We, the office bearers of the Craig Johnston Trade Union Support Committee (CJTUSC), are extremely disappointed at the November 3 correspondence currently being circulated by Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Doug Cameron.
Doug states that, "The key personnel driving this campaign are based in the Socialist Alliance and Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly." This is completely and utterly wrong. The composition of the CJTUSC is made up of more than a dozen union and trades and labour council secretaries in Victoria alone and is supported by a number of concerned union secretaries interstate. The CJTUSC does not ask for explanations of party membership but it is far more likely that these union secretaries are members of the ALP rather than the Socialist Alliance.
The actions of the CJTUSC are completely in line with a Victorian Trades Hall Council motion that was UNANIMOUSLY passed through both the VTHC executive and council meetings. Even Doug himself states, "I am on record as saying I do not support the jailing of Craig Johnston", but he is curiously working to undermine others who are actively trying to get Craig released.
Unfortunately, Doug is also raising questions regarding the credibility of the fundraising efforts throughout the campaign. The CJTUSC has set up our own fundraising campaign and currently more than 50 union officials are donating money on a weekly basis. This money is being used to support Craig's family and build support against the jailing of him.
Doug's comments overemphasise the decisions of the conservative Supreme Court, instead of referring to the decision made by the County Court. The County Court's decision clearly recognised that the dispute was an INDUSTRIAL dispute and ruled accordingly. Firstly it released the 17 co-accused with very minor fines and good behaviour bonds. Even though Craig was singled out over the rest, he also received a good behaviour bond and a suspended sentence.
The Supreme Court deliberately appointed three of the most anti-union, conservative judges and unfortunately Doug's case against Craig revolves around their decision.
To imply that this is a marginalised campaign only supported by small organisations totally underestimates the seriousness of the attacks unionists are facing in Australia today. Howard's industrial agenda for his third term foreshadows attacks on industrial and civil rights of a scale that we have not seen before. The imprisonment of Craig Johnston should unite unionists to oppose the criminalisation of industrial activity, not lead to divisiveness at a time when we must work together.
The campaign has already united thousands of rank-and-file members across unions but to repel this and further attacks we will need to increase this support massively.
We would like to extend an invitation to all unionists to attend the Free Craig Johnston Rally on November 25, 10am at the State Library, Melbourne, to hand over a petition to [Victorian Premier] Steve Bracks calling for Craig's release.
Please make donations to the Craig Johnston Trade Union Support Committee.
For further details please do not hesitate to contact us:
Martin Kingham, Victorian state secretary, CFMEU construction and general division, Kevin Bracken, Victorian state secretary, MUA, Leo Skourdoumbis Victorian state secretary, FFTS.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, November 24, 2004.
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