Ian Jamieson, Perth
Messages of support continue to pour into the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's (CFMEU) Western Australian branch office for the 107 construction workers on the Mandurah to Perth rail line who are facing $22,000 fines (82 of the 107 face $28,600 fines) for taking industrial action last February to protect health and safety on the job.
The 107 are victims of the Howard government's Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which served writs on the workers in June. The first hearing of the cases in the federal court is scheduled for August 29.
Solidarity with the workers is building around the country and across the union movement. The Maritime Union of Australia's WA conference on July 26-28 passed the following motion with heartfelt acclamation: "The MUA condemns in strongest terms the move by the ABCC to serve writs on workers involved in the dispute. The right to strike is a civil and human right that belongs to all workers and it cannot be removed by the Howard government's industrial legislation.
"Specifically, we the conference delegates from various workplaces undertake to:
- publically call for the abolition of the ABCC and its powers;
- call on the ALP to denounce the Work Choices legislation and the Building Code;
- fully support the 107 workers currently under attack and undertake to educate the membership within our organisation and broadcast the issue to the community in general and to highlight the additional laws that further discriminate against construction workers;
- pledge our financial, moral and other support to all workers being questioned, charged and otherwise attacked by the ABCC; and
- attend and promote both the 13 August family day in support of the charged workers and the 29 August public protest outside the federal court."
The community and family solidarity day on August 13 (see advertisement on page 5) will be addressed by Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary Greg Combet and Dave Noonan, national secretary of the CFMEU construction division, and the solidarity action in Perth on August 29 will commence at 8.30am on the Esplanade.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national conference in Sydney on July 23-27 also passed a strong motion in solidarity with the WA CFMEU members. It stated, in part: "Conference notes the report from the WA CFMEU delegate and expresses our solidarity and support for the plight of workers and families facing prosecution under the governments unfair laws ...
"Conference calls on the ACTU to ensure effective and co-ordinated financial, political and industrial support for the workers of the WA CFMEU.
"Conference notes the 'zero tolerance' policy espoused by the Building Commission and expects all members to campaign in support of workers targeted by anti-worker building industry laws, and to consult with officials and act consistently with the procedures adopted by the National Council, designed to avoid penalties on individuals and the union.
"We therefore pledge our full solidarity with the workers facing these fines. Following consultation with the ACTU, Conference endorses:
1. Immediately publicising this issue amongst members/affiliates.
2. Participating in any fundraising to support the WA construction workers and their families.
3. Join with other unions/peak union councils/community groups to organise solidarity actions in support of the WA construction workers.
4. Begin working towards a national day of solidarity on the day that the workers have to appear in court."
Trade unionists in Sydney and Melbourne will join the August 29 action in solidarity with the WA construction workers. A rally around the theme "Touch one, touch all" will be held in Sydney at 10am at Trades Hall, 377 Sussex Street, city.
The CFMEU has set up a website in support of the 107 workers and their families. Visit