Protest directs fury at Labor as tens of thousands march through city for CFMEU

Before the clock had struck 11am, they were coming from every direction. Tens of thousands of workers, most dressed in orange and yellow high-vis or black CFMEU hoodies.

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union workers gathered outside the Trades Hall in Carton. Earlier on Tuesday morning, they downed their tools in preparation for a march through the city to protest against the federal government’s decision to place the union into administration.

CFMEU protesters outside Trades Hall in Carlton on Tuesday.Credit: Jason South

The government takeover followed allegations of corruption and links to organised crime within the union, which were exposed in the Building Bad investigation by this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes. There was no sign of John Setka – the former CFMEU Victorian secretary who resigned before the investigation was published last month – in Tuesday’s crowd.

“Righto, start marching,” shouted a CFMEU organiser – and they were off.

A group of women stood at the front of the crowd, holding a large black CFMEU banner, as the crowd made its way from Carlton to the Fair Work Commission in Exhibition Street.

Among the crowd – estimated by police to be about 50,000-strong – was Don, who did not provide his surname.

Protesters during their march from Carlton to the Fair Work Commission in Exhibition Street.Credit: Jason South

“What I think about the Labor government would be unprintable,” Don said.

“Considering the union formed the Labor Party, what the Labor Party is doing now is just unforgivable.

“It’s the wrong move. There are bad eggs in every barrel. It’s not illegal to be a bikie member; it’s illegal to do an illegal act as a bikie member.”

That sentiment was shared by many of his fellow protesters. They expressed simmering anger and disappointment in the Labor Party, but fierce and unflinching loyalty to a union they say protected their rights and kept them safe on worksites.

They marched through the city, waving CFMEU flags and clutching placards scrawled with slogans such as “Hands off the CFMEU”, “Allah forgives, the CFMEU doesn’t”, “Touch one, touch all” and “F--- the ALP”.

“When I say union, you say power,” they chanted. “The workers united, we will never be defeated.”

The throng brought Exhibition Street to a standstill just after midday, as city traders and office workers came out to the street to watch.

“We stick together. We show the world, we stay together,” shouted one protester. “We walk down to the government building and let them know what we think.”

Demonstrators take to the streets in response to Labor’s move to appoint an administrator over the CFMEU.Credit: Joe Armao

Construction worker Haralambos, who did not want his surname used, said he was concerned the placing of the CFMEU into administration could set a precedent for other unions.

He said he felt betrayed by the government.

“Where does this end? The whole thing is just really unfair,” he said.

“The CFMEU has been around for ages, fighting for all our rights and all our benefits. It’s possible if this government comes in and seizes it. We could lose it all.

“The government reckons the CFMEU is corrupt. Well, I reckon they should look in their own backyard.”

As a police helicopter flew overhead, Vik Sharma, the branch secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, addressed the crowd outside the Fair Work Commission.

“Brothers and sisters, we are here today because we are angry,” Sharma said.

“We have every right to be angry, and we still stay angry until they sort out this mess.”

The protest was a sea of workers in high-vis and black CFMEU hoodies.Credit: Joe Armao

Sharma demanded the CFMEU be given back to the workers, vowing “this fight will not be over until we get our union back”.

“This crowd is going to be symbolic in the pages of history,” he said to roars of applause.

“Nothing has ever been given to us – we have always fought for it. We will keep fighting.”

Retired union official Christy Cain accused the federal government of betraying workers – his mention of the government prompted boos from the crowd – and taking control of the “greatest union in the country: the CFMEU”.

Protesters shout their support during the rally.Credit: Jason South

“They are saying they will permanently ban officials from working in other unions,” Cain said, adding that his friend Setka was with the workers in spirit.

With memories of COVID-era protests – when some people smashed windows and hurled abuse as workers marched off city construction sites in protest against tearoom bans and mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations – still relatively fresh, police surrounded Tuesday’s gathering, ready to act.

But the rally was peaceful, and by lunchtime it was all over, with thousands of union workers dispersing, many to the nearest pub.

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