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聽administrator.
Defend the Unions, Defend the CFMEU, which organised the protest,聽demanded that Van Arend be immediately reinstated.
Van Arend has been critical about her union being placed under administration by Labor鈥檚 new聽听濒补飞.
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.
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Sue Bull from Defend the Unions, Defend the CFMEU criticised the undemocratic nature of Van Arend's聽sacking and pointed out that under the new anti-CFMEU law 鈥渟he has no right of appeal鈥 to the Fair Work Commission.
CFMEU delegate Casey Nguyen told the protest: 鈥淲e need strong women like [Esther] that will stand up鈥. 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 鈥渋s just the beginning鈥 of a campaign for her to resume her organiser position.