Statement from CUDL re: the attack on the CFMEU and human rights

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

From the beginning, our street kitchens have been met with official harassment and police intervention. One after another, bureaucratic obstacles were placed in our way. Our brothers and sisters in the CFMEU rallied to our side to defend us. They know what it’s like to be obstructed and punished for helping those who need assistance; in their instance, to guarantee the right to a living wage and to come home from work in an industry where many have perished on dangerous building sites. The pressure on them never relaxes but they have stayed strong.

We are duty bound to repay their solidarity in whatever way we can. Tomorrow there are rallies taking place in several cities across the country. CUDL volunteers and friends will be participating in the rallies, and we urge supporters to do whatever they can to attend these and prepare for ongoing actions in defence of the CFMEU. It is a time for networking and a lot of creativity and initiative to bring people together in opposition to what is happening. Equally important is a swift response given the impatience of the enemies of the working class to achieve their goals.