Workers march again in support of CFMEU

Thousands of construction workers have gathered en masse to show their support for the CFMEU, with the head of the construction department promising to take tougher action against biker infiltration.

Workers and their comrades, including unions from electrical engineering, maritime and manufacturing, walked off the job and marched through major cities on Wednesday to express their anger over the federal government’s takeover of the union representing construction, forestry and maritime workers.

The union’s construction and general division has been accused of engaging in criminal and corrupt practices, which was recently exposed by Nine Newspapers.

More than 10,000 people arrived at Trades Hall in Melbourne at 10.30am and marched down LaTrobe Street, closing the main road and disrupting tram traffic.

The protesters chanted “union strong” and carried merchandise with slogans such as “God forgives, but the CFMEU doesn’t”.

Troy Gray, a representative from the electrical engineering union, accused politicians of trying to prevent workers from getting higher pay.

“The same politicians who pumped their fists in the air when they put the CFMEU under administration have just given themselves a pay rise,” he said.

“Most of them wouldn’t last a week (on a construction site).”

Victorian Employment Relations Minister Gabrielle Williams urged protesters to do this constructively.

“While we respect your right to protest, we urge you to do so in a lawful and peaceful manner as you and we all have the right to protest,” she told reporters.

“We have no right to put others at risk and I would urge everyone taking part today to ensure they do so in a lawful and safe manner.”

From 11am, several thousand protesters also gathered in Belmore Park in Sydney.

In August, more than 60,000 workers across the country rallied, as as many as 50,000 members of the Victorian CFMEU gathered outside Trades Hall.

In Sydney there were another 8,000 attendees and in Brisbane about 4,000.

CFMEU chief executive Mark Irving has promised a full investigation into the grip that outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime have on the union’s construction arm.

After receiving a damning report on the Victoria branch, which found violence and intimidation, he decided to establish an integrity unit in Victoria.

The organization will investigate a growing number of allegations and also examine relationships between suppliers and former senior union officials within the state.

Other sites in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia are also being scrutinised for the extent to which cyclists and organised crime are involved in their construction industries.

The investigation will examine whether union officials violated conflicts of interest by accepting illegal bribes and secret benefits, and by transferring money to and from the union, including the use of charitable funds.

Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt will also deliver a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday, outlining his government’s workplace reforms.

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