CFMEU strikes could shut down construction on the Western Sydney Airport Metro line as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union prepare to carry out peak hour strikes

It comes as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union are poised to carry out strikes during peak hour in one city.

NCA NEWSWIRE BRISBANE AUSTRALIA 18/09/2023 A generic photo of a CFMEU Flag outside a work site. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NcaNewsWire

Transport construction could be brought to a halt as tensions between Labor and the CFMEU heighten.

A senior government source has claimed they are expecting the embattled union to use workplace health and safety laws to cause a disruption, with the potential to shut down the Western Sydney Airport Metro line, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The government is reportedly “stepping up contingency planning on a whole bunch of scenarios” to avoid a shutdown, the source said.

It follows allegations of misconduct within the CFMEU, with former ALP president and current minister Jenny McAllister defending the Albanese government’s response.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the government should deregister the union and return the millions of dollars in donations the construction union had made to the Labor Party.

An independent administrator would be appointed to overhaul the CFMEU following accusations that underworld figures and outlawed bikie gangs had infiltrated the union, according to the Albanese government.

Senator Jenny McAllister has backed Anthony Albanese’s response to allegations of misconduct among the CFMEU. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator McAllister said “it’s pretty difficult to take lectures from Peter Dutton about this.”

“Most of the alleged behaviour that’s been reported over the past week occurred during the period when the Coalition was in office and the ABCC was in operation,” she told Sunday Agenda on Sky.

“There were plenty of opportunities for the government he was part of to deal with some of the issues that are now being addressed by the government.”

In 2019, as then home affairs minister, Mr Dutton said outlaw bikie gangs “have their fangs into the CFMEU”.

“I don’t know the basis for Peter Dutton making that assertion at that time,” Senator McAllister said.

“But it asks the question doesn’t it – if he knew about it, why didn’t he do something about it. We are not talking about this issue, we are acting on it.”

The alleged construction halts comes as a spate of light rail strikes are planned across Sydney this week, with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) poised to carry out two-hour stoppages between 8am and 10am, and 4pm and 6pm Monday to Friday.

The action comes after failed negotiations between the RTBU and operator Transdev, with RTBU secretary David Babineau claiming staff were meant to receive a pay rise schedule from Transdev, but “what (they’ve) been given is worse off than the previous offer”.

“Workers are just after the pay and conditions they deserve. It’s disappointing the company has forced us back to taking protected industrial action and impacting commuters,” he said.

“We have tried to limit the inconvenience to those peak times to ensure people can get safely to where they need to outside of those hours, for example late at night.

“It’s clear these huge companies aren’t feeling the cost-of-living pinch like our workers are, otherwise they wouldn’t be dragging out this bargaining period.”

A Transdev spokesperson thanked customers for their patience as they work to resolve their new Enterprise Agreement.

“We are working hard with transport partners to minimise impact to customers caused by this industrial action,” the spokesperson said.

“Customers should plan ahead and consider alternate transport options during the disruption period or, if possible, avoid non-essential travel on the trams.

“We will have as many personnel as possible on the ground to help manage the disruptions. Testing activities for Parramatta Light Rail will continue.”