Steel Line Doors strikers tour Melbourne
By Ray Fulcher
MELBOURNE — Three workers from Steel Line Doors in Brisbane, who are among 17 unionists on strike against racial and trade union discrimination since November, toured Melbourne February 10-18 seeking community and labour movement support.
Following a meeting, Creeks Metal Industries workers (who supply raw materials to Steel Line Doors) resolved to write to Steel Line Doors demanding resolution of the strikers' grievances or they would impose bans on key products.
The metalworkers union toured the three around workshops to talk to workers and collect donations for the strike fund. It also intends examining combined action with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Engineering Union on building sites. A meeting of CFMEU shop stewards on February 16 resolved to support the striking workers and called on the ACTU to provide support.
The Steel Line Doors workers have a meeting with Alan Matheison of the ACTU in Brisbane on February 27. They will be asking the ACTU to take up their cause as a "test case for all migrant workers".
Money and support for the striking workers also came from the Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, PSU Campaign, the Salvadoran community and others. Radio 3CR broadcast the workers' story on Latin American and union programs.
Before leaving Melbourne the delegation participated in a metalworkers picket of the Steel Line Doors offices in Tullamarine. "Say No To Racism" leaflets festooned the company's gate. No-one from the company turned up to face the picketers.