CFMEU secretary: ‘This bill risks setting a dangerous precedent for anti-worker ideologues’
The federal government’s move to introduce laws to break up the CFMEU has sparked backlash from the union who warn it will set a “dangerous precedent”.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The CFMEU has taken aim at the Albanese government, accusing it of “backroom political games”, following its intervention to enable the manufacturing division to split from the broader militant union.
Federal Employment Minister Tony Burke on Monday introduced legislation that would allow the division to hold a ballot to abandon the union.
The move comes after controversial union boss John Setka threatened to derail AFL-related projects unless the league sacked its head of umpiring.
Mr Burke said it was “not hard” to see why members may want to vote to leave.
“It’s clear many manufacturing division members – including workers in heavily feminised industries like textiles – do not feel properly represented by the CFMEU,” he said.
“The recent threatening and thuggish behaviour of John Setka has hardened the Government’s resolve to give members a choice.”
But CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith warned that reinstating the “Coalition-era powers” was a mistake and could hurt workers, adding the division was in “dire financial straits” after failed legal challenges.
“This bill risks setting a dangerous precedent for anti-worker ideologues in future coalition governments to break up unions,” Mr Smith said.
“The Fair Work Commission has ruled very clearly on this issue.
“Instead of accepting the umpire’s decision, we’ve now seen backroom political games trump members’ best interests.”
If a ballot is supported, the legislation would also provide safeguards to address eligibility rules and prevent the CFMEU from expanding with a new organisation, unless the unions agree, until 2034.
The mining and energy division of the CFMEU has previously split and formed its own union.
But Mr Smith said he was confident that the construction supply chain workers would be best represented by the construction union.
Man to face court over ‘Pam the Bird’ graffiti attacks
A man has been charged over some of Melbourne’s most high-profile “Pam the Bird” graffiti attacks, including on the Flinders Street Station clock and CityLink “Cheese Stick” column.
‘She was preyed upon’: Mushroom victim’s family demand answers
Rachael Dixon’s grieving parents have spoken for the first time since their daughter’s death, alleging a trusted friend took advantage of her at a health retreat in regional Victoria.