CFMEU members march through Sydney to protest forced administration

Hundreds of CFMEU workers have marched in an unauthorised rally to protest the forced administration of the controversial union.

The renegade workers marched in Sydney from Belmore Park to Parliament House with signs reading “our right to innocence until proven guilty is under threat”.

The federal government pushed the powerful construction division of the CFMEU into administration following allegations of criminal infiltration in the division, sparking furious rallies across the country.

NewsWire understands Tuesday’s march was unauthorised, with CFMEU leadership warning its members “not to attend” the rally in a Facebook post from the weekend.

“We understand a rally is being planned for November 12 to protest the administration,” the post reads.

“This action is not authorised by the CFMEU.

“Please be aware that if you attend the unauthorised rally your employer may be able to take action against you, as the rally is an unprotected action.

“Do not let employers use your anger over Administration to disadvantage you.

“While we cannot stop you going to the rally our strong advice is not to attend.”

Labor and the Coalition voted in August to place the division into administration.

Victorian barrister Mark Irving KC has been appointed administrator and to date 11 senior union officials across the CFMEU’s NSW, Victoria and Tasmanian and Queensland branches have lost their jobs.

CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith has slammed the move and said allegations of criminality in the union had not been tested in court.

“Until allegations have been tested by the legal system, people and organisations are entitled to a fair process,” he said in August.