Tradie protest ‘hijacked’ by ‘extreme organisations’: CFMEU boss

Construction union boss John Setka claims ‘extremists’ have hijacked a violent protest outside CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne.

Construction union boss John Setka has blamed “extremists” for manipulating CFMEU members during a violent protest in Melbourne.

A chaotic brawl erupted on Monday after hundreds of people descended on union headquarters to protest mandatory vaccinations for construction workers.

Construction workers gather outside the CFMEU offices in Melbourne to protest against mandatory vaccinations for tradies on building sites. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Setka, who tried to calm the angry crowds before retreating inside when ugly scenes erupted, claimed outside forces were at play.

“I think it’s been hijacked by a few of these extreme organisations,” Mr Setka told 3AW Radio.

The scenes at the protest. Picture: David Crosling

“There are some of our members out there … it’s not all construction workers.

“It’s a bit disappointing that sometimes you get extremists that sort of hijack events.”

The crowd outside the Elizabeth St headquarters continued to grow on Monday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The crowd outside the Elizabeth St offices continued to grow on Monday afternoon, with hundreds of people dressed in high-vis and tensions rising.

Many of them were not wearing masks and spoke about Covid being a conspiracy.

The angry workers yelled obscenities at union officials before wrestling, throwing projectiles and smashing the CFMEU’s front door.

Some workers screamed at Mr Sekta before he retreated inside.

Hundreds of workers gathered outside the CFMEU to protest mandatory vaccinations. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

“People are allowed to express their opinions and you’ve got to take it on the chin sometimes, people get emotional, I understand that,” Mr Setka said.

“But when you go out of your way to address people and they just talk over you, yelling and screaming and throw projectiles and injure people and smash property, it’s just absolutely unacceptable.

“It wasn’t our decision (to mandate vaccinations), we didn’t do it, we didn’t bring this pandemic in, all we’ve tried to do is keep everyone working.”

Construction workers gathered outside the CFMEU offices in Melbourne.. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

It comes after hundreds of protesters gathered in inner Melbourne on Saturday, violently clashing with police.

Angry protesters chanted “no more lockdown”, “sack Dan Andrews” and “we will not comply” as a police line was formed at the intersection of Church St and Bridge Rd in Richmond.

Saturday’s protest resulted in 235 people being arrested with 193 of them linked to breaching the chief health officer’s directions.

Some of the protesters at the CFMEU rally on Monday proudly proclaimed they had attended the Richmond protest.

CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka was confronted at the rally on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Mr Sekta said while there were construction workers there, it was disappointing the rally attracted some “extreme” types.

“I was hoping it was never going to come to this but it has come to this,” he said.

“We haven’t done it, we haven’t mandated it, we’re not the health department, so why approach us and break the place outside our office.”

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