Huge union protest disrupts Port of Melbourne and CBD

Employers slam disruption caused by up to 100,000 workers joining biggest Melbourne union protest since WorkChoices.

Thousands of unionists blocked off parts of Melbourne’s CBD yesterday as protesters marched to demand better pay and more secure jobs for workers. Picture: AAP.

One of the nation’s biggest ports was severely disrupted yesterday as wharfies walked off the job to join up to 100,000 unionists in the biggest Melbourne protest by the ­labour movement since the Work Choices campaign against John Howard.

In the first co-ordinated industrial action by the recently merged construction and maritime unions, hundreds of stevedores at DP World, Patrick and Toll Group at the Port of Melbourne took unprotected industrial action to attend an ACTU rally in the central business district and support union leader John Setka over blackmail charges.

Employers launched proceedings in the Fair Work Commission to end the action that was slammed as “illegal, irresponsible, damaging and reckless” by the ­Australian Mines and Metals Association.

“Today’s events demonstrate how co-ordinated industrial action between the CFMMEU’s construction and maritime divisions can have immediate and damaging impacts on the economy, the community and our international reputation as a reliable place to invest and do business,” said AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“It’s a stark reality check for anyone who believed the unions’ assurances that it would not lead to this type of co-ordinated industrial ­action.”

The “change the rules” protest brought sections of Melbourne’s CBD to a standstill as unionists stopped outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court to voice their support for the construction union’s Victorian secretary, Mr Setka, and his deputy Shaun Reardon. Mr Setka, on the court’s fifth floor, posted photos on social media of the protest, declaring he was “so proud to be part of this great movement”.

Commuters were heavily disrupted, with roads and trams shut off. Yarra Trams said up to 17 Melbourne tram routes were delayed, affecting thousands of passengers. VicRoads said hundreds of cars would have been affected but delays significantly eased an hour after the protests ended.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive James Pearson said the “community disruption and productivity impact may appear significant today but if the ACTU gets its way, we’ll see a more serious threat to productivity as small businesses shut their doors, buckling under pressure of more regulation and unaffordable wage increases”.

Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari dismissed employer complaints about the impact of the rally that was timed to coincide with the federal budget after­math. “We will hear their grievances when 120,000 of them take to the streets,’’ he said.

He said workers wanted pay rises, not tax cuts promised in the budget. He said Trades Hall was likely to hold its next major rally calling for sweeping changes to federal workplace laws in September.

Dozens of protesters headed to city pubs after the rally. At the Transport Bar in Federation Square, George, a 27-year-old carpenter and CFMMEU member, said the rally was “for equal rights”.

“Our union is a much bigger union and we have a bit more power than some of the smaller ­unions,’’ he said. “We need to march together and back them up. They get done over.”

John, a 22-year-old electrician, told The Australian he wanted to march for childcare workers and nurses. “Those poor nurses. All the bull they put up with and yet they don’t get a fair day’s pay,” he said.

“And childcare payments are going through the roof, but childcare workers get so little.”

He said the dangers he faced as an electrician had pushed him to take to the streets. “I fall off a ladder, I fall to my death ... but a dude in an office, typing away? He’s falling on to the carpet. We take a fair crack so we should get a fair wage.”