THE state opposition is demanding Victoria’s new Premier step in and stop “CFMEU thugs” from blockading an Aldi construction site in Altona, as work stalled for a third day.

But Daniel Andrews said he sees “no reason” work could not resume at the Millers Rd site, and has urged the union and builder Magellan Projects to sit down and “work through this”.

Mr Andrews has put the militant union on notice, saying anyone breaking the law would “feel the full force of the law” under his government.

Builders steered clear of the Aldi site this morning after reportedly being told by the CFMEU it would not allow work there for “the foreseeable future”.

The militant union forced Geelong-based builder Magellan Projects to abandon work on the new supermarket yesterday and on Friday by refusing access to trucks carrying building materials, parking a car across the fenced-off site’s entrance to prevent them getting inside.

The Herald Sun watched as the site remained undisturbed this morning, with just two men — one wearing a business shirt — briefly visiting the site separately at 6.50am and then 8am.

CFMEU representatives did not make an appearance — not needing to show up to stop the build for a third day.

The first man to visit unlocked the gate to the site, briefly went inside and then left. The second, wearing a business shirt, also stepped on to the site before leaving soon after.

Liberal MP Michael O’Brien has described the stand-off as the “first big test” for the new premier.

media_camera A car blocks the entrance to an Aldi construction site in Millers Rd, Altona, yesterday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“In the very first week of Daniel Andrews’ Labor government, we are already seeing a challenge to his authority,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Now is the time for Daniel Andrews to decide is he going to stand up for jobs in Victoria or is he going to stand by his factional mates in the building unions.

“We are seeing an absolute defiance of the law and an absolute defiance of the new Labor Government by the CFMEU.

“People are losing work; companies are losing money all because the CFMEU is taking the law into their own hands.”

Mr Andrews said everyone had a right to protest lawfully, but illegal industrial action would not be tolerated under his leadership.

“If you break the law you will feel the full force of the law. I don’t care who you are, where you come from, what you do for a living,” the Premier said.

“That will be the approach I take on all matters at all times because that is the leadership that our state needs.

“Given that there is no occupational health and safety issue here, there is no question of people not being paid appropriate wages, I see no reason why work shouldn’t be back happening at that site as soon as possible.

“I see no reason why work can’t be beginning on that site as early as this afternoon and I would urge all parties to sit down and talk and work through this.”

The Herald Sun understands suppliers contracted to the builder were today told by the militant union: “There’ll be (no work) happening there in the foreseeable future.”

A builder at the site allegedly responded that Magellan would have to look at “shutting the site down for the week”.

The Herald Sun understands the CFMEU has taken issue with Magellan Projects as it does not have a union-endorsed enterprise bargaining agreement and “owes money to people in the industry”.

Building industry sources said the union had a long-running battle with Aldi for bringing in international experts to oversee the German company’s specific method of laying its concrete floors to provide extra strength.

Yesterday, a CFMEU representative arrived at about 5.45am and at 6.10am was joined by a second union associate, who parked his station wagon across the entrance.

Fair Work Building and Construction inspectors visited the site on Friday and have opened an investigation.

Magellan Projects and the CFMEU declined to comment.

samantha.landy@news.com.au

Twitter: @SamLandy