Tradies not affiliated with disgraced union the CFMEU kicked off jobs sites, as industry bosses reveal chilling threats
As an explosive scandal continues to send shockwaves across the nation, there have been some shocking scenes emerging at construction sites.
Dozens of companies have been kicked off government-funded construction sites in recent years because they weren’t aligned with the disgraced CFMEU, it’s been revealed.
The latest shocking claims come amid claims from building industry figures that they faced chilling threats from dark forces within the powerful trade union organisation.
A series of damning revelations about the shadowy dealings of the CFMEU have forced the Federal Government to intervene, with plans to appoint an administrator to seize control of the union and “clear out and get rid of” its dark elements.
Some state branches of the Labor Party have moved to sever ties with the union and cease accepting donations, plunging the CFMEU into chaos.
Union friendlies given lucrative jobs
The Herald Sun reports CFMEU intimidation tactics shut down work at multiple infrastructure projects, including the Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link.
“Whistleblowers have told the Herald Sun how they had secured tenders for work on the Victorian projects, only to be later replaced despite no issues with their work or ‘nonconformance’,” the newspaper reported.
“In some instances, the union’s preferred subcontractors did not have plant or machinery required to do the job and had to buy them from companies cut from jobs they had won.”
The Herald Sun revealed earlier this year that CFMEU tactics had contributed to mammoth budget blowouts at a range of government infrastructure projects.
The union’s preferred contractors had been given work despite their quoted prices being significantly higher than non-union affiliated rivals, in some cases by more than double.
Vision published on Wednesday by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age allegedly showed CFMEU New South Wales boss Darren Greenfield receiving $5000 during a meeting with a developer who was seeking the union’s approval.
In the clip, Mr Greenfield can allegedly be seen accepting a wad of cash and then, about 10 minutes later, stashing the money in a desk drawer.
Mr Greenfield and his son Michael, the CFMEU’s assistant secretary, were charged with serious corruption offences in late 2021. The pair has denied any wrongdoing and the matter remains before the courts.
Chilling threats and intimidation
A building industry boss was the target of repeated threats and intimidation tactics at the hands of senior CFMEU figures, it’s been alleged.
Will Frogley, chief executive of the organisation Master Builders South Australia, revealed the appalling behaviour he copped when the union’s Victorian branch moved into the state.
Appearing on Triple M Adelaide’s Roo, Ditts and Liz Show on Wednesday, Mr Frogley revealed a decapitated Kermit the Frog puppet was left on the fence of his family home.
His car was also vandalised and Master Builders staff were allegedly threatened by CFMEU representatives, he alleged.
“It’s not a lot of fun, I’ve got to say,” Mr Frogley told the radio station.
“I had my staff walking to lunch have carloads of people drive by yelling abuse at them. It was pretty confronting for them. It was pretty intimidating.”
Of the broader allegations aired across Nine’s outlets in recent days, Mr Frogley said few in the construction sector would be shocked.
“It’s shocking to people outside our industry but unfortunately, for those deeply entrenched within it, it came as no surprise at all.
“We’re very aware of this type of behaviour. It’s been going on for a very long time.”
Meanwhile, some Victorian construction business owners have spoken of alleged blackmail attempts, being told to cough up money or face being booted off worksites.
One contractor alleges they were told to give $20,000 in cash to a CFMEU delegate in order to have their company approved for work on a taxpayer funded project, The Herald Sun reported.
Other industry sources spoke of being fearful of the union’s alleged links with organised crime figures, including bikies.
This week, subcontractors who went to work on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project were abused and intimidated by striking CFMEU members as they arrived.
Subcontractors are allowed to work during sanctioned strike action and are meant to be allowed to pass union members freely.
“One person familiar with the picket line said some people working on the site were called ‘scabs’ and warned they wouldn’t work on a major government project again,” The Courier-Mail reported today.
It’s not just workers and project operators who have been targeted by elements within the CFMEU, with rival unions also copping intimidation tactics.
