On Tuesday 27 August, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) held protests at capital cities around the country to resist Commonwealth legislation that has placed the Union into administration. The Sydney protest occurred outside NSW parliament with thousands of union members and supporters packed into Macquarie Street.
Speeches from various CFMEU leaders and members emphasised the Union’s commitment to fight administration, even if the protest action were unlawful and would result in fines. Speakers also reiterated the benefits the CFMEU has won for its members that are now under threat due to administration.
The protest comes after the federal government passed legislation earlier this month to remove hundreds of union officers from their positions and appoint an administrator. The Labor- and Liberal-backed legislation passed last week dictates a minimum 3 year period of administration for the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most militant unions.
Throughout the proceedings, CFMEU NSW Branch Secretary Darren Greenfield labelled Australian Council of Trade Unions President Michele O’Neil and Secretary Sally McManus as “traitors”. Greenfield, who is fighting allegations of corruption, claimed the Labor Party “are sell-outs to the working class” and that “both Labor governments should hang their heads in disgrace.”
Former CFMEU NSW Branch Delegate Denis McNamara reminded the crowd that the protest was a “decision made by the members of this union to walk out on strike”. He explained that because he was removed, he can no longer hold a position in any union for the rest of his life.
“I was asked the other day by a member”, McNamara continued, “‘is this the end, Dennis?’ … no it’s the fucking beginning!”, to which the union crowd erupted in cheer.
For McNamara, “this is the spark the working class needs to set fires everywhere. We talk about the Labor Party and the Liberal Party and what we forget to talk about is the capitalist system that we live under, that we need to change.” He urged the crowd to engage in strike action to make this happen, to “go back and organise to close this industry”.
McNamara ended his speech by chanting “workers of the world unite, one struggle one fight” and “our union our say, our leadership here to stay”.
Chair of the protest Paul McAleer, Sydney Branch Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), denounced the Labor government’s acceptance of the anti-protest laws before welcoming to the stage Paul Keating, also Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the MUA. Keating reaffirmed a saying “we’ve had for centuries”: “when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty”. The rally ended with a standing ovation given to, as described by McAleer, the CFMEU’s “leaders in exile”.
When asked why he attended the rally, Solidarity member, student activist and Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) member Jack Stubley stated “this is part of what it means to be a student revolutionary, is actually being part of the movement. It’s not just relegating yourself to student work”.
As to why the government had placed the CFMEU under administration, Stubley pointed to — rather than any allegations of corruption — the notion that the CFMEU is the most militant union on worker’s rights and willing to break anti-strike and anti-protest laws: “the real core of why they’re doing this is that it’s a class offensive … it’s the Labor government proving to the ruling class that they’re a reliable set of hands for Australian capitalism”.
Rally attendee, student activist and RAFFWU member Ishbel Dunsmore also commented on the importance of cross-union solidarity: “any attack on a union, is an attack on all unions. Touch one, touch all”.
When asked why students should care about what is happening to the CFMEU, Dunsmore pointed out that many students are also workers, arguing that our fight for a decent and free education is bound up in the struggle of the working class
“Student conditions are contingent on the conditions of workers”.
