"We have lost one of our finest generals."



Union Solidarity is saddened to hear of the death of John Cummins. John passed away with his family by his side. His example needs to carry with us in every struggle.

What a fighter we’ve lost! From his days in the BLF right up to the end, John “Cummo” Cummins never gave up the fight. He lived by the principle: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win – If You Don’t Fight, You Lose!

Cummo was one of the remaining union leaders and unionists schooled in politics by the Communist Party (CPA(ML)) and one of the country’s most militant unions – the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF). His passing is truly the end of an era, one whose lessons hold even stronger now as we face the massive attacks from the Howard government.

Perhaps best summed up in these lines from the Builders Labourers’ song:

“It’s class to class and face to face; our limit is the sky
We’ve got a fighting history and we never will be cowed
A builders’ labourers is a name to make us all feel proud.

It was in the 1980s, when the BLs were under sustained attack from Labor governments, the ACTU and many unions, including those in the building industry, that Cummo’s convictions were tested. He never wavered. Prepared to go to jail time after time for his members, for the principle of defending the rights of workers, no matter what the odds, Cummo was an example to us all.

But more than this, Cummo always acknowledged that it was the members’ bravery, courage and willingness to fight that kept him coming back day after day. And it wasn’t just for his own union that Cummo fought. As the pages of tributes flowing into the papers after his death testify, whatever the cause he was always there on the working class’s side.

Cummo was a founding member of Union Solidarity. As the famous lines go, “Don’t mourn for me – organise!” and John our tribute to you will be to do just that – until our side wins!

A service to celebrate the life and times of John Cummins will be held:

Monday Sept 4 at 2.30 p.m. [please note the time change]
Regent Theatre
191 Collins St
Melbourne

Then we will march from the Regent (behind the hearse) to Trades Hall where there'll be more speeches & drinks, etc. We stopped the city to get him out of jail in 86 - we're going to stop the city again for him on Monday!

A private family cremation to follow

No flowers by request donations to Brain Tumor Research would be valued, envelopes available at the Theatre


Dare to struggle dare to win, if you don't fight you lose.

Labels: John Cummins, Vale

Monday 8am
August 28
Crn Pascoes Vale Rd & Kellerway
Moonee Ponds

send a protest email

WorkChoices Moonee Vally style!
Library workers are management's latest target at Moonee Valley City Council. CEO Peter Black and Ed Small are attacking existing conditions for new library staff. Management are going after library workers 35 hour week. The 35 hour week compensates staff for working evenings and Saturday mornings without penalty rates. Council are employing new staff on a 38 hour week and plan to work them outside the normal spread of hours without penalty rates!

more info: ASU Organisers, Michelle Jackson 0418 539 054 or Rebecca Coyle 0419 508 262 | protest email

Labels: Community Protest, Library Workers

Boeing workers return to work today after management agreed to re-examine the grounds for dismissal of 3 union delegates. The company also agreed not to proceed with legal action against the union and individual union members.

An overwhelming majority of workers voted to end the strike after hearing that their comrades will remain employed while a private adjudicator investigates the original grounds for dismissal. Unions and members are confident that the delegates will be vindicated.

Amcor workers visited the picket today and were warmly received. Strikers at Boeing show their appreciation of the support they received from unions and the community by donating their strike fund to Union Solidarity.

Stay tuned Amcor and Boeing struggles will be celebrated soon with a function at Trades Hall. We will publish details when they come to hand.

Yours in struggle

Union Solidarity

Labels: Boeing, strikes

Boeing / Hawker De Havilland
Wharf Rd
Fishermans Bend
(Melways 42 -E12, Public Transport 235, 236, 237 from Flinder St Station & 606 Bus)

Please download print & distribute: Boeing workers support leaflet

Workers at Boeing’s Fishermans Bend plant remain on strike and are encouraged by growing union and community support. More workers attended a mass meeting today (8am Wed 23 August) after yesterday receiving company letters and court orders directing a return to work. Boeing’s attempt to panic the workers to break the strike clearly failed.

One worker however did break ranks and crossed the picketline. He attended work and during the course of the day but was convinced to re-join the strike. After walking back through the line he donated $100 to the kitty, apologised and received a strong round of applause, all was forgiven. Strikers are encouraged by the course of events they feel a weak link has been welded up.

This incident illustrates the principled way to deal with potential strikebreakers. Crossing a picketline is unacceptable, however if a worker crosses in a moment of weakness or confusion they need to be won over to walking out again. If they do take that courageous walk back through the line all has to be forgiven.

Community support is growing with visitors attending the picket and donating food. Their presence on the picket has been well received. Workers from P&O visited the picket and rail workers dropped off firewood. If you are in a position to support the dispute please do so.

