Thousands march in CFMEU rally

Workers in Sydney and Melbourne have taken to the streets as part of another CFMEU rally.

The protests, which began at 11am, brought thousands of workers to both city centres.

New South Wales police are at the protest in Belmore Park.

The rally is expected to force rolling road closures along Elizabeth Street and Macquarie Street heading toward Hyde Park.

In footage from outside the Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton, perhaps a thousand demonstrators can be seen, many wearing their black CFMEU hoodies.

Footage from a Nine News chopper shows a sea of unionists marching over major thoroughfares in the CBD.

A 3AW reporter at the scene reports there are “thousands” of people at the rally.

In Sydney, LiveTraffic NSW shows major disruptions to CBD streets as the protesters approach Hyde Park.

It comes after hundreds of people gathered in Brisbane on Tuesday to rally in support of the embattled CFMEU.

The event was organised by the Electrical Trades Union Queensland and Northern Territory, and included sacked national secretary Jade Ingham.

The Your Union, Your Choice campaign was launched in Brisbane last month and is aimed at challenging the union’s forced administration.

A team of barristers lead by Bret Walker SC will run a challenge in the high court to laws allowing the union to be placed in forced administration.

The embattled union is facing allegations that the construction and general division has been involved in criminal conduct.

“We know that the grubby bosses want you to work longer hours, for less money, in unsafe conditions, without the ability to fight back,” CFMEU construction national secretary Zach Smith said ahead of the rallies.

The Victorian branch of the CFMEU is aiming to sign 1000 EBAs in the state in the next 12 months.

“Our message to the employers here in Victoria, and all across Australia is very simple; We will not let you use administration to drive down wages and conditions of construction workers,” Mr Smith said.