Union denied entry to site after concrete pump death

A new lawsuit alleges that a major developer verbally abused a union official and then slammed the door after a fatal crash that left a second worker paralyzed from the waist down.

Meriton, Australia’s largest apartment developer, has been sued over an incident in August 2025 when a concrete pump fell on a couple in Carlingford, north-west of Sydney.

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Workers Union claimed in the Federal Court that a Meriton worker refused to allow an official to attend the scene of the accident the next day to investigate what happened.

CFMEU Anthony Dimitriou claimed he had the right to inspect the site under safe working legislation as Meriton was suspected of breaking the law.

But the union’s lawsuit alleged that Meriton employee Frank Mignemi kicked him off the site and became “threatening, aggressive and verbally abusive.”

The lawsuit said Mr. Mignemi told him, “Fuck you. Get out. Get out. This is not a union site. I don’t need this nonsense. The cops and SafeWork are coming to do an investigation. I don’t need a union here.”

Mr Dimitriou allegedly complied with Mr Mignemi’s request to leave before closing and locking the gate to the complex.

Meriton declined to comment on the specific allegations but said it was “complying with all authorities and investigative bodies in relation to an ongoing investigation.”

CFMEU NSW enforcement officer Michael Crosby told AAP the “disaster” deserved an investigation so the families of those affected could get answers.

“Our organizer, an experienced health and safety professional, requested access to the site to notify Worksafe NSW of our notice,” he said.

“He has a legal right of entry. He was met with abusive harassment. This violation of our rights will not be tolerated.”

In the case, it was stated that the workers were employees of the union-affiliated subcontractor General Beton.

CFMEU is seeking financial compensation.