Thousands walk off the job: CFMEU stages major protest in Melbourne and Sydney

Thousands of workers have walked off the job as part of a massive union rally, but some ugly language has scarred the gathering.

Thousands of workers in Sydney and Melbourne have taken to the streets to protest the forced administration of the controversial CFMEU, but some vicious chanting has debased an otherwise peaceful demonstration.

The protests, which began at 11am, brought thousands of workers to both city centres and forced rolling road closures along Elizabeth St and Macquarie St heading toward Sydney’s Hyde Park.

In Melbourne, thousands of demonstrators were seen outside the Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton, many of them in black CFMEU hoodies and waving the union’s flag as they marched.

Thousands of workers took to the streets in Melbourne for Wednesday’s rally. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

The rally took over the Melbourne CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

The marchers chanted “when the CFMEU is under attack, fight back!” as they moved through the CBD streets, The Herald Sun reports.

Some workers also chanted “f**k the administrators” and “f**k Albo”, referring to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Your Union, Your Choice campaign, launched in Brisbane last month, is aimed at challenging Mr Albanese’s decision to force the CFMEU into administration.

In a speech to members on Wednesday, CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith said workers had “had enough”.

Victorian ETU secretary Troy Gray spoke at the rally in Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

“We have had enough. Five weeks in, we have had enough. We are drawing a line in the sand. Not only are we drawing a line in the sand, we are coming out swinging,” he said.

“An attack on one union is an attack on all.”

A team of barristers lead by Bret Walker SC will run a challenge in the High Court to laws allowing the union to be placed into forced administration.

The embattled union is facing allegations that the construction and general division has been involved in criminal conduct.

“We know that the grubby bosses want you to work longer hours, for less money, in unsafe conditions, without the ability to fight back,” Mr Smith said ahead of the rallies.

Members also marched on NSW state parliament. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The event took place amid a large police presence. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The CFMEU’s Victorian branch will push to sign 1000 EBAs in the state in the next 12 months.

“Our message to the employers here in Victoria, and all across Australia is very simple: We will not let you use administration to drive down wages and conditions of construction workers,” Mr Smith said.

Crowd is building outside of Vic Trades Hall for the second big defend the CFMEU rally. pic.twitter.com/gLFUFu73Wb

— Matt (@MattH093) September 18, 2024

Wednesday’s marches were organised by the Electrical Trades Union Queensland and Northern Territory and included sacked national secretary Jade Ingham.

Footage from a Nine News chopper shows a sea of unionists marching over major thoroughfares in Melbourne.

In Sydney, LiveTraffic NSW shows major disruptions to CBD streets as the protesters approach Hyde Park.

Hundreds of workers gathered in Brisbane on Tuesday to support the CFMEU.

Originally published as Thousands walk off the job: CFMEU stages major protest in Melbourne and Sydney