More than 100 people braved cold and rain outside the ACT magistrates’ court on the morning of 5 August to support John Lomax, a CFMEU organiser facing blackmail charges.  

Lomax is alleged to have forced a Canberra painting company to sign an enterprise agreement in April last year. That agreement set hourly wages for employees at $26 an hour, instead of the $17 that the owner of the company claimed he could have paid if he hadn’t signed.

“There are three types of blackmail under the law, I have recently found out”, CFMEU Construction and General Division secretary Dave Noonan told the crowd. “One is blackmail in connection to a public office; it’s not that charge. One is blackmail for personal gain; John Lomax is not charged with blackmail for personal gain. The third is called blackmail causing a loss, and you can see the charge sheet, it’s public. What they say is that by getting those workers a pay rise, John Lomax has caused the employer a loss – and they call that criminal!”

The union movement is understandably worried about the precedent the case could create if he is found guilty. A guard of honour was formed for Lomax, who arrived to chants of “Johnny Lomax here to stay”. The crowd was determined to give him a warm and loud welcome, and flags from several different unions flew above the protest. “I’m here to defend workers’ rights to organise”, Rachel, one of the attendees, told Red Flag. “It’s great to see so many different unions represented here today.”

Lomax entered a not guilty plea. His trial will continue in October.