Unions NSW organised a “Unions for Peace” rally at Town Hall Square on August 21, the first such action it has organised since Israel's genocide in Gaza began.
Uncle Michael West from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council the welcome to country after which the speakers were: Lauren Hutchins, Unions NSW President, Shaye Candish, NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association General Secretary, Henry Rajendra, NSW Teachers Federation President, Ed Husic, Member for Chifley, Kate Lee, Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA Executive Officer, Angus McFarland, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT Secretary and Mark Morey, Unions NSW Secretary.
Union representatives called on federal Labor to take stronger action to support the Palestinian people. Husic, who was sacked from the ministry, described how he was criticised and sidelined for his stand in support of Palestine.
Unions NSW said in a statement that the “war in Gaza must end, with an enduring peace for all peoples in the region”. It called for “food and aid to be immediately provided to the people of Gaza; and the immediate release of all hostages”.
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Some of the crowd received support for beginning a chant — “Sanction Israel now!” — a demand this action did not include, but which brought 300,000 people to the Sydney Harbour Bridge March for Humanity on August 3.
Other union vigils for Palestine were held in Muloobinba/Newcastle and Tharawal/Wollongong. Unions NSW called on all unionists to join their union at the National Day of Action for Gaza on August 24.
[Jim McIlroy is a long-term unionist and member of Socialist Alliance.]