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Fair Work Building and Construction has announced it will sue the CFMEU and 10 individuals that include Victorian heavyweights Ralph Edwards and Bill Oliver.
The alleged contraventions took place amid a dispute between Grocon and the CFMEU over employment of CFMEU-nominated shop stewards for Grocon work sites.
As well as civil penalties, FWBC hopes to win compensation for Grocon and other companies who lost money when construction at a number of building sites was disrupted.
FWBC chief executive Leigh Johns said the legal proceedings were the result of an in-depth investigation by its inspectors, who started collecting evidence at the start of the dispute.
“This evidence is now the foundation for our own litigation against the CFMEU, seven of its officials and three other CFMEU representatives whom we assert have contravened the Fair Work Act,” Johns said.
“FWBC will not tolerate unlawful industrial action, which we allege in this case involved coercive behaviour.”
CFMEU identities Shaun Reardon, Derek Christopher, Elias Spernovasilis, Gareth Stephenson, Craig Johnston, Nick Salta and David Lythgo must face the Federal Court of Australia in Victoria as a result.
Grocon is also suing the CMFEU in a separate action.
This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication ConstructionIndustryNews.net.
