Major disruptions are expected to occur today across Australia, as thousands of construction workers will put down their tools and protest nationwide. But what are they protesting, and why have police warned that the organised rallies could become unlawful?
In solidarity with the controversial union group known as the CFMEU (the Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union), workers and union members will rally against the government’s decision to force the union’s construction branch into administration.
The embattled union group has been plagued by accusations of corruption and criminal links, following major revelations by Nine Newspapers that alleged the union had been infiltrated by bikie gangs and criminals.
Other groups like the Maritime Union of Australia have pledged their support for the major protests, despite warnings from the Fair Work Ombudsman that workers who protest will have their pay docked.
To get you up to speed with what’s going on with the CFMEU, and why workers are protesting, here’s everything you need to know — before you plan a lunchtime trip near a major city’s parliament building today.
What’s going on with the CFMEU?
After major allegations that the union had become linked to organised crime, the government stepped in to clean up the CFMEU by appointing an administrator to remove the criminal links from the union group.
Investigations published by Nine Newspapers alleged that the union had become infiltrated by organised crime and bikie gangs, and was giving high-powered roles to underworld figures. The reports also alleged the union was awarding itself government-funded building projects worth as much as $100 billion.
The union was forced to accept the government-appointed administrator, which has resulted in as many as 300 CFMEU officials being stood down since August 23.
The former boss of the CFMEU, John Setka, has denied all allegations of corruption against him and accused the government of betrayal when it forced him to resign.
In response to the government’s takeover of the CFMEU, thousands of construction workers are expected to stop working and descend upon their local Parliament buildings today.
The plan to protest spawned online after angry CFMEU members decried the government’s intervention in the union’s activity, and encouraged construction workers to take a stance.
Workers believe that the impact of the government’s intervention in the unions operations will result in less pay and safety for them at their worksites.
As a result, some workers will be putting down the tools today.
When are the CFMEU strikes happening?
The strikes are set to begin today at 11am local time, with protests occurring in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Cairns.
Protesting construction workers and CFMEU members are expected to descend upon their local state parliament houses.
Thousands of workers in Sydney descended upon NSW Parliament where the recently ousted CFMEU NSW Secretary Darren Greenfield condemned Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party.
“Anthony Albanese, Sally McManus, and every other minister in that Labor Party federally and in the state, they are sell-outs to the worker class,” Greenfield told the crowd.
@pedestriantv Thousands of construction workers across Australia protested the government’s administration of the CFMEU, following aklegations of corruption. #cfmeu #protest #sydney ♬ original sound – PEDESTRIAN.TV
Experts are not sure what impacts the protests will have on current construction projects, as well as public transport during the rallies.
“Everyone has a right to protest. What they don’t have a right to do is conduct themselves in a way that causes harm to anyone else and, of course, that would be our request for this action,” said Victoria’s Public Transport Minister, Gabrielle Williams.
The Fair Work Ombudsman issued a warning this morning that any workers who walk off the job without permission or fail to turn up to work could cop a fine for protesting.
“Where an employee has engaged in unprotected industrial action, the employer is required under the (Fair Work) Act to deduct a minimum of four hours wages from the employee, even if the industrial action was less than four hours,” read a statement from a spokesperson.
Heavy police presence is expected at each of the protest locations, following concerns that the events could turn unlawful if unconfined.
More to come.
[Image: Nine/60 Minutes/Getty]
The post What’s Going On With The CFMEU? — Why Construction Workers Across The Country Protested Today appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
