A well-attended meeting at the Victorian Trades Hall on August 14 discussed how the labour movement can better stand with Palestine and sanction Israel, after the historic Sydney Harbour Bridge mobilisation.
More than 150 people were in the room and more than 1000 were watching the livestream.
Organised by Free Palestine Melbourne, the speakers included Will Stracke, Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall, Tony Piccolo, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and Cassie Farley, Assistant Secretary of the of the Australian Services Union.
Justine Makdessi, representing Teachers and School Staff for Palestine, and Hamish McPherson, representing Labor Friends of Palestine also spoke.
Mai Saif, Palestinian activist from Free Palestine Melbourne and ASU member was the MC.
Piccolo emphasised the importance of winning unionists to support Palestine. Stracke said the scope of action that trade unions can take depends on the consensus of their affiliates and the trade union movement.
McPherson highlighted how more than 100 Labor branches have now passed resolutions in support of Palestine, indicating the divide between Labor’s base and Labor MPs.
Makdessj highlighted the work of rank-and-file teacher activists in opposing militarism in the school curriculum and empowering teachers to stand up for Palestine in the classroom.
The meeting passed a motion affirming that the Victorian Labor movement stands in solidarity with Palestine. It endorsed the demands made by Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in May, including that the government impose targeted sanctions and end all military trade (including parts and components) with Israel, as well as other demands relating to humanitarian aid and recognising Palestine.
The meeting supported an active union campaign to inform and mobilise people to achieve the ACTU demands.
The resolution called on all unionists to support the trade union contingents for the August 24 day of protest for Palestine and for VTHC and its affiliates support other actions, including a combined union delegates’ meeting and work-day mobilisations.
It also called on all unions and unionists to keep promoting solidarity with Palestine in the workplace and to defend members facing repression for their advocacy for a free Palestine.
In discussion, some unionists asked officials what proactive steps they would take to support rank-and-file activity?
The officials indicated their strong support for the August 24 national day of action, but ruled out supporting a stop-work action on September 10, arguing that the time is not right.
An ASU worker who is helping organise a walk-out of community legal workers on September 10 asked Stracke whether they would support it. They replied they would if the ASU VicTas approached Victorian Trades Hall.
A resolution supporting the ASU for Palestine members' walk-out in the Social and Community Services division, on September 10, also passed.
[Jacob Andrewartha is a member of the United Workers Union.]