In short:
Queensland Labor says it is prepared to use the full force of the law against the CFMEU if allegations of criminal activity emerge.
It comes after allegations emerged that the construction division of the union’s Victorian branch had involved bikies and organised-crime leaders in its major projects.
What’s next?
Federal Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke says he will consider deregistering the union.
Queensland Labor has warned that “all options are on the table” to punish any union criminality in the state following allegations against the construction division of the Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union in Victoria.
Nine Newspapers has alleged that the construction division of the Victorian branch of the union involved bikie gang members and criminal underworld leaders in several major projects.
Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said if similar allegations were to surface in Queensland, the government was prepared to use the full force of the law.
“If there were any such allegations or actions that are here in Queensland we would act unrepentantly,” Ms Grace said.
“This is not unionism and it is not supported by anyone on our side of politics.”
She said the state government backed federal employment minister Tony Burke, who is considering deregistering the construction division of the union.
If the construction division were to be deregistered it would be stripped of its federal protections under the Fair Work Commission and it could not enter collective agreements.
However, Ms Grace said this was ultimately an undesirable outcome for all parties since it would also strip the union of its checks and balances.
“The last thing we want is some of these unions to be outside the regulatory system of industrial relations,” Ms Grace said.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles, a former union official, said he backed the government’s stance.
“It’s not unionism. Unions are about representing the rights of workers,” Mr Miles said.
“Tony Burke says he’s ‘not taking anything off the table’. I support that approach.
“Unions represent thousands of Queensland workers, and I’ll continue to engage with them where appropriate to discuss the safety and rights of workers.”
Weak leadership
Queensland deputy leader of the opposition Jarrod Bleijie said the Miles government was “weak” for not cutting ties with the CFMEU.
The shadow industrial relations minister said Queensland Labor should disaffiliate with the CFMEU and pay back all donations they have received from the CFMEU.
“We seriously need to stop the thuggery, the intimidation, and the bullying by the CFMEU on worksites in Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.
“The first thing we’re going to do if we have the honour of being elected to government in just over 100 days time is re-establish the Productivity Commission.
“The first order of business for the Productivity Commission will be the building industry in Queensland.”
Striking for better conditions
On Tuesday, the Queensland branch began industrial action on the government’s Cross River Rail constructions sites over worker conditions.
CFMEU QLD/NT assistant state secretary Jade Ingham said the project’s lead contractor, CPB had refused to cede to their demands.
He said those demands included new heat-stress policies, better conditions for labour hire workers and subcontractor contracts, and the introduction of industry-standard rostered days off.
“CPB has turned what should have been Queensland’s flagship infrastructure project into a city-wide occupational health and safety hazard,” he said.
“Scandalously, only a fraction of the thousands of workers on the Cross River Rail are employed directly by CPB, with most of the men and women working under insecure contracts.”
Australian Constructors Association chief executive Jon Davies said in his view the CFMEU had a culture of bullying and intimidation which was not limited to Victoria.
“It’s happening right around the country,” Mr Davies said.
“The revelations in that report were hardly revelations to anyone that has been in the industry for more than a few years.
“These issues we’re seeing now is the reason why productivity in our industry is worse than it was 30 years ago, and it’s also why only 13 per cent of our workforce are women and why projects are running late and over budget.”
A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesperson said wage negotiations between the CFMEU and the major contractor had been ongoing for some time.
“We encourage all parties involved to continue to bargain in good faith and to reach a resolution, so we can continue to deliver this transformational project,” the spokesperson said.
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