinated as part of the recovery road map announcement due on Sunday.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said mandating vaccinations broke down trust and could lead to greater hesitancy.

“We have found that the best approaches have given power, choice and opportunity to employees and ensure their vaccination experience can be a positive one,” she said.

SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said his union supported voluntary vaccinations.

“Workers should be able to choose which vaccine they receive and exemptions on genuine medical grounds must be provided,” he said.