Union Rivalry Turns Ugly on Queensland Job Sites

A disturbing incident has come to light in the increasingly toxic union rivalry between the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). An inquiry into the CFMEU’s conduct has released footage showing 16 men allegedly involved in an incident where a rival union’s car was surrounded and rocked on a job site in February 2024.

The footage shows a group of CFMEU members blocking the vehicle, shouting at the driver, and rocking the car for over 20 minutes. The AWU’s state secretary, Stacey Schinnerl, described the construction union’s efforts to recruit workers on major projects and exert pressure on her as the union’s first female leader.

This incident is just one of several examples of escalating tension between the two unions, which has been building since a worker was critically injured on a Cross River Rail site in 2023. In December, an AWU organiser was blocked from entering a site by CFMEU members who showed him a weapon and deflated his tires. Another AWU delegate was prevented from entering the site by masked CFMEU members.

The inquiry’s release of photos of 16 individuals whose faces appear in the footage is a desperate attempt to identify those responsible for this egregious behavior. However, it raises more questions about the underlying issues driving this union rivalry. The hostility between these two unions has been festering for months, with both sides engaging in a war of attrition.

The CFMEU’s actions are not only unacceptable but also damaging to the reputation of the construction industry as a whole. It is high time for the CFMEU leadership to take responsibility for their members’ behavior and work towards de-escalating this toxic union rivalry. The Queensland government should also step in to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

In recent years, Australia’s industrial relations system has been criticized for being too lenient on unions and allowing them to engage in aggressive behavior towards their rivals. This incident highlights the need for more effective regulation of industrial relations in Australia. Policymakers must revisit the Fair Work Act to ensure that it provides adequate protections for workers and employers alike.

The outcome of this inquiry will be closely watched, not just by those involved but also by the wider community. Will the CFMEU leadership take responsibility for their members’ actions, or will they continue to deny any wrongdoing? One thing is certain – this incident has brought the union rivalry in Queensland into sharp focus, and it’s time for all parties involved to take a long, hard look at themselves.

The consequences of this union rivalry are far-reaching. Not only do they damage the reputation of individual unions but also undermine the entire construction industry. It is essential that policymakers, union leaders, and employers work together to create an environment where workers feel safe and respected, regardless of which union they belong to.

As the inquiry continues, it’s clear that this incident is a symptom of a deeper problem in Queensland’s industrial relations landscape. The AWU and CFMEU must put aside their differences and work towards creating a more positive and respectful relationship between unions. Only then can we expect to see real change on job sites across the state.

The union rivalry in Queensland is not new; however, its current manifestation is a stark reminder that this problem requires urgent attention. It’s time for policymakers, union leaders, and employers to work together to create an environment where workers feel safe and respected. Anything less would be a failure of leadership on all fronts.