BY MARGARITA WINDISCH
MELBOURNE — On October 27, 10,000 construction industry workers marched through the city centre to protest against the first prosecution of a unionist by the Howard government's building industry task force.
In a powerful display of solidarity, three contingents of construction industry workers converged on the Melbourne Magistrates Court chanting "John Setka, here to stay".
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) organiser John Setka has been charged with four violations of the Workplace Relations Act. Two charges allege he threatened two Grocon site managers in January before they were to appear before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, while two other charges allege Setka used words "calculated to improperly influence" the two witnesses in the AIRC case. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment.
The task force, headed by former Federal Police officer Nigel Hadgkiss, was set up by the Howard government on the recommendation of building industry royal commissioner Terence Cole, to police the unions in the building industry.
The charges against Setka arise out of an industrial dispute in late 2002 in which the giant Grocon construction company attempted to bypass the CFMEU and get workers at the company's Queen Vic site to sign individual contracts. After the workers voted against Grocon's proposed deal in December 2002, Grocon boss Daniel Grollo tried to ban Setka from the site.
At the court house, Setka thanked the workers for their support and vowed to continue the struggle for workers' rights. Other speakers were Electrical Trades Union state secretary Dean Mighell, CFMEU state secretary Martin Kingham, plumbing union state secretary Earl Setches, Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association secretary Tommy Watson and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Steve Dargavel.
All of the speakers raised the need for unions to fight the task force's attacks on the ability of unions to defend workers' rights and conditions.
"Today is a demonstration of support and solidarity for John Setka", Kingham said. "It's also an indication of what will happen if further people are charged with these trumped up charges."
Dargavel received a big cheer when he highlighted the warped priorities of the Howard government building industry task force, which has charged Setka for "swearing" while employers go unpunished for the deaths of building industry workers.
In traditional CFMEU style, Setka was lifted onto the shoulders of two of his workmates and, amid roaring applause, carried into the court house.
From Green Left Weekly, November 5, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.