Petition to support waterside workers

Petition to support waterside workers

Below is the text of a petition being circulated nationally by the Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance.

We, the undersigned, understand that the Howard government's support for the establishment of a non-union operation at Webb dock in the Port of Melbourne is an open attack on the rights of all workers. We condemn the use of a force of security guards to keep the waterside workers from their place of work.

The attempt to crush the organised union strength of the maritime workers is the signal for a full-scale assault on the rights of all workers to fight for decent wages and conditions of work.

In anticipation of another decline in the Australian economy, the federal government and their big business backers are stepping up the offensive on workers' living standards in order to protect their profits. To ensure their success they have set about destroying the capacity of workers and their unions to resist. In recognition that the maritime workers occupy the front line in this fight for our living standards and the right to organise, we declare our support for their struggle.

To obtain copies of the petition, telephone the DSP on (03) 9329 1320.

From GLW issue 304