CFMEU members named AWU delegate's two sons and their schools during site
CFMEU members named AWU organiser James Downie's sons, their schools and daycare, making him fear they had endangered his family.
AWU organiser James Downie told Queensland's CFMEU inquiry about a 2023 attack at the Cross River Rail development in Woolloongabba. CFMEU members surrounded Downie and a colleague as they tried to leave, screaming insults and shoving him across Stanley Street.
Downie was bumped off the pavement and nearly hit by a truck. The CFMEU men cornered him at shopping centre stairs and taunted him to fight.
When Downie refused, they named his two sons, identified their schools and daycare, and described his personal habits. One CFMEU member then said the message had been sent and they dispersed.
Downie told the inquiry he felt his job had crossed into his personal life.
Why it mattersThe inquiry is examining whether CFMEU tactics crossed from industrial dispute into criminal intimidation, targeting workers' families to achieve site control.
AustraliaThis Queensland inquiry reveals patterns of alleged intimidation and violence in Australian construction disputes, raising safety concerns for workers crossing picket lines.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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