CPA - The Guardian

Last Friday around one thousand supporters of Ark Tribe chanted “one law for all” as the Adelaide construction worker entered court for the third time since August. The hearing was set for 11am on Friday October 30 in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Building and construction workers came off the job in Adelaide and the other capitals at 11am in support of Ark in his fight for justice.

Legal rep Steve Dolphin (L) and Aaron Cartledge (R) from the CFMEU accompany Ark into the courthouse. (Photo: Bob Briton)

CFMEU South Australian Construction & General secretary Martin O’Malley introduced a number of speakers including historian Humphrey McQueen who had travelled from Canberra. McQueen opened and closed his speech with this quote from Samuel Champ, Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) organiser from Hobart in 1916: “Our liberties had not been won by mining magnates or stock-exchange jobbers, but by genuine men of the working-class movement who had died on the gallows and rotted in dungeons and were buried in nameless graves. These were the men to whom we owed the liberties we enjoyed today.”

CFMEU federal secretary, Construction & General, Dave Noonan followed Humphrey McQueen, telling the crowd that the union’s federal executive had recently determined that industrial action would be taken on building sites across the nation should Ark or any other construction worker be jailed under the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCCC).

Revved up by the union’s strong commitment to stand behind its members, the large crowd stood tall behind Ark Tribe who led them toward the court. With Ark Tribe inside the courtroom, men and women from trade unions, progressive political parties, community organisations and the like chanted “One Law for All” while they waited for him to emerge. Less than 15 minutes later, Ark appeared with legal counsel Stephen Dolphin and it was announced that for a third time, the case would be adjourned – this time until December 18.

Perth

There was another large rally in Perth, with well over 500 CFMEU members gathered outside the ABCC’s offices.

The rally was addressed by Unions WA secretary Simone McGurk who condemned the actions of the ABCC and called on the Rudd government to repel the legislation that criminalised construction workers.

Joe McDonald, assistant secretary of the CFMEU WA branch said that without industrial action change will not be achieved.

The final speaker was Gary Wood, secretary of the CFMEU mining division who travelled from Collie, WA to address the rally. He said there will not be a cent from the mining division to the ALP but instead the union will support independent and trade union candidates at the next federal elections.

Sydney

In Sydney, several thousand Ark Tribe supporters gathered outside Unions NSW to the fast moving music of a touring Cuban group Group, JJ Son con Idalbelis and dancer (see page 2). Building workers from city sites were joined by fellow unionists and other supporters including the Greens, Communist Party of Australia and other left forces.

The first speaker was state Greens MP John Kaye, who expressed his party’s opposition to the ABCC. He said the Australian people had voted Howard out, voted against the attacks on unions, workers and democratic rights. He said Ark Tribe was standing up for all workers who dare to tell the truth.

John was followed by Julia Lee, the widow of a construction worker who had committed suicide as a result of financial problems after not being paid on several jobs. Julia said her husband had been a proud union member for 21 years and always said, “A strong union could protect workers.”

“No more tragic accidents. No more deaths,” said Julia through an interpreter. She appealed to the Labor government to repeal the anti-union laws, to abolish the ABCC and called for safety in the workplace.

The ABCC with its coercive interrogation powers, has done nothing to protect workers, nothing to ensure they are paid or receive their entitlements. Instead, it acts to prevent unions from taking the necessary action to protect workers.

Labor has recycled Howard’s legislation, making a few minor amendments around the edges, while leaving intact the ABCC’s coercive powers of interrogation and the threat of six months jail for anyone failing to appear when summonsed or refusing to reveal details of who said what at union meetings.

CFMEU state secretary Andrew Ferguson said the government wanted to interrogate Ark Tribe about what happened at a union meeting when there was a safety problem on the site where he worked.

After the speeches protestors marched to the beat of drums being played by Korean workers to hold a second rally outside the offices of the ABCC. On the way they were joined by another contingent of a thousand or more building workers coming off city sites. CFMEU national secretary John Sutton, NSW assistant secretary Peter Mclelland and Unions NSW secretary added their words of solidarity. By then there were around 3,000 at the rally, all solidly behind Ark Tribe, demanding the abolition of the ABCC.

Brisbane

Around 300 building unionists gathered at Waterfront Place in the financial heart of Brisbane. The offices are used by the Prime Minister’s department and several federal members. The building unionists were supported by other unions and the Queensland Council of Unions.

Michael Ravbar from the CFMEU Queensland construction division was joined on the platform by representatives from the Electrical and other construction unions. The meeting resolved to meet again with all building workers to stop in protest at the prosecution of Ark Tribe.

It was stated that the legislation was passed by the Howard government but if Ark goes to jail then the blood of his jailing will be on the hands of the Rudd Labor government. The feeling is that no unionist will stay at work if Ark is jailed.

To keep up to date with developments in the Ark Tribe case and show your solidarity visit:arkstribe.org.au. Audio of Humphrey McQueen’s speech, along with video footage and interviews from the rally, will be available in full soon on this blog.

Acknowledgements to Ark Tribe’s blog, Anna Pha, Vinnie Molina, David Matters for reportage from states.

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