The Victorian CFMEU will receive a 20 per cent pay rise over the next four years after an EBA was approved at a meeting where controversial state secretary John Setka spoke to the union for the final time.
Sky News host Danica De Giorgio says CFMEU boss John Setka has Anthony Albanese “wrapped around his finger”.
The Prime Minister has fired up at reporters after being peppered with questions about John Setka’s threats to the AFL, as its CEO responded to demands from the union leader that the league sack its head of umpiring.
“Mr Setka, acting like a petulant child, chucking a tantrum, throwing his toys on the floor – is vowing to proceed with a work-to-rule campaign to disrupt AFL projects,” Ms De Giorgio said.
“This thuggery could have a massive impact on AFL in this country – yet Albo today couldn’t bring himself to push back against his union mates – and stand up for Australia.”
Thousands of CFMEU members turned up to Melbourne’s Festival Hall on Monday, with hundreds forced to listen to proceedings from outside Rosslyn Street venue.
The new EBA was passed on a voice vote after multiple union members got up to endorse the agreement, which contains a 21 per cent pay rise over four years, a 36-hour work week, and benefits ranging from funeral cover to miscarriage insurance.
Thousands of CFMEU members turned up at Melbourne’s festival hall on Monday to approve a new EBA. Picture: Aaron Francis / Herald Sun
The agreement’s passage came after an official from the CFMEU’s manufacturing division accused Mr Setka of using union money to pursue a “personal revenge campaign”, after he threatened to withhold cooperation on AFL-linked projects unless the league sacked its head of umpiring, Stephen McBurney.
Mr Setka reminded members to “be respectful” when discussing the EBA, pointing out there were media outside listening in, but this did little to make the language used more family-friendly.
“A fantastic f***ing EBA. Who doesn’t want a f***ing 20 per cent over four years,” a union member named Rocko said, claiming that everyone was “struggling at the moment” and it was what “everyone gives a f*** about”.
CFMEU members outside festival hall during the voting on the new EBA. Aaron Francis / Herald Sun
But this message of financial hardship slightly conflicted with subsequent comments from a CFMEU member named Stewie, who also backed the EBA.
“What a fantastic EBA. Funeral cover, 15 grand,” the Union member began
“I had money put aside from my funeral so I wouldn’t be a burden on my son – I just bought a blower for my LS3.
“20 per cent f***ing pay rise. There’s not enough Ford Rangers in the f***ing country. First-year apprentices are going to get (Ford) Raptors. God bless the CFMEU.”
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Mr Setka thanked members for attending, noting they could have used the meeting as an excuse for a long weekend, before informing them it was the final time he would have the privilege of addressing them – having previously announced his decision not to run for re-election as Victorian state secretary.
“This is the last time I get to address you as the secretary, or at all. This is my last year,” Mr Setka said.
“We’ve got a lot of shit in the media, as a union, myself personally, all the rest of them. This is not about any of us. This is about you.
“Be proud of who we are. As unionists, hold your heads up. We are the biggest, we’re the toughest union in this country, and we are a household name.
Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Barnaby Joyce says CFMEU leader John Setka will win his war against the AFL as the Prime Minster and his party are too “weak” and “scared” to stand up to him.
It comes as the Prime Minister has said it would be “common sense” for the CFMEU boss to drop his threats against the AFL.
Mr Setka is asking the AFL to sack its head of umpiring, who is the former boss of the building watchdog.
“The powerful will do as they do, the weak will suffer as they must” Mr Joyce told Sky News.
“Fortunately, our Prime Minister is in the latter group, and the weak will always be beaten by the bully.
“Mr Setka, obviously, you know what it is, its thuggery, it’s bullying, it’s stand over tactics, but we just don’t have the wit, nor the strength in Mr Albanese, or anybody else.
“They’re scared of him, let’s be frank.”
“It’s been my absolute honour and privilege to be the secretary of this union and represent all the members. You make me proud. Thank you very much.”
After the vote Mr Setka told journalists the EBA vote was a “fantastic result” and the meeting had been “a big highlight” of his time as CFMEU state secretary.
“It’s a big highlight, yeah. It’s good. It’s good to have the support of the members, and to have so many members outside,” he said, before admitting he was feeling a bit emotional about it,” he said.
“It is a bit emotional, yeah. In a good way; good emotional. Looking forward to it, but a bit emotional, yes.”