CBD wall collapse used by union to stir up protest The scene of a devastating wall collapse that claimed three lives. Picture: Aun Ngo Source: Supplied A MILITANT union has been urged to abandon an "appalling" rally exploiting the CBD wall collapse that claimed three lives. The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has called on thousands of members to join a protest against builder Grocon next Tuesday at the Swanston St site of last month's tragedy. It is a further escalation of its bitter fight with the building giant, which last year saw unionists clash with police as they blockaded the Myer Emporium site, shutting it down for 16 days. Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Premier Denis Napthine and heads of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Masters Builders Association called on the CFMEU to abandon its "disgraceful" bid to politicise the triple tragedy. CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka accused the city council, State Government and building industry of a public safety cover-up. Bad taste union tactic Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the union should be helping official probes rather than staging a rally. "Anything except co-operation with the bodies doing the investigation - and they include the Building Commission, WorkSafe and the Coroner - is inappropriate," Mr Doyle said. Bridget and Alexander Jones and French engineer Dr Marie-Faith Fiawoo were victims of the CBD wall collapse. Premier Denis Napthine condemned the union's action, saying thoughts should be going out to the families and friends of the victims, not towards political point-scoring. "This terrible incident is subject to a number of investigations and the CFMEU's decision to pre-empt these outcomes in order to lay blame for their own political purposes is a downright disgrace and an affront to decency," he said. This disgusting behaviour shows a complete lack of respect and ought to be condemned by all sides of politics. VECCI chief Mark Stone was scathing in his assessment of the planned action. "It is appalling the CFMEU are using a tragic set of circumstances that are so painful for affected families for their own purposes," he said. It is totally inappropriate to use this situation to continue their vendetta against one of Australia's leading construction companies. An April CFMEU newsletter cites the deaths of teens Alexander and Bridget Jones, and French engineer Marie-Faith Fiawoo, as proof "Grocon has no regard for safety," a claim rubbished by official watchdog WorkSafe. CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka has accused the city council, State Government and building industry of a public safety cover-up. Mr Setka, who helped clear rubble from victims immediately after the collapse, said he was offended by claims he was politicising the tragedy. The union had not contacted victims' families to ask if they believed the rally was appropriate, but Mr Setka said unionists would stage a minute's silence and, out of respect, march without chanting. He said WorkSafe was being manipulated by the Coalition Government and the rally was needed to focus public attention on safety issues across the building industry. "We want to highlight the cover-up going between the city council, WorkSafe, Matthew Guy's planning office - we don't want it swept under the carpet," Mr Setka said. MBA Victorian executive director Brian Welch said the CFMEU had made a serious error of judgment over a matter not yet fully investigated. Days after standing by the CFMEU as it passed a motion at the ALP state conference targeting Grocon, state Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews refused to criticise the union, saying only: "What happened was a tragedy. We await the findings of the investigation. Federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten also declined to comment, , saying it was appropriate authorities fully investigated the incident.