Calls for trade union solidarity group

By Sue Bolton

MELBOURNE — A broad range of trade unionists met on June 19 to discuss Howard's industrial relations bill and how to fight it. The meeting was organised by the Democratic Socialist Party and Militant.

Luke Van der Muelen, from the Latrobe Valley Energy Division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, called for a union movement that took up the political struggle, was "capable of fighting all anti-worker governments, regardless of whether they are Labor or Liberal" and would "build an alliance with all people being targeted by the government, such as Aborigines and migrants".

Helmut Gries from the National Construction branch of the Australian Workers Union told the meeting, "Despite what you hear, there are a lot of workers still prepared to fight, and they are having some wins, but usually the ACTU is not involved".

The ACTU's strategy of relying on lobbying the Australian Democrats and Greens was a losing one, said Dave Mizon from the National Union of Workers and the Democratic Socialist Party. What is needed is a "grassroots campaign that involves industrial action as well as community rallies", he said.

Lyn Beaton, ex-official from the State Public Services Federation; John Cleary from the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union; and Ray Berbling from the Socialist Party of Australia also addressed the meeting before participants passed a motion to set up of a trade union solidarity group in Melbourne.

From GLW issue 236