CFMEU WA members have downed tools to march through Perth in protest of the federal government’s decision to place the union in administration.
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Workers Union WA members have downed tools to march through Perth in protest of the federal government’s decision to place the union in administration.
Led by CFMEU WA Secretary Mick Buchan, the march began in Forrest Chase before making its way down Williams Street to Elizabeth Quay.
It came in protest of the federal government’s introduction of laws to amend registered organisations under the Fair Work Act earlier this month.
The law change resulted in the Fair Work Commission last week appointing Mark Irving KC as administrator of the CFMEU and its branches, including the WA arm.
Mr Buchan and national secretary Zach Smith will not be forced to step down under the scheme of administration.
Under the scheme, CFMEU branch secretaries in New South Wales and Queensland and union leaders in the Victoria arm were removed from their roles.
Speaking to Business News after the march, Mr Buchan said the march was to highlight “improper process” by the federal government.
“When the first reports came out, we got a high-end barrister in to review everything, we were following process," he said.
“Instead of letting it follow proper course the government just decided ‘well this is taking too long, we’re going to legislate."
When quizzed on whether the state government had supported him throughout the process, Mr Buchan said he was “keeping them in the loop”.
“I don't know where it's all going to end up, but I can tell you one thing, what we've seen today, our organisers will be out there,” he said.
“I can tell you one thing, the CFMEU has lasted 160 years, we’ll be here for another 160 years, and some, because there's too much work to do.”
Last week, Premier Roger Cook said the state government supported the Fair Work Commission and the federal government.
“I always said that I won’t hesitate to take further action if necessary - and given the WA branch will now be placed into administration, we are acting immediately,” Mr Cook said.
“We’ve already announced legislation to introduce a fit and proper person test for individuals to obtain a state right of entry permit.
“Unions do important work to protect workers, which is why I have been a union member my whole adult life, it’s crucial the issues that have been exposed - particularly on the east coast -are addressed once and for all.”
When asked about the CFMEU walkoff at a press conference in Sydney today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the objective of adminstration was "to get good proper trade unionism".
"We respect the work that construction workers do. It's a tough job, and they do magnificent work... What we want to do, though, is to make sure that their union is free of corruption," he said.
"That is in the interests of all trade unionists. Trade unions do a great job defending occupational health and safety, campaigning for better wages and conditions for their members.
"What they shouldn't be engaged in is the sort of activity that John Setka and others have been."
Mr Albanese also refuted claims his goverment had made a deal with CFMEU Victoria secretary John Setka, with Mr Setka claiming he was told adminstration would be avoided if he stepped down.
"I think John Setka apparently spoke the other night, bizarrely, I'm not quite sure why people gave him some more oxygen," he said.
"But John Setka is someone who will always look for publicity.
"He's someone who, though, I expelled from the Labor Party because his values aren’t the same values as the Labor Party, and they're certainly not the values of the overwhelming majority of the trade union movement in Australia."
