Attacks on union 'absolutely appalling'

Dave Andrews, Fremantle

Angered by provisions in the federal budget attacking the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, the Fremantle branch of the Socialist Alliance is urging solidarity with the union.

Ian Jamieson, a wharfie, member of the Maritime Union of Australia and a WA Senate candidate for the Socialist Alliance, told Green Left Weekly he was "absolutely appalled" that tax payers' money is funding "industrial coppers in the building industry".

"[Federal treasurer Peter] Costello is spending over $30 million each year for the next three years to build its hated 'Taskforce' to police construction workers. Compare this to the pittance spent on safety in the industry - a measly $21.7 million for the same period. It's outrageous.

"The tax cuts to the wealthiest 20% of Australians show that this is a government for the rich.

"It is crystal clear that [Prime Minister John] Howard and his ministers are bunkering in for a protracted war - against the people of Iraq and the working poor of Australia. That's the message of this budget."

From Green Left Weekly, May 19, 2004.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 582