More than 10,000 workers have downed tools across Australia to march through capital cities in protest over the federal takeover of the CFMEU.
About 5,000 Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union members gathered outside Melbourne’s Trades Hall as a rally got underway in the union’s hometown on Tuesday morning.
Wielding signs such as “Hands off the CFMEU” while dressed in hi-vis and work gear, protesters waved union flags as they shut down parts of the CBD.
“When I say union, you say power,” they chanted.
Victorian industrial relations minister, Tim Pallas, said he hadn’t tried to caution workers against going ahead with the rally, saying that was an employer’s responsibility.
“We would urge people to get back to work as soon as possible,” he told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday.
“What they shouldn’t do is take action that is unlawful.”
In Sydney, more than 5,000 union members shut down parts of the city, as well as entry to the NSW Parliament, shouting “union power” and “fuck Albo”.
Thousand more workers also rallied in Sydney outside the NSW state parliament. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPDeposed state secretary Darren Greenfield attacked the peak trade union body, the ACTU, and its leader, Sally McManus.
“Sally McManus is a sellout,” he said as boos rang out.
“We pay her to look after us and she sold us out for the Labor party.”
Several thousands protesters also gathered in the Brisbane CBD.
The action comes days after the union was placed into administration by the federal attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, amid allegations of links to organised crime and corruption in the construction arm.
A Fair Work ombudsman spokesperson said if a site worker failed to turn up or walked off the job without permission on Tuesday, it could be a contravention of workplace laws.
Earlier on Tuesday, the federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, urged protesters to be peaceful.