RESOURCES and energy industry group AREEA is extremely concerned about future disruption to Australian industries and economies from law-breaking union behaviours, following today’s decision of the Fair Work Commission to allow the CFMEU’s takeover of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).
Director workplace relations, Amanda Mansini, confirmed AREEA is assessing all available options to protect AREEA members and the wider industry from the potential damage of a successful “CFMMEU” merger.
“AREEA is highly concerned about the now imminent escalation of unlawful conduct which these unions, in their own public statements, have promised will result from this merger, from pit to port,” Ms Mansini said.
“It beggars belief that the intention of our workplace laws is to allow two unions with a history of law-breaking and many outstanding proceedings to merge, fuelling their capacity for greater lawlessness.
“Just last month the CFMEU was lambasted by a Federal Court Judge for its ‘deplorable’ record of law-breaking, including racking up more than $11 million in penalties since 2004.
“Meanwhile, the MUA and three of its senior officials are currently facing contempt of court proceedings over their illegal blockage at the Victoria International Container Terminal last December.
“For 100 years AREEA has acted to defend the best interests of Australia’s resources and energy industry which contributes so much to Australia’s economic prosperity and employment opportunities, and we don’t intend to stop now.”
In a joint statement issued this morning, the CFMEU, MUA and TCFUA, which is a third party to the new union, confirmed that it would ‘hit the ground running’ and begin the amalgamation process from this Friday, 9 March.
“Big Business has too much power, we have record levels of inequality in our community, and working families are finding it hard to make ends meet. We will be fighting every day to restore the fair go,” said CFMEU national secretary Michael O’Connor in the statement.
“What you can expect from us is a clear focus on what we have to do to turn our country around. We are absolutely committed to a change of government, to changing the rules to restore balance and fairness into our communities, and to growing our movement.”
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, who will be ‘international president’ of the new union, said the merger represents a ‘renewal’ of the union movement.
“The failure of government to protect those workers from international and national tax avoidance, deregulation driven by corporate self-interest and elitism, and a continuous ideological attack on workers’ rights by many multinational corporations and service providers, means we will also be there globally with other working men and women similarly affected and mobilised.”
Following today’s decision, AREEA is assessing all options to protect Australian industry and jobs. AREEA members seeking more information on this matter or who are willing to contribute to any future appeal proceedings, should contact [email protected]
