Gorgon project abuse: CFMEU official threatens workers
A construction union official is facing Federal Court action following allegations he abused and threatened workers on the Gorgon LNG Project who were not members of the union.
The Fair Work Building and Construction inspectorate has filed action against Bradley Upton and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union over an expletive-laden 10-minute address Mr Upton allegedly made to up to 60 workers on December 3, 2015.
In its statement of claim, the FWBC alleges Mr Upton lambasted non-union members during his address.
"The f-cking 90 dog c-nts that resigned from the union the day after we signed the EBA after we got the conditions we got now, this is a f--king union site,'' he allegedly told the meeting. ''If you don't f-cking like it, f-ck off somewhere else."
"We got you these conditions, we know who you are. We're going to put your names on the back of toilet doors, we're going to do standover tactics next year to let everyone know who you f-cking dog c-nts are."
"This is a f-cking union site, we have other union sites starting up next year and if you're not in the union, you can f-ck off too, you are not welcome."
The FWBC argued the statements constituted threats to workers on the site who were not members of the union, ''implying they would be subject to alienation and abuse on the Gorgon Project''.
It alleged the threats were made with the intent to coerce the workers to join the union.
The inspectorate also alleged Mr Upton's ''abusive and intimidating behaviour and profane language'' was a contravention of the right of entry laws.
FWBC director Nigel Hadgkiss said on Wednesday that the alleged conduct must be stamped out of the construction industry.
"These are serious allegations,'' Mr Hadgkiss said. ''No one would want their sons, daughters, mothers or fathers exposed to these threats and bullying of this nature in any workplace. These sorts of actions should be concerning to all building industry participants".
''There is no such thing as a 'union site'," he said.
''All workers must be free to decide to join or not join a union without facing threats or abuse,'' he said.
The matter is listed for a directions hearing on September 1, 2016.
