[This is a model motion unionists can move in their union to support the AMWU leaders under attack.]
That [workers/unionists from this workplace/meeting] note the role played by the leadership of the Victorian branch of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union in its support for its members, other workers' struggles, progressive causes, like May Day and its active fight against casualisation and outsourcing.
We totally condemn the charges against Craig Johnston and other AMWU militants allegedly involved in incidents arising from the Skilled Engineering/Johnson Tiles dispute in June 2001, as being a politically inspired witchhunt and an attack on militants defending job security.
It is clear that the reason why various parties are pursuing these charges is because federal and state governments are attempting to break the power and influence of militant unions. The introduction of the Workplace Relations Act, the attack on the Maritime Union of Australia and the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry are examples of this.
We demand that the charges against the four unionists in relation to Skilled Engineering and the 17 from Johnson Tiles be dropped. We pledge full solidarity with these militants and maximum possible support to any political solidarity campaign.
[Please send details of passed motions to: Skilled Six Campaign, PO Box 12263, A'Beckett St, Melbourne 8001 or email to <skilled_six@hotmail.com>. Send a copy of this motion to your union to involve them in the campaign.]
From Green Left Weekly, July 10, 2002.
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