“There are currently cases in all states and territories involving the CFMMEU.”
The spokesman said the ABCC had commenced 21 new matters this financial year, with the CFMMEU or its representatives facing a total of 38 matters and 729 allegations.
More than $3.9m in penalties in the current financial year had been awarded against CFMMEU and its representatives, the ABCC spokesman said.
The ABCC filed papers in the Federal Court in early April alleging the CFMMEU officials organised unlawful industrial action on the $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link project, including an illegal strike across three sites over a dispute over the payment of redundancies.
According to the ABCC, employees in Forrestfield, Bayswater and Redcliffe Station allegedly walked off the job in December, 2018.
In Forrestfield, where Mr Molina had allegedly distributed brochures and addressed workers, “a large number of employees claimed to have developed a stomach illness before they walked off the job”, a statement from the ABCC said.
“As a result of the head contractor’s employees walking off the job at the Redcliffe Station site, scaffold employees engaged by a subcontractor at the site were unable to work,” the ABCC said.
“At around 12.30pm Mr Buchan, Mr Pallot, Mr Molina and 11 employees picketed the contractor’s head office where they parked vehicles at the carpark entrance, banged on the office windows and barricaded the front door.”
The ABCC alleged 44 workers were also involved in the industrial action.
Ms Saffioti said she was unaware of any delays to the project caused by the industrial action.
“There’s not much to say while the matter is before the courts other than it’s interesting to see these allegations from ABCC, a department restored by Malcolm Turnbull and Michaelia Cash, arise during a federal election campaign,” she said.
A contract for the project was awarded to a Salini Impregilo – NRW Joint Venture in 2016.
The CFMMEU was contacted for comment.
Nathan is WAtoday’s political reporter.
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