Speak out about Honduras coup

The FMLN in Adelaide has called for a protest against the coup in Honduras and for the return of the legitimate government of President Manuel Zelaya. The military and the local oligarchy (with suspected assistance from the CIA) have reacted against changes sweeping Latin America and attempted to turn back the clock on social progress. Members of parliament and foreign ambassadors have been detained and abused. Unionists and student leaders have been rounded up. Protestors have been shot. The elected President has been prevented from returning home to his people. Speak out by being there!

When? From 4 till 5pm on Friday July 10

Where? Steps of Parliament House, Adelaide

Organised by? The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador in Adelaide

Just another cog in the machine

CPA condemns ABCC, supports worker Ark

The Communist Party of Australia calls on the Rudd Labor Government to abolish the ABCC at its first opportunity. The ABCC is a secret police force that targets innocent, hard-working Australians on the grounds that they work in the construction industry. It's that simple.

The ABCC possesses coercive powers akin to those used against terrorist organisations. If hauled in by the ABCC, workers have no right to silence, they must answer questions or risk a fine of up to $22,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months!

Adelaide rigger Ark Tribe is the first rank-and-file member of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) to be charged by the ABCC. Mr Tribe is now facing six months jail for allegedly not attending a "compulsory" interview with the ABCC.

Yesterday, Ark Tribe's case was adjourned until August 11 at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court. A large crowd of around 200 trade unionists and supporters rallied outside in support of the man who, perhaps unwittingly, has become the face of the campaign to shut down the ABCC. Ark has had the courage to stand up for his basic human rights in an industrial system that seems intent on taking them away and we commend him for it.

However, one so-called trade union leader is not quite as supportive. An article on the front page of today's Australian quotes SDA National Secretary Joe De Bruyn as saying the Rudd Government has no mandate to shut down the ABCC.

According to de Bruyn, the government "doesn't have a mandate for that in its current term of office because it didn't say that to the people of Australia when it went to the polls."

Such a comment is to be expected from the right-wing de Bruyn. The ALP-aligned Shop Distributors and Allied Employers Association is hardly representative of the working class movement in this country and is unlikely to be standing in the corner of the CFMEU when the going gets tough.

But nonetheless, it's a shame that de Bruyn finds it necessary to publicly support the ALP's so-called Fair Work Act while sticking the knife into one of Australia's most progressive unions. He should be ashamed of himself and resign - he has no right to call himself a trade unionist.

Follow Ark's case on the campaign website arkstribe.org.au.

Strong support for Ark Tribe

Hundreds of workers and other supporters formed a guard of honour as Ark Tribe entered the Elizabeth Magistrates Court this morning. They had gathered to express their solidarity with the rank and file building worker who has been charged by the Australian Building and Construction Commission with failing to attend an interrogation about a union meeting about safety at the Flinders University Health Sciences building. He faces six months jail and fines of up to $22,000 if convicted. The matter has been adjourned until August 11.

CFMEU Construction and General SA Secretary Martin O’Malley, CFMEU National Assistant Secretary Lindsay Fraser and SA Unions Secretary Janet Giles all pledged their organisations’ support for Ark. The crowd swore the oath first taken by the workers who made their stand at the Eureka Stockade in 1854:

“We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties.”

Don't jail Ark Tribe, shut down the ABCC!

The fate of an Adelaide building worker will be decided in the Elizabeth Magistrates court today. Ark Tribe is alleged to have failed to attend an interrogation of the ABCC (Australian Building and Construction Commission) and faces up to six months jail if convicted.

"What we have here is yet another example of why the Federal Government must move immediately to shut down the ABCC," Communist Party of Australia State Secretary Bob Briton said yesterday.

"This body has unprecedented powers, and its existence ensures that workers and their representatives in the building and construction industry are treated differently under the law to other workers."

"Workers and union representatives called to appear before this body are even denied the basic right to remain silent. This places them in a situation worse than that of alleged terror suspects," he continued.

"At the last federal election, the Australian people voted in a Labor government, believing this would lead to the restoration of the rights of workers and unions. The fact that this government has failed to shut down a body of this nature is a breach of faith with the Australian people."

"The government's plan to move the ABCC and its powers within Fair Work Australia is frankly no more than window dressing. It does not alter the fact that this body will still have the power to intimidate and bully building and construction workers and their representatives, and will do little to restore basic fundamental rights", said Mr Briton.

"The Communist Party of Australia totally supports the efforts of construction workers and their unions and calls on the Federal Government to immediately shut down the ABCC," he concluded.

Supporters of Ark Tribe will gather at Elizabeth Magistrates Court at 9am this morning.

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