Builders fight back on gold-plated CFMEU pay deals

Builders are seeking legal advice on how to rip up gold-plated CFMEU pay deals after the union was put into administration.

Builders are seeking legal ­advice on how they can rip up gold-plated CFMEU pay deals after the union was put into ­administration.

Victorian union workers boasted there were “not enough Ford Rangers in the f---ing country” when a 20 per cent pay deal was inked in June, with “stop and go” sign workers already earning $206,000 on major projects.

But those agreements were thrown into doubt on Friday when the CFMEU was put into administration under ­barrister Mark Irving for at least three years.

It comes as the troubled union prepares to stage rallies ­opposing the Albanese government’s takeover of its militant construction division, after sacked ­officials accused Labor of “disgusting, unAustralian” conduct.

Rallies are scheduled for the ACT and Western Australia but officials have signalled the protests could grow into a national day of action.

Unions have labelled the move “appalling”, after 270 CFMEU staffers were sacked on Friday in a major clean-out.

Senator Murray Watt.

Barrister Mark Irving.

Master Builders Association of Victoria has confirmed that the pay deal was only a “template” and its counterpart in NSW has been actively campaigning against a 22 per cent CFMEU pay deal signed there in June.

Building industry sources say builders were now looking to review the agreements, checking with lawyers if they could claim they were coerced into signing the deals.

Major building companies were likely to seek to renegotiate deals to allow for rostered days off to be banked up and taken at the end of a project rather than every two weeks instead of pay cuts.

Victorian Electrical Trades Union secretary Troy Gray said he expected building companies would attempt to cut wages, blaming Federal Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt.

“Recalcitrant employers will be looking to get out of their commitments,” he said.

“That is what happens when you get a massive over-reaction from the Labor Government.

“If workers and their families are worse off, you can thank Murray Watt for that.”

The Victorian Trades Hall Council said it would be a “waste” of money to liaise with lawyers.

“If builders want to waste money on lawyers who will simply tell them the agreements stand, then that’s their call,” a Trades Hall spokesperson said.

Darren Greenfield found out he was sacked in the media. Picture: Facebook

NSW CFMEU state secretary Darren Greenfield, who is facing bribery charges, found out he was sacked by reading about in the media.

“The state and federal government’s actions have done nothing more than attack the rights and conditions of thousands of CFMEU members and their families,” Mr Greenfield said in a joint statement with assistant secretary Rob Kera and state branch president Rita Mallia.

“This entire farce was born through a baseless media and government stitch-up. The lack of due process and basic democratic rights from the government is disgusting and simply unAustralian.”

The unprecedented decision to put the CFMEU into administration has threatened to derail Labor’s campaign for the next election.

ETU secretary Troy Gray. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The ETU voted at a meeting in Hobart to revoke as much as $2 million in donations to Labor over the CFMEU decision, with that money potentially redirected to a High Court challenge.

Michaela Lihou, chief executive of Master Builders Victoria, said using the EBA template was optional and not compulsory for builders.

“The CFMEU’s template enterprise agreement provides a point of reference for those considering making an enterprise agreement. It is not a requirement for any business to make this template enterprise agreement,” she said.

“For our members that don’t wish to make the CFMEU’s template, we will work with them to ensure they have workplace arrangements that are suitable for their business.”

Former CFMEU boss John Setka shows off new ink with a tattoo reading, God Forgives The CFMEU Doesn’t, on his neck. Picture: Supplied

Victorian State Secretary of CFMEU John Setka speaking to workers protesting against vaccinations outside the union office in 2021. Picture: David Crosling

Master Builders Association of NSW has set up a petition railing against its CFMEU agreement, which has already been signed by 490 people.

“It will place you under increased union control, limiting your autonomy and decision-making power on projects including who can and can’t be engaged as a subcontractor,” the petition said.

“We all want to keep workers safe on site but this EBA is a trojan horse for increased union control.

“In a cost of living crisis, can Australians really afford an increase of at least 20 per cent to construction costs?”

The threat to the pay deal was another hit to the legacy of CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka, who resigned after allegations the union was infiltrated by bikie gangs.