Unions claim they were subject to ‘misleading and baseless threats’ from Fair Work watchdog
Unions have slammed “misleading and baseless threats” from the Fair Work Ombudsman after workers walked off the job in solidarity with the CFMEU.
Workers, including members of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), gather out side the Fair Work Commission as they participate in a rally in Melbourne, Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Construction workers will walk off the job in support of deposed CFMEU leaders after the union was forced into administration. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING
More than 60,000 workers downed tools and marched through the streets of the nation’s capital cities on Tuesday, after hundreds of CFMEU officials were sacked when federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus placed its construction and general divisions into administration.
As blue-collar anger over the decision grows, the Albanese government also faces a looming court challenge.
Ahead of the rallies, the ombudsman warned those who failed to turn up to work or left without permission could be in breach of workplace laws.
After the marches, the ombudsman encouraged employers to dob in “potential unlawful industrial action at their workplace”.
Employers are legally required to deduct four hours of pay if people take unprotected action, even if they were gone for less than that time.
Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union NSW/ACT Allen Hicks said workers had united to protest over what they believed was an attack on basic workers’ rights and procedural fairness.
“It wasn’t industrial action and to describe it as such is deliberately misleading at best,” he said.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman should focus more on ensuring fair workplaces and less on deliberately creating division.
A protest sign at the Sydney CFMEU rally
The Fair Work Ombudsman warned that those who attended the rally could have their pay docked. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
“Misleading and baseless threats like these are exactly why workers need unions who can defend their basic rights.”
Protesters said the administration – which was enforced in the wake of allegations of links between bikie and criminal gangs and the CFMEU’s construction arm – was an attack on democracy and an “act of treachery”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was in the interests of all trade unionists to have organisations free of corruption.
Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn said the association has been calling for action against the CFMEU for decades, and that the government had shown leadership.
“We need a strong union, but one that is lawful,” she told Nine’s Today program on Wednesday.
“We’re only in the third day of administration.
“The ALP has, obviously, not done this lightly, but they’ve shown some leadership to ensure that we have a lawful union.”
Opposition workplace relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash blamed the rallies on the government’s handling of the administration process, which was backed by the coalition.
