REF NO. CASE NAME AND CITATION JURISDICTION AND JUDGE DATES OF RELEVANT CONDUCT NATURE OF CONDUCT DATE OF JUDGMENT ON LIABILITY & PENALTY PENALT(IES) IMPOSED & NUMBER OF CONTRAVENTIONS
INDUSTRIAL ACTION CASES
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v CFMEU (No 4) [2006] WASC 317; (2006) 164 IR 375 Supreme Court of Western Australia 9 March 2005 - February 2006 Rolling series of unlawful industrial actions constituted by unauthorised meetings and strikes or work bans on the New Metro Rail City Project, Perth · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties proposed. $150,000 comprising:
Le Miere J · Penalty decision 3 November 2006 · $90,000 against the CFMEU (18 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $30,000 against the CFMEUW (5 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $30,000 against McDonald (16 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
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Temple v Powell [2008] FCA 714; (2008) 169 FCR 169 Federal Court of Australia 17,18 and 25 August 2005 At the Ravensthorpe nickel mine construction project in WA, 400 workers went on strike for 48 hours following a meeting with CFMEU officer McDonald and organiser Powell. A week later, Powell conducted a meeting and 20 workers subsequently went on strike for 24 hours. · Agreed statement of facts $35,000 comprising:
Dowsett J · Penalty decision 23 May 2008 · $18,000 against the CFMEU ($12,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act; $5,000 for 1 contravention of s. 178 WRA; and $1,000 for 1 contravention of s. 170MN WRA)
· $12,000 against the CFMEUW (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
· $3,500 against Powell ($2,500 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act; $1,000 for1 contravention of s.170MN WRA).
· $1,500 against McDonald (for 1 contravention of s. 170MN WRA - engage in industrial action).
VICTORIA
3. Cruse v Multiplex Limited Full Court 5 and 6 August 2003 CFMEU shop steward at Concept Blue site made a claim for strike pay and organised and engaged in industrial action with intent to coerce Multiplex to pay strike pay. · Agreed statement of facts On appeal:
[2008] FCAFC 179; (2008) 172 FCR 279 (appeal) Federal Court of Australia · Appeal decision 5 November 2008 · $2,500 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 187AB(1)(a) and s. 187AB(1)(b) WRA)
Gray, Goldberg and Jessup JJ · declarations against Thorson).
4. Ponzio v B & P Caelli Constructions Pty Ltd Full Court 5, 6, 25 and 26 August 2003 Through its shop stewards and organisers, the CFMEU made a claim for strike pay and organised and took industrial action - including later bans on the use of forklifts and access to balconies - with intent to coerce Caelli to make strike payments. · Agreed statement of facts On appeal, $11,000 comprising:
[2007] FCAFC 65; (2007) 158 FCR 543 (appeal) Federal Court of Australia · Appeal decision 14 May 2007. · $5,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 187AB(1)(a) WRA and 3 contraventions of s. 187AB(1)(b) WRA).
Marshall, Lander and Jessup JJ · declarations against Crnac and Spernovasilis (1 contravention of s. 187AB(1)(a) WRA and 3 contraventions of s. 187AB(1)(b) WRA).
5. Cahill v CFMEU [2008] FCA 495 Federal Court of Australia 11, 13, 14 and 18 May 2004 Through its organiser and delegate, the CFMEU made a claim for strike pay and organised, threatened and took industrial action - including a ban at a separate site - with intent to coerce Bovis to pay strike pay. · Agreed statement of facts $4,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of each of ss. 187AB(1)(a) and 187AB(1)(b) WRA).
Marshall J · Penalty judgment 11 April 2008. Declarations against Setka and Tadic (1 contravention of each of ss. 187AB(1)(a) and 187AB(1)(b) WRA).
6. Martino v CFMEU and Maher (No. T02692326) Melbourne Magistrates Court 26 and 28 October 2004 A CFMEU delegate prevented a subcontractor (Civiltest) from entering the Allegro Apartments site at Footscray, Melbourne, to perform soil testing services unless Civiltest agreed to enter an EBA with the CFMEU. · Agreed statement of facts $13,950 comprising:
Magistrate Hawkins · Penalty judgment 10 May 2006. · $13,500 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA).
· $450 against Maher (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA).
