Protesters march on ACT CFMEU office as royal commission start date approaches
By Jordan Hayne
Posted 8 minutes ago Photo: The protesters claimed up to 11 business had closed as a result of union action. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore) Related Story: Construction boss 'offended' by allegations he paid kickbacks to union officials Map: Canberra 2600
About 40 protesters marched on the Dickson offices of the ACT branch of the CFMEU today, alleging the construction union was bullying smaller contractors out of business.
The formworkers were protesting the union's treatment of contractors unwilling or unable to sign its enterprise bargaining agreement.
Both parties were levelling allegations of misconduct against each other, with the union accusing swathes of the ACT's formworking businesses of corrupt practices.
"The union has put a line in the sand, and said we're not accepting this illegal and dangerous behaviour in the construction industry," ACT CFMEU branch secretary Dean Hall said.
But Kirk Coningham from the Master Builder's Association said it was more likely the protesters were there to defend their jobs.
"Some of our membership has reported that the union has come onto these sites, told some of those small businesses that come the first of July they'll no longer be able to work in the ACT, and that all of their workers should go and apply for with a couple of the bigger formwork businesses in the ACT," he said.
Mr Coningham said to the best of his knowledge formwork contractors were operating within the law.
"And if that's not the case, it's an issue for the police, and for the courts," he said.
"It's not an issue for the arbitrary decision of an outside agency to say that you can or cannot work in this city.
"To me it's just not fair." Royal commission hearings in Canberra fast approaching
The CFMEU has asked the Fair Work Ombudsman to investigate the formworking industry in the ACT.
But while the union has been questioning local work practices, the Royal Commission into Trade Union Corruption has been watching it.
The inquiry will old hearings in Canberra for most of July, and the conduct of the CFMEU will be the focus of its investigation.
The ACT branch of the Master Builders Association has made a submission to the inquiry that names the CFMEU.
"We've been deeply concerned for a long time with the place, and the growing role that fear, intimidation and bullying has in our industry," Mr Coningham said.
"Our issue really is not with the union movement or with one union; our issue is with criminal behaviours of people on our worksites."
But Mr Hall is yet to learn whether he will have the chance to defend those allegations as ACT branch secretary.
"I don't know if I'll be appearing, it's out of my control," he said.
"The Royal Commissions into Trade Union Governance and Corruption is a witch hunt.
"It's about destroying unions."
The inquiry will begin hearings in Canberra on July 13.
Photo: The protesters claimed up to 11 business had closed as a result of union action. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
