CFMEU AMALGAMATION

At its 1989 biennial congress the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) determined a policy for the future structure of trade unions in Australia. Broadly, the new policy encouraged unions to amalgamate, with the intention of consolidating their human and financial resources to form better resourced, larger, industrial unions.

The CFMEU is the result of a series of amalgamations during the early 1990s. Prior to amalgamation there were numerous unions spread across construction, forestry, mining and energy industries. Those unions amalgamated along industry lines to form each of the divisions of the CFMEU. Each division operates autonomously, with its own membership, executive, resources, industry policies and campaigns.

What did amalgamation mean for the CFMEU, Construction Division?

The construction division was made up of a number of craft based unions representing smaller numbers of members. These were:

The union's move away from a craft base to an industry base was designed to benefit construction workers and for many it has.

Relationships between the old unions were often antagonistic, characterised by demarcation disputes and intense rivalry for members. Amalgamation has reduced demarcation disputes. With fewer unions on site, workers have the opportunity for a strengthened bargaining position and can negotiate with a single voice.

The amalgamation process is currently still under way for the FEDFA Division in Victoria and the Construction Labourers Division in Queensland.

United we bargain - Divided we beg.

Contact the National Office, Construction Division at:
Level 12, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Ph: 02 8524 5800
Fax: 02 8524 5801
Email: queries@fed.cfmeu.asn.au

Postal address: PO Box Q235, Queen Victoria Building Post Office, Sydney NSW 1230.