CMFEU and other union reps show up in force outside Michael Healy’s office demanding wage rises

Tradies and union members marched down Spence Street Thursday morning to protest outside Cairns MP Michael Healy’s office. Here’s what they’re angry about.

CAIRNS tradies and union members converged on MP Michael Healy’s office in Spence St Thursday morning, demanding, among other things, “modest but decent” wage rises for blue-collar government workers.

But the Cairns member wasn’t there — he’s currently working in Brisbane.

Tradespeople from many backgrounds attended the rally, organised by the CFMEU in conjunction with other rallies around the state.

CFMEU Far North Queensland organiser Rolly Cummins rallies union members from the ETU, QBuild, RoadTek and the CFMEU in front of Cairns MP Michael Healy's office. Picture: Brendan Radke

“State government workers are taking protected industrial action because the Queensland government are refusing to talk to them or the unions about negotiations of a new (EBA) agreement,” CFMEU spokesman Rolly Cummins said.

“Their agreement expired yesterday. We’ve been trying to come to the table to negotiate a new agreement for the last six months … we’ve just heard radio silence from the government and the departments.”

Union members from the ETU, QBuild, RoadTek and the CFMEU rally in front of Michael Healy's office. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Cummins said there has been a history of delay, on the part of the state government, in reaching agreements with government employees and union bodies.

“They’re always a bit slow off the mark … some of the state agencies took up to 18 months to negotiate previous agreements,” he said.

“These workers are on the frontline for our community. They’re not on Hollywood wages, but they get up every morning to service their community. They build Queensland’s assets, they keep the roads safe and the hospitals running.

“These are the kind of workers that the Labor government keep ignoring.”

Mr Healy’s office was contacted for comment.

Originally published as CMFEU and other union reps show up in force outside Michael Healy’s office demanding wage rises