CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne exposed to coronavirus

CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne’s CBD has been listed as a tier one exposure site, forcing state secretary John Setka into isolation.

The CFMEU head office – at the centre of multiple protests in Melbourne last week – has been declared a Covid-19 exposure site.

State secretary John Setka has been forced into isolation as a result.

CFMEU Victoria and Tasmania president Robert Graauwmans was one of four confirmed cases – he’s fully-vaccinated and said to be doing well.

In a statement, the CFMEU blamed the “reckless and irresponsible behaviour of protesters” for the transmission of coronavirus at the headquarters in Melbourne.

“Their reckless behaviour has resulted in transmission to union staff and officials who were not involved in the protest. To date, four positive cases have been recorded,” it said.

“Officials and staff are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of their families and the risk of the infection spreading.”

State secretary John Setka has been forced into isolation as a result. Picture: David Crosling

The declaration of the CFMEU head office as a tier one exposure site means the building at 540 Elizabeth St, Melbourne has forced union staff and officials into two weeks of isolation.

Mr Setka blasted the protesters for causing the Covid-19 outbreak at the headquarters.

“This outbreak caused by the disgusting behaviour of selfish and reckless people with no regard to the wellbeing of the thousands of construction workers or their families will not deter our commitment to getting construction back open and all our members back to work,” he wrote on Wednesday afternoon.

“The shutdown of the industry last week was devastating for 300,000 plus construction workers and the of lack of prior consultation from the CHO (chief health officer) even more frustrating.

Angry construction workers protest against compulsory vaccinations at the door of the CFMEU office in Elizabeth St. Picture: David Crosling

CFMEU boss John Setka tries to address the crowd where he was exposed to the virus. Picture: David Crosling

“Construction workers not being able to work and earn an income to put food on the table and pay mortgages puts enormous stress on families.

“We are working tirelessly on a road map for the government and CHO to get construction open and everyone back to work.”

Acting chief health officer Ben Cowie could not say whether the positive case was inside or outside the headquarters and would not address reports that CFMEU Victoria and Tasmania president Rob Graauwmans had contracted the virus.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the exposure site last Monday, where the windows of the building were smashed with milk crates as tensions over the construction sector vaccine mandate boiled over.

Protesters continued to meet outside CFMEU headquarters for the following days as protests continued last week.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the exposure site last Monday, where the windows of the building were smashed with milk crates. Picture: David Crosling

A heavy police presence managed to prevent any further damaged to the union’s headquarters as some construction workers took to the streets to protest against the sector being shut down for two weeks and being forced to get the vaccine by last Thursday.

Hundreds of protesters wreaked havoc by walking across the West Gate Bridge last Tuesday after starting near the CFMEU office before marching through the city.

Hundreds more clashed with police when they staged a sit in at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday.

Mr Setka slammed the rioters last week and vowed the union would hunt down those responsible for “desecrating” their office during the violent anti-vax protests.

He said genuine tradies who were involved in damaging the union’s Elizabeth St headquarters would not have a job to come back to after lockdown.

“We’ve got video footage, we’ve identified a lot of people and there will be consequences out of this,” Mr Setka said.

“I will not tolerate people throwing bottles of alcohol at other people, and damaging union property.”

Originally published as CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne exposed to coronavirus