Electrical Trades Union Victorian secretary Troy Gray has addressed the crowd in Melbourne, saying union members have “had enough” and bikies are a fraction of the membership.
“Today, you will hear a little bit about the administration, but what we really want to focus on is the result after forced administration of the CFMEU,” Gray said.
“Well, we’re getting a bit over what we’ve seen the papers speaking about John [Setka], speaking about bikers. It has only been five weeks since the forced administration of the CFMEU, and it is all up for grabs.
“The speakers today will say we have had enough, five weeks in, we have had enough, we are drawing a line.”
An aerial shot of the CFMEU rally in Melbourne on Wednesday.Credit: Nine
Gray told the crowd that the recent pay deal the CFMEU signed would be in jeopardy thanks to the administration.
He referenced this masthead’s reports about bikies, and told the crowd that the 12 or 14 alleged bikies in the union were a fraction of the total membership.
“We in this union believe in second chances. And if you have tattoos on your face you probably can’t work in real estate,” Gray said.
He told the crowd that they would walk to Flagstaff Gardens, and said there were fears the wage deals struck by the CFMEU would be thrown away and workers left on the award rate.
“Today we are coming out swinging,” he said to a massive roar from the crowd.
He added to more cheers: “There has been no better union official than John Setka.”
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Thousands gathered around the stage set up outside the Trades Hall building in Melbourne where speeches were under way.
Banners with the slogan “line in the sand”, and “touch one, touch all”, adorned the steps of the building.
The crowd erupted in a loud chant of “union power” and called for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to step down.
“Albo needs to go, and he needs to go fast,” one protester yelled.
“He is trying to implement unsafe work practices here in Australia … we want him out.”
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