‘Under the gun all the time’: Setka to step down as construction union head

Construction union boss John Setka will step down as secretary this year, ending more than a decade as the influential and at times controversial leader in the Victorian CFMEU.

One of the most consequential union leaders in Australia over the past decade, Setka on Thursday defended his combative approach to industrial relations. He acknowledged he had caused upset since taking up the role of CFMEU secretary in 2012, but he said he was leaving with membership at an all-time high.

The Victorian CFMEU boss John Setka, photographed in 2020.Credit: Chris Hopkins

“If we’re so hated, why do so many people want to join us?” Setka told radio station 3AW, after The Age revealed his decision to retire.

“It’s a young person’s game, to be quite honest. It takes a big toll on you, being the secretary of a union, you’re under the gun all the time.”

He told delegates at a monthly meeting on Thursday that he would not renominate at the next election, expected late this year.

Setka, whose reputation extends outside Victoria, became famous over the past decade for clashing with politicians, business, building watchdogs and even other unions.

He had faced pressure to resign over statements he made about anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty – which he claims were taken out of context. He has separately been accused of domestic abuse, which he denies.

Setka had long spoken openly about plans to retire as secretary of the construction division at the end of this term and said supporters tried to talk him out of it.

He said he planned to spend more time with his three children.

Although no one has been chosen to take up the role when he leaves, assistant secretary Derek Christopher loomed as the natural successor.

John Setka led his union from the front, including at this demonstration in 2016.Credit: Jesse Marlow

“I’ve been coaching him and saying, ‘Hey, get ready for it’,” Setka said on Thursday.

“He’s a pretty tough character, he’s been around, he’s a creature of the construction industry, his dad was a construction worker.”

Branch senior vice president Joe Myles was also named as a potential replacement, but it was unclear on Thursday whether he was interested and prepared to go up against Christopher in a ballot of members.

Labor MP Luba Grigorovitch, who previously led the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, said Setka could be proud of many wins during his time at the helm of the state’s CFMEU.

“John Setka is a true trade unionist who has always been there for the workers and not himself,” Grigorovitch said.

“Unlike others, he has never hesitated to fight for the wellbeing of his members and he and the CFMEU have always honoured solidarity with other unions when they’ve needed it in their own struggles.”

Setka worked for decades in the building union before rising through the ranks to secretary in 2012.

He had clashed with the former federal Coalition government and was a key focus of the royal commission into trade unions, which prompted blackmail charges that were later dropped by prosecutors.

Construction union boss John Setka and his former wife, lawyer Emma Walters.Credit: Simon Schluter

Setka also opposed the federal Australian Building and Construction Commission, which was abolished by the Albanese government.

Although the CFMEU is affiliated with Labor and has considerable sway in the party, Setka was forced out of the Australian Labor Party in 2019 by then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese in a dispute sparked by his remarks about Batty.

The feud de-escalated by 2022 when the CFMEU donated to Labor’s successful federal election campaign.

Speaking generally, Setka on Thursday said he had been accused of things he has never done.

“If I’ve done something wrong, I own up to it, I’ll wear it. But if you accuse me of something that I’ve never done, I will fight ’til the end of the Earth,” he said.

“Some forms of controversy put the CFMEU on the map too. We’re a household name, sometimes for the wrong reasons. But you know what they reckon – there’s one thing worse than always being talked about, is never being talked out.”

Setka’s ex-wife, Emma Walters, in December was found guilty of recklessness in threatening to kill him, but she escaped conviction over the matter. Magistrate Leon Fluxman did not record a conviction against her, saying she was the victim of serious and prolonged family violence at the hands of Setka, which did not excuse her offending but gave it context.

Setka was in 2019 convicted of harassing Walters and for breaching court orders after sending more than 25 calls and 45 text messages.

CFMEU boss John Steka leaving a union meeting in 2019.Credit: Jason South

Setka, 59, named his biggest achievements as creating a pathway for women in the construction industry and winning 36-hour weeks.

A low point was the COVID-19 protests against mandatory vaccinations and other restrictions in the construction sector in September 2021 that began outside union headquarters before blocking the West Gate Bridge, and which he described as a “disgraceful day”.

Under his leadership, the CFMEU publicly campaigned to keep duck hunting in Victoria and threatened to walk off government big build projects if a ban went ahead.

The Allan government late last month announced duck hunting would be allowed to continue, against the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry.

The West Gate Freeway protest during COVID lockdowns in 2021.Credit: Getty

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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