The CFMEU construction and general division's Victorian branch spent $13.1 million on legal costs in the 12 months to the end of last year, up more than five-fold from $2.3 million in 2014.
The Victorian Supreme Court took the "serious step" of imposing a representative order on individuals involved in an unlawful blockade at a Geelong oil refinery early this month, but extending it to encompass future participants would go beyond the terms of any previous such order, according to the judge in the case.
Despite securing almost $2 million in penalties against non-compliant players in the construction industry over 12 months, the FWBC's director says that it is losing the fight to restore law and order on building sites.
The FWC has banned hundreds of subcontractor workers at six Lend Lease projects in Queensland from taking unlawful industrial action in support of protected strikes by two dozen of the construction giant's direct employees.
Concrete supplier Boral suffered "substantial losses and damage" from a boycott organised by the Victorian CFMEU because it was a crucial supplier to Grocon, the Federal Court heard today.
The Fair Work Ombudsman's investigation into March's wildcat strike by Fairfax Media journalists has found that it is "not in the public interest" to take any further action, ending speculation that MEAA members could face heavy fines.
The NUW has won average pay increases of about 4.75% a year for 650 workers after a three-day strike at a major Victorian distribution centre for Coles supermarkets.
Coles has alleged the NUW is engaged in unlawful pickets at "contingency sites" established to distribute food to its Victorian stores after the start of indefinite strike at a key distribution centre.
