Canberra unionists will rally in support of Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union organiser John Lomax – who is accused of blackmail – before he faces court on Wednesday.
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A "Support Lomax" demonstration has been planned for outside the ACT Magistrates Court building about 8.40am.
The former Canberra Raider turned CFMEU organiser is scheduled to appear before the court over an allegation of blackmail later in the morning.
Police will allege that Lomax forced a Canberra painting company, Nel Trading, and its principal, Woong Yul Park, to sign a union enterprise bargaining agreement in April last year.
The owner allegedly believed he would be blocked from working in the ACT and NSW if he did not sign.
It is understood police will allege the owner suffered a financial loss as a result because the EBA required him to pay his workers $26 an hour, when he claims he could have paid as low as $17.
UnionsACT have organised the event to protest against the charge, which it says are "malicious and outrageous".
A flyer being circulated ahead of the event is headed with the message: " Union organising is not a crime".
A Facebook page, entitled "Support Johnny Lomax", showed 97 people had signalled their intention to attend.
"Johnny Lomax has been arrested. His crime? Negotiating and securing improvements in working conditions and wages for union members," the flyer says.
"This is a direct attack from the Abbott government on our ability to protect our wages and our safety at work.
"We will be gathering outside the ACT Magistrates Court to cheer Johnny on in solidarity as he enters to face these malicious and outrageous charges. See you there."
The demonstration follows a call by the CFMEU for the Australian Federal Police to drop the charge against Lomax.
CFMEU construction division national secretary Dave Noonan said that Nel Trading had been forced to pay workers thousands of dollars in backpay in 2013 after they appealed for help from the CFMEU because they were being underpaid.
UnionsACT secretary Alex White said: "There are two very troubling issues regarding the charges against Lomax, firstly relating to workplace safety, and the second relating to the undue and unprecedented attempt to criminalise normal industrial activity.
"This may sound arcane, but in both instances there has literally never been criminal charges laid against a union official seeking to collectively bargain.
"In around 80 years of Australia's industrial relations system, the industrial tribunal – currently called the Fair Work Commission – has always dealt with industrial matters, including with accusations like the ones that Lomax has been charged with."
