The construction union has been fined nearly $250,000 in three separate industrial matters concerning the Perth Children’s Hospital. The Federal Court has fined the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union for four blockades in early and mid 2013 industrial action, which held up works at the project. Justice Barker issued a total of $236,000 in fines, including individual fines for some officials, including Assistant Secretary Joe McDonald and State Secretary Mick Buchan. National Secretary of the union, Dave Noonan was slapped with a $1000 fine for addressing employees at the blockade in his first-ever penalty for industrial action. He did not block access to the site.
