Russell Pickering, Perth
On August 13, 600 people attended a Community and Family Day of Solidarity at the Perth Soccer Club to support the 107 construction workers who have been served with writs for taking strike action in February on the Leighton Kumagai-run Perth to Mandurah rail construction project.
The writs were initiated by the Howard government's Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and could result in fines of $28,600 for each worker, with possible loss of homes and other family assets.
The solidarity event was organised by the Western Australian branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). Despite inclement weather, workers and their families enjoyed the camaraderie engendered by the campaign as sausages sizzled, children played and speeches were listened to.
ACTU secretary Greg Combet, WA CFMEU secretary Kevin Reynolds and CFMEU national president Dave Noonan told those attending that the union movement would stand by the 107 and their families.
The event drew wide support from the union movement, with attendance by officials and rank-and-file members from many unions, including UnionsWA, the Community and Public Sector Union, the Maritime Union of Australia, the Australian Education Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. The AMWU has 40 members employed by Alcoa in Pinjarra facing possible fines of $28,600 each for holding a union meeting that allegedly went 15 minutes over time.
The solidarity event was also attended by many ALP MPs and members of the Christian Social Justice Centre, the Socialist Alliance and Resistance.