In response to the recent 9 news report — first on 60 minutes, then The Age and other Fairfax outlets, spearheaded by Nick McKenzie — Monday Breakfast spoke to members of Defend The Unions, Defend The CFMEU. Last August, the CFMEU faced baseless allegations by Fairfax Media, leading to the reactionary measure by Albanese's Federal ALP government: to put the — not only the Victorian branch — but all CFMEU branches along the eastern coast of the continent into a government-approved administration. Hundreds of democratically-elected CFMEU were subsequently sacked on the spot with no right to reply. Esther Van Arend, an outspoken critic of the administration and staunch advocate for workers' rights in the union, was sacked under questionable circumstances after speaking to journalist Nick McKenzie outside a coburg cinema late last year. Esther was fired by the administration with no legal recourse, in any other circumstances this would be considered unfair dismissal and she has not yet had a right of reply. Rob spoke with Dusty, Amelia, Julie, and Janine, four rank and file members of the CFMEU and members of Defend the Unions Defend the CFMEU, a community group of rank and file CFMEU members, including a small handful of delegates plus community members in support of the union.

 

 

 

Community events:
On Wednesday the 26th of March there will be a picket of the Avalon airshow to stop death-dealing arms trading. The picket will trake place on Beach Road between Princess Highway and airshow Gate 1. Attendees are encouraged to wear black bloc to protect yourself and your community, comrades are also encouraged to carpool. See more info here.