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The powerful CFMEU is bragging about apprentices buying $100,000 utes after scoring a 21.5 per cent pay rise over four years in Victoria.
Construction workers belonging to the union today voted on a new enterprise bargaining agreement before taking the rest of the day off to celebrate.
The deal delivers 5 per cent pay bumps every year for the next four years, or a little more than 21 per cent in total when compounding is taken into account.
It was greeted with enthusiasm by speakers at Festival Hall, where thousands of members and delegates had gathered to vote.
“Twenty per cent f—ing pay rise, there’s not enough Ford Rangers in the country,” one speaker said.
“First-year apprentices are going to get Raptors. God bless the CFMEU.”
The pay rises are above inflation but just below the deal secured in Queensland earlier this year, which involves five per cent yearly increases over five years, rather than four.
The union brushed off concerns about driving up costs or drying out job opportunities.
“We’re out there making these pricks money,” another speaker said.
“Our fair share of the pie is out there and all we do as a union is f—ing want a bit of that pie.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Evan Mulholland was quick to insist the deal would drive up the cost of every bridge and train line needing upgrades.
“Who’s really running our state? [CFMEU state secretary] John Setka or [Victorian Premier] Jacinta Allan?” he said.
The government issued a statement playing down concerns about cost increases.
“We closely monitor the performance and compliance of all contractors through a range of measures, including audits – so that our major projects are delivered within the agreed costs,” the spokesperson said.
“There are strict processes in place to ensure contractors are complying with the relevant laws and policies.”
Master Builders Victoria CEO Michaela Lihou declined to comment on what implications the deal would have for the group’s members.
For Setka, this was his final mass meeting before his departure later this year.
“It was good to have the support of the members,” he told reporters outside the meeting.
