CFMEU officials could lose access to building sites

VICTORIAN CFMEU organiser John Perkovic who abused and intimidated a public servant is among seven officials from the union in line to lose their access to building sites.

CFMEU RALLY union protest outside the magistrates court. flag honour guard.Pic Annette Dew

VICTORIAN CFMEU organiser John Perkovic who abused and intimidated a public servant is among seven officials from the union in line to lose their access to building sites.

The building industry watchdog Fair Work Building and Construction has applied to have Perkovic’s right of entry permit revoked for two years.

He called an FWBC employee a “f---ing piece of s---” and a “c---” during an inspection at a building site in ­Adelaide last year.

According to court documents, Perkovic told the FWBC employee to “f--- off” when he asked to see his ­credentials.

The incident, which was filmed, shows Perkovic ­standing close to the inspector when he said: “You’re just about having a heart attack. You’re s---ing yellow, you piece of s---,” the document states. “Brush your teeth next time. You f---ing coward ... You ­f---ing piece of s---.”

It comes after the union was fined $205,000 for breaking ­industrial law over a series of incidents in South Australia.

A judge found Perkovic ­“attempted to belittle, humiliate and intimidate” the FWBC employee.

FWBC director Nigel Hadgkiss said holding a right of entry permit was a privilege.

“Everyone on a construction site needs to follow the law whether they are a union official, worker or employer,” he said.

FWBC has also applied to rescind the entry permits for two officials from South Australia, two from the ACT and one each from New South Wales and Western Australia.

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