CFMEU fined over unlawful Vic tactics

The CFMEU has been blasted for contravening workplace laws by a federal court judge who fined the union's Victorian branch almost $50,000 for unlawful conduct on a rail project.

The Victorian CFMEU was fined $48,750 on Wednesday while one of its officials received a $6375 fine for stopping workers at the Mitcham and Rooks project two years ago and threatening a subcontractor with "war" if work went ahead.

Justice Christopher Jessup found the CFMEU's actions "painted a depressing picture" which reflected an "organisational culture in which contraventions of the law have become normalised".