By Andrew Watson
BRISBANE — Some 200 building workers, members of other unions and supporters of the locked-out Mt Isa mineworkers picketed the headquarters of Mount Isa Mines Ltd in Ann Street here on May 12.
Members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the electricians and plumbers union (CEPU), the Builders Labourers Federation and other unions carried placards reading "Justice for the Mt Isa miners", and "No lay-offs: justice for the Mt Isa workers".
Passing motorists honked their support, as the demonstrators heard Andrew Vickers, Queensland secretary of the mining section of the CFMEU, and Geoff Knight from the CEPU declare strong union support for the Mt Isa struggle.
"If MIM wants a big brawl, then members of our union have made it clear they'll get the biggest brawl ever", Vickers said.
On the evening of May 12, a solidarity stall in the Queen Street Mall organised by the Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance collected more than $100 for the Mt Isa unionists. More stalls will be held this week.
A public forum, "Support the Mt Isa Struggle", featuring miners' union leader Andrew Vickers and other union representatives, will be held on Wednesday May 17 at 7pm, at the Resistance Centre, 29 Terrace Street, New Farm. For more information, phone 254 0565.
Messages of support and donations to the Mt Isa miners' fighting fund should be sent to: Combined Unions Disputes Committee, PO Box 50, Mt Isa 4825.