7. Cruse v CFMEU & Anor [2007] FMCA 1873 Federal Magistrates Court 22-24 September 2005 Unlawful industrial action organised by the CFMEU involving 288 people at the Roche Mining Mineral Sands Separation Plant in Hamilton for 2.5 days. · Agreed statement of facts $42,000 comprising:
Burchardt FM · Penalty decision 14 November 2007 · $35,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA).
· $7,000 and declarations against Stewart ½ suspended (1 contravention of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA).
8. Stuart-Mahoney v CFMEU (2008) 177 IR 61; [2008] FCA 1426 Federal Court of Australia 6-13 October 2005 A CFMEU delegate and organiser recommended and supported an overtime ban with intent to coerce Hooker Cockram to employ an apprentice on the police and law courts complex in Morwell, Victoria. · Agreed statement of facts $63,000 comprising:
Tracey J · Penalty decision 19 September 2008. · $55,000 and declarations against the CFMEU ($35,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act; $20,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $8,000 and declarations against Parker wholly suspended ($6,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act, $2,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
9. Duffy v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 20 October 2005 A CFMEU organiser procured a ban on concreting and earthworks because of the lack of a female toilet while a female worker was present and the absence of a site contamination report. The bans were effectively lifted by the afternoon of the next day. · Decision on penalty 31 March 2009. $5,500 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
[2008] FCA 1804 Marshall J
(No 2) [2009] FCA 299
10. Stuart v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 19 September and 3 October 2006 A CFMEU shop steward refused to induct employees of a subcontractor without a CFMEU EBA, stated that the work they were to do was CFMEU work, not AMWU work, and organised a stop work meeting of employees two weeks later, with intent to apply undue pressure to the subcontractor to make an EBA. · Agreed statement of facts On appeal:
[2009] FCA 1119 (first instance) Gray J · First instance penalty decision 2 October 2009. · $25,000 (increased from $5,000) and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 44 BCII Act with no additional penalty for s. 38 contravention)
[2010] FCAFC 65 (appeal) Full Court · Appeal decision: 8 June 2010. · Declarations against Corbett (1 contravention of each of ss. 44 and 38 BCII Act).
Moore, Besanko and Gordon JJ
11. Cruse v CFMEU & Anor (2009) 182 IR 60; [2009] FMCA 236 Federal Magistrates Court 25 September 2006 Over 80% of employees walked off the job following a CFMEU organiser's conducting a 30 minute stop-work meeting during working hours. · Agreed statement of facts. $38,500 comprising:
Turner FM · Penalty decision 9 April 2009. · $27,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA).
· $11,000 and declarations against McLoughlin ½ suspended (1 contravention of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA).
12. Cruse v CFMEU and Anor [2009] FCA 787 Federal Court of Australia 6 October 2006 A CFMEU senior vice president held a stop work meeting with crane workers at 3:10 pm at a Melbourne site. Following this, a ban was placed on crane installation work for little over an hour. · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties $15,000 comprising:
Marshall J · Penalty decision 29 July 2009. · $10,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $5,000 and declarations against Washington (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
13. Cozadinos v CFMEU, Berardi and Mates [2010] FCA 48 Federal Court of Australia 8 March 2007 A CFMEU organiser engaged in unlawful industrial action and took action with intent to coerce a contractor to employ a building employee. · Agreed statement of facts $45,000 comprising:
Marshall J · Penalty decision 9 February 2010. · $40,000 against the CFMEU ($20,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act and $20,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act).
· $5,000 against Mates ($2,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act and $3,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act).
14. Cozadinos v CFMEU & Anor Federal Magistrates Court 19 March 2007 A CFMEU shop steward prevented a delivery of materials out of mischief and/or malice to spite a site manager. · Liability decision 10 December 2008. $9,600 comprising:
[2008] FMCA 1591 Burchardt FM · Penalty decision 7 May 2009. · $5,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act) and declarations (1 contravention of s. 494 WRA).
