CFMEU Manufacturing Division members to vote on whether to demerge and form new Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union

The head of a CMFEU division expects a secret ballot to be successful, with hundreds of Tasmania workers set to leave the union if that occurs.

CFMEU could split. Picture David Clark

Hundreds of Tasmania timber workers could leave the CMFEU if a demerger ballot gets up.

A vote is being held to determine whether workers should demerge and form the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU).

The secret ballot, conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, will run until April 14.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus placed the CFMEU in administration in August after allegations of corruption emerged within the Victorian Branch’s Construction Division.

“We expect a high voter turn out and a big yes vote to demerge from the CFMEU,” CFMEU Manufacturing Division National Secretary Michael O’Connor said.

“Timber Workers in Tasmania and all our members across the country do not want to be associated with a union that is riddled with allegations of corruption and criminality.

CFMEU Manufacturing Division National Secretary Michael O’Connor.

“The right of timber workers and textile, clothing and footwear workers to have a demerger vote was originally championed by Senator Jacqui Lambie and then taken up by the Albanese government.

“Members should know that they are able to exercise their democratic right to a vote because of the advocacy of Jacqui Lambie and legislation introduced by the Albanese government – and supported by all MPs except the Greens.”

CFMEU Tasmanian secretary Richie Hassett declined to comment, saying that only the union’s administrators could make public statements about the organisation.

The CFMEU administrators declined to comment.

If the CFMEU Manufacturing Division decides to leave, it would be the second arm of the union to leave in recent years.

In 2023, the Mining and Energy Division left the CFMEU.

They went on to form the Mining and Energy Union.