A painting contractor allegedly sacked a worker after he was coerced into joining the national construction and maritime union.

The Australian Building and Construction Commission is taking action in the Federal Court against painting contractor, Prolac Pty Ltd, and its director, Tim Petrusic, for allegedly terminating a worker’s contract because he had not paid a membership fee to the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU).

Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Stephen McBurney. Credit:Louie Douvis

The ABCC alleges two CFMMEU shop stewards, Maurice Campanaro and Joe Caratozzolo, forced the worker to pay union fees on two separate occasions to be able to start work on two different sites in the Melbourne CBD.

In a statement of claim filed with the court, the ABCC alleges the worker was told in October 2016 that before starting work he would need to prove his CFMMEU membership to work at the construction sites. The worker made a $380 up-front payment and planned to pay the remaining $1100 owed in $55 fortnightly payments.