CFMEU lodging complaint with Ombudsman over conduct of FWBC

Published: 21 Feb 2016

The CFMEU is lodging a complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman over the behaviour of the Fair Work Building Commission in their latest action against 13 officials including national secretary Michael O’Connor. 

The charges by the FWBC relate to an EBA campaign during 2015 in New South Wales where workers employed by De Martin and Gasparini took part in lawful industrial action.

National CFMEU Construction Secretary Dave Noonan said the charges against the officials are bogus and will be defended. 

"There is nothing to these charges. The officials were doing their job and representing members during Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. The EBA was finalised last year and the workers received a payrise," he said.

"All the processes were followed and the union acted legally on behalf of workers during bargaining for a new agreement." 

Mr Noonan said that the habitual charging of CFMEU officials on very spurious grounds coinciding with the Turnbull Government’s desire to get the ABCC bill passed, smacked of political interference. 

"It is clear that the FWBC is operating as the industrial wing of the Liberal Government and will do anything, no matter how desperate, to help their political masters get the bill up."

He said the head of the FWBC, Nigel Hadgkiss should resign his post. 

“Mr Hadgkiss should seek preselection and run for parliament for the Liberal Party." 

"It’s disgraceful that taxpayers are funding the FWBC to launch legal action against the union when it’s clear these cases are nothing but political ploys designed to blacken the union’s name."