BY BRONWYN REES-ALLEN & LINDA WALDRON
MELBOURNE — On June 8 a large contingent from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) joined 250 protesters outside the Nike superstore in Swanston Street. The presence of the militant union contingent lifted the protesters' morale and not surprisingly there was no repeat of the police brutality against protesters that occurred at the June 1 blockade.
Michelle O'Neill from the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Union highlighted the dangerous and exploitative working conditions that outworkers face in Australia. Reihana Mohideen from Philippines Socialist Party of Labour emphasised the importance of globalising workers' solidarity.
Jorge Jorquera from the Socialist Alliance condemned the use of archaic by-laws against protesters for leafleting on city streets. He announced the Socialist Alliance would field candidates for the Melbourne City Council elections. "Our councillors will repeal undemocratic legislation in support of the people", he said.
Kylie Moon from the O3 Alliance pledged support for the protesters and urged those involved to join the blockade of the Commonwealth Business Forum on October 3.
Following the speakers, 100 people marched to RMIT to debrief and make future campaign plans. The meeting decided to build a half-day blockade of the Nike superstore on August 3 and a full-day blockade on September 11 to commemorate the S11 protest.
On June 15, 200 protesters returned to expose Nike and increase public pressure on their super-exploitative labour practices. John Short, an organiser with the AMWU, and Trade Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard reiterated the need for union support for progressive campaigns. Marcel Cameron from the 03 Alliance urged the protesters to take the anti-corporate movement onwards from Nike to the October 3-5 Commonwealth Business Forum.
A speaker from Australia-Asia Worker Links described the June 8 crackdown on the Asia Pacific Peoples Solidarity Conference in Jakarta and urged solidarity with the people's struggle for democracy and workers' rights in Indonesia. After being given a warning by the police to move on the protesters rallied together and renewed their determination to blockade Nike all day on September 11.