The history of the Community Union Defence League and its commitment to a more just society demand that we act now. At this very moment, federal and state governments are delivering a blow against what many regard as the most effective union in the country. Even enemies of the CFMEU recognise that. With this attack, the Albanese government, with the support of its state counterparts and in alliance with big business, are seeking to impose a template for tame-cat unionism that will deliver worse safety, less pay and eroded conditions. If the government gets their way, workers will lose control over their own unions.

CUDL was formed in 2016 in response to a previous assault on the CFMEU. The Australian Building and Construction Commission sought to jail officials and organisers of that union and succeeded in hitting some with crippling fines. Outraged workers responded by raising funds to help with these fines and rallied community support for the union. These were the origins of CUDL. Since then, CUDL has expanded into other work such as the street kitchens that help many of the worst hit victims of the economic system imposed on us.

The Community Union Defence League was founded in Adelaide in 2016. The organisation was established to rally community support behind workers and their trade unions who were (and still are) under attack for taking action in defiance of attacks from employers. One of the first initiatives of the group was to raise funds to support union officials from the CFMEU who had been heavily penalised by the Australian Building and Construction Commission - the federal government’s workplace Gestapo established to destroy militant trade unionism in the construction industry. The response was overwhelming and encouraging. The group displayed massive banners from bridges and got an enthusiastic response from commuters.

”….You have given me the rectitude that the tree requires….
You have made me see the world's clarity and the possibility of happiness.
You have made me indestructible because with you I do not end in myself”

- Pablo Neruda

“The concept of “mutual aid” is not just some abstract idea, dreamed up by idealistic academics. It is already practiced widely in working class communities, where mates helping each other out in hard times is already part of our working class culture”

I am sure that those people who Ray helped will join with me in remembering the things he did for them, the times he visited people who served prison sentences and brought them smokes, sweets and the help and loving understanding to help them cope with life and get back to living a normal life again. RIP to a man who had great compassion and love for his fellow man and woman.