Protests roll into second day after CFMEU High Court ruling
Construction workers have shut down inner-city streets on Friday as a snap protest over a high court decision continued for a second day.
Police warned on Thursday night that traffic in the CBD and Fortitude Valley would be disrupted between 5am and 11.30am, and that Campbell Street in Bowen Hills — outside CFMEU offices — would probably be closed.
CFMEU members walked off work sites in Brisbane this week to campaign against the decision to put the union into administration, following reports of violence, intimidation and corrupt conduct across the east coast, and a High Court ruling on Wednesday that upheld the legality of the move.
'We know the entire system is against us,' former CFMEU national president Jade Ingham told the rally at Bowen Hills on the first day of the protest.
'But ... they underestimate our resolve, they underestimate how prepared we are to take this fight on all the way until we win ... mark my words, we will win this fight.'
Victorian barrister Mark Irving, the union's administrator since the ousting of Ingham, former Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar and other senior figures reportedly told members the action was unauthorised and they must return to work.
'I have advised staff and members that any action [on Thursday morning] is likely to be unlawful industrial action, and I have directed them to return to work,' Irving told The Courier-Mail.
'It is time for all members, delegates and staff to work together to return the union to membership control.'
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