Court fines CFMEU $545,000

The CFMEU and five of its union officials have been fined a total $545,000 for unlawful coercion at a Brisbane housing project.

The fines, imposed by the Federal Court on Friday, relate to "verbal threats" and a week-long hindering of access to the site for Grocon employees and other workers.

"Regrettably, the conduct outlined in this case is but day-to-day activity on Australian building and construction sites," said Nigel Hadgkiss, director of the Australian government's Fair Work Building and Construction which took the case to court.