Union demanded Friday barbecues at construction site inquiry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 04:20 · Archive

A union demanded weekly barbecues for construction workers at a Brisbane project, an inquiry heard.

Cross River Rail Project site manager Justin Bishop gave evidence on Tuesday to the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU about disputes with union officials at the construction site. In October 2024, CFMEU delegate Richie Atutolu confronted Mr Bishop at a pre-start meeting over why workers had to use turnstiles to enter the worksite and demanded that CPB provide site barbecues for the entire workforce every Friday. Mr Bishop told the inquiry he declined, saying: 'We don't have a budget to supply barbecues to 400 men or 600 men every Friday. It's just not going to happen.' The confrontation escalated when Mr Atutolu became aggressive towards another worker. Mr Atutolu was subsequently sacked as CPB's union-appointed safety representative.

Mr Bishop also told the inquiry about other disputes. Up to 400 workers were forced to stop work over a three-millimetre puddle of water after CFMEU officials said workers could not walk through the puddles. Mr Bishop described this as a response to what he acknowledged was a 'genuine safety concern'. In November 2024, CFMEU organisers arrived at 3am to order a stopwork on a day when a 400-tonne canopy lift and placement was scheduled, and demanded that Mr Bishop review safety documents to justify the contractor's authority for the lift.

How it is being reported

• Union demanded barbecues every Friday for workersA union's demand for barbecues every Friday and shallow puddles that stopped construction work have aired at an inquiry.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 03:44
• Union demanded barbecues every Friday for workersA union's demand for barbecues every Friday and shallow puddles that stopped construction work have aired at an inquiry.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 03:44

In this story: CFMEU · Cross River Rail Project · Justin Bishop · Richie Atutolu · CPB · Brisbane · Stuart Wood KC

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