In an escalation of the ongoing targeting of unions in Australia via a Royal Commission (see here and here), this week two leaders, John Setka and Shaun Reardon, of the powerful Construction union (CFMEU) in the southern state of Victoria were arrested. They were charged with blackmail in relation to a dispute with the Grocon and Boral companies over Health and Safety issues. This development is clearly an attempt to criminalise what are normal industrial and organising activities of any union. The CFMEU staged a mass solidarity protest to support their leaders (see here and here).
In an escalation of the ongoing targeting of unions in Australia via a Royal Commission (see here and here), this week two leaders, John Setka and Shaun Reardon, of the powerful Construction union (CFMEU) in the southern state of Victoria were arrested. They were charged with blackmail in relation to a dispute with the Grocon and Boral companies over Health and Safety issues. This development is clearly an attempt to criminalise what are normal industrial and organising activities of any union. The CFMEU staged a mass solidarity protest to support their leaders (see here and here).
