“Over the past couple of years,solidarity has been replaced by self-interest and strength in numbers has been replaced by hostile number-crunching,” said Mr Maher,whose division has about 25,000 members compared to construction’s 60,000.
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“The construction division has made it clear that they will use their numbers to steamroll smaller divisions,force decisions in their favour and run the CFMMEU as a construction union. This is an unacceptable situation.”
The CFMMEU,one of the nation’s most powerful and militant unions,has split into warring internal camps with the maritime and construction divisions pitted against the manufacturing and mining and energy divisions. The dispute began last year after Victorian construction division boss John Setka wasconvicted of harassing his wife and,his supporters believe,did not receive enough support from the mining and manufacturing divisions.
Mr Maher quit as CFMMEU national president last month and announced the mining and energy division would withdraw its involvement in CFMMEU forums and activities andoperate as an autonomous union until at least March,ahead of its national convention.