CFMEU boss John Setka banned from picketing Melbourne wharf
UNION hard man John Setka and other CFMEU members have been banned from picketing at Melbourne’s wharf. It comes after revelations the sacked wharfie at the centre of the picket has bikie links and is one of Toby Mitchell’s closest pals.
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UNION hard man John Setka and other CFMEU members have been banned from picketing at Melbourne’s wharf.
The Victorian Supreme Court today found Setka incited others to maintain the unlawful blockade of the Victorian International Container Terminal, leaving thousands of Christmas goods and medical supplies lingering on the docks.
Justice Michael McDonald said there was a “substantial body of evidence” demonstrating illegal conduct on the wharf.
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He said this included a red trailer with a sign stating it is only to be used with Setka’s permission, union flags, port-a-loos, tents, gazebos, chairs, caravan, and even a post box.
Maritime Union of Australia members had already been prohibited by a court order of participating in the blockade and inciting others to do so on its behalf.
Justice McDonald also said Trades Hall Council — identifying state secretary Luke Hilakari — as actively campaigning against the VICT.
“The MUA has outsourced to other unions … the task of maintaining an illegal picket,” he said.
“It is the primary beneficiary of the unlawful action taking place and the financial pressure that action is bringing to bear on the plaintiff.”
The picket started on November 27, and not a single truck has made it through the gates since, despite the terminal normally recording between 100-200 trucks daily.
Justice McDonald said he had “no doubt” the unlawful behaviours would continue unless he made an order.
He said while every day people had the right to protest, he questioned whether this was one of those instances.
The court order prohibits CFMEU members from being within 100m of the site and inciting others to do so.
Mr Hilakari and each “Hilakari representative” also copped the similar orders.
The order comes after the Herald Sun revealed the sacked wharfie at the centre of the illegal picket has bikie links and is one of feared outlaw Toby Mitchell’s closest pals.
The Herald Sun can reveal docks worker Richard Lunt has also been the centre of another workplace dispute that cost market growers millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Business estimates the 15-day picket at Webb Dock will cost more than $100 million in damages as the unions hold tonnes of sports shoes, pet food, cheese and medical supplies hostage.
The Maritime Union of Australia started its picket of the Victorian International Container Terminal company port a fortnight ago after Mr Lunt, a casual employee, was denied further shifts when it was discovered he did not have the proper security clearance.
As the war on the docks escalates over one man’s job, new details of goods being held hostage have come to light. They include 58 tonnes of predominantly Nike sports shoes, 26 tonnes of beer, 53 tonnes of wine and more than 10 shipping containers of Mercedes Benz car parts.
Trapped on the docks is also millions worth of high-grade building material, fruit waiting for export, 97 tonnes of peanut butter and 121 tonnes of canned tuna.
About 14 tonnes of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals are trapped under the picket but union officials say they have agreed for urgent medical supplies to be removed.
Stuart Wood, QC, from the VICT, alleged that those at the blockade were “being told to maintain the fight”.
“These people are not walking down to the docks for a picnic ... they are going down to continue the blockade until the VICT gives in to MUA demands,” Mr Wood said.
More than 1000 workers walked off the job at a fiery rally at the dock on Friday.
Herman Borenstein, QC, representing the Maritime Union of Australia, said the union had not encouraged workers to picket unlawfully.
The court heard CFMEU boss John Setka encouraged workers to ignore court orders and claimed the union had the money to pay any fines.
But the CFMEU’s representation, Peter Morrissey, SC, said Mr Setka’s address was “a critique of justice”.
The judge on Monday night reserved judgment and will return a verdict on Tuesday.
Goods held hostage either destined for or coming off the Glasgow Express
■ 58 tonnes of sport shoes
■ 11 tonnes of beef
■ 53 tonnes of wine
■ 121 tonnes of canned tuna
■ 170 tonnes of cheese
■ 14 tonnes of medical supplies/pharmaceuticals
■ 40 tonnes of coffee
■ 22 tonnes of Oreo cookies
■ 46 tonnes of pet resin
■ 25 tonnes of milk powder
■ 97 tonnes of peanut butter
■ Mercedes car parts
■ 200 tonnes of wheat grain
■ 30,730 pieces of aluminium alloy
■ 192,000 pieces of aluminium building supports
■ 320 packages (3400kg) of poppy seeds
■ 495 pieces of high-grade zinc metal
■ Fruit
■ Cotton
■ Clay
■ Timber
■ Lead
■ Hay
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