CFMEU fined for site threats
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CFMEU officials have been fined for unlawful conduct at a Brisbane construction site.
The Federal Court has imposed a total of $131,000 in fines on the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and two of its officials, Andrew Blakely and Dean Mattas, over incidents at the Inner City South State Secondary College in Dutton Park in 2020.
Blakely was found guilty of coercing subcontractors to stop work to pressure the head contractor into removing the project manager.
Justice Darryl Rangiah deemed Blakely’s actions “grossly disproportionate” to the issues raised.
Mattas organised work stoppages by employees of seven subcontractors, despite lacking the authority to do so as a health and safety representative.
Justice Rangiah noted that “alternative lawful and legitimate” actions were available to address concerns.
The court fined the CFMEU $105,000, while Blakely and Mattas were fined $15,000 and $11,100 respectively.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbell stated the penalties underscored the gravity of breaking workplace laws, saying that “unlawful conduct aimed at coercing contractors has no place on any worksite”.
Just days before the ruling, CFMEU whistleblower Andrew Quirk wrote about the larger issue of persistent corruption within the construction industry, particularly in NSW and Victoria.
He warns of "further decline in building standards" if corruption continues unchecked, alleging that union leaders have ties to organised crime, with unpaid worker entitlements amounting to millions.