ABCC Commissioner John Lloyd has called on the CFMEU to comply with a Federal Court order to remove a blockade at a Melbourne building site.
The site is the new fresh fruit and vegetable market in Epping. The cost of the project is $300 million.
The CFMEU is defying the Court order.
Two orders have been issued by the Federal Court on 20 May 2010 and 24 May 2010. Today, 27 May 2010 the blockade remains in place.
The action prevents work on the project. The cost to the major contractors is estimated to be at least $200,000 a day. Subcontractors have been unable to remove equipment from the site to work elsewhere. This could threaten their businesses.
The CFMEU is aggrieved that an earth moving contractor Fulton Hogan has entered an agreement with the AWU.
Lawful means are available to resolve any union coverage issues.
Commissioner Lloyd has written to the ACTU asking the Council to use its influence to have the union respect the authority of the Court. Nothing has come from this approach.
‘Australian workplace relations must be grounded in respect for the rule of law. If this principle is defied then damage is done to the workplace relations system,’ Commissioner Lloyd said.