• Come down to the community assembly to fill roster. (ph: 0412 484 094)
  
• Bring food, drink, shelter material
  
• Send message of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
• print and distribute Boeing workers support leaflet

more info: background to dispute | Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Boeing workers support leaflet

Labels: Boeing, strikes

Boeing / Hawker De Havilland
Wharf Rd
Fishermans Bend
(Melways 42 -E12, Public Transport 235, 236, 237 from Flinder St Station & 606 Bus)

Please download print & distribute: Boeing workers support leaflet

Boeing has targeted and sacked 3 shop stewards. 350 workers members of the AMWU, APESMA (Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia) and NUW have been on strike since last Thursday (August 17). Workers at a 9am mass meeting voted today (Tues August 22) to stay out on strike. The AIRC has ordered the workers back to work; these union members require our support.

Please:

• Come down to the community assembly to fill roster. (ph: 0412 484 094)
  
• Bring food, drink, shelter material
  
• Send message of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  

Keep in daily contact with website for updates, as with Amcor the situation can change day by day. A leaflet for printing and distribution will be available soon.

Update: Mass meeting 8am Weds 23 August.

more info: Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Boeing workers support leaflet

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

It appears that the workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston have won a tremendous victory.

The last desparate days management hired secruity guards to dismantle part of picket (quickly rebuilt) and organised another phone poll. Yesterday (Tues 15 August) a federal court order was placed on Dave Kerin Union Solidarity coordinator.

Details of the final settlement are yet to come to hand but workers and supporters claim the results as a victory. All legal action against the AMWU and supports will be dropped. Union Solidarity wishes to thank the courage of the Amcor workers who stared down management and the great support received throughout the movement.

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
[Between Albert St and Chifley Drive]

• Visit the 24hour community assembly!
• Donate to the strike fund
• Spread the word

Download new support leaflet

The picket line at Amcor Flexible stays strong! The workers at the plant have been on strike since Tuesday August 1 to support AMWU union delegates and members victimized by management. Amcor have targeted 4 AMWU members for forced redundancies including 2 delegates. background

Wider Support
Amcor strikers have received tremendous support from other Amcor plants. There has been solidarity strike action throughout Australia. Money is being raised throughout the union movement and many unions are committed to backing the workers 100%. The company has repeatedly tried to panic the workers back in the gate. All these attempts have failed. The workers are clearly saying that they wont return to work until the matter is settled fairly.

How can I help?

• Visit the picket
  A friendly face on a picket is always welcomed.
  
• Finanicial aid
  Cash donations to the picket are welcome, see delegate on arrival
• Workplace meetings
  Arrange a meeting at your work to support Amcor strikers. If you require a speaker contact numbers below.
  
• Messages of support
  Send messages of support via mail, Amcor Picket, 29a Bell St Preston, 3072 Vic. or email: contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Download print and distribute support leaflet
  Amcor workers support leaflet
  

Community assembly roster: Paullie 0402 273 677
contacts: Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
[Between Chifley Dv and Albert St]

The AMCOR strike is entering a new phase tomorrow (Monday 14 august). To comply with a Federal Court order the AMWU State Secretary will recommend a return to work at a mass meeting at 10am. A letter given to the members states the intention of the meeting.

“The purpose of the meeting is to comply with section 1 (b) and (c) of the order”

These sections direct the union to “take all steps reasonably available under its rules” to ensure a return to work. The Federal Court has threatened to jail AMWU officials and seize union assets if the union fails to comply with the order.

Unions however are democratic institutions, the recommendation to return to work can either be accepted or rejected. The feeling to stay out until the issue of forced redundancies is resolved is strong.

AMCOR workers need supporters before, during and after the meeting. More updates will come you need to keep in contact with the website and the picket. Things could change very quickly in the new situation. Please consider turning up and give your support if you haven't as yet, spread the word.

messages of support: contact@unionsolidarity.org | Community picket roster: Paullie 0402 273 677

more info: background to dispute | Support Amcor workers leaflet | Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Yesterday [Wed 9 August] two more Amcor plants walked out in solidarity with striking workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston. A total of 11 Amcor sites across Australia have taken solidarity strike action over Tuesday and Wednesday. Amcor workers from West Heidelberg visited the picketline at Preston after walking out.

Building workers from the Laverton power station site visited the picket and donated $3,000. Commitment to donate funds has also been expressed from other Amcor sites.

Negotiations continued throughout Wednesday and the outcome of the talks is not clear at this stage. However with the solidarity strike action at other Amcor sites, offers of financial support and determination by the striking workers, it is hard to see the company winning from here.

Visit the Amcor Picket
Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
[Between Chifley Dv and Albert St]

messages of support: contact@unionsolidarity.org | Community picket roster: Paullie 0402 273 677

more info: background to dispute | Support Amcor workers leaflet | Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Union Solidarity sends our best wishes to Ken and Jo Mooney. They were involved in a car accident recently. Although they were not seriously injured Jo is expected to spend some time recovering in hospital.

