Ian Jamieson, Fremantle
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has added its support to the campaign in solidarity with the 107 construction workers facing fines of up to $28,600 each for going on strike. The ICFTU said the Howard government has made "Australia among the worst violators of internationally recognised fundamental labour rights".
The 107 workers, members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), had been employed on the tunnel project on the Perth-to-Mandurah rail line. They face prosecution and fines for taking strike action against their employer, Leighton-Kumagai, when their elected delegate was sacked on spurious grounds.
The case is the first under Howard's anti-union laws where individuals can be held responsible for a collective action. It has been pursued by the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the former building industry task force, which Howard and the construction bosses have created to rid the industry of militant and democratic unionism.
The ICFTU represents 155 million trade unionists across 156 countries. ICFTU general secretary Guy Ryder has written to all affiliates urging solidarity with the 107, arguing that their prosecution sets a very dangerous precedent. He pointed out that the laws have also been criticised by the International Labour Organisation for breaching conventions 87 and 98, which cover the right to organise and collectively bargain. Australia is a signatory to the ILO conventions.
Many of the 107 appeared in the federal court in Perth on August 29, accompanied by a rally of 3000 unionists and other supporters. The case was adjourned until November 1 to allow the 107 and their families to confer further with lawyers.
Messages of solidarity can be emailed to <solidarity@actu.asn.au>, with copies to <cfmeuwa@cfmeuwa.com>. A website supporting the 107 is at <http://www.cfmeuwa.com/cfmeuwa/supportthe107>.