[2009] FMCA 272 · $4,600 and declarations against Johnston (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act) and declarations (1 contravention of s. 494 WRA)
15. Gregor v CFMEU and Berardi [2009] FMCA 1266 Federal Magistrates Court 19 July 2007 After a head contractor explained it need not be party to a CFMEU EBA, a CFMEU organiser arranged for workers on site to stop work and attend a meeting. The organiser encouraged attendees to leave site for the rest of the day. · Agreed statement of facts $8,500 comprising:
O'Sullivan FM · Penalty decision 16 December 2009 · $7,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $1,000 and declarations against Berardi wholly suspended (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
16. White v CFMEU and McLoughlin [2010] FMCA 693 Federal Magistrates Court 19 February 2008 A CFMEU organiser imposed a ban on steel fixing for a concrete pour by employees of a subcontractor. The ban interrupted the pour and was imposed to effect his intention to remove an elected OHS representative. · Agreed statement of facts $46,200 comprising:
Burchardt FM · Penalty decision 21 September 2010 · $38,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
· $7,700 and declarations against McLoughlin (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
17. Wotherspoon v CFMEU, Stephenson and Slater [2010] FMCA 184 Federal Magistrates Court 30 April 2008 Respondents engaged in meetings and stoppages on 30 April 2008 on Fulton Hogan Monash Freeway Road Widening Project as a result of which, employees withdrew their labour and failed to perform their work · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties $31,000 comprising:
Turner FM · Penalty decision 22 March 2010. · $25,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
· $5,000 against Stephenson (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $1,000 against Slater wholly suspended (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
18. Williams v AMWU, CFMEU, Powell, Mavromatis & Pizarro [2010] FCA 754 Federal Court of Australia 5 February - 29 April 2009 At the West Gate Bridge site, respondents authorised and organised industrial action, took action with intent to coerce John Holland to employ former employees of a subcontractor, and took action with intent to coerce John Holland and the subcontractor to make EBAs. · Agreed penalties $1,325,000 comprising:
Jessup J · Penalty decision 28 July 2010. · $858,000 against the CFMEU ($535,000 for 8 contraventions of s. 43 BCII Act, $247,000 for 9 contraventions of s. 44 BCII Act, $76,000 for 2 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $71,000 against Powell ($45,000 for 4 contraventions of s. 43 BCII Act, $21,000 for 5 contraventions of s. 44 BCII Act, $3,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $71,000 against Stephenson ($45,000 for 5 contraventions of s. 43 BCII Act $16,000 for 5 contraventions of s. 44 BCII Act, $10,000 for 1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $298,000 against the AMWU
· $27,000 against Mavromatis (AMWU)
19. John Holland Pty Ltd v Benstead & CFMEU [2009] FMCA 1065 Federal Magistrates Court 11 and 24 March 2009 On two separate occasions at an Epping construction site, a CFMEU officer visiting on site with OH&S concerns was involved in employees' failure to work from morning onwards. · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties $25,000 against the CFMEU (2 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
Turner FM · Penalty decision 12 November 2009.
20. John Holland v CFMEU, Travers, O'Grady and Reardon [2009] FMCA 1248 Federal Magistrates Court of Australia 24 March 2009 Three CFMEU officials at two sites within John Holland's Tullamarine Airport project encouraged and directed the cessation of work by 180 workers. · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties $23,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (2 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
O'Sullivan FM · Penalty decision 14 December 2009.
21. Wotherspoon v CFMEU, Reardon and Hudson Federal Magistrates Court 1 April 2009 Two CFMEU officials shut down the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute site in connection with a dispute with a head contractor over a height allowance. · Agreed statement of facts and agreed penalties $27,500 and declarations comprising:
O'Sullivan FM · Penalty decision 11 October 2010 · $22,500 and declaration against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
· $2,500 and declaration against Reardon (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
· $2,500 and declaration against Hudson (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act)
NEW SOUTH WALES
22. Alfred v CFMEU (D8498/02) NSW District Court 14-15 October 2002 The CFMEU took unlawful industrial action to coerce a head contractor at the Sutherland Hospital site, NSW, to sign a certified agreement with the CFMEU. · Penalty decision 30 March 2004. $2,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA).
Hughes J
23. Alfred v Walter Construction Group Limited Federal Court of Australia April 2003 The CFMEU, an organiser and a site delegate threatened to disrupt work at the Wollongong Sewerage Treatment Plant Project, NSW because a subcontractor chose not to enter the CFMEU endorsed certified agreement ("EBA"). The CFMEU engaged in conduct calculated, and effective, to prevent the subcontractor from continuing to work on the site · Agreed statement of facts $7,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (3 contraventions of s. 170NC WRA).
[2005] FCA 497 (penalty) Branson J · Penalty decision 3 May 2005.
