I was John Setka’s right-hand man. The CFMEU can be a shining light again

1 day ago 4

Opinion

November 22, 2025 — 5.00am

Watching the CFMEU’s respected strong unity give way to factional turmoil over recent years has been nothing short of gut-wrenching, to put it mildly. I first joined the Building Workers’ Industrial Union in 1987 after completing my carpentry apprenticeship and have remained involved in what is now the CFMEU since its formation in 1992, whether as a rank and file member or a delegate, right up to becoming an assistant secretary and national vice president.

Built on the strength of an amalgamation of blue-collar unions, the CFMEU at its peak spanned across multiple industries and led together with the ACTU some of Australia’s most significant political and industrial campaigns for the advancement of Australian and international workers. United, we ran a successful “your rights at work” campaign for the safety and protection of workers, and the “change the rules” campaign pushing for workplace reforms, fair pay and secure jobs. We achieved the best wages and conditions in the country in the construction industry under the EBA and we made advancements to superannuation.

Yet today in Victoria the CFMEU sits rudderless and divided by internal conflicts.

While the blame game over the union’s troubles divides public opinion and union members alike, there are irrefutable facts. The Mining and Energy division voted to split from the CFMEU in 2018 over the behaviour and actions of certain individuals under the Construction division’s leadership. More recently, the Forestry and Manufacturing division followed suit for similar reasons, and now the Construction division finds itself severed from the broader movement and forced into federal government administration over allegations of criminality and corrupt conduct.

For all genuine trade unionists it’s a shit-show, no matter how you look at it. But here we are ... and rise above it, we must.

The CFMEU was only built after several union leaders woke up to the fact that bitter (and sometimes violent) infighting, turf wars and demarcation disputes over coverage was not in the best interest of members. Sacrifices were made on all sides in the formation of the CFMEU, and agreements were reached between union figures based on the best outcomes for workers. But today, as long as there are two unions battling for power over membership on the same infrastructure projects, nothing will change. We owe it to that generation of leaders who set us on the right path, and to this generation of workers who have so much to lose if we can’t find a way back to unity, to show that maturity once again.

A 2015 protest in Melbourne by CFMEU members wanting better rights for workers.

As horrific as this crisis may seem to many trade unionists, no matter who people may be blaming or which faction they might be backing this week, CFMEU members deserve every decision and action taken to be in the members’ best interest above any individual. These core principles of equality and social justice lie at the heart of unionism and as we’ve now seen, division is death – and greed is inexcusable. I was very proud of the part our union played in pushing for marriage equality but, in more recent times, the decision by the Victorian branch to walk away from the long-held national policy position of supporting a Voice to parliament for Indigenous Australians was a dark day.

The blame-gaming, finger pointing and rearview-mirror gazing will inevitably continue, due to the damage that has been done to the camaraderie among the organiser structures of officials. Regardless, the broader union movement wants to see this construction union, in whatever form it may take, at the top of its game as soon as possible and once again be a strong, values-driven union.

Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has made it clear that the Albanese government intends to keep Mark Irving, KC, as administrator until a time when it feels democratic elections can be safely held without what it calls “the elements of crime and corruption” attached. So it’s well and truly time officials, delegates and rank and file members stopped throwing snowballs at the sun and started focusing on rebuilding this great union.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC, gives evidence this week at the inquiry into the union in Brisbane.

Leaders, both women and men, must now be encouraged to rise without fear of attacks and retribution from both those still loyal to the old guard, or the government-appointed administration.

With the support of members and the rising of a new generation of leaders, I have no doubt this union will be back bigger and better than ever before and most importantly, in the hands of its members. That is where it belongs.

Shaun Reardon is a former national vice-president and assistant secretary of the Victorian construction division of the CFMEU.

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