All the best Ken and Jo we need you both fighting fit for the struggles ahead.

Community Assembly
5.45am Wed 9 August
Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
[Between Chifley Dv and Albert St]

Striking workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston are buoyed by the news that 9 other Amcor plants across Australia took solidarity action today. Another hopeful sign was news that a high-powered meeting between Amcor top management and senior officials from the AMWU is going to be held tomorrow [Wed Aug 9] at 10am.

Local Amcor managers tried yet again to panic the workers back in the gate with rather comical results. Lets just say that sparks flew and we all felt warmer. Although there are positive signs the workers still require wider trade union and community support.

Support Amcor workers leaflet: please print and distribute

Community assembly roster: Paullie 0402 273 677

contacts Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, Community Assemblies, strikes

Good news today [Tues 8 August] for the workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston. As the company is going to the IRC at 4pm seeking possible fines against rank and file union members Amcor workers at nine other plants have taken industrial action.

Management at Amcor is attempting to use the full weight of Howard’s IR law to stop a strike at Amcor Flexibles in Preston. The workers walked out on Tuesday 1 August in support of workers targeted for forced redundancy.

Please visit the Picketline
Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
(between Chifley Drive and Albert St)

Support Amcor workers leaflet: please print and distribute

Community assembly roster: Paullie 0402 273 677

contacts Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
(between Chifley Drive and Albert St)
Community assembly roster: Paullie 0402 273 677
contacts Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston are standing firm in the face of company harassment and intimidation. Management has contacted individual workers at home threatening them with fines if they failed to return to work immediately. Amcor workers have been requested by management to participate in a monitored phone poll on the question of returning to work. AMWU members have been on strike since August 1 in defense of fellow workers targeted for forced redundancy.

more background | Support Amcor workers leafleat

Recent Amcor letters contain a number of assertions, three of the most outrageous are.
1. That the majority of workers wish to return to work
2. That a supporters organized through Union Solidarity are preventing workers a return to work
3. That Union Solidarity is using the dispute for it’s own political purpose.

It is clear however that action at Amcor is continuing because the workers at Amcor wish it to continue. Also the only organization preventing a return to work is actually Amcor management. They have insisted on forced redundancy and are seeking legal sanctions against the union and it’s members that prevent a just settlement to the dispute. In other words the company is using Howard’s IR laws to try and bludgeon the workers back in the gate without their mates.

Amcor obtained an interim order from the commission (August 4) instructing that all industrial action should cease. An application by Amcor for a substantive order will be heard 4pm August 8. The matter in all probability will be referred to the federal court.

Union Solidarity's position on the Amcor dispute is the same as any other issue; to show no strings attached solidarity to unions and communities taking action in defense of their rights. We will stand by the Amcor workers until the dispute is over.

Amcor are using the same desperate tactics employers often use in this situation. Their attacks are indicative of what companies like Amcor and Howard think of ordinary Australians and their views on IR laws. When fellow workers attend a picket out of concern they are slandered and vilified.

The stand the union members at Amcor are taking deserves your full support. They have refused to be bullied by Howard’s IR laws. Amcor workers can and must win with wider support from the union movement and the community.

more info: background | Support Amcor workers leafleat

Labels: Amcor, strikes

Amcor Flexibles
29 Bell St
Preston
(between Chifley Drive and Albert St)

Support Amcor workers leaflet: please print and distribute

A community assembly has been set up to support AMWU union delegates and members victimized by management. Amcor have targeted 5 AMWU members for forced redundancies including 2 delegates. The workers at the plant, who have been on strike since Tuesday August 1 face possible fines under Howard’s new IR laws. They urgently need your support!

Update:
Union Solidarity / Community Assembly
Monday August 7
at picket
from 5.45am onwards.

Background.
Amcor Flexibles sought to introduce a round of redundancies at their Preston site. Workers were subjected to a humiliating process of “scores” for their job skill levels. The union (AMWU) were more than willing to negotiate around a process of voluntary redundancies and attempted to have outstanding matters resolved in the commission. However Amcor management have insisted on “picking heads” and targeted some of the most skilful workers for redundancies, workers who wanted to stay. Amcor did not need to this, there were plenty of volunteers willing to take voluntary redundancy.

Amcor have also tried to use Howard’s IR laws to force change that undermines union strength on the job. Amcor’s wider agenda is to set a precedent of getting rid of people they don’t want. They will then seek to do that at other Amcor sites.

Amcor are attempting to use the full weight of Howard’s draconian IR law to bludgeon the workers back to work. Workers have been threaten with fines. Bravely the workers have decided not to be intimidated and the community is backing their stand. They urgently require your support.

send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org

Community assembly roster: Paullie 0402 273 677

more info: Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Joe Montero 0402 679 201, 9486 6306

Labels: Amcor, Community Assemblies, strikes