The origins of CUDL are in the trade union movement!
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.
The group went on to provide practical support on pickets in Sydney and Melbourne. They brought food, tea and coffee to striking workers and were there when things got rough. Since that time, CUDL has expanded its services by holding street kitchens in major cities and providing a number of other services to the disadvantaged in the community. Members have carried out home maintenance for tenants struggling to stay in accommodation and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with those facing eviction. They’ve organised “tent cities” for the homeless and secured accommodation for the participants. The range of services will continue to be expanded but its origins in the organised labour movement and its commitment to rallying the community behind it must not be overlooked.
CUDL has always raised the hackles of reactionaries. They condemn our efforts to rally support for socialism and Communism. CUDL is affiliated to and takes ideological guidance from the Australian Communist Party so we’re guilty as charged. No apologies. We rally support for workers and their trade unions and use our influence to encourage more militancy in the course of their activities. We do what we can to help those thrown into unemployment and homelessness by capitalism - not as charity but as a form of solidarity while we build a movement that will end capitalism and the scourges it inevitably creates.
The commitment of CUDL to its work has attracted a lot of support in the community. We couldn’t maintain our services without this support from individuals and organisations, including the trade unions and, in particular, the CFMEU. Members of the Party and CUDL regularly stand side by side with members of the CFMEU in tense struggles around the country and it serves as a reminder of how the Community Union Defence League started all those years ago.
We want to thank CFMEU SA for their recent support when we have come under attack by Police, Council and government authorities seeking to shut down our street kitchen in Whitmore Square in Adelaide. The CFMEU is no stranger to official harassment and obstruction and has its hands full dealing with its own struggles. In these challenging circumstances, we would like to extend our gratitude for their support.