“We do not comment on internal matters in other unions,” RBTU national secretary Alex Claassens said. “These issues are being dealt with by the CFMEU national leadership and the ACTU. Construction is a highly dangerous industry, and it’s vital that all building workers have access to a strong and effective trade union.”
CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith is staring down the ACTU’s demand to stand aside officials the subject of criminal allegations ahead of a crisis meeting of the peak body’s executive.
Smith also refused to condemn Setka, who resigned from head of the Victorian branch of the construction union on Friday, blaming media scrutiny, ahead of the publication of revelations of underworld infiltration in the union, and footage of him placing a suitcase out the front of another official’s home with the word “dog” on it.
Asked by RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas whether he accepted Setka had shamed the union, Smith replied: “No, I don’t. I don’t accept he has shamed my union.”
McManus has declined to say what the ACTU will do if the CFMEU doesn’t meet its demands.
Source Agencies
