Tradie chaos as companies run off sites

The latest shocking allegations come amid claims from construction industry figures that they are facing chilling threats from dark forces within the powerful trade union organisation.

A series of disturbing revelations about the murky dealings of the Canadian Mine and Quarry Workers Union has forced the federal government to step in, with plans to appoint an administrator to take control of the union and “purge and purge” its dark elements.

Some state Labor Party branches have moved to cut ties with the union and stop accepting donations, throwing the CFTU into chaos.

Friendly matches for the Union provide lucrative jobs

Herald Sun Intimidation tactics by the BC Construction Workers Union have reportedly halted work on several infrastructure projects, including the Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link.

“The whistleblowers told the Herald Sun how they were awarded tenders to work on Victorian projects, only to be replaced later despite there being no problems with their work or ‘non-conformities’,” the newspaper reported.

“In some cases, the union’s preferred subcontractors did not have the equipment or machinery needed to do the job and had to purchase it from companies that were cut from the jobs they won.”

Herald Sun Earlier this year it was revealed that CFMEU tactics had contributed to massive budget overruns on a range of government infrastructure projects.

Union-favored contractors were awarded work even though the prices they quoted were much higher than those of their non-union competitors, in some cases more than double.

The vision was published on Wednesday by The Sydney Morning Herald And the age Footage has emerged of NSW Building Trades Union president Darren Greenfield allegedly receiving $5,000 during a meeting with a developer seeking union approval.

In the clip, Greenfield is seen accepting a large sum of cash, then about 10 minutes later storing the money in his desk drawer.

Mr. Greenfield and his son Michael, assistant secretary general of the Canadian Day Workers and Children’s Union, were charged with serious corruption offences in late 2021. Both men have denied any wrongdoing and the case is still before the courts.

Terrifying threats and intimidation

A construction manager has allegedly been the target of repeated threats and intimidation tactics by senior figures in the Canadian Construction Workers Union.

Will Frogley, CEO of Master Builders South Australia, has revealed the appalling behaviour he faced when the union’s Victorian branch moved to the state.

Appearing on Triple M Adelaide’s Roo, Ditts and Liz Show on Wednesday, Mr Frogley revealed the headless Kermit the Frog puppet was on his family’s fence.

He alleged that his car was vandalized and that Master Builders employees were threatened by CFMEU representatives.

“I have to say it’s not very fun,” Mr Frogley told the radio station.

“My employees were walking to lunch, and they were passing cars full of people yelling insults at them. It was very scary for them.”

Frogley said that regarding the wider allegations aired by Nine outlets in recent days, few in the construction sector would be shocked.

“It’s shocking to people outside our industry, but unfortunately, to those deeply immersed in the industry, it’s not surprising at all.

“We are very aware of this type of behaviour, it has been going on for a very long time.”

Meanwhile, some construction company owners in Victoria have spoken out about alleged extortion attempts, with them being told to pay up or face being fired from work sites.

One contractor claims he was asked to give $20,000 in cash to a CFMEU representative in order to get his company approved to work on a taxpayer-funded project, Herald Sun It has been reported.

Other industry sources have spoken of concerns about alleged links between the union and organized crime figures, including bikers.

This week, subcontractors travelling to work on the Brisbane Cross River Rail Project were abused and intimidated by members of the Brisbane District Building Workers Union upon their arrival.

Subcontractors are allowed to work during an approved strike and are intended to be allowed to pass through union members freely.

Some of the people working at the site have been called “illegal workers” and warned that they will never work on a major government project again, said a person familiar with the protest. Express Mail It was reported today.

It was not only workers and project operators who were targeted by elements within the UGTT, as rival unions were also subjected to intimidation tactics.

In February, delegates from the Australian Workers’ Union arrived at a work site in Queensland to conduct a routine inspection.

Two cars were quickly “surrounded” by a crowd of CFMEU who banged on the windows and shouted at their counterparts, Express Mail It has been reported.

The two unions have been embroiled in tensions over the CFMEU’s efforts to lure members away from the AWU, in its bid to become the most powerful organisation on construction projects.

A series of serious allegations aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday and published on Nine on Monday and Tuesday alleged that the Victoria branch of the Canadian Building Trades Union engaged in intimidation and corrupt behaviour with construction companies.

It has also been alleged that bikers and other figures associated with organized crime have played roles within the UAW and the police.

Labor shaken by accusations

Employment Relations Minister Tony Burke said the revelations were “disgusting and unbearable”, leading to the decision to task the Fair Work Commission with overseeing the administration process, which is not limited to Victoria or New South Wales.

Mr. Burke rejected calls to deregister the union and said the question of whether the CMC should remain part of the Labor Party would be considered by others.

The National Executive Committee of the Labor Party is expected to hold a meeting today to discuss the crisis.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday called for the Mineworkers’ Union to be immediately suspended from the Labor Party.

“The construction division of the Canadian Building Trades Union is either unable or unwilling to reform its leadership in the face of devastating allegations of a very serious nature,” Means told reporters.

Mr Minns also announced that the state branch of the Labor Party would stop accepting donations from the union.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles yesterday also encouraged construction companies and workers to share details of CFMEU tactics confidentially through the management process without fear of retaliation.

“I understand those concerns, and I hope that this provides them with an alternative way to raise those concerns and that the official can then address not only the specific allegations, but the cultural issues as well,” Miles told reporters.

The Prime Minister has imposed a temporary ban on meetings with CFMEU officials as well as any donations from the union.

John Setka, the controversial secretary of the Victorian branch of the Mineworkers’ Union, resigned with immediate effect on Sunday. The union’s national executive committee has taken the decision to place the Victorian branch into administration.

Mr. Sitka has denied any wrongdoing.

The Egyptian Transport Workers Union did not respond to requests for comment.

However, the National Office on Monday wrote to members about the explosive scandal and insisted it had “zero tolerance for crime”.

“Anyone found to have engaged in criminal conduct while representing the CFMEU will be identified and removed,” the letter read.

“Our union exists for one purpose only: to defend and promote the safety and conditions of workers.”

“Albo ‘polluted himself'”

The government risks war with the Transport and Commercial Workers Union over its response to allegations of criminal behaviour.

Michael Ravbar, secretary of the Queensland and Northern Territory Miners and Quarryers Union and former member of the Labor Party’s national executive committee, has attacked Premier Anthony Albanese.

“Albanese panicked and ruined himself with some unsubstantiated allegations in the media,” Mr. Ravbar said in a statement.

“Workers can see that Albo has lost control and that the country is being run by silly breakfast presenters and annoying radio presenters.

“The Egyptian Transport Workers Union is here to stay. This union is owned by the members, not by media leaders or weak politicians. We will defend each other to the ends of the earth.”

In the analysis of ConversationWorkplace law expert Professor Anthony Forsyth of RMIT University said Labor needed to act.

“In addition to working with state governments to ensure that allegations of criminal conduct are investigated by appropriate authorities, Labor could review the grounds for exclusion of union officials by court order to capture a broader range of criminal conduct and enable the federal minister to apply for exclusion,” Professor Forsyth wrote.

“It may also be time to introduce a ‘fit and proper person’ test for union positions in the construction sector.

“There is room for the Albanian government to take decisive steps against the rogue elements in the CFTE, beyond the ideological hostility to unions that has colored the coalition’s approach to union organizing.”