Police fired rubber bullets at protesters during the violent rallies over mandatory vaccinations for construction workers in Melbourne's CBD on Monday
Protesters rallying against Covid mandates on tradies have began smashing the windows and destroying the property of a union building in Melbourne as the demonstrations turn ugly.
Hundreds of workers in hi-vis vests walked off the job on Monday and gathered outside the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union head office on Elizabeth Street to protest against mandatory Covid-19 vaccine requirements which come into effect later this week.
Dramatic mobile phone footage showed protesters hurling projectiles at men guarding the door, labelling high-profile union boss John Setka 'Dan Andrews' b****' and yelling 'f*** the jab'.
Bottles and other projectiles have repeatedly been thrown with windows of the CFMEU building with others kicking glass with debris all over the road and footpath.
A dog was even kicked as the rallies turned exceedingly ugly, with pictures showing the devastation left by protesting tradies all along the outside of the union office.
There is now a large-scale police operation in motion to attempt to disperse the dissenters who have been in attendance for more than seven hours.
It is the second ugly riot in two days for Melbourne as workers wage war on state officials, law enforcement and even their own union representatives.
The angry faces of Melbourne: Tradies turn out en masse to rally against mandatory vaccination for all construction workers as Victoria looks to move out of lockdown
A man mimics getting the jab at police as protests turn violent between tradies on Monday in Melbourne's CBD over mandatory vaccinations for construction workers
Bottles and other projectiles have repeatedly been thrown with windows of the CFMEU building with others kicking glass with debris all over the road and footpath
Hundreds of workers in hi-vis vests walked off the job on Monday and gathered outside the CFMEU head office on Elizabeth St to protest against the mandates
There is now a large-scale police operation in motion to attempt to disperse the dissenters who have been in attendance for more than seven hours
Riot police have moved in to disperse crowds at the Melbourne headquarters of the CFMEU, after a protest against mandatory vaccines turned ugly, with the union blaming 'outside extremists' for the violence.
Police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to move the crowd, which has now taken over the intersection outside the Queen Victoria Market.
Bottles were thrown at the already smashed glass entrance doors to the building in Melbourne's city centre as those protecting the entry sought refuge indoors just before 4pm.
Protesters also seemed to be turning against each other, with a number of small fights breaking out within the crowd of bright orange and yellow.
The union released a statement just after 4pm, saying it has always supported freedom of choice regarding vaccination.
'We are not going to be intimidated by outside extremists attempting to intimidate the union, by spreading misinformation and lies about the union's position,' the statement said.
'The CFMEU will always advocate for safety, jobs, and freedom of choice.'
The chaotic scene were sparked by a message sent to the 'Vic Freedom Movement Event' group on a social messaging app urging workers to attend CFMEU headquarters
Bottles were thrown at the already smashed glass entrance doors to the building in Melbourne's city centre as those protecting the entry sought refuge indoors just before 4pm
Riot police moved in to disperse crowds at the CFMEU headquarters, after a protest against mandatory vaccines turned ugly, with the union blaming 'outside extremists' for the violence
Earlier the union boss was mobbed by angry tradies demanding they fight against mandatory vaccines and the removal of tearooms going forward as Victoria attempts to ease restrictions for the jabbed.
Flanked by union officials, Mr Setka, the longtime CFMEU state secretary, tried to appease the crowd and address the protestors over loud speaker.
'Please calm down, can you at least give me the respect to talk,' he told protestors. 'We're not the enemy, I don't know what you have heard.
'I have never ever said I support mandatory vaccination.'
But his pleas fell on deaf ears and was drowned out by protestors booing and shouting expletive-filled insults.
'Dan Andrew's b****,' several could be heard chanting.
Others screamed: 'Stand up, or stand down.'
Protesters also seemed to be turning against each other, with a number of small fights breaking out within the crowd of bright orange and yellow
Hundreds of workers in h-vis vests gathered outside the CFMEU head office on Elizabeth St on Monday morning
A protest against construction restrictions in Melbourne has turned violent with demonstrators clashing with union officials and hurling a bread crate
Mr Setka tried to tell the crowd he'd never even met the Victorian Premier but was eventually forced to retreat back inside the building before protestors smashed the glass door, chanting 'my body, my choice'.
Unionists were forced to formed a human wall
