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CFMEU may be sued for $11M

GROCON and the Victorian government are expected to sue the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union over its illegal blockades that reportedly cost both parties more than $11 million.

Marion Lopez
CFMEU may be sued for $11M

According to the Herald Sun, Grocon chief Daniel Grollo said the CFMEU dispute had cost his company $7 million, while taxpayers had footed a $4 million bill for policing the industrial war.

Grollo said all legal action would continue despite the union's decision to end the blockades at five sites across Australia.

"We are committed to getting the loss and the cost that we have suffered over the last 16 days back," he said.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu also voiced his anger saying he would not tolerate the CFMEU's illegal action.

"They've trashed the furniture, and it's now time they paid the bill," he reportedly said.

In the event of a win from Grocon and the Victorian government, the CFMEU would have to pay those claims for damages on top of any fines the Supreme Court might impose on the union for disregarding court orders to end the blockades.

However, Fair Work Australia documents revealed the union wouldn’t have too much trouble finding the funds as it allegedly possesses $54 million in assets, including $6 million in cash.

CFMEU state secretary Bill Oliver is aware of Grollo’s wish to launch a legal claim against the union, but said to the Weekend Australian it would take years before those damage claims go through the courts.

He reportedly added though that the union would be holding more "peaceful protests" if a permanent agreement with Grocon could not be made.

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