Vic unions plan lunchtime protest against war

February 19, 2003
Issue 

BY SUE BOLTON

MELBOURNE — Victoria’s unions have joined those in Western Australia, calling for organised labour to play a stronger role in building mass opposition to the threat of a war against the Iraqi people.

Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard told Green Left Weekly that the VTHC executive's February 14 meeting voted to sponsor a lunchtime protest in the city centre on the day after any attack on Iraq. The meeting called on all unions to support the protest.

Although the protest hasn't been billed as a stoppage, it is likely that some unions will have members stop work in order to attend.

The next meeting of the VTHC executive on February 28 will discuss further action that unions can take to oppose war. It is still possible that some Victorian unions will take industrial action.

The VTHC's decision means that there are now two state labour councils calling for unions to organise mass protests against the war — the VTHC and Unions WA. The stand of VTHC and Unions WA should give confidence to other labour councils to adopt a similar position.

Hubbard also confirmed that he would be writing to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the issue of the threatened war on Iraq.

The VTHC executive meeting also voted to support the Unionists Against the War group which had its first meeting on February 12.

Unionists Against the War was initiated by former Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Craig Johnston. Its first meeting involved a number of prominent Melbourne trade unionists, including Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy (CFMEU) state president John Cummins.

Other unions attending included the Community and Public Sector Union, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, the Maritime Union of Australia, the National Tertiary Education Union, the Australian Services Union, and the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union.

The inaugural meeting of Unionists Against the War discussed organising a series of workplace meetings with speakers from the Victorian Peace Network.

Industrial action against the war was also discussed. This could include workers in munitions factories preventing bombs and munitions from leaving their factories.

Another meeting of Unionists Against the War will be held on February 19.

From Green Left Weekly, February 19, 2003.
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