Iggy Kim, Sydney
On June 10, more than 100 delegates to the NSW Trades and Labor Council unanimously passed a motion of support for the June 30 "Bring the troops home now" protest in Sydney, organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
The motion was moved by TLC secretary John Robertson, and seconded by the state secretary of the NSW Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Andrew Ferguson.
State president of the NSW CFMEU Peter McClelland told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, "We're very pleased that the Labor Council supported our resolution. It's a sign that the Labor Council has shifted political positions over the decades."
He added, "The CFMEU doesn't take a narrow view of social obligations and responsibilities. We've always maintained strong links with the peace movement." McClelland will be addressing the Sydney rally.
The Stop the War Coalition is also continuing to gather support for its "Statement for Peace". The latest union signatory is Ian McCarthy, secretary of the NSW telecommunications and services branch of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU).
Other signatories include Andrew Ferguson, Martin Kingham (secretary, Victorian CFMEU), Dean Mighell (secretary, Victorian Electrical Trades Union), the University of NSW branch of the National Tertiary Education Union, Carmen Lawrence (federal ALP MP), Kerry Nettle (Greens senator), Sam Byrne (deputy mayor, Marrickville local council), comedian Rod Quantock, Bill Hartley (CEO, Australia Iraqi Friendship Association), the Queensland Peace Network, the Sydney Korean Progressive Alliance, and Aid/Watch.
In Western Australia, the state council of the WA branch of the CEPU's electrical division voted unanimously at its meeting on June 16 to endorse the Perth rally. The motion was moved by WA CEPU state secretary Bill Game.
The state executive of the WA branch of the Maritime Union of Australia has also endorsed the rally. In April the MUA national conference passed a motion calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq.
In Canberra, the local Australian Education Union will distribute rally fliers to the 120 teachers on its territory council.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, June 23, 2004.
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