Libby Mettam warns of ‘summer of industrial chaos’ as public sector workers rally for 12 per cent pay hike

Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has claimed WA is heading for a “summer of industrial chaos” as she lashed the Cook Government for being “beholden to the unions”. The comments came as around 500 public sector workers flooded Perth Cultural Centre on Wednesday to demand a 12 per cent pay rise over the next two years. The rally – organised by Unions WA – included CFMEU delegates, despite Federal Parliament on Tuesday passing legislation that will place every branch of the scandal-plagued construction union into administration. “Western Australia is on track for a summer of industrial chaos under (Premier) Roger Cook, with a Government controlled by the CFMEU, the forced unionisation of the Pilbara, ongoing strike threats in Freo and now union rallies today for the public sector,” Ms Mettam said. “It is clear that the Cook Labor Government are beholden to the unions. “We need to see Roger Cook stand up to the unions, and in particular the CFMEU and be able to illustrate that the $25,000 (donation) that he has received isn’t dirty money.” Access to State-owned Fremantle Port was curtailed on Sunday and Monday as a result of a small group of striking workers, with another 48-hour walk-off planned for the weekend. The Cook Government is also in the midst of negotiating new pay deals with a wide range of other public servants, including police officers, doctors, nurses and administrative staff. Speaking at a rally of some of those workers, UnionsWA secretary Owen Whittle said 2024 had already brought “a record amount of industrial action in the public sector”. “That’s still going on today, and it’s still going to go on next week – up until we get offers from government that respects the dignity of (public sector) work and alleviates workload pressure and gives workers a much-needed pay increase in this cost of living crisis,” Mr Whittle said. Earlier this month, BHP was dragged into union negotiations for a new agreement covering hundreds of workers at its South Flank and Area C mines. It was the first union incursion into the Pilbara in a decade and followed new Albanese Government laws that allow bargaining to commence without the majority support of impacted workers. Ms Mettam on Wednesday renewed her call for WA Labor to repay a recent $25,000 CFMEU donation in the wake of the Albanese Government’s decision to cut ties with the union while it is placed into the hands of external administrators. “Roger Cook must return the funds that he has received from the union so far, and if not explain how those funds are not dirty money,” she said. Mr Whittle said the WA branch of the CFMEU – unlike divisions on the eastern seaboard – had faced “absolutely no accusations of criminal misconduct”. “Our executive met last week… and decided at this point, without any credible allegations, the CFMEU would remain an affiliate (of Unions WA),” he said. “If they do go into administration in Western Australia, our executive will need to meet to consider that. “Administration can mean a lot of things, and it can vary. So we’ll have to consider those circumstances.” Mr Cook has vowed to take “quick, decisive action” once the CFMEU is placed into the hands of administrators. “That would obviously include suspension of affiliation to the WA Labor Party, the banning of donations and any other measures that are recommended as part of that administration process,” he said. “My Government has already announced laws to give the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission new powers, to ensure only fit and proper people are granted union right of entry permits for WA work sites. “We won’t hesitate to take further action if necessary.”