Nearly two years into the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, the leadership of some Australian unions is only just beginning to show solidarity. While welcome, these gestures fall far short of what is needed to help Palestine.
Before the historic March for Humanity across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, about a dozen unions signed a letter urging New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to reconsider his opposition to the march.
Despite thousands of unionists calling for action, union leaderships have been slow to respond.
For instance, the 100-strong National Council of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which represented all branches and rank-and-file members, passed a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) resolution last year. However, the NTEU executives have not followed through.
While some unions have issued media statements, few explicitly condemn the genocide.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) called for targeted sanctions only in May. So far, Anthony Albanese’s government has imposed fewer than a dozen targeted sanctions, including on Israeli ministers recently.
Are union leaders waiting for permission from Albanese before opposing a livestreamed genocide unfolding before our eyes?
The length of time it’s taken for union leaders to act is even more troubling, considering investments held by Industry Super funds. Union leaders sit on the boards of these funds, including the largest one, Australian Super.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s July report, From the economy of occupation to the economy of genocide, names 48 companies implicated in the Gaza genocide.
Australian Super holds significant stakes in several of these companies, including: Elbit Systems ($30,000), whose drones killed aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom; Palantir Technologies ($827,000), whose artificial intelligence enables Israeli weapons to select new targets every 20 seconds; Caterpillar ($13.8 million), whose machinery demolishes homes, mosques and hospitals; and Lockheed Martin ($11.9 million), supplier of jets used in Israel’s aerial attacks on Gaza.
ACTU President Michelle O’Neil is a member of Australian Super’s board and vice chairperson of Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA), which is committed to human rights and international law. How can O’Neil remain silent while a fund she directs invests in companies profiting from genocide, and despite hundreds of complaints from fund members and credible UN evidence?
O’Neil is not alone. Many union leaders sit on industry super fund boards that continue to invest millions of dollars in companies complicit in the Gaza genocide.
Helen Cooney, national assistant secretary of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), sits on the board of Rest Super. The SDA has abstained from issuing any statement in solidarity with Palestine.
Paul Farrow, Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) national secretary, sits on the board of Australian Super. The AWU leadership has not shown any solidarity with Palestine, causing some members to resign in protest.
Is the close relationship between industry super funds and union leadership limiting the union movement’s willingness to push for real action? Is this why union endorsement of the BDS movement is almost non-existent? Would backing BDS risk union leaders’ positions on these boards?
If unions are serious about their solidarity with Palestinians, their leaders must align their governance with the values they claim to hold, as well as their financial duties to members. Continuing to hold these investments is a moral failure and risks financial harm when these companies are finally brought to account.
Union leaderships’ inaction shames all union members. Attending rallies and posting on social media is not enough. Unions must endorse the BDS campaign, sign on to the August 24 national day of action for Palestine, and move towards strikes and bans that bring an end to Australia’s military, diplomatic and economic support for Israel.
Union members should be asking questions and making enquiries. Contact your super fund to ask if it invests in complicit firms, and if so, ask why.
[Clint Duncan is a member of the Australian Services Union and Unionists for Palestine.]