By Joe Montero and Ben Wilson
Albo has serious problem on his hands. He did what to many Labor stalwarts, unions members, and just about anyone in favour of fair play as unthinkable. He went out to destroy the CFMEU. This is what it amounts to.
Why would he want to do this? It’s not hard to see that this Labor government has cozied up to big money and its demands for economic and social change that benefits those at the top at the expense of those below. At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is biting, Albo’s government embraces the continuation of neoliberalism.
Thousands march over government’s CFMEU crackdown
Video from the ABC
This ABC report gives an idea of how big, determined, and passionate the turnouts were across Australia
The essence of neoliberalism is government propping up big private corporations. There are two elements to this. One is to turn government resources away from other needs. This is a good reason why the big tax cuts for the top end became Labor policy. The other is to push down the proportion of national income going to wages so that going to big corporate shareholders goes up. This second one has a lot to do with going after the FMEU.
Consequently, when the union was put into administration last Friday, the result was anger from most of the union’s members. On top of this, there is widespread recognition that the destruction of the union that leads the union movement in the protection of wages and conditions and looking after the wider community, will open an attack on all.
The ground was set for an epic battle. It isn’t surprising then, that yesterday, on Wednesday 27 August, the tightly packed Melbourne union march reached from Flinders Street in the South to past Victoria Street in the North. This is something like 100,000 participants. Big matches also took place in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelade, Perth, and a range of other regional centres.
Construction workers walk off job across Australia over CFMEU overhaul
Video from 9 News
9 News is one of architects of the war against the CFMEU. Some things could not be denied but comments from the studio show a clear bias against the union and the workers
It wasn’t only the size. The passion told everything. This was not only a big bunch of people walking down the street. It was tens of thousands showing they are prepared for a fight. “CFMUA here to stay,” rang out loudly. So did “John Setka here to stay.” Suggestions for action to cost Labor dearly at next year’s election, were met with loud roars of approval. The chant “union power” gave expression to the determination to press forward and defeat the war waged against union rights.
Joining members of the CFMEU were members of the electrical, plumbers, manufacturing, transport, firefighters’ unions, and others. Union leaders stood together of the platforms. This formidable force must be a worry for a government now seeing itself embattled with its own base. This could be a turning point in Australian history.
CFMEU Rallies Protest Against Government Takeover
Video from The Project
This report from the Project captures something of the mood the Albanese government has provoked among unions and their members
For the CFMEU and the other unions to prevail, it will need much more than a day of marches across Australia’s population centres. It needs a well thought out strategy that effectively put pressure on the government, while at the same time strengthening widespread public support, and force the reluctant forces withing the movement to stand up.
This won’t be achieved thorough a one-off never-ending strike. It will be achieved by ongoing actions that build the momentum. A big part is the building of on the job and community-based organisation that will meet the needs of the day. Then best way to do these things is being discussed within unions, between them, and with the broader community. Plans are being made and their implementation has begun.
This is shaping up to be a battle that will have immediate and longer-term consequences. It may even go down as an important juncture in Australia’s history.