The Australian Crime Commission also confirmed it is working with Victorian and NSW police and the NSW Crime Commission on crime links to the construction industry. CFMEU stalwart Brian Fitzpatrick. Credit:Wolter Peeters In the latest revelations from the Fairfax-ABC investigation, Brian Fitzpatrick, a senior industrial officer and 25-year veteran of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in NSW, said the infiltration of organised crime into the union had plunged it into a "crisis" and called for "a very serious clean-up." Mr Fitzpatrick reported fellow senior union organiser Darren Greenfield for allegedly issuing him a death threat after Mr Fitzpatrick raised concerns about the relationship between union figures and businessman George Alex. Mr Fitzpatrick, who has reported the threat to police, alleged Mr Greenfield helped get Mr Alex's company a contract at Sydney's massive Barangaroo construction site and that some NSW union officials had given Mr Alex's businesses "a dream run"– despite being aware of his links to crime figures and history of owing workers money.

Mr Fitzpatrick said Mr Greenfield told him last year: “You've gone too far this time, you fat c---. You're dead, you're f------ dead. Don't care how many police you've got. I'm coming out tomorrow and you are f------ dead. Bang.” Who's who Fairfax Media can also reveal that a second senior NSW union official, Andrew Quirk, has backed up Mr Fitzpatrick's concerns in a confidential letter to the CFMEU's national secretary, Michael O'Connor. In the letter, Mr Quirk documents a series of corruption allegations, including that NSW CFMEU state secretary Brian Parker “has given unwarranted favourable treatment” to Mr Alex's companies. In response to the claims about favourable treatment to Mr Alex's companies, the union has engaged external lawyers to investigate the allegations and provide advice.

Mr Parker– has denied giving preferential treatment to Mr Alex. Mr Parker said he and Mr Alex had a professional relationship. Mr Alex has declined to be interviewed. Fairfax Media last week put questions about Mr Fitzpatrick's death threat claim to the NSW CFMEU executive in order for them to be shown to Mr Greenfield. Neither has responded. Fairfax Media has revealed how some CFMEU figures have taken kickbacks from construction industry companies. In return, the CFMEU officials have used their influence to help the companies win contracts to supply labour and other services on major private and government projects. Victorian CFMEU organiser Danny Berardi has resigned after admitting to accepting free building work on his home. CFMEU construction division national secretary Dave Noonan said the union would refer any allegations of criminal conduct to police.

Victorian union boss John Setka said there was no place for corruption or criminality in the industry. The Victorian branch has called an emergency meeting at 8.30am on Wednesday to discuss the allegations. NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has ordered an inquiry into allegations surrounding Sydney's Barangaroo site. Barangaroo developer Lend Lease said it had a "zero tolerance approach towards corrupt or fraudulent behaviour" and would work with authorities to stamp out illegal activity. Mr Fitzpatrick condemned those “putting drug money in the industry, cleaning it, and driving around in flash cars with bling across their neck, living off other people's misery".

After raising concerns within the NSW branch last year, Mr Fitzpatrick was offered $300,000 in members' money to leave the union quietly. Instead, he resigned with a year's pay late last year. “What's happening now is getting worse and worse," he said. "It's now at crisis point. Literally at crisis point. It's time for a very serious clean-up. “These people [organised crime figures] are going to drag us all down. We have got to be, unions are supposed to be, representing the workers. But if we become corrupt there is no way we can do that [and] we will lose the lot.” Mr Fitzpatrick, who has held key posts in the NSW branch over the past two decades, said the union's state and national leadership knew about alleged corruption but were either powerless to deal with it or had tried to “smother it". In Melbourne his companies have been run by Comanchero Amin Fahkri and hired underworld boss Mick Gatto as a consultant to help build relations with the Victorian CFMEU and win enterprise bargaining agreements for construction projects.

“You don't have to be Einstein to realise once bikies get involved there is only one reason they get involved and only one reason bosses or people would use them," Mr Fitzpatrick said. "They are used for the fear factor, they are used for getting results and they are used to terrifying people.” Mr Gatto on Tuesday denied involvement in corrupt dealings within the industry. "The only thing I will say is that they are all unfounded allegations," Mr Gatto said in relation to allegations about his role in the industry. "It's just a witch hunt. It is just an agenda for whatever the Liberal government want to do. That is all I can say."

Director of traffic management and labour hire firm KPI, Kevin Ramsay, said his company had no links to bikies and denied reports his company had provided kickbacks to union officials to secure work on Victoria's desalination plant and other sites. Loading Got a tip? Email nmckenzie@fairfaxmedia.com.au Rbaker@fairfaxmedia.com.au