ABCC takes CFMMEU members to court over alleged sexist slurs

Women in construction have been allegedly targeted with sexist slurs and verbal abuse by CFMMEU officials, as Labor pledges to dump the sector’s regulator.

Women in construction have been allegedly targeted with sexist slurs and verbal abuse by officials from a “rogue” union, as the federal government warns a Labor pledge to dump the sector’s regulator amounted to “condoning” the alleged behaviour.

The Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) is taking court action against two members of the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMMEU) accused of verbal abuse and unwanted physical contact toward women on building sites.

Union official Travis Brook has been accused of asking a female worker about her sex life on two occasions while on a South Australian building project in January, making her feel “uncomfortable and embarrassed”.

The ABCC will allege during his inspection of the site, Brook spoke to a female labourer who was known to him about her Christmas and asked, “were you and (her husband) humping like rabbits the whole time?”

In another case the ABCC is taking court action against CFMMEU representative Gerald McCrudden for alleged repeated verbal abuse, and for twice allegedly making physical contact with a female health and safety manager at a freeway project in Victoria last year.

The Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) is taking court action against two CFMMEU members over alleged sexist abuse. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

At one point during the visit the female manager accused McCrudden of putting words in her mouth, to which the ABCC allege he responded by saying, “I would never put anything in your mouth, you’re disgusting.”

Brook and McCrudden have not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

While not commenting on the specific claims before the court, ABCC commissioner Steve McBurney told The Daily Telegraph women generally were “disproportionately” targeted by members of the “rogue union” both in person and on social media.

“There is no place for that type of language in a modern Australian workplace, and I don’t accept that there’s a different standard in the building and construction industry,” he said.

(File image) Female construction workers are disproportionately targeted, Mr McBurney claims. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr McBurney said in the past five years the CFMMEU had accumulated almost $15 million in penalties as a result of various legal actions taken by the ABCC.

“There’s no one else in our industry who comes even close,” he said.

“We present the evidence before the courts, and what the federal court in particular is consistently saying is that this is a rogue union.”

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash said it was “high time” Labor stood up for women in construction, instead of abolishing the ABCC and effectively “condoning” their poor treatment.

“These latest (claims) are unfortunately part of an appalling history of the CFMMEU’s treatment of women,” she said.

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash called out the union’s “appalling history”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Asked who would enforce the right of women not to be sexually harassed or abused in the construction sector if the ABCC was abolished, Labor provided a statement saying the party made “no apology” for its pledge to scrap the “politicised and totally discredited organisation”.

“(The ABCC) was set up by the LNP to dismantle unions and undermine the pay, conditions, and job security of ordinary Australian workers,” a Labor campaign spokesman said.

CFMEU Construction & General Division national secretary Dave Noonan said the matters raised by the ABCC would be “tested in court”.

“We believe the ABCC allegations have been put out there to damage the union in the run up to the federal election and should not be taken at face value,” he said.

Mr Noonan said the union had a “proud record of supporting women in the construction industry,” highlighting a successful 2021 High Court matter guaranteeing women the right to have dedicated toilets on building sites.

Originally published as ABCC takes CFMMEU members to court over alleged sexist slurs