Tattooed Comancheros bikie Norm Meyer revealed as key player in CFMEU standover tactics

FACE-tattooed bikie Norm Meyer has been revealed as the key player in orchestrating standover tactics for the militant CFMEU in the building industry.

Comancheros bikie raids.

FACE-tattooed bikie Norm Meyer has been revealed as the key player in standover tactics for the militant CFMEU in the building industry.

The menacing Comancheros bikie has become the poster boy for alleged corruption in the building trades.

The Herald Sun can reveal Mr Meyer is the Comancheros’ main contact with the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.

Police have confirmed that officers are investigating claims of corruption in the building industry.

Now there are calls for a royal commission, which has already been told of blackmail allegations against CFMEU state secretary John Setka, to investigate the activities of Mr Meyer and his Comanchero brothers.

Mr Meyer worked at major contractor MC Labour until last year.

He was sacked when video footage of his attempt to collect a debt, dressed in full Comancheros colours, surfaced.

The heavy-hitting bikie is alleged to have organised other bikies to be used as security on building sites and to intimidate builders into bending to the union’s will.

Their presence allows the union to enforce delays to concrete pours, costing builders tens of thousands of dollars, and ensure union-approved shop stewards are employed.

Senior police have confirmed bikies have infiltrated the industry by gaining legitimate jobs, and they warned the bikies use those positions to deal illicit drugs on site.

Industrial Relations Minister Robert Clark said the State Government had given police new powers to crack down on outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“The Victorian Government is very concerned about continuing reports of bikie gang members being involved in the construction industry and with the CFMEU,” he said.

“It adds to the evidence recently given to the trade unions royal commission about the culture of thuggery and intimidation that was allowed to return to the Victorian building industry under previous Labor governments.”

Mr Meyer is the sergeant at arms of the Williamstown chapter of the Comancheros - a club linked to Mick Gatto.

His distinct tattoos marked him out during raids on the Comancheros’ South Melbourne clubhouse this week, in which angle grinders were used to cut down the door and an armoured truck to charge inside.

Building industry sources claim that CFMEU assistant secretary Shaun Reardon is Mr Meyer’s main contact in the union.

The pair were seen together during a union protest through the city last year.

A picture of Mr Meyer at the front of the protest of 10,000 workers was promoted on the CFMEU’s website last year, but has since been taken down.

Mr Meyer was arrested in New South Wales last year over a bashing in 2009, but charges were dropped when the case went to court.

The Herald Sun revealed last month that CFMEU shop steward Stu-e Corkran was a patched member of the Rebels bikie gang.

Corkran was involved in the West Gate Bridge demarcation dispute. Charges against him were dropped before they reached court.

Lawrie Cross, of the Master Builders Association of Victoria, said builders were putting their faith in the royal commission.

“This type of illegal activity must be stopped,” he said.

“We trust that the royal commission will provide some direction for law enforcement reform that will allow and encourage the stamping out of this ugly and destructive type of activity within the building and construction industry.”

Victoria Police spokeswoman Belle Nolan said: “We are able to confirm that Victoria Police is currently investigating a number of allegations of corrupt practices in the building and construction industry in Victoria.

“Anyone with information about criminal activity in the building and construction industry in Victoria is urged to report it to police or confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Gatto said last night he had no links to Mr Meyer.

“I don’t know the bloke. I may have seen him once or twice,” he said.

The CFMEU did not respond to written questions last night.

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