24. A & L Silvestri Pty Ltd v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 20 October 2003 Three CFMEU organisers took industrial action and threatened further industrial disruption against a head contractor and an earthmoving subcontractor on a Wollongong site because they did not have industrial agreements with the CFMEU. The officials also threatened to shut down the site if the subcontractor was not removed. · Liability decision 13 July 2007. $7,300 comprising:
[2007] FCA 1047 (liability) Gyles J 21 October 2003 · Penalty decision 11 April 2008. · $5,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA).
[2008] FCA 466 (penalty) · $1,800 and declarations against Lane (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA).
25. Alfred v Wakelin Federal Court of Australia 15-18 October 2005 A strike of hundreds of AWU workers over food and hygiene standards at the kitchen and mess at the camp. · Agreed statement of facts with CFMEU. $64,100 comprising:
(No 1) [2008] FCA 1455 (CFMEU) Jagot J 10-11 November 2005 A second strike of CFMEU and AWU workers following an authorised stop work meeting. · CFMEU penalty decision 25 September 2008 · $8,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
(No 2) [2008] FCA 1543 (AWU) · AWU liability decision 17 October 2008. · $1,100 against Wakelin (1 contravention of s. 38 BCII Act).
(No 4) [2009] FCA 267 (AWU) · AWU penalty decision 26 March 2009. · $28,000 and declarations against the AWU (2 contraventions of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA)
· $18,000 and declarations against the AWU NSW (2 contraventions of s. 38 BCII Act).
· $9,000 and declarations against O'Connor (2 contraventions of each of s. 38 BCII Act and EBA)
QUEENSLAND
26. Hamberger, Employment Advocate v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 29 January and 26 February 1999 The CFMEU and its site organisers on two separate occasions attempted to get an employer to remove an employee because the employee had refused to join the CFMEU. The CFMEU threatened to engage in unlawful industrial action if the employer did not remove the employee · Liability decision 22 December 2000. On appeal, $12,750 comprising:
[2000] FCA 1923; (2000) 103 IR 249 (liability) Cooper J · Penalty decision 9 May 2002. · $3,000 (reduced from $7,500) and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of each of ss. 298P(3)(a) and 298P(3)(b) WRA).
[2002] FCA 585 (penalty) Full Court · Appeal decision. · $7,500 and declarations against the BLF QLD (1 contravention of each of s. 298P(3)(a) and 298P(3)(b) WRA).
[2003] FCAFC 38; (2003) 127 FCR 309 (appeal) Spender, Drummond and Marshall JJ · $1,500 and declarations against McHugh (1 contravention of each of s. 298P(3)(a) and 298P(3)(b) WRA).
· $750 and declarations against Ravbar (1 contravention of each of s. 298P(3)(a) and 298P(3)(b) WRA).
COERCIVE CONDUCT CASES
VICTORIA
27. Cruse v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia May 2005 A CFMEU delegate made false and misleading statements regarding a Hamilton building contractor's obligation to join the union and negated the contractor's choice whether to enter into a certified agreement with the CFMEU. · Liability decision 22 August 2008. $4,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 170NC WRA) and declarations (1 contravention of s. 290SC WRA).
[2008] FCA 1267 (liability) Marshall J · Penalty decision 5 November 2008. Declarations against Fry (1 contravention of each of ss. 170NC and 298SC WRA).
(No 2) [2008] FCA 1637 (penalty)
28. Draffin v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia November 2005 A CFMEU delegate, organiser and branch secretary admitted coercing a head contractor not to allocate traffic management responsibilities to a subcontractor whose employees were on AWAs, discriminating against the subcontractor and encouraging the head contractor to terminate the subcontract because of the AWAs.. · Agreed statement of facts. On appeal, $132,750 comprising:
[2009] FCA 243 (first instance) Marshall J · CFMEU penalty decision 17 March 2009. · $52,750 (increased from $22,750) against the CFMEU ($50,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act, $2,000 for 1 contravention of s. 45 BCII Act, $750 for 1 contravention of s. 298P WRA).
[2009] FCAFC 120 (appeal) Full Court · Appeal decision 10 September 2009. · $10,000 ½ suspended (increased from $2,000 wholly suspended) and declarations against Oliver ($8,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act, $1,250 for 1 contravention of s. 45 BCII Act and $750 for 1 contravention of s. 298P WRA).
Goldberg, Jacobson and Tracey JJ · $10,000 ½ suspended (increased from $2,000 wholly suspended) against Benstead ($8,000 for 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act, $1,250 for 1 contravention of s. 45 BCII Act and $750 for 1 contravention of s. 298P WRA) and declarations
· $10,000 against Allen ½ suspended ($8,000 for1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act, $1,250 for 1 contravention of s. 45 BCII Act and $750 for 1 contravention of s. 298P WRA) and declarations
29. Cahill v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 15, 17 and 21 February 2006 A CFMEU organiser demanded that a new contractor on site employ two former shop stewards and the OH&S officer who had been employed by the previous contractor. · Liability decision 5 February 2009. On appeal, upholding first instance, $85,500 comprising:
- NB special leave to appeal to High Court (No 3) (2009) 178 IR 89; [2009] FCA 52 (liability) Kenny J The organiser demanded that the site's crane crew shut down the crane and leave the site, which they did. His intention in shutting down the crane operations was to coerce Hardcorp, to re-employ the former CFMEU shop stewards and OH& S officer. · Penalty decision 16 September 2009. · $75,500 and declarations against the CFMEU (3 contraventions of s. 43 BCII Act).
was refused on 10.12.10 [2009] FCA 1040 (penalty) Full Court · Appeal decision 18 May 2010. · $10,000 and declarations against Mates (3 contraventions of s. 43 BCII Act).
[2010] FCAFC 39 (appeal) Moore, Middleton and Gordon JJ
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Williams v CFMEU Federal Court of Australia 31 July 2006 A CFMEU organiser procured and threatened to procure a stoppage of work with intent to coerce a builder to employ or engage a building employee or contractor. · Liability decision 13 March 2009. On appeal, $42,500 comprising:
[2009] FCA 223 (liability) Jessup J · Penalty decision 28 May 2009. · $35,000 (reduced from $100,000) against the CFMEU (referable to 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act).
(No 2) (2009) 182 IR 327; [2009] FCA 548 (penalty) Federal Court of Australia Full Court · Appeal decision 7 December 2009. · $7,500 (reduced from $15,000) against Mates (referable to 1 contravention of s. 43 BCII Act).
[2009] FCAFC 171 (appeal) Moore, Middleton and Gordon JJ
NEW SOUTH WALES
31. Hadgkiss v Blevin Federal Court of Australia November 2002 The CFMEU, one of its organisers and one of its site delegates at the Clifton Apartments building at Pyrmont, NSW, coerced an employee of a building contractor to join the CFMEU. The employee initially refused to join the union but the employer subsequently paid his union dues on his behalf. · Liability decision 1 June 2004. $7,700 comprising:
[2004] FCA 697 (liability) Conti J · Penalty decision 13 July 2004. · $5,500 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 298P(3) WRA).
[2004] FCA 917 (penalty) · $1,100 against McGahan (1 contravention of s. 298P(3) WRA)..
· $1,100 against Blevin (1 contravention of s. 298P(3) WRA)..
32. Alfred v CFMEU & Ors Federal Magistrates Court 11 April 2006 A CFMEU organiser threatened to organise or take action (including bankruptcy, auditing and making life a misery) against a subcontractor with intent to coerce him and his workers to become members of the CFMEU. · Liability decision 10 July 2009. $28,600 comprising:
- NB under appeal [2009] FMCA 613 (liability) Smith FM · Penalty decision 20 October 2009 · $13,000 against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 789 WRA).
(No 2) [2009] FMCA 1003 (penalty) · $13,000 against the CFMEU (NSW) (contravention of s. 789 WRA).
· $2,600 against Manna (1 contravention of s. 789 WRA).
QUEENSLAND
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Wilson v Nesbit and CFMEU [2009] FCA 1574 Federal Court of Australia 23 June 2008 A CFMEU organiser made threats to a company to ban it from any building site in Australia and have it audited (costing at least $30,000) with intent to coerce the company to terminate its EBA and make a new EBA with the CFMEU. · Agreed statement of facts $49,000 comprising:
Dowsett J · Penalty decision 23 December 2009. · $40,000 and declarations against the CFMEU (1 contravention of s. 44 BCII Act.)
· $9,000 and declarations against Nesbit (contravention of s. 44 BCII Act).