A CFMEU official banned from Federal worksites because he is a convicted armed robber is spearheading his union’s bid to recruit local government workers.
The construction union has its eye on thousands of people employed by councils and shires and has commissioned tattooed ex-convict Nathan “Fish” Fisher to convince workers to sign up.
Fisher was denied a right-of-entry permit by the Fair Work Commission, meaning he cannot legally enter sites covered by the Federal industrial relations system.
He is free to operate in the State system, which governs 22,000 local government workers.
“Workers in local government are treated worse than (sic) employees in any other sector,” Fisher wrote in the WA CFMEU’s latest magazine.
“They are bullied, intimidated with standover tactics and kept on the poverty line with an aim to make them subservient.”
The two unions which have traditionally covered the sector — the Local Government, Racing and Cemeteries Employees Union and the Australian Services Union — are in the WA Industrial Relations Commission fighting against the CFMEU incursion.
The Local Government Association, which represents shires and councils, has sided with the incumbents and is communicating regularly with the ASU, which Fisher refers to as the “ASS U”.
WA’s Labor Government made the local government sector a ripe hunting ground for union recruiters when it passed laws forcing the sector into the State industrial relations system.
Councils and shires had been governed by easier-to-navigate Federal laws, but are now registering with the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
New laws championed by previous WA industrial relations minister Bill Johnston turbocharged the union feeding frenzy by forcing local governments to negotiate with unions, regardless of whether workforces were represented.
The turf war is politically awkward for Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, whose partner Simon Stokes worked for the CFMEU.
“Every worker has the right to be represented by a union, but matters relating to coverage of designated work groups are decided by the independent WA Industrial Relations Commission,” Ms Beazley said.
Liberal leader Libby Mettam seized on Fisher’s inability to operate in the Federal system.
“Roger Cook is completely out of touch if he thinks it is appropriate for anyone to hold a right-of-entry permit in the State system and not in the Federal system,” she said.
“Roger Cook needs to stand up to the CFMEU and strip thugs like Fisher of their right-of-entry permits to protect local government workers.
“Roger Cook needs to guarantee people turning up to work in councils across WA aren’t subjected to bullying and harassment from the CFMEU.”
WA Federal Labor MP Patrick Gorman said he hoped the “east coast CFMEU cancer” had not infected the WA branch.
The union’s Eastern States divisions were blacklisted by the ALP after revelations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by bikies and underworld thugs.
The WA branch is considered a relative cleanskin, but that reputation is being tested by Fisher and fellow union official Edmond “Monty” Margjini.
Margjini is a one-time cage fighter-turned-Sword Boy gangster who is facing four charges relating to a home invasion in Rockingham.
A police prosecutor in that case said Margjini, who is seen regularly on city building sites representing the CFMEU, was known as a standover man for bikes.
“What I’d expect is that every union is doing thorough checks of their employees. I’d expect that every union is making sure that their employees are conducting union business — not any other business, and definitely not any criminal activity,” Mr Gorman said.
“What I’m responsible for as a member of the Federal Government is that when there is a registered organisation not complying with their obligations to focus on health, safety and members’ interests, we take action.
“Where there are concerns, we will take action. Again, where we’ve received requests from state premiers to take action, we have taken action.“
WA Police Minister Paul Papalia repeated Labor’s call for those with allegations of criminal activity in the construction industry to go to the police.
“Our police in Western Australia have the most powerful legislation behind them in tackling organised crime in the country, no question,” he said.
“Our police have powers to disrupt and dismantle organised criminals. We have the toughest bikie laws in the country. They need to get the information to be able to use it. If people know about that sort of thing going on, they should be reporting it.”
The CFMEU was contacted for comment. The Local Government Association declined to comment.