Tens of thousands of trade workers staged walkouts in Melbourne and Sydney to protest the federal government’s decision to place the CFMEU’s construction arm into administration.
In Melbourne, a sea of orange and yellow high-vis vests and hoodies gathered outside Trades Hall at the edge of the CBD, with workers waving CFMEU flags and chanting slogans. Meanwhile, in Sydney, the rally commenced at Belmore Park, with participants marching towards the state parliament house on Macquarie Street.
The federal government intervened last month in response to corruption and criminal infiltration allegations within the union. This led to Victorian branch secretary John Setka stepping down in July. The government plans to host a meeting next month with unions, businesses, and government officials to address the issues arising from the CFMEU scandal.
In Melbourne, CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith expressed concerns that the appointment of an administrator could result in reduced wages and conditions for workers. “Our victory is assured if we stand together and fight together,” Smith declared. “Today, we are sending a clear message to corporate boardrooms and the halls of parliament that we are drawing a line in the sand.”
Electrical Trades Union’s Victorian secretary Troy Gray told the crowd that the administrator’s appointment could jeopardize a century of union achievements. He acknowledged the presence of a few bikie members in the industry but downplayed their numbers. Gray criticized the disparity between the high salaries of politicians and the wages of construction workers, highlighting the hard work and lower pay of those in the industry compared to lawmakers.
Several workers at the rally voiced strong discontent with the government’s intervention. Some dismissed it as a media exaggeration, questioning why law enforcement had not addressed any criminal elements if they were present. Others reaffirmed their support for John Setka and Zach Smith, stressing their importance to the union.
Gray later told the media that Labor’s actions might cost the party in the next election, though he clarified that union members’ voting choices were their own.
Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt defended the intervention, stating it was based on the necessity of addressing serious allegations rather than political convenience. He emphasized that the administrator’s role was to ensure fair pay, safe workplaces, and a more representative construction union.
At the Sydney rally, delegate Denis McNamara argued that the government’s actions were unlawful and lacked sufficient proof. Ousted CFMEU New South Wales secretary Darren Greenfield accused the government of targeting the union in a broader campaign against all unions.
The rallies follow recent large-scale marches by various trade unions in multiple cities across Australia. Police have advised participants to protest peacefully, and the Fair Work Ombudsman has instructed employers to dock wages for those absent from work today, in accordance with the Fair Work Act.
