CFMEU reps face court action
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The building industry watchdog has launched legal action against CFMEU bosses Joe McDonald and Dave Noonan over an alleged blockade at the New Children's Hospital last year.
The Fair Work Building & Construction Commission alleges the union leaders organised and controlled a blockade to stop a critical concrete pour at the hospital construction site in July last year in a bid to coerce head contractor John Holland to agree to enterprise agreement demands.
The pair will face a directions hearing next month, with CFMEU state secretary Mick Buchan and organiser Tawa Harris also listed as respondents.
The FWBC alleges about 600 people gathered at the project's main site entrance on the day of the pour after the CFMEU advertised that a meeting would be held at the hospital on social media.
It is alleged that the union leaders were aware the scheduled concrete pour was "critical to the project" and that any disruptions would expose John Holland to "significant financial detriment".
The maximum penalties in the case are $10,200 for an individual and $51,000 for a union per breach.