Under-fire CFMEU WA branch launches ads to repair image after weeks of allegations

The WA branch of the under-fire CFMEU has launched an advertising campaign in a bid to repair the scandal-plagued union’s image. The union has been under growing pressure since allegations emerged last month that CFMEU officials on the east coast had links to bikies and organised crime. Those reports triggered further scrutiny over the past behaviour of several WA-based union staff. The full-page ad in Saturday’s The West Australian came as the national union watchdog launched Federal Court proceedings to have the CFMEU placed into the hands of an independent administrator. The Fair Work Commission’s general manager Murray Furlong on Friday initiated action in the Federal Court to appoint an independent administrator to the union’s construction and general division. If the action is successful, an administrator with the power to sack officials and take possession of property will be appointed to the Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australian branches of the powerful union. The FWC said the West Australian and ACT branches would be brought under the administrator at a later date if the move was successful. Newly-appointed Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the move represented the strongest action ever taken by a government against an Australian union or employer group. “There is no place for criminality or corruption in the construction industry and bullying, thuggery and intimidation is unacceptable in any workplace,” Senator Watt said. The ad in The West claims the union has been “good for jobs” and the WA economy, with its members building almost all of Perth’s skyscrapers. “It’s a tough industry and we are proud to have helped build this great state and of the good work we have done,” the advertisement reads. “Just about every major hospital, shopping centre and sports stadium you visit was built by CFMEU WA members. “Just as importantly, we’re good for safety. We’ve worked hard to improve safety on sites within a dangerous industry so workers can come home safe every day.” Premier Roger Cook on Friday said he would back the FWC putting the union into administration if necessary. “I’ll support any decision by the Fair Work Commission to place the CFMEU in Western Australia into administration if that’s the decision they make,” he said. “They’ve signalled today that they’re not ready to make that decision and I support that. “We have also said that if people have accusations of misconduct or illegal practices by the union, they should bring that forward and have those accusations substantiated.” Last week Mr Cook said his Government would attempt to pass reforms to laws that would help institute a “fit and proper person test” for union officials applying for the right to enter WA workplaces.