The ABCC has initiated proceedings against the CFMEU and official Jason Deans for allegedly telling three labour hire employees they had to join to the union before they could work at a building site.
The alleged events occurred at the CSL Parkville Morgan Facility construction site at Oak Street, Parkville in Victoria on 12 September 2006.
The ABCC alleges that Mr Deans told a carpenter, labourer and excavator operator that they had to be financial members of the CFMEU before they could begin work. As a consequence, the workers’ starting time on the project was delayed. In the case of the excavator operator it was delayed indefinitely.
The ABCC alleges Mr Deans and the CFMEU:
- made false and misleading statements about the workers’ obligation to join the union;
- took action that directly prejudiced the workers’ employment; and
- threatened to take action against the excavator operator with intent to coerce him to become a member of the union.
The proceeding was filed in the Federal Magistrates Court at Melbourne on 19 September 2007 and is scheduled for a directions hearing on 28 September 2007.
ABC Commissioner John Lloyd made the following statement:
“Every building worker has the right to decide whether or not to join a union,” Mr Lloyd said.
“The ABCC stands ready to assist any building industry participant who believes they have been discriminated against for being, or not being, a member of a union.”