More than 200 construction workers and supporters of the Construction, Forestry Maritime and Employees Union (CFMEU) protested outside the Fair Work Commission on December 13 calling for the reinstatement of Esther Van Arend, a former CFMEU health and safety organiser sacked by the CFMEU administrator.
Defend the Unions, Defend the CFMEU, which organised the protest, demanded that Van Arend be immediately reinstated.
Van Arend has been critical about her union being placed under administration by Labor’s new Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 law.
The rally also brought to attention the undemocratic nature of the CFMEU being placed under administration, with Esther being just one example of a CFMEU official who was sacked without any due process.
outside_the_fwc_ja.jpg
Sue Bull from Defend the Unions, Defend the CFMEU criticised the undemocratic nature of Van Arend's sacking and pointed out that under the new anti-CFMEU law “she has no right of appeal” to the Fair Work Commission.
CFMEU delegate Casey Nguyen told the protest: “We need strong women like [Esther] that will stand up”. She thanked Van Arend for her mentorship and mentoring other female delegates.
Former CFMEU national secretary Christy Cain also spoke in support of Van Arend and said the rally “is just the beginning” of a campaign for her to resume her organiser position.