Construction bosses forced to 'bend the knee' to CFMEU

ملخص مفصل

Construction managers on a major public construction project attended a meeting at CFMEU headquarters where they were demanded to end a two-day work stoppage.

Construction bosses were galled by having to bend the knee to CFMEU organisers during a 2022 meeting at the union's headquarters, a royal commission has been told.

During the meeting, the union demanded its choice of subcontracting companies and health and safety representation be placed on a major public work, the inquiry was told on Friday.

The commission is probing the circumstances of a two-day work stoppage on a level crossing removal project at Gap Road Sunbury, northwest of Melbourne, in June 2022.

The stoppage occurred during a stage of the project in which the rail line was closed and 24-hour works were occurring to limit that disruption - known in the industry as an "occupation".

Stephen Villella, alliance manager from CPB Contractors, told the commission the union had a history of disruptions during such occupations, when projects were most vulnerable due to time and cost restrictions.

On June 6 2022, CFMEU delegates entered the Gap Road site, issuing dozens of safety notices, blocking machinery and allegedly threatening workers to down tools.

After a week of evidence probing the validity of safety concerns raised by the union at the time, Mr Villella was forthright in his belief the union had a clear ulterior motive.

"It was, in my view, obviously designed as a point of leverage to change out our traffic and labour hire.

On June 7, Mr Villella attended a meeting at CFMEU's office along with John Holland project managers, Joe Aygur and Steve Testolin to end the dispute.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من PerthNow. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.