Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2023-11-27-cfmmeu-belgrave-station-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $72,500
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) and an official, Paul Tzimas, were penalised for unlawful conduct at a construction site in Belgrave, Melbourne. The incident occurred on May 2, 2022, at a commuter car park construction site near Belgrave Railway Station. Mr Tzimas pushed a senior site manager and knocked his hard hat off, causing him to lose balance. The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) initiated legal action, which later transferred to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a total penalty of $72,500 against the CFMMEU ($62,000) and Paul Tzimas ($10,500) for breaches of the Fair Work Act. The court found the contraventions were deliberate and aimed to incentivise compliance. Mr Tzimas was ordered to personally pay $3,150 of his penalty. The Fair Work Ombudsman emphasised the seriousness of breaching laws regarding proper conduct on worksites.
What it means for employers
Employers in the building and construction industry must ensure their employees and representatives act appropriately and in compliance with the Fair Work Act. A culture of compliance is essential, and aggressive or physical behaviour is unacceptable.
What it means for employees
Employees should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding workplace conduct. Reports of non-compliance should be raised, and assistance is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2023-media-releases/november-2023/20231127-cfmmeu-belgrave-station-penalty-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →