Wind farm blockade lands CFMEU in Federal Court

Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) has sought a Federal Court hearing over actions allegedly taken by the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) at the Bald Hills Wind Farm construction site in Victoria where 52 wind turbines are being constructed.

According to FWBC, the CFMEU created blockades at the site on 18 February and 20, 21 and 26 March. FWBC investigators were on the ground from 11 February, one week before the first blockade. Police were called to provide reinforcement on each day blockades occurred.

Workers were reportedly prevented from entering the site to perform work and deliveries to the site were prevented by the blockade.

FWBC is investigating allegations of coercion and adverse action. FWBC alleges that by blockading the site, the union was interfering and preventing work being performed on the site.

In response to FWBC’s interlocutory injunction application made in the Federal Court, the CFMEU agreed to give the court an undertaking that work at the site would not be disrupted. Judge Davies made orders to formalise the undertaking.

FWBC Director Nigel Hadgkiss says “havoc had been wreaked” at the Bald Hills Wind Farm site in recent weeks.

A directions hearing is scheduled in the Federal Court for 3 July 2014.