It’s not often that I react to articles written in the Herald Sun that have no other purpose but to dirty the name and work of the union. But recent articles in that newspaper that is widely read by our members, deserve a response.

The articles reported that the CFMEU was involved in rorts – the so called Black Hats and selling Grand Prix tickets and AFL tickets at inflated prices. I’ve never heard of the Black Hats and we have never sold tickets at inflated prices to anyone.

When we asked where they were getting this unfounded garbage from, they would not tell us.

They also named our fundraising arm – Building 2000. It’s a legitimate fundraising organisation that is audited every year and contributes funds to good causes.

Members from all walks
In another article, there were references to members of bikie gang being members of the CFMEU and other unions at the Desalination plant.

I want to reiterate that the CFMEU is an independent organisation with no links to bikie gangs or any other gang. However, we do not control what our members do in their private lives. We have members who ride motorbikes, play chess, go bird watching, do ballroom dancing, are Catholics, Hindus and Zoroastrians.

As long as they work on a construction site and they are members of the union, we assist them as workers and advocate on their behalf. What they do in their private time is their business.

Murdoch press making it up
It is clear that these journalists are politically motivated. The Murdoch press both here and internationally is not known for its ethical journalism. You just have to open The Australian at any time in the last year to see that they are running a campaign for the Federal Liberal party.

It seems that here in Victoria, the Herald Sun is helping out the Baillieu government in their crusade against the union. They are digging for dirt and when they can’t find any, they’re making it up.

We will continue to do our job in getting the best wages and conditions for our members and I ask all of you to take anything that the Herald Sun has to say, with a grain of salt.

Bill Oliver
CFMEU Secretary, Victorian Branch