The CFMEU is facing a major attack that could leave the union seriously weakened and strip back safety, conditions and wages across the industry.
But the union’s initial move has been to place its hope in legal action against administration. Albanese, however, is deadly serious and has already made it clear he will impose administration by legislation if it fails in court.
There should be mass delegates meetings happening across the industry for CFMEU members to discuss the threat. Instead the union has played it down by telling its members that everything is business as usual for now.
In Queensland, the regular CFMEU delegates meeting in July passed a motion rejecting the appointment of an administrator to their branch. But state secretary Michael Ravbar opposed the suggestion of a stopwork rally.
One workplace in Brisbane has passed a motion pledging to strike and picket the union office if an administrator is installed to stop them gaining entry.
Elliot, who moved the motion, told Solidarity, “It was the feeling from the floor. A few other people spoke to say that’s how everyone feels.
“It was raised that the union doesn’t want to strike because they think that’s what the government wants us to do. But it’s not what they want—they don’t want us to have safety and well paid jobs.”
Motions like this pledging strike action to defend the union should go up at every construction site.
Shamefully, most union leaders voted to support the attack on the CFMEU at the ACTU executive meeting. Only the ETU, the MUA and the plumbers’ union opposed it.
At the NSW Labor conference on 27 July, ETU delegates shouted “shame” and walked out when Albanese began his speech, protesting the CFMEU’s treatment.
Rank-and-file members in other unions have also begun to pledge their support.
MUA members at Hutchison ports in Sydney carried a motion supporting the CFMEU.
The NTEU branch at Sydney University has passed a support motion, as has the Teachers Federation Canterbury-Bankstown Association and the Geelong Trades and Labour Council.
Trade Unionists for Palestine in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and South Australia also released statements of support.
Every union member should put a motion to their branch meeting or council opposing administration and supporting the CFMEU. If the government can do this to the CFMEU, they can do it to any union.
We need protests and strikes to demand that the Albanese government backs off.
Action defending the union now will also help limit the damage if administration does go ahead.
The strength of rank-and-file organisation is going to be critical to holding the union together.
