ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A local construction project manager said he was shocked to learn this week that the most powerful union in Australia has allegedly been infiltrated by various factions of organised crime.
For over two years now, Darcy Sturrock has been working on the Betoota Bypass Road And Tunnel Project (BBRTP) and has been negotiating with representatives from the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) almost daily regarding work conditions and pay disputes.
In his dealings with union leaders, Mr Sturrock says the CFMEU has always been considerate and realistic with their demands for their members.
“It’s been great,” he said.
“They’ve always been very open to working with my client, the Queensland Government, and many private sector businesses that are well known to any Queenslander. They’ve been fair and only made demands that the everyday person would agree to be fair and honest. It’s been quite refreshing really to deal with a union that’s motivated to seek the best outcome for their members AND the client.
“To hear that the CFMEU has been up to no good is really surprising.”
The Victorian branch of the CFMEU has been placed into administration following allegations of corruption and criminal links. An emergency meeting of the CFMEU’s national executive was convened on Monday morning after reports from Nine Entertainment Co.’s newspaper division claimed that underworld figures and bikie gang members had infiltrated major construction projects. Subsequently, CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith announced that the Victorian branch would be placed under administration, with the national office assuming all senior executive powers.
“The Queensland branch would never act like this, they’re absolute gentlemen. They’ve taken me to Yum Cha before. That’s where we nut a lot of things out, over a Lazy Susan. They’ve never tried to stand over me. I don’t know what’s been going on in Victoria, but we don’t have any of that rubbish up here. Anymore. Under Joh, sure. But Queenslanders aren’t built like that. We all just muck in and get the job done together,” Sturrock continued.
“No, seriously, I’m telling the truth.”
The Advocate reached out to the Queensland branch of the CFMEU for comment but was told it would be provided during this masthead’s bi-weekly PR strategy meeting with the Prime Minister’s Office.
More to come.