In February, delegates from the Australian Workers Union arrived at a Queensland work site for a routine inspection.
Two vehicles were “quickly surrounded” by a mob from CFMEU who banged on the windows and screamed at their counterparts, The Courier-Mail reported.
The two unions have been engaged in tensions over the CFMEU’s efforts to lure members away from the AWU, in its bid to become the most powerful organisation on construction projects.
A series of serious allegations aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday and published across Nine’s mastheads on Monday and Tuesday claimed the Victorian branch of the CFMEU engaged in intimidation and corrupt conduct with building companies.
Bikies and other organised crime figures had been lobbed into roles within the CFMEU, it was also alleged.
Labor rocked by allegations
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the revelations are “abhorrent and intolerable”, leading to the decision for the Fair Work Commission to manage the administration process, which is not limited to Victoria and New South Wales.
Mr Burke rejected calls for the union to be deregistered and said the matter of whether the CFMEU should remain part of the Labor Party would be considered by others.
The national executive of the Labor Party met today and “unanimously resolved to suspend” the union’s construction division’s affiliation with the New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmanian branches of the ALP.
“This suspension will remain in place until further notice,” Labor’s national secretary Paul Erickson said in a statement.
“For the duration of the suspension, the branches of the CFMEU that have been suspended will be excluded from all rights ordinarily afforded to an affiliated union under Labor’s National Constitution and the rules of the ALP state branches.”
It will not accept any donations or levies from the union until further notice, Mr Erickson added.
On Wednesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns called for the immediate suspension of the CFMEU from the Labor Party.
“The CFMEU construction division is either unable or unwilling to reform its leadership in the face of devastating allegations that are of a very serious nature,” Mr Minns told reporters.
Mr Minns also announced the state branch of the Labor Party would stop accepting donations from the union.
Also yesterday, Queensland Premier Steven Miles encouraged builders and workers to confidentially share details of CFMEU tactics via the administration process without fear of retribution.
“I understand those concerns, I do hope that this provides them with an alternative way to raise those concerns and for the administrator to then be able to address not just specific allegations, but cultural matters too,” Mr Miles told reporters.
The premier has put in place a temporary ban on meetings with CFMEU officials as well as any donations from the union.
John Setka, the controversial secretary of the CFMEU’s Victorian branch, resigned with immediate effect on Sunday. The union’s national executive made the decision to place the Victorian branch into administration.
Mr Setka has denied any wrongdoing.
The CFMEU has not responded to requests for comment.
However, on Monday, the national office wrote to members about the erupting scandal and insisted it had “zero tolerance for criminality”.
“Anyone found to have engaged in criminal conduct while representing the CFMEU will be identified and removed,” the letter read.
“Our union exists for one purpose only: to defend and advance the safety and conditions of workers.”
Albo has ‘soiled himself’
The government risks a war with the CFMEU over its response to the allegations of criminal conduct.
Michael Ravbar, the secretary of the CFMEU in Queensland and the Northern Territory and a former member of the Labor national executive, has attacked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Albanese has panicked and soiled himself over some unproven allegations in the media,” Mr Ravbar said in a statement.
“Workers can see that Albo has lost control and the country is being run by buffoon breakfast show hosts and talkback radio shock jocks.
“The CFMEU is here to stay. This union is owned by the members, not media moguls or spineless politicians. We will defend each other to the ends of the earth.”
In analysis for The Conversation, workplace law expert Professor Anthony Forsyth from RMIT University said Labor needs to act.
“As well as working with state governments to ensure allegations of criminal behaviour are investigated by relevant authorities, Labor could revisit the grounds for court-ordered disqualification of union officials to capture a broader range of criminal behaviour and to enable the federal minister to apply for disqualification,” Professor Forsyth wrote.
“It may also be time to implement a ‘fit and proper person’ test for holding union office in the construction industry.
“There is room for the Albanese government to take decisive steps against the rogue elements in the CFMEU, devoid of the ideological antipathy to unions which coloured the Coalition’s approach to union regulation.”
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