Anger as Melbourne protesters infect FOUR union staff at CFMEU headquarters with Covid

Anger as Melbourne protesters infect FOUR union staff at CFMEU headquarters after wild scenes during anti-vaxx protest

  • CFMEU becomes a tier-one exposure after four staff member contract Covid-19
  • Several union staff from the building have been forced into two week isolation 


Four union staff members have reportedly tested positive for Covid after violent scenes erupted at the head office last week 

Several others have been forced into isolation after the CMFEU headquarters was declared a Tier 1 Covid-19 exposure site.

State secretary John Setka has also entered a two week isolation period. 

Union officials have blamed ‘the reckless and irresponsible behaviour’ of protesters who stormed the building on Monday. 

‘Last week’s protests put union officials and police at risk with infected demonstrators showing no regard to the wellbeing of people affected by their actions,’ Mr Setka said in statement on Wednesday.

CFMEU has become a Tier-1 exposure site after protesters after staff become infected with Covid-19

‘Their reckless behaviour has resulted in transmission to union staff and officials who were not involved in the protest. To date, four positive cases have been recorded.’

‘This outbreak caused by the disgusting behaviour of selfish and reckless people with no regard to the wellbeing of the thousands of construction workers or their families will not deter our commitment to getting construction back open and all our members back to work,’ the statement continued. 

Violent scenes in Melbourne erupted on Monday when construction workers angry about vaccination mandates mobbed the headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in the CBD.

Hours later Premier Dan Andrews announced he was shutting down Victoria’s $22billion construction industry for two weeks from September 21.

Violent scenes in Melbourne erupted on Monday when construction workers angry about vaccination mandates mobbed the headquarters (pictured)

Violent scenes in Melbourne erupted on Monday when construction workers angry about vaccination mandates mobbed the headquarters (pictured)

Tradesmen in hi-vis clothing attended rallies in Melbourne's CBD in week long protests

Tradesmen in hi-vis clothing attended rallies in Melbourne’s CBD in week long protests

How the protests unfolded:

Monday September 20

Construction workers angry about vaccination mandates storm the headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in Melbourne’s CBD.

Hours later Premier Daniel Andrews announces a statewide shutdown of the construction industry for two weeks from September 21. 

Tuesday September 21

2,000 protesters angered by the shutdown of sites across Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire march through the city.

Anti-vaxxer protesters chased police and pelted squad cars with cans as as they gather outside Victoria’s Parliament House. 

They march to block the West Gate Bridge – a major freeway into Melbourne’s CBD – bringing peak hour traffic to a stand still. 

 Wednesday September 22

Riot police move in to shut down dozens of people marching along Elizabeth and Collins streets.

Hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters begin to descend on Victoria’s Shrine of Remembrance to evade police, chanting ‘lest we forget’.

 Thursday September 23

Victoria Police ramp up measures to stop protesters gathering including an attempt to stop television crews from live streaming from outside construction union CFMEU’s headquarters. 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk