The Australian Mines and Minerals Association has lodged an appeal against the creation of a super union.

The appeal to the full bench of the Fair Work Commission was lodged by association lawyers on Thursday, objecting to a merger of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and the Maritime Union of Australia.

The AMMA and the Master Builders Association previously tried to stop the merger, but the creation of the new CFMMEU on March 27 was approved by the commission this week.

The Turnbull government wants parliament to pass laws subjecting union mergers to a public-interest test, but has yet to secure Senate crossbench support.

Tasmanian Liberal senator and former employment minister Eric Abetz was full of praise for legal action to block the “deeply regrettable” merger.

“This unholy alliance of law-breaking union heavies is a real concern for the millions of Australians who support the rule of law,” he said.

By Karen